SI DENTISTS’ PARTICIPATED IN ORAL TRAINING FACILITATED BY FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Dentists working at the National Referral Hospital and Honiara City Council (HCC) and including Malaita, Guadalcanal, Choiseul, Makira and Renbel provinces, and two dental private practitioners have participated in a first of its kind practical training that aims to upskill their knowledge in oral medicine, pathology, and oral cancer prevention and treatment from 9 to 10 October, 2025.

Amongst participants are Oral Potential Malignant Disorders (OPMD) graduates of a program offered by the Fiji National University on Postgraduate Diploma in Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology.

FNU- CMNHA facilitator Dr. Osea Gavidi

The workshop is being led by a visiting team from Fiji National University, Dr Osea Gavidi and Professor Jayantha Weerisinghe from the school of Oral Health, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS).

The training objectives are; to impart on the management of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMD) and discuss management of malignant lessons of the Oral muscosa (OSCC), and it was expected to identify areas to improve oral cancer management at NRH. To establish OMOP credentials and increase network 7in the provincial dental centres that will ease management and enhance referral of oral cancer to NRH Oral Surgery Unit. Laying down ground work for Tele dentistry in the area of oral medicine and oral pathology in the remote islands for optional care.

Dr. Grace Mamupio, Head of Oral Surgery, NRH stated the burden of tackling oral health diseases is inevitable in most Pacific Island Countries (PICs) including Solomon Islands, oral cancer and other OPMDs are now becoming the common cases presenting to NRH, other provincial dental centres or private clinics dental chairs.

She explained, with the efforts of addressing it at the public health level and the goal to be prepared at the clinical level is still at stake, which previously the Oral unit has lacked in resources including workforce to address these pathologies. However, with the introduction and implementation of such specific online short courses from FNU, they are beginning to have minor to moderate cases managed at provincial level by dentists instead of being referred to NRH.

“This course has enabled dentists to get up to date knowledge and clinical skills on how to identify and manage complex oral pathologies, an opportunity that has been an advantage for our department. in this training a number of public health dentists were also invited, they play an important role in first line identification of these lesions and so will ease referral or not overlook these concerning pathologies, private practitioners frequently encounter similar cases at their practise, this knowledge will help them to identify manageable cases and refer when necessary.

“The significance of FNU Visitation to our OMOP students and department is a strikingly statement that this institution is committed in providing lifelong approach to education, training and well equipping the health force in the PICs, it is also an opportunity to savage cost cutting of having to send professionals over to Fiji for training. This training is a start of being part of more opportunities for the dental department in Solomon Islands with FNU to increase and enhance productivity and service delivery in our country”, said Dr. Mamupio.

NRH supervising MS Dr. Titus Nasi speaking during the certificate handover ceremony of the training.

National Referral Hospital, supervising Medical Superintendent, Dr. Titus Nasi acknowledged and thanked the Fiji National University for their support to the growth of Solomon Islands dental workforce.

“This training is timely as it will help us provide better care for patients and improve how we prevent and treat oral cancer in the Solomon Islands”, said Dr Nasi.

“We are thankful to Fiji National University for working with us to build skills across the Pacific. Many of our local dentists trained at FNU, and this partnership helps strengthen dental care in our region. The training gives our clinicians practical tools to improve patient outcomes,” said Dr Nasi.

He congratulated the training participants and encouraged them to bring the skills and expertise learned during the training in their day to day work.

NRH Head of Oral Surgery Dr. Grace Mamupio

Fiji National University, Dr Osea Gavidi congratulated the training participants and acknowledged the Solomon Islands Dentist Division for the invitation to enable his team to conduct the important training. He stated FNU acknowledged that majority of the participants of the online courses they provide are dentists from MHMS Solomon Islands.

“In this regard, it is useful for us to visit these students and offer them hands-on-experience in their place of work in their home country”, said Dr. Gavidi.

Meanwhile, Dr. Junily Toata, Guadalcanal Province, Dental Officer who attended the two days training and the OMOP online training stated she is grateful to be part of this training and thanked the training facilitators and SI Dental Division for allowing the team to come and give a hands-on experience on OMOP.

“The training has provided me with the updated knowledge and clinical skills, to serve patients better in terms of screening, diagnosis and management of Oral potentially Malignant disorders (OPMD) and Oral cancer.

“In addition, it is an opportunity for me as a student to make connections for collaboration with FNU team for research in Oral cancer- in Solomon Islands and Melanesia in the future”, said Dr Toata.

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Dr. Melissa Ziru receiving her certificate from NRH supervising Medical Superintendent Dr. Titus Nasi and FNU- CMNHS Professor Jayantha Weerisinghe

In photo cutting the cake are; OPMD graduates together with NRH MS and FNU-CMNHS facilitators