Based on the ordinance regulating the practice of dentistry (Landsverordening regelende de uitoefening van de tandheelkunst) A.B. 2013, GT no. 797, a dentist is only qualified to practice dentistry on St. Maarten if he/she avails of either a Dutch dental degree-in case of a foreign dental degree- a declaration of competence issued by a dental examination board. A letter was sent to all established dentists on St. Maarten requesting their nomination.
The Ministry of Public Health Social Development & Labor has recently established the Dentistry Examination Board, comprising of two locally established dentists along with the Inspector General of Public Health, Social Development &Labor as the chairperson.
"This is a great step in the right direction as we now have this board established to check the qualifications of those wishing to practice dentistry here on the island; moreover we want to ensure that there is not only an adequate amount of dentists on the island, but also that those who are allowed to practice dentistry are adequately trained and work in accordance with professional standards," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.
Minister De Weever further stated that the responsibility of the board is to assess the competence of dentists not qualified to practice according to the ordinance regulating the practice of dentistry.