Kuala lumpur: Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan announced the completion of the country's first dental specialist centre today. The facility, strategically located next to the Seremban Health Clinic along Jalan Rasah, marks a significant milestone in Malaysia's dental healthcare landscape.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the construction of the centre commenced on March 30, 2021, and was completed on April 15. Built by the Public Works Department (JKR) at a cost of RM32 million, the centre is set to open its doors next month, offering specialized services such as Orthodontics, Periodontics, Restorative Surgery, and Public Dental Health. The announcement was made during the project's handover to the Health Ministry (MOH), an event graced by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, state JKR director Datuk Ir Wan Hasnan Wan Musa, and MOH Senior Undersecretary (Development) Datin Paduka Roslinah Md Jani.
Ahmad Maslan also highlighted the Public Works Ministry's ongoing efforts through the JKR's Occupational Health Branch. He noted that the ministry is executing 167 health facility projects across the country, with a total investment of RM18.05 billion. These projects are divided into different phases, including 60 projects in the planning phase valued at RM5.54 billion, 63 projects in the construction phase worth RM7.37 billion, and 44 projects in the post-construction phase costing RM5.14 billion.
Meanwhile, Datin Paduka Roslinah Md Jani emphasized the unique role of the new dental centre as the first facility in the country to provide non-hospital-based dental specialist services. It aims to serve as a one-stop centre for dental services in the Central Zone, covering Negeri Sembilan, Putrajaya, and Melaka. This initiative is expected to enhance access to comprehensive dental services for referral cases from various dental health facilities, including private clinics.
Roslinah elaborated on the benefits of the new centre, stating that it will significantly reduce the waiting period for patients, cutting down the time between appointments from two months to just two or three weeks. Additionally, the centre boasts a unique skills lab, a facility not previously available in other dental centres, further enhancing its service offerings.