Effective January 1, 2024, all practicing medical doctors, dentists, and dental surgeons in Ghana are mandated to adopt new designations: Dr. (Med) and Dr. (Dent), respectively. This directive, issued by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), aims to improve patients’ rights, enhance patient safety, and contribute to the overall quality of healthcare services.
The inclusion of “Med” and “Dent” in the “Dr” titles serves the purpose of distinguishing medical and dental practitioners’ titles from academic “Dr” titles and the increasing prevalence of honorary “Dr” titles. Although not explicitly stated in the press release dated January 3, 2023, and issued by the President of the GMA, Frank Serebour, the decision was made during the 65th Annual General Meeting of the GMA held in Takoradi in November 2023.
The GMA clarified that medical doctors and dentists holding additional academic titles should precede their new designations with these academic titles as appropriate. This move is expected to bring clarity and precision to professional titles within the medical and dental fields.
“For example, medical doctors or dentists with a professorial rank appointment and/or a PhD qualification may be designated Prof. Dr. (Med), Prof. Dr. Dr. (Med), Dr. Dr. (Med), Prof. Dr. (Dent), Prof. Dr. Dr. (Dent), or Dr. Dr. (Dent) as may apply,” the statement explained.
Consequently, the GMA has directed all practicing medical doctors and dentists/dental surgeons to update their name tags, practitioner stamps, and other pertinent materials to align with the new designations, Dr. (Med) and Dr. (Dent). Emphasizing the importance of clear identification for patient and public safety, the association has strongly encouraged its members to wear their name tags consistently while at work. This measure aims to facilitate easy recognition and enhance the overall safety and well-being of patients and the public.
“All medical doctors and dentists should readily show their designations when asked by patients or the public. We implore the media and the public to take note of the new designations and refer to medical doctors and dentists as such,” it added.
Attached below is a copy of the statement.
PRESS RELEASE
NEW DESIGNATION OF MEDICAL DOCTORS AND DENTISTS IN GHANA
Members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) at the 65th Annual General Meeting held in Takoradi in November 2023, having deliberated extensively on issues of patients’ rights, patient safety and quality healthcare among others, decided on new designations to be used by all Medical Doctors and Dentists in Ghana effective 1st January, 2024.
The designations are as follows:
Dr. (Med) for Medical Doctors
Dr. (Dent) for Dentists/Dental Surgeons
Medical Doctors and Dentists with additional academic titles will prefix these titles with their academic titles as appropriate. For example, Medical Doctors or Dentists with a professorial rank appointment and/or a PhD qualification may be designated Prof. Dr. (Med), Prof. Dr. Dr. (Med), Dr. Dr. (Med), Prof. Dr. (Dent), Prof. Dr. Dr. (Dent) or Dr. Dr. (Dent) as may apply.
All Medical Doctors and Dentists/Dental Surgeons practicing in Ghana are therefore to take note and change their name tags, practitioner stamps and other relevant materials to reflect the change.
Members are encouraged to wear their name tags at all times at work to ensure clear and easy identification in the interest of patient and public safety.
All Medical Doctors and Dentists should readily show their designations when asked by patients or the public.
We implore the media and the public to take note of the new designations and refer to Medical Doctors and Dentists as such
