The Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) has warned that its members may take industrial action, unless the Government addresses the continued non-implementation of a 2024 agreement affecting public dental surgeons.
UCASE acts on behalf of the Jamaica Association of Public Dental Surgeons (JAPDENS), the union for registered dental surgeons across the island.
The dispute centres on a side letter agreement signed on October 8, 2024, which sought to correct an employment anomaly, where registered dental surgeons were employed as dental intern 2 instead of dental surgeon 1.
UCASE President Vincent Morrison emphasized that the prolonged delay has already caused financial hardship for affected officers, disrupted career progression and worsened morale within the public dental service.
Mr. Morrison said the affected officers should be employed as surgeons, not interns.
Of immediate concern are seven dental intern 2 officers in the Western Regional Health Authority whose contracts are set to end tomorrow representing a substantial portion of the region’s dental workforce.
The union says despite repeated outreach to authorities, including formal correspondence in April and June 2025 and February and March 2026, no meaningful remedial action has been taken.
Meanwhile, he is demanding that officers whose contracts are ending or have already ended be re-engaged to prevent service gaps.
He also insists that the ministry of health issues written guidance to all regional health authorities clarifying that this issue is separate from other agreements.
Aditionally, he is asking that the post-creation exercise be completed by April 30, ensuring all affected officers, including dental intern 1s who have since qualified are included.
