Medical doctors to prefix names with Dr. (Med); dentists Dr. (Dent) – GMA

With effect from January 1, 2024, practitioners affiliated with the Ghana Medical Association will prefix their names with new titles.

In a statement on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, signed by its President, Dr. (Med) Frank Serebour, and Secretary, Dr. (Dent) Richard Selormey, GMA noted that the new designations are part of decisions upheld by the association at its 65^th Annual Congress in Takoradi.

According to the statement, the new designation for medical doctors is Dr. (Med), while that of dentists and dental surgeons is Dr. (Dent).

“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 professional rank appointment and/or a PhD qualification may be designated Prof. Dr. (Med), Dr. Dr. (Med), Prof. Dr. (Dent), Prof. Dr. Dr. (Dent), or Dr. Dr. (Dent) as may apply,” the statement explained further.

GMA urged all medical doctors and dentists to take note of the new changes and change their name tags, practice stamps, and other relevant materials to reflect the change.

The association also encouraged its members to wear name tags bearing the new designs for easy identification, in the interest of patient and public safety, and to show them to patients where necessary.

It further asked the general public and media to take note of the changes and address medical doctors and dentists as appropriate.