KINGSTON, Jamaica – Disgruntled dental surgeons gathered outside the Ministry of Finance in Kingston on Wednesday as their industrial action against alleged mistreatment by the Government entered its second day.

Among the complaints of the dental surgeons is their remuneration under the new compensation scheme, with a representative asserting that “mistreatment will only encourage them to leave our island.”

The dental surgeons shouted in unison messages such as “Dentists need liveable wage!”, and “No discrimination against the dentist!”

Jessie-James Clarke, a junior shadow spokesperson on health for the Opposition People’s National Party, said the protest is “unfortunate”, adding that the ministers of health and finance should be very concerned about the matter.

“It’s unfortunate that it had to get to this point and you see this being repeated in many of the groups in healthcare where they have to demonstrate before any type of attention is given to them…We need to be more proactive; the Ministry of Health and Finance need to be more proactive,” Clarke said.

“The Minister of Finance has not responded to a request that they had for a meeting from April this year…It’s about their compensation package and there are some issues with it with the offer that have been made out to them and they want to discuss it further with the ministry but the minister refuses to respond…They are now demonstrating to see if they can get the attention of the public and the minister to intervene so that they can come to some sort of agreement,” he said.

“You won’t have any dental surgeons across the island offering any services because they are here demonstrating…And you have persons who need urgent dental assistance but they [dental surgeons are here now because of how badly they are being treated,” Clarke added.

He said a continued “mistreatment” of the dental surgeons will encourage a mass exodus.

“They need to meet with these people because they are already in short supply and we can’t continue to mistreat them. I’m seeking for the minister to speak with them and hear their suggestions on what they’re requesting in terms of their compensation package and to make them feel comfortable,” he pointed out.