The Zimbabwe Academy of Dental Nursing (ZADENU)is Zimbabwe's first ever FORMAL training programme for Dental Surgery Assistants (DSAs). It is a corporate social responsibility project by a group of interested stakeholders, mainly made of dentists and dental therapists. It is a non-profit initiative (though run on a cost recovery basis) meant to improve the professionalism of Dental Surgery Assistants (DSAs)in Zimbabwe, a hitherto neglected “foot soldier” group of the dental profession in Zimbabwe. It is a brain child of Borrowdale Dental Surgery, Dr Farayi Moyana & Associates ( Dental Surgeons, 60 Baines Avenue, Medical Chambers First Floor, HARARE) supported by other dentists and dental therapists.Every dental practice, surgery, clinic or hospital needs a Dental Surgery Assistant orShow moreNurse in differing role configurations. All the module writers and presenters of ZADENU offer their resources, skills and time on a voluntary basis.The programme targets serving/experienced and school leavers in Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Coordinating Countries (SADC) who wish to acquire a formal qualification in dental nursing or surgery assisting. This initiative is poised to raise the standard of dental assisting and nursing in Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a medium to long term vision of enlarging capacity to include dental hygienists as well. The programme is run on a modular basis, interspersed with extended experiential learning/practicals/attachment/work-integrated learning at private dental surgeries, quasi-public dental facilities and government dental clinics.The pedagogical approach is unique in that it harnesses the power of internet learning, modules, long distance learning, Informal and Non-formational aspects of Adult education as well as experiential work integrated training. The programme runs for 12 months leading to the conferment of a Certificate in Dental Assisting. At 3 or 4 months’ intervals the group will meet for 2 to 5 days for theoretical inputs and additional formal assessments. The experiential learning/attachment phase will be laden with assignments and digitally supported continuous learning. The face to face sessions will be mainly focused on basic sciences and commercial subjects such as Dental Anatomy, Physiology, dental materials, Dental Assisting theory, radiology, microbiology/hygiene/infection control, DHE, First Aid , Public Relations, marketing theory, Health law and medical ethics, record keeping, Computer literacy.The current fees for the whole course are pegged at US1875 ( excluding cost of our branded uniform currently costing US145) (visit our website for details on loan facilities and current payments terms). The website address is: www.zadenu.org