After 25 years in dentistry, Dr. Sabriena Harrychan is often asked why she has remained in Guyana’s public healthcare system rather than entering private practice.
Her answer goes to the heart of her career.
“If all the dentists decided to work privately in this country, who will serve the poor who cannot afford private office payments?” she asks.
That commitment has guided Dr. Harrychan from her beginnings as a Community Dental Therapist to her current position as Regional Senior Dental Surgeon.
Her journey began in 2001, when she completed a one-year training programme at the Dr. Cheddi Jagan Dental School. She then returned to her home region, Region Two, where she served for two years.
Dentistry, however, was not the career she had imagined for herself while growing up in Lima on the Essequibo Coast.
Her childhood ambition was to become an accountant.
“I never liked medicine,” she recalled.
But what began as an unexpected career path eventually became her passion.
Determined to advance professionally, Dr. Harrychan enrolled in the two-year Dentex Certificate Training Programme. After completing it, she again returned to Region Two to serve.
Three years later, she pursued a Dentex Diploma through another one-year programme. Each opportunity required her to return to the public healthcare system, an obligation she readily embraced.
Her determination eventually earned her a place in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme at the University of Guyana’s School of Dentistry.
After graduating, she returned to Region Two and continued serving the community that had supported her development.
She later completed postgraduate studies in forensic odontology and is now pursuing a master’s degree in healthcare management.
Turning criticism into motivation
Dr. Harrychan’s professional journey was not without setbacks.
She recalled facing criticism and discouraging comments about her abilities and ambitions. Instead of allowing those words to stop her, she used them as motivation.
“Every negative word that was spoken to me, I used them as pillars to motivate me to climb one step higher to become who I am today,” she said.
Her faith also played a central role in helping her navigate difficult periods.
Looking back, Dr. Harrychan believes the opportunities that shaped her career were guided by her trust in God. She also credits integrity as one of the principles that helped her overcome challenges and remain focused.
“Throughout the years, I have overcome my challenges and weaknesses by standing firmly on what I believe in most,integrity,” she said.
A career devoted to public healthcare
Dr. Harrychan has spent her entire 25-year career in Guyana’s public healthcare system.
She has provided clinical services, participated in community outreach programmes and continued developing her professional skills while serving patients who may otherwise struggle to afford dental care.
She said many of the training programmes that advanced her career were sponsored by the Government of Guyana. That investment strengthened her sense of responsibility to give back through public service.
Today, Dr. Harrychan works in both administrative and clinical roles as Regional Senior Dental Surgeon. Her responsibilities include helping to ensure that patients can access quality dental care and receive satisfactory service.
For her, remaining in the public system is ultimately about fairness.
She believes a person’s ability to receive quality dental treatment should not be determined by whether that person can afford private care. Her goal is to help make services commonly available in private practices accessible through the public healthcare system wherever possible.
Over the years, dentistry has grown from an unexpected career into work she approaches with compassion and empathy. She says she remains willing to go the extra mile for her patients.
Looking beyond the milestone
As she celebrates 25 years in the profession, Dr. Harrychan is not slowing down.
She plans to continue improving patient care through professional development, evidence-based dental practice and stronger leadership. She also hopes to mentor and guide younger dental professionals as they build their careers.
Her journey, she believes, demonstrates that a person’s starting point does not have to determine where that person eventually goes.
“If I can climb from the last stairs to the top, anyone can do it,” she said.
But she cautioned that progress requires sacrifice, determination and the courage to continue despite setbacks.
Dr. Harrychan also expressed gratitude to the people who supported her throughout her career.
“Thank you to my patients, family, colleagues and friends for your trust, support and encouragement throughout this incredible journey,” she said.
