The recent change by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) Thus, the Ministry of Health and PM&DC enhancing the education credibility profile of Pakistani dental graduates at the international level has increased the duration of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme from four years to five. This historic decision was made during the academic session commencing with the BDS 2024-25 batch. It has been taken to set the course standard at par with internal institutions and to overcome the difficulties the graduates face in finding foreign opportunities.
Insights: Why did the program change to a five-year program?
However, around the world, BDS course options usually include five-year master’s degree programs. Different program durations can make the application of Pakistani BDS, particularly graduates with the four-year BDS degree, difficult when applying for advanced education, training, or employment overseas. The above issues are addressed by the PM&DC’s decision to recognize that these qualifications from Pakistan are at par with international standards.
What is in the New Structure?
In essence, the redesigned program will comprise of
Five Years of Education and Practice
The fifth year will be on clinical clerkship. Therefore, patient care practical experiences will be paramount.
Mandatory One-Year House Job
Graduates will perform a progressive internship, which is called the foundation year.
As for the students who have already graduated after implementing four years of BDS, universities must produce transcripts showing that the program has been for five years. This includes the status of prior house jobs equivalent to the New Clerkship year.
Role of UHS in the Decision
The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has had a major part in starting this process. The detailed plan of the extended curriculum was also discussed when UHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore shared it in the meeting. After careful assessment, PM&DC agreed to the proposal, ordering all universities to enforce the structure.
Advantages of the 5-Year Program
• Global Recognition
The BDS graduates from Pakistan will now be eligible to join higher studies and fully get job placements abroad.
• Enhanced Training
The extra clinical clerkships increase the students’ hands-on experience, allowing them to be ready to be ready for different professional settings.
• Elevating Standards
This change places Pakistan’s dental education right on par with some of the best programs in the world.
Next Steps for Universities
All universities are to amend their BDS curricula to include the 5th-year clerkship and submit the official transcript of all graduates.
PM&DC is developing broad-based curricula for all universities, and these guidelines are in the pipeline to be released to the universities.
Applications to the Current and Past Cohort of Graduates
The structure change affects students entering the institution from 2024/2025.
To make the previous graduates’ transcripts indicate the extra year required to obtain an international equivalence, the changes will also be seen in the transcripts.
Bright Prospect for Dental Education in Pakistan
PM&DC’s bold step, along with the initiative of UHS, will thus set the right tone for dental education in Pakistan. The updated BDS program also provides up-gradation opportunities for Pakistani graduates and equips them with the necessary skills to challenge any international market.
The PM&DC continues striving to enhance educational standards, moving ahead for the identification and appreciation of healthcare professionals in Pakistan on international forums. For more detailed information on this as the council comes up with the final curriculum guidelines, let us wait until we get more updates from their end.
For more updates on educational reforms and healthcare advancements in Pakistan, visit PM&DC’s official website (https://www.pmdc.pk).
