ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has withdrawn its controversial proposal to extend the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program from four to five years, following sustained advocacy and pressure from key stakeholders, led by the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA). Sources confirm that this significant reversal marks a pivotal moment after months of deliberation and intense debate within the dental education sector.
The PMDC convened a high-profile meeting at its Head Office in Islamabad to address critical concerns raised by the PDA, which presented compelling, data-driven arguments grounded in legal, infrastructural, and academic realities. This marks the first formal recognition of the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) by PMDC as the authentic representative of the dental fraternity—a significant achievement for the revitalized PDA under the leadership of its president, Dr. Khurshid Ahmad.
During the previous pivotal meeting on January 1, three proposed frameworks for the BDS program were evaluated:
4+1 Model: Retaining the existing structure with four years of academic education and one year of house job.
5+0 Model: Introducing a five-year curriculum where the house job is integrated as a clerkship.
5+1 Model: Extending the program to five academic years with an additional year for a house job.
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However, concerns over potential legal and infrastructural challenges led to further deliberations. The PMDC will now defer any program extension for one year, committing to a transparent, inclusive consultation process with educators, students, dental institutes, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to devise a robust, consensus-based framework.
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Dr. Khurshid Ahmad, President of the Pakistan Dental Association’s Central Council, highlighted the need to adhere to PMDC’s regulations while incorporating diverse stakeholder feedback as advised by the National Medical & Dental Academic Board (NM&DAB).
"A well-rounded decision is crucial to safeguard the future of dental education," Dr. Ahmad told Dental News. "The voices of educators, students, and healthcare policymakers must converge to ensure a robust and progressive framework."
PMDC officials reiterated their commitment to transparency, inviting all relevant stakeholders to participate in upcoming sessions and contribute to shaping Pakistan’s dental education landscape.
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