Karachi: The Sindh Revenue Board states that patients will be charged a 13% sales tax on cosmetic and aesthetic treatment. However, the dentists of Sindh are opposing this tax, claiming this will severely impact the patient’s right to acquire treatment.
According to sources, the categorisation and definition of what the board considers “aesthetic” treatment has been mentioned obscurely in the Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act 2011.
The Act states that orthodontics, lip surgery and any other dental treatment that falls under grade 1 on the IOTN scale of categorisation for dental treatments, shall be levied to a surcharge under this Act.
However, vague terms such as lip surgery and orthodontics are confusing the dental practitioners as they find it difficult to communicate this unreasonable policy, to their patients.
One particular dentist, speaks to Dental News on the issue stating “The term lip surgery is very vague. SRB should understand the need to specify procedures clearly. Lip surgeries are also done in patients undergoing cancer treatment. Will the tax be imposed on this as well?” Who will decide if the surgery done was critical or cosmetic, how will such issues be handled which may ultimately make the life of a dentist difficult since they cannot divulge patient information to anyone without the consent of the patient.
Another dentist claims, that in many cases, orthodontic treatment is advised post cleft lip and palate surgery. Tax imposed on orthodontics will discourage patients from opting for treatment.
It is also important to note that this particular tax is not imposed on patients in other provinces. Neither Punjab nor KPK or Balochistan are subject to the application of this sales tax. The question then arises: Why is the tax only applicable to patients in Sindh?
Pakistan Dental Association President Dr Mahmood Shah who is currently overseas has convened an important Meeting to discuss imposition of unjustified sales tax on Dental Surgeons of Sindh by Sindh Revenue Board ( SRB).
