Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has officially announced the extension of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program from 4 years to 5 years.
President PM&DC Prof.Dr.Rizwan Taj in the press release highlighted the significant benefits of the change. He explained that keeping in view the challenges faced by BDS graduates from Pakistan in securing training /jobs etc across the globe where 5 five-year BDS transcript is required, the PM&DC Council decided that the BDS course/structure in Pakistan shall be a 5 years program including 5th year as clerkship year followed by 1 year structured house job/ foundation year/internship. This shall be implemented w.e.f session 2024-2025.
He added that to align the credentials of the dental surgeon who has graduated from Pakistan with the existing 04 years BDS program at par with international requirements and the new re-structured 5 years BDS program, all universities have been directed to issue revised transcripts of 5-years including house job training as clerkship year, to those dental surgeons who may approach the university for the same purpose.
He further added that the additional year will allow students to gain a deeper theoretical understanding of dental sciences, improving the academic foundation required for excellence in the field. With extended clinical training, students will be better prepared to handle real-world dental challenges with competence and confidence.
This initiative will bring Pakistan’s dental education system in line with global standards, facilitating greater international recognition of Pakistani graduates. This enhancement will equip graduates with advanced skills and knowledge, thus strengthening their competitiveness in both local and international healthcare sectors.
He further stated that comprehensive curriculum guidelines have been finalized by the Council and will soon be shared with dental colleges. The PMDC is diligently collaborating with institutions nationwide to ensure the seamless implementation of the revised structure. This reform is a critical step towards cultivating highly skilled dental professionals capable of addressing the evolving demands of healthcare in Pakistan and beyond.
