Daily Times

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially announced an extension of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program from four to five years, set to take effect from the 2024-2025 academic session.

This significant change aims to align Pakistan’s dental education with international standards and address challenges faced by Pakistani graduates in securing training and job opportunities abroad, where a five-year BDS degree is often required.

The new structure includes a fifth year focused on clerkship, followed by a one-year structured house job or internship.

PMDC President, Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, emphasized that the additional year will enhance students’ theoretical understanding of dental sciences while providing extended clinical training. This will better prepare graduates to tackle real-world dental challenges with competence and confidence.

To ensure consistency, PMDC has directed all universities to issue revised transcripts for BDS graduates who completed the previous four-year program, incorporating the house job year as part of the new five-year curriculum.

This reform is expected to increase the international recognition of Pakistani dental graduates, enhancing their competitiveness in global healthcare sectors.

In addition to this major development in dental education, PMDC is also working on reforms for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) to improve transparency and align the examination process with global standards.