Islamabad, Nov 15: University of Health Sciences Approves New Curriculum for BDS Program to Enhance Dental Education Standards
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program duration in Punjab has been extended from four years to five.
This decision was made in the 49th meeting of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) Board of Studies Dentistry in Lahore.
Government and private dental colleges will not impose fees for the fifth year. The Board also introduced a new curriculum, effective from the 2024-25 academic session.
UHS Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore emphasized that the revised curriculum places a strong focus on community dentistry and medical skills.
He noted that training would be provided to subject specialists and medical education experts from various dental colleges. Additionally, the curriculum will now include life-saving skills.
Professor Rathore stated that faculty training for the updated curriculum would be finished by December and January.
He pointed out that the fifth-year clerkship would provide valuable experience for students and support for college staff.
Rathore suggested a stipend system, advising that if full stipends aren’t feasible, colleges should at least waive fees for the fifth year, a recommendation the board supported.
He also expressed an ambition to secure international recognition for Pakistani medical and dental qualifications, especially in the U.S. and U.K., with the hope that graduates may eventually be exempted from foreign licensure exams.
