ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has withdrawn its earlier decision to extend the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme from four to five years, retaining the degree as a four-year programme followed by a one-year house job.
The development was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination held at Parliament House in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti.
Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Shahzaib Durrani, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Rubina Khalid and Rahat Jamali attended the meeting, while Senator Anusha Rahman Khan participated via Zoom. Senator Jan Muhammad also attended the proceedings.
PMDC withdraws five-year BDS notification
During the meeting, the committee reviewed the implementation of recommendations made at its August 20, 2026 meeting regarding the PMDC.
The committee reiterated that the BDS programme should comprise four years of academic study followed by one year of house job, rather than five years of academic study followed by a one-year house job.
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PMDC officials informed the committee that the council had withdrawn its previous notification extending the duration of dental education to five years.
The committee directed the PMDC to issue a public notice confirming the decision through its official website and social media platforms.
Senators raise concerns over PMDC
The committee also adopted a report of its sub-committee concerning the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).
During the meeting, Senator Anusha Rahman expressed serious concerns over the PMDC’s performance and its handling of regulatory matters.
She alleged that the council had acted beyond its jurisdiction and issued notices and communications without obtaining formal approval from the federal ministry.
She also questioned the council’s reliance on email communications rather than holding formal meetings, stressing that PMDC recommendations should first be submitted to the federal ministry for approval.
Background
The PMDC had extended the BDS programme from four to five years in November 2024, with the change scheduled to apply from the 2024-25 academic session.
The decision followed recommendations from a committee of dental experts seeking to bring Pakistan’s dental education system in line with international standards.
