LAHORE – Following the recent overhaul of the MBBS curriculum, dental colleges across Punjab are set to implement a new integrated Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) curriculum in the 2024-25 academic session.
The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has already developed framework for the revised curriculum.
The revised program will extend the BDS degree duration from four years to five years. This adjustment includes an additional year dedicated to clinical skill enhancement, termed “clerkship,” after four years of foundational education and training. This change aligns the Pakistani BDS degree with international standards, enhancing its recognition globally.
UHS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, confirmed that varsity has communicated these updates to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC).
“The new curriculum incorporates international benchmarks, aimed at strengthening the credibility of Pakistan’s BDS degree. This curriculum update will benefit our graduates by enhancing their employability and postgraduate education opportunities worldwide,” he stated.
The revised curriculum draws upon dental programs in the UK, USA, and Australia, aiming to match global standards. It encompasses 4,900 instructional hours over the initial four years, in accordance with PM&DC requirements, with an additional 1,100 hours devoted to clerkship in the fifth year.
Prof. Rathore also noted that faculty and student feedback from affiliated dental colleges across Punjab played a pivotal role in shaping the new curriculum. He expressed hopes that PM&DC will support the adoption of this curriculum at a national level, contributing to a unified standard in dental education across Pakistan.
