Pakistan dentists call for reforms as new PDA leadership takes charge in Karachi

KARACHI: Pakistan’s dental sector used a major professional gathering in Karachi to send a strong message about the growing challenges confronting dentists, oral healthcare systems and dental education across the country, as the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) formally inducted its newly elected leadership during a high-profile symposium attended by senior healthcare professionals and members of the judiciary.

The Grand Dental Symposium and Oath Taking Ceremony, held on May 17, brought together dental academics, clinicians, policymakers and institutional representatives to discuss the future direction of dentistry in Pakistan amid rising concerns over unemployment among young dentists, regulatory uncertainty and unequal access to oral healthcare services.

Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput attended the event as chief guest and administered the oath to the newly elected managing committee of the Pakistan Dental Association.

The new PDA leadership includes Dr. Mahmood Shah as President, Dr. Amir Akbar Shaikh as Senior Vice President, Dr. Shafaq Saeed Roghay as Vice President, Prof. Dr. Noor Ul Wahab as General Secretary, Prof. Dr. Saima Akram Butt as Finance Secretary, Prof. Dr. Sana Mirza as Information Secretary, Dr. Tahira Hyder as Events Secretary, and Dr. Huzaifa Saeed ul Khair as Academics Secretary.

Alongside the oath-taking ceremony, the symposium featured scientific and academic sessions led by senior dental educators from major institutions including Aga Khan University, Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi Metropolitan University, Ziauddin University and Baqai Medical University.

In his address to participants, PDA President Dr. Mahmood Shah warned that Pakistan’s dental profession is facing increasing structural pressure, particularly affecting early-career dentists and public oral healthcare delivery systems.

He highlighted issues including low salaries in the private healthcare sector, increasing unemployment among dental graduates, high tuition fees in private dental colleges and excessive workload burdens in public hospitals.

Dr. Shah also stressed that oral healthcare continues to receive insufficient attention within broader public health planning despite strong links between oral diseases and major systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic infections.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on policy and regulatory concerns affecting the dental profession. The PDA leadership called for reforms in dental governance, including the establishment of a separate Pakistan Dental Council and greater consistency in policies issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

Concerns were additionally raised regarding regulatory pressures faced by private dental clinics from various government and oversight bodies.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput acknowledged the concerns highlighted by dental professionals and assured support for legitimate professional and healthcare-related issues raised by the sector.

Healthcare observers attending the symposium said the discussions reflected broader national concerns regarding healthcare workforce planning, accessibility of specialized care and the need for stronger institutional support for oral health services in Pakistan.

Public health experts have increasingly emphasized that oral diseases remain among the country’s most overlooked healthcare burdens, particularly in underserved and rural populations where access to dental treatment remains limited.

The ceremony concluded with calls for closer collaboration between healthcare regulators, educational institutions, policymakers and the judiciary to strengthen Pakistan’s oral healthcare infrastructure and improve professional opportunities for dentists nationwide.