The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has reversed its decision to extend the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme from four years to five years.

PMDC officials informed the Senate Standing Committee on Health that the council had withdrawn its previous notification regarding the duration of dental education. The committee directed PMDC to issue a formal notification confirming the four-year BDS programme.

BDS programme remains four years

The decision provides clarity for dental students and colleges following months of uncertainty over the programme’s duration.

The Senate health committee had already directed PMDC in August to retain the four-year BDS programme. It stressed that improving the curriculum and clinical training was more important than simply adding another year to the degree.

Why was BDS extended?

In November 2024, PMDC announced that the BDS programme would be extended from four years to five years from the 2024-25 academic session.

The change followed recommendations from dental experts who argued that a longer programme would bring Pakistan’s dental education closer to international standards. However, private dental colleges raised concerns about the additional infrastructure, faculty and financial requirements.

Implementation faced delays

PMDC later postponed implementation of the five-year BDS programme for one year in January 2025.

The latest reversal means the four-year BDS structure will continue, with the Senate committee also reiterating that the BDS degree should comprise four years followed by one year of house job rather than five years of academic study plus house job.