Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to retain the four-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery program.
The decision reverses an earlier plan to increase the BDS degree duration from four years to five years.
The development was shared with the Senate Standing Committee on Health. The committee has asked the council to issue an official notification.
The notification will formally confirm that the BDS program will continue for four years.
PMDC Reverses Five-Year BDS Plan
PMDC announced a major change to the BDS program in November 2024. Under the earlier decision, the degree was supposed to increase from four years to five years.
The new structure was planned to take effect from the 2024-25 academic session. The proposed change aimed to bring dental education in Pakistan closer to international standards.
However, the decision raised concerns among private dental colleges. Several institutions reportedly highlighted difficulties in implementing another academic year.
These concerns included limited infrastructure, shortages of teaching staff and insufficient resources.
Five-Year Program Was Delayed
In January 2025, implementation of the five-year BDS structure was delayed for one year.
The delay gave institutions more time to prepare for the proposed academic changes.
However, concerns surrounding the additional year continued. Private dental colleges argued that the change would require additional facilities and teaching resources.
Following these concerns, the council has now withdrawn its earlier notification.
As a result, the BDS degree will remain a four-year program.
Senate Committee Seeks Official Notification
The Senate Standing Committee on Health has asked PMDC to formally notify the latest decision.
Once issued, the notification will provide official confirmation about the duration of the BDS degree. The development is important for current and prospective dental students across Pakistan.
It also provides greater clarity for colleges planning admissions and academic schedules. Students had faced uncertainty after the earlier decision proposed extending the program by one year.
The latest decision means the academic duration will remain unchanged from the previous four-year structure.
What Changes for BDS Students?
The withdrawal means students will not face the additional academic year proposed under the earlier plan.
Dental colleges will also continue operating under the four-year BDS structure.
However, the Senate committee has requested formal documentation confirming the decision.
Students and institutions should therefore follow official updates regarding the notification.
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For now, the BDS program is set to continue as a four-year degree following the withdrawal of the earlier extension plan.
