PMDC Reduces BDS Program Duration

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced that the duration of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program will remain at four years, reversing its previous decision to extend it to five years. This change was confirmed to the Senate Standing Committee on Health on Monday. The committee had previously directed the PMDC to issue a formal notification confirming the four-year BDS program.

The decision to revert to the four-year program was made after the earlier extension in November 2024, which was set to take effect from the 2024-25 academic session. The move was based on recommendations from a committee of dental experts aiming to align Pakistan's dental education standards with international practices. The PMDC had previously postponed the implementation of the five-year program for a year in January 2025, as private dental colleges had raised concerns about the lack of sufficient infrastructure, faculty, and other logistical arrangements needed for the additional year.