UHS upgrades dental curriculum

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, the framework of which has already been developed by the University of Health Sciences (UHS).

The new "Integrated Curriculum 2K25" for BDS is slated for rollout in the 2024-25 academic session. The revised programme will extend the Bachelor of Dental Surgery 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 Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree with international standards, enhancing its recognition globally.

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore confirmed that the UHS has communicated these updates to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC). He emphasised that the new curriculum incorporates international benchmarks, aimed at strengthening the credibility of Pakistan’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees.

“This curriculum update will benefit our graduates by enhancing their employability and postgraduate education opportunities worldwide,” he maintained. The revised curriculum draws upon dental programmes 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 the country.