In Pakistan, the private sector plays a substantially significant role in dental healthcare through dental education, health delivery and research, contributing to the improvement of oral health and the advancement of knowledge regarding current trends and technology being incorporated in the dental profession globally. The market-driven approach of the private sector leads to competition and innovation that positively influences dental health delivery and education in the country.
In the public sector, till the late 80s, there were merely 4-5 colleges operating in the country, accessible to students for achieving dental education. These colleges could hardly cater 100-120 students annually which was far below the required standards, keeping the ever-increasing population at a very fast rates in view. There was acute shortage of dentists in the country and people had to visit dental quacks for the resolution of their agonising dental problems. For being unqualified, the quacks were found involved in multiple unethical malpractices harmful for the patients.
It was the need of the hour to produce more qualified dentists to eliminate their scarcity in society but number of seats available in public sector colleges were restricted. To accommodate more students, private sector was allowed to open dental colleges; hence in 1991, first private dental college came into existence in Karachi. At present around 35-40 dental colleges are functioning in the 4 provinces of Pakistan, catering to thousands of students. The number of admissions has increased as admission to public dental schools is generally based on merit and performance in the entrance examination. The process can be highly competitive, with a limited number of seats available. Private dental schools have a more diverse range of admission criteria. In addition to merit, some colleges consider other factors such as extracurricular activities, interviews, and recommendations.
The admitted students require teachers for their teaching and training and to become a teacher recognised by regulatory authorities like Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), dental graduates undergo subject specialisation. The number of specialists in various disciplines of dentistry is far higher now than before the inception of private-sector colleges. Hundreds of dental graduates having postgraduate academic qualifications have been employed by these institutions as faculty members and thus play a very dynamic economic role by providing suitable jobs to well-educated youth. A sizeable number of graduated dentists and specialists work in the Middle East, Far East, USA, UK and other part of the world.
Colleges input
The undergraduate dental students receive their clinical training in an isolated environment from the area designated for teaching. Dental colleges resolve this challenge by setting up dental hospitals for this purpose. Unlike general hospitals, an outpatient department (OPD) of the dental hospital must be well equipped with plethora of electromedical gadgets including dental units, dental X-rays, sterilisers, furnaces, suction units etc. The requirement of all such equipment has, therefore, been enhanced and boosted the business of the manufacturers and traders in the field.
These colleges also provide dental treatment facilities to ailing and needy human beings for either totally free or against very nominal charges which has a definite impact on the economics of the socioeconomically deprived quarters of the country’s population.
The private sector’s involvement in dental healthcare helps drive innovation, expand access to care, and improve patient experiences. Dental practitioners in their private practices offer a range of services, from routine check-ups and cleanings to complex procedures like bone grafting, implants, orthodontics braces, cosmetic dentistry and multifaceted restorations. These services provide the patients with choice for their oral health needs and access to specialized dental care whereas dentist in public sector hospital/clinic fails to provide such options. Private dental clinics often focus on specific areas of expertise, allowing patients to receive tailored care. For instance, some clinics specialize in pediatric dentistry, while others may focus on implantology or periodontics. In the public sector, such facilities don’t exist.
In the recent past, dental tourism has gained increasing popularity among various American, European countries and Australia. Many Asian countries like Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and India have also upgraded and promoted their destinations for dental tourists. Thousands of people travel across the globe in this connection but at present no national strategy exists to promote Pakistan as a tourist destination in the international market. The private sector must look into this matter on a priority basis as the government due to its restricted resources cannot encounter this task amicably. Be assured, if the private sector considers Dental Tourism as a serious prospect, it will increase the national income of the economy, create thousands of jobs and develop the infrastructure.
The private sector also takes a crucial part in the research associated with dentistry. Dental companies involved in manufacturing, assembling of dental devices or trading of biomaterials invest in research and development to create innovative dental technologies, materials, and equipment. This results in improved diagnostic tools, more effective treatment approaches, and better patient outcomes. They often collaborate with academic institutions, dental associations, and professional organisations to promote research, educational initiatives, and the exchange of knowledge within the dental community.
Prof. Dr. Asaad Javaid Mirza is a Dean at Faculty of Dentistry, Baqai Medical University