- Prioritise oral health in national health strategies, invest in programmes and incentivise practice areas
In 2026, dental profession in Pakistan stands at a critical crossroads where professional ambition, economic realities and systemic challenges intersect. Despite progress in dental education and growing public awareness of oral health, economic pressures and policy inadequacies continue to constrain both dentists as well as patients. The result is a sector marked by untapped potential, growing professional dissatisfaction and persistent inequities in access to care.
There is a high burden of dental disease among Pakistanis. Epidemiological studies show that nearly sixty percent of the population suffers from tooth decay, with prevalence rates consistent across provinces of Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Untreated decay and gum disease remain widespread and Pakistan has one of the highest oral cancer rates in the world, reflecting deep gaps in prevention, early detection and treatment capacity.
Economic pressure
Despite these pressing needs, oral health occupies a minimal place in the national healthcare agenda. Health expenditure of the country, ranges around 0.5–0.8% of GDP which is among the lowest globally. It severely limits the resources available for dental services. The lack of a dedicated national oral health policy further compounds this neglect, leaving oral health under prioritized in planning, budgeting, and implementation.
Economic realities
profoundly shape dentistry in Pakistan today. For dental professionals, especially fresh graduates and young specialists, the financial cost of entering practice is a major hurdle. Starting a private clinic requires capital investment in the range of several million Pakistani rupees; a sum that recent graduates or professionals without familial backing struggle to secure. High equipment import costs, driven by currency depreciation and steep taxes on dental equipment, further elevate barriers to practice establishment.
Although Pakistan produces thousands of BDS graduates annually, the job market is saturated and both public and private sectors lack the capacity to absorb all new professionals at competitive salaries. Government and armed forces positions exist but are few, while private clinic roles commonly pay modest wages that fail to reflect the cost of living expenses.
This financial strain is mirrored on the patient side. Dental care remains largely financed out-of-pocket, with basic insurance coverage in Pakistan offering little to no support for preventive or restorative services. For low and middle-income families, high treatment costs deter regular checkups and encourage reliance on emergency care only. Urban clinics flourish in affluent neighborhoods, while rural and low-income communities are left under served or reliant on unqualified practitioners.
The economic disconnect between supply and demand encourages a system where many individuals postpone care until pain or dysfunction forces a clinical intervention; a dynamic that drives more complex, costly treatments and worsens long-term oral health outcomes.
Professional growth
Despite these pressures, the dental profession in Pakistan has experienced significant growth. The number of dental colleges and postgraduate training programs has risen, offering more avenues for specialization and skill development. However, rapid expansion has not translated into equal professional opportunities. With a saturated urban job market and limited government hiring, many specialists struggle to find positions that match their qualifications. Some resort to alternative paths; engaging in dental research, pursuing academic roles or even shifting into non-dental careers such as pharmaceutical sales, medical education or health management.
This mismatch contributes to brain drain, as skilled dentists explore opportunities abroad where remuneration and career prospects are more favourable. The result is not only a loss of professional talent but also a widening gap in the availability of quality dental care.
Technology and modern practices hold the promise of transforming dental care in Pakistan. Digital imaging, electronic records and emerging tools such as CAD/CAM and 3D printing can improve diagnostic precision and patient outcomes. Yet, economic barriers delay their adoption, especially among junior dentists who cannot afford upfront costs.
Policy challenges
Perhaps the most profound challenge facing dental sector in Pakistan is the absence of coherent policy frameworks. Oral health is sidelined within broader health strategies, and government planning fails to address key inequities. Dental quackery remains a pervasive public health crisis, with more than 40,000 quacks operating nationwide. Driven by poverty, low literacy and the high cost of professional care, many people turn to these “street dentists” for quick, cheap treatment.
Rural populations, which make up a large share of Pakistani demographic, face acute shortages of dental professionals. Most dentists cluster in major cities, drawn by better infrastructure and income potential, leaving rural communities without consistent access to basic oral health services. Volunteer camps and NGO initiatives attempt to fill this gap, but they provide only temporary relief and cannot replace systemic investment in facilities and trained personnel.
Dental education itself needs reform. Debates around curriculum structure, training quality and accreditation highlight tensions between producing competent graduates and ensuring that they are prepared for the complexities of real-world practice.
Preventive oral health is grossly under emphasized. Without strong public campaigns on oral hygiene maintenance, high rates of decay, gum disease and late-stage oral cancers will persist. Integrating oral health into school programs, community health initiatives and public policy could mitigate disease burden and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
To address these issues requires multi-stakeholder engagement. Policymakers must prioritize oral health in national health strategies, invest in preventive programs and incentivize practice in under served areas. Professional bodies should expand training, research and technology integration; and the private sector should explore innovative financing models to make care more affordable.
Confronting these economic, professional and policy challenges together can Pakistan’s dental fraternity realize its potential, improving oral health outcomes and enhancing professional satisfaction.
The author is a Dean, Bhitai Dental & Medical College, Mirpurkhas