Dental quackery in Pakistan: Why the PDA must act now
Dental quackery in Pakistan has existed since the early years after independence, largely due to a severe shortage of qualified dentists. At that time, only four dental colleges were functioning in the country, and the limited number of graduates made it difficult to meet public oral health needs. However, this justification no longer holds true. At present, Pakistan has more than 60 PMDC-approved dental colleges, comprising approximately 17 public sector institutions and over 40 private sector colleges spread across the country. This striking expansion represents a complete transformation of dental education when compared to the early decades of the country. This reality completely demolishes the long-standing excuse used to justify the continued presence of dental quackery.
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Pakistan today is no longer suffering from a shortage of trained dental professionals; instead, it is facing a paradoxical surplus of qualified yet underutilized dentists, a large number of whom remain unemployed or underemployed despite years of rigorous education and clinical training.
The persistence of quackery in such circumstances is not merely unfortunate; it is criminal negligence and a failure of governance. Allowing unqualified individuals to practice dentistry in the presence of thousands of PMDC-registered dentists is a direct threat to public health. These quacks routinely violate basic infection-control standards, use unsafe sterilization methods, misuse dental materials, and perform unnecessary or harmful procedures, exposing patients to cross-infection, permanent damage, and financial exploitation.
Even more alarming is the fact that while illegal practitioners operate openly and flourish, young dental graduates struggle to find employment or establish legitimate private practices due to financial constraints and lack of institutional support. This is a gross injustice to both patients and professionals.
The message is clear and unequivocal: the era of tolerance toward dental quackery must end immediately. The Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) must rise above ceremonial roles and assert its responsibility by forcefully engaging policymakers, regulators, and parliamentarians. Simultaneously, the government must facilitate access to soft loans and structured financial support for qualified dentists to establish lawful practices.
With adequate manpower, regulatory frameworks, and professional bodies already in place, any further delay in eliminating dental quackery can only be interpreted as willful neglect. Pakistan has the capacity, the talent, and the institutions—but what is urgently required now is political will and decisive action.
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