KARACHI: Pakistan’s dental community used a major professional gathering in Karachi to spotlight mounting challenges facing dentists and oral healthcare services across the country, as senior healthcare academics, policymakers and members of the judiciary gathered for the Grand Dental Symposium and Oath Taking Ceremony organized by the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA).
The event, held on May 17, 2026, featured academic sessions by leading dental experts alongside the formal oath-taking ceremony of the Managing Committee of the Pakistan Dental Association.
Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, attended the ceremony as chief guest and administered the oath of office to the newly elected office bearers of the association.
The newly sworn-in Pakistan Dental Association Managing Committee includes Dr. Mahmood Shah as President, Dr. Amir Akbar Shaikh as Senior Vice President, Dr. Shafaq Saeed Roghay as Vice President, Prof. Dr. Noor Ul Wahab as General Secretary, Prof. Dr. Saima Akram Butt as Finance Secretary, Prof. Dr. Sana Mirza as Information Secretary, Dr. Tahira Hyder as Events Secretary and Dr. Huzaifa Saeed ul Khair as Academics Secretary.
The symposium featured academic lectures and discussions by prominent dental educators and clinicians including Dr. Fahad Umar from Aga Khan University, Dr. Abu Bakar Shaikh from Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Prof. Dr. Shah Faisal from Karachi Metropolitan University, Prof. Dr. Noor Ul Wahab from Ziauddin University and Prof. Dr. Kashif Ikram from Baqai Medical University.
During his presidential address, Dr. Mahmood Shah highlighted what he described as deep structural and professional challenges confronting Pakistan’s dental sector, urging policymakers, regulators and the judiciary to support reforms aimed at improving oral healthcare and protecting the dental workforce.
Addressing Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput directly, Dr. Shah raised concerns regarding the recognition of oral health as an essential component of overall healthcare policy in Pakistan and emphasized the need for stronger national oral health goals.
He also spoke extensively about the difficulties faced by young dentists, including rising unemployment, limited career opportunities and what he termed extremely low salary structures in the private healthcare sector.
Dr. Shah further criticized the high tuition fees charged by private dental colleges and highlighted increasing workload pressures faced by dentists working in public sector hospitals, particularly in urban centers with overstretched healthcare systems.
The PDA president additionally pointed to a severe imbalance in dentist-to-population ratios between rural and urban regions, warning that millions of Pakistanis continue to lack adequate access to oral healthcare services.
Among the key issues raised during the address were calls for the establishment of a separate Pakistan Dental Council, concerns regarding frequently changing policies of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), and allegations of regulatory pressure on private dental clinics by institutions including the Sindh Revenue Board, Sindh Healthcare Commission and Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
Dr. Shah appealed for judicial support in addressing what he described as legitimate grievances of the dental fraternity, describing the judiciary as an important pillar for institutional accountability and professional protection.
Honorable Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput in his keynote speech, acknowledged the concerns raised by the Pakistan Dental Association leadership, highlighted possible remedies and assured support from the judiciary for legitimate issues affecting dentists and oral healthcare professionals.
The ceremony also included shield presentations by the chief guest, followed by a formal vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Noor ul Wahab, General Secretary of the Pakistan Dental Association.
Healthcare analysts say the issues highlighted during the symposium reflect broader concerns within Pakistan’s healthcare workforce, particularly regarding professional regulation, workforce planning, healthcare accessibility and the growing demand for specialized oral healthcare services.
Public health experts have increasingly warned that oral diseases remain among the most neglected health challenges in Pakistan despite their strong association with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infections and overall quality of life.
The symposium concluded with calls for stronger collaboration between healthcare institutions, regulators, policymakers and the judiciary to improve oral health infrastructure, support dental professionals and expand access to affordable dental care across Pakistan.
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