Srinagar, Dec 02: The Jammu and Kashmir government is currently examining the creation of dental surgeon posts, addressing a long-standing issue that has left the healthcare system in the region struggling with a shortage of qualified dentists. According to a senior official from the Jammu and Kashmir Health Department, the matter is under consideration and steps will be taken to address it soon.
There has been no appointment of dental surgeons in the health department for the past 16 years, resulting in a growing shortage of dentists in public hospitals, which has significantly impacted oral healthcare services. Recently, unemployed dental surgeons from J&K, who have completed their professional courses at dental colleges, wrote to the government urging for the creation of posts to address the issue.
Dr. Rahul Koul, President of the Dental Surgeons Association Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized that no dental surgeon posts have been created by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Commission (PSC) since 2008. “There are more than 10,000 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) students in J&K who are unemployed due to the lack of opportunities in the government sector, despite the clear shortage of dental surgeons,” Koul stated.
He added that the issue has been pending for over a decade, with a file circulating within the government for the past ten years. “This is a serious issue, and the administration has been silent on it,” Koul said, pointing to the inadequate oral healthcare services, particularly in rural areas like district hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Primary Health Centers (PHCs).
The shortage of dental surgeons is exacerbating the situation. “Over the years, young students aspiring to pursue dentistry are losing interest in joining dental colleges due to the uncertainty of employment,” Koul remarked.
An official from the Health Department confirmed that 90 per cent of the patient load is in public hospitals, as oral health procedures are expensive in the private sector, leading patients to seek treatment from unqualified practitioners, which increases health risks. “This lack of adequate dental professionals in government hospitals is a significant concern,” the official added.
Dr. Koul further explained that each year, around 200-300 students graduate from the Government Dental Colleges in Srinagar and Jammu, with many facing bleak career prospects due to the lack of government posts. “Posts have not been created or upgraded. The government needs to take a decision. We demand the creation of posts,” he urged.
The shortage has forced patients to seek care at far-off hospitals or private clinics, both of which are often unaffordable for economically disadvantaged individuals. According to healthcare norms, each Sub-District Hospital should have at least two dentists, and a Primary Health Center should employ a dental surgeon along with an assistant.
The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has also raised concerns about the lack of dental surgeons and the inadequate facilities for oral healthcare in the region’s hospitals. DAK President Dr. Mohd Yusuf Tak lamented the government’s failure to address the issue despite the rising need for professional oral healthcare. “The poor are often left with no choice but to seek treatment from unqualified practitioners, resulting in complications and the spread of diseases like Hepatitis C,” he said.
The DAK also criticised the PSC for its failure to advertise posts for dental surgeons, leading to the unemployment of qualified dental professionals. The association appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Health Minister Sakina Itoo, and Administrative Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department to adopt a humanitarian approach to resolve these issues. “This is not just about employment but about ensuring better oral healthcare for J&K,” the DAK emphasized in its appeal.
A senior official from the Health and Medical Education Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the government is actively working to resolve the issue. “The matter is being examined, and whatever help is needed, we will provide. There is a clear need for the creation of posts,” the official confirmed.
Officials within the department admitted to the shortage of dental surgeons and expressed a commitment to prioritising the creation of posts and overhauling oral healthcare in the region. In August 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Dental Education Section had communicated with the J&K Health and Medical Education Department regarding the unemployment of dental surgeons and urged the department to take necessary action.
This communication followed a letter from the Dental Surgeons Association Jammu and Kashmir highlighting the issue and calling for immediate intervention.
