J&K’s jobless dental surgeons in limbo as post creation proposals face roadblocks

Srinagar, July 28:Hundreds of unemployed dental surgeons in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face uncertainty as proposals for creation of posts remain stuck due to procedural lapses and repeated objections leaving qualified professionals in prolonged distress.Unemployed dental surgeons claim that there have been no appointments of dental surgeons in J&K over the past 17 years despite the dearth of dentists across urban and rural hospitals.They said despite completing professional degrees from dental colleges, they have repeatedly appealed to the government for the creation of posts, highlighting their prolonged wait for employment opportunities in the public sector but any policy is yet to come.Dr Rahul Koul, President Dental Surgeons Association Jammu and Kashmir, said no dental surgeon post has been created by J&K Public Services Commission since 2008.He said there are more than 8,000 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) students in J&K who are unemployed due to lack of opportunities in the government sector despite the shortage of dental surgeons.“There is a file pending with the government about the same which is doing rounds since the past ten years. This is a serious issue and the administration is silent on it,” he said.The unemployed dental surgeons said they have been struggling to find their means of living and many of them are leaving this noble profession to find their survival.“Over the years, the young students who want to make their career in dentistry are not showing any interest to join the dental colleges due to lack certainty in jobs,” Koul said.The unemployed dental graduates and post-graduates had suggested appointing posts of dental surgeons and b-grade consultants. “We are suffering due to unemployment. There has been no development and the government is not citing any genuine reason,” he said.An official of the health department said 90 percent of patient load is on public hospitals as oral health procedures are costly in the private sector as a result most of the patients end up seeking treatment from quacks thereby exposing them to risks.A senior official of H&ME said there are no clear cut vacancies of dental surgeons in hospitals. The official admitted shortage of dental surgeons in the hospitals and said the department wants to create the posts on priority and also overhaul oral healthcare.Earlier this month, the Health and Medical Education Department, in a communication to Director Health Services Kashmir and Jammu titled “creation of posts of dental surgeons,” said that the issue was taken up with the Finance Department multiple times for concurrence; however, the proposals were reverted with one or the other observations.“The department is advised to work out the actual requirement without adding further posts in respect of already existing positions in District Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals and PHCs,” the communication mentions.It stated that while examining the received proposals, it was revealed that a sizable number of posts have been proposed inadvertently for health institutions already having sanctioned posts of dental surgeons, thereby contradicting the observation of the Finance Department.“However, the proposal must also conform to the provisions of sub-rule (2) of Rule 287 of General Financial Rules-2017 and the circular instructions of the Finance Department issued under endorsement No. A/97(02)-Sgr-210(S) dated 15-07-2021 whereby, among other things, each proposed post must be accompanied with Check List, strictly as per Template of FD, duly signed by CAO/AO and countersigned by the HoD concerned,” it mentions.The H&ME communication directed both directorates to work out the revised proposals, in line with relevant provision of General Financial Rules-2017 and as per the circular instructions of the Finance Department at the earliest for further proceeding in the matter.On 24 July, the Directorate of Health Services Jammu asked CMOs of Jammu province to provide the list of NTPHCs/Health Institutions where the post of Dental Surgeon is required to be created in the interest of patient care.In August 2023, the Dental Education Section of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sent a communication to the J&K Health and Medical Education Department concerning the growing unemployment among dental surgeons in the region, urging appropriate action.“I am directed to forward a letter dated 31-01-2023 received from the Dental Surgeons Association of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the unemployment of dental surgeons in J&K, and to request you to take further necessary action in the matter under intimation to this Ministry,” the communication stated.