A total of 16 gold medals, 12 shields for top three positions in all four years and 114 distinctions in various subjects were awarded at Fatima Jinnah Dental College 16th convocation on Friday. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
KARACHI: Hardly one-fourth of the graduates at the 16th convocation of Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) would go for specialisation as they have already spent over Rs1.5 million on their degree.
The graduates bemoaned the limited places at public-sector dental institutions and a lack of opportunities to practice dentistry at public and private hospitals. They said that private practice remained the most viable option, which in itself requires an investment to the tune of Rs2 million.
“Most of the population fails to receive the needed dental care simply because they cannot afford it,” said a graduate Naveed Bashir. “For them, a quack or a ‘backyard dentist’ would serve the purpose with substandard and potentially dangerous dental materials as instruments.”
Bashir also pointed out that treatment costs could be brought down to affordable levels only if the government waives the duty levied on imports related to dental-practice.
The gradauates also said they are not paid any remuneration during their year-long house job and those fortunate enough to get a job with a hospital are hired on a meagre salary of Rs15,000 to Rs20,000.
At the ceremony held at Regent Plaza on Friday, Karachi University vice-chancellor Prof. Dr Muhammad Qaiser awarded degress to 75 dentistry graduates. Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan was the chief guest. Other dignitaries present on the stage included FJDC principal Dr Tasleem Hosein, academia and administration director Dr S Hussain Askary and FJDC chief executive Dr S Baqar Askary.
Dr Ammar Hussain Pabany was awarded the best graduate award for achieving the highest marks in all subjects. He was awarded half of the total 16 gold medals along with the best graduate shield and a cash award of Rs50,000. Senator Haseeb also announced a Rs100,000 award from his own pocket for Dr Pabany, who wants to specialise in oral surgery.
All in all 16 gold medals, 12 shields for top three positions in all four years and 114 distinctions in various subjects were awarded at the convocation.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.
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"The graduates bemoaned the limited places at public-sector dental institutions and a lack of opportunities to practice dentistry at public and private hospitals".
Then why these dental colleges were allowed to induct and train these dentists, if there were not enough hospitals or practice opportunities. Moreover, do we even need everyone to become a specialist ? We need to think about the quality over quantity of our graduates and specialists. Unfortunately, no one seems to be bothered over the preparedness to practice of these graduates.