7 Reasons Why Dental Profession Is Losing Its Charm In India

[Dr. Pranav Agale]

1. Deteriorating Education Standard

In India, oral health care awareness amongst population is low resulting in fewer patients. On the other hand the number of dental schools & their intake capacity is ever increasing. Earlier the PG seats were limited so interns were getting the opportunity to perform most of the procedures but since PG seats has increased now; a lot of procedures are allowed only to PG students in many private dental colleges. In some private dental schools the situation is such that students have to pay patients to visit college and get treated.

The lack of clinical exposure obviously reflects; these young dentists hold the degree yet very few are confident about dental practice.  

2. Lack of Opportunities

Job opportunities are relatively low for dental graduates. Practically speaking there are (no) very few government jobs and even in private jobs dentists doesn’t get paid well.  

Stipend LOL!!!!!!!

Stipend ke naam pe to chavvanni atthanni milti hai...

Hope you pay some respectable salary to the dental professional at your clinic.

3. Quackery

Its 2015 still some patients are getting roadside dental treatment and no strict action is taken against quacks.

The situation is getting even worse due to some educated quacks. Some dentists are misleading patients by writing MIDA & MADA after their BDS degree (MIDA stands for “Member of Indian Dental Association”) It is not any degree but is used to brag about qualification. Whereas some post graduate dentists are working as visiting consultant under quacks.

4. The Attitude Problem

Unlike medical practitioners, many dentists are reluctant to share knowledge as they believe this will increase their own competition but in reality they are actually restricting themselves from self improvement.

Everyone is willing to practice in urban areas resulting in overcrowding & artificial saturation. This cut throat competition is resulting in price war and hampering our own future.

5. Lack of Unity

It is my personal observation that dentists don't have unity amongst them. Dentists practicing in same locality consider each other as rivals & the one who takes advantage of this situation is patient.  You can read my blog "Be the change you want to see" on www.DentistFriend.com

6. Lack of Insurance Coverage

In our country most of the medical treatments are covered under insurance but no dental treatments are covered under insurance which is somewhere restricting the industry growth.

7. Under-Performing Authorities

The authorities are getting commercial. Someone please make them realize that they are here to create new opportunities & raise the standard of dentistry. They are not just to collect sponsorships from Tooth Paste Companies.

How can we uplift the status of Dental Profession?

I believe that it's not just the fault of authorities but somewhere you & I are directly or indirectly responsible for whatever dentistry is facing today.

All of us want a better future but in reality nobody wants to take the responsibility. Let's stop this blame game because circumstances won't change until and unless we consider ourselves responsible.