University of Health Sciences Extended The Duration of BDS Program

An important update has been recently released for the students interested in BDS programs. The University of Health Sciences UHS has extended the duration of BDS program. UHS has granted in-principle approval to introduce a new modular integrated curriculum for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program, extending its previous duration four years to a newly decided duration. The approval was given during the 48th meeting of the UHS Board of Studies in Dentistry which was held on Friday, under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore. All regular and private dental colleges and institutes affiliated with the UHS have to follow this new modular integrated curriculum starting from the session 2024–2025. You can get to know more about the changes in BDS duration further below from this page and stay connected for more important updates regarding your Bachelor of Dental Surgery program.

UHS Extended BDS Program Duration

The University of Health Sciences UHS has approved to introduce a new modular integrated curriculum for BDS program and have extended its overall duration from 4 years to 5 years. We would also like to inform you that the current BDS curriculum was established in 2005 and now almost after 20 years it is set to be revised. A framework has already been prepared officially for this purpose. The updated curriculum will be implemented in all regular and private dental colleges across Punjab starting from the academic session 2024-25.

Development of this BDS New Curriculum

A directing committee, formed in the month of January of this year, was tasked with developing the framework and timeline for the new BDS modular curriculum. Chaired by Prof. Sarah Ghafoor, Head of the UHS Oral Biology Department, the committee included principles of dental colleges and medical education experts. The new curriculum will feature vertical, horizontal, and spiral integration, with modules on professionalism, ethics, research, and leadership skills, as well as clinical, foundational and rotation modules.

UHS Budget and Financial Allocation

On 26^th June, the UHS Board of Governors, presided over by Justice (retired) Sheikh Ahmad Farooq, authorized a budget of Rs. 2,428 million for the fiscal year 2024-25. The yearly development plan is budgeted at Rs 241.9 million, with staff wages allocated Rs 888.4 million, and research and scholarships totaling Rs 82 million. Additionally, a 25% raise in employee pay as an ad-hoc relief allowance was granted. The budget also allots Rs 10 million for financial support to deceased employee families, Rs 65 million for lab supplies, Rs 50 million for campus infrastructure improvements, and Rs 250 million for testing.