5,753 dental surgeons unemployed in J&K, govt tells Assembly

Srinagar, Feb 17: The Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that 5,753 registered dental surgeons with BDS and MDS degrees are currently unemployed in the Union Territory.

Replying to a question by MLA Hassnain Masoodi, the government said, “There are approximately 5,753 registered unemployed Dental Surgeons in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.”

It added that it was “conscious of the issue of unemployment among Dental Surgeons as well as the need to strengthen oral healthcare services across all levels of healthcare institutions.”

The government said a proposal for the creation of posts of dental surgeons, based on “actual and assessed requirements,” is “presently under active consideration” in the Health and Medical Education Department.

It is being processed “strictly in accordance with the General Financial Rules (GFR)-2017 and the Finance Department’s circular instruction issued vide endorsement No. A/97(02)-Sgr-210(S) dated: 15-07-2021.”

On the status of dental services, the government said, “Yes, it is a fact oral health is an important component of a holistic health care.” It added that “the sanctioned posts of Dental Surgeons at various levels are filled adequately,” with all posts at district hospitals filled.

At the Primary Health Centre (PHC) and New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) levels, only one post is vacant.

Of the three posts sanctioned at the NTPHC level in the Union Territory, “two (02) are in position and one (01) post is vacant, i.e., at NTPHC Shamthi.”

The government also clarified that “at the Sub-Centre level, no posts of Dental Surgeon are sanctioned.”

Addressing surplus dental surgeons, the government said, “There are already surplus Dental Surgeons working in Jammu & Kashmir,” and that 61 temporary or supernumerary posts were created in Jammu division and 137 in Kashmir division.

Responding to a question about introducing a “Rehbar-e-Sehat” scheme similar to Rehbar-e-Zirat, the government said, “No proposal on the analogy of Rehbar-e-Sehat or Rehbar-e-Zirat is presently under consideration.”

It said appointments in the health sector “are governed by established service rules, IPHS norms and financial sustainability considerations” and that its approach “remains focused on regular, need-based creation of posts to ensure quality healthcare delivery and long-term institutional strengthening.”