: An estimated 13,000 illegal, unqualified individuals operate on pavements across Pakistan, using rusty tools and unsterilized equipment to serve the 78% of the population who lack access to formal healthcare.
Rebuilding the integrity of Pakistan’s dental sector requires a multi-layered approach. It demands stricter regulatory enforcement, robust public awareness, institutional transparency, and the adoption of modern clinical standards. Understanding the Roots of the Crisis
The recent "dentist scandal" isn't just about a spoon—it’s about access. When a professional dental chair costs as much as a luxury car, and a single implant can cost over 130,000 PKR, the working class is left behind. Regulate, Don't Just Ban:
Rather than just criminalizing them, a long-term solution involves providing a pathway to legitimacy.
: The regulator cautioned that these qualifications will not be registered, rendering them useless for professional practice. Longstanding Structural Issues Roaring trade of Pakistan's street dentists - BBC News
