Bangladesh’s Private Dental Admission Fee Slashed to Boost Enrolment

BANGLADESH: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh has decided to reduce the admission fee for private dental colleges by Tk 5.5 lakh, aiming to attract more students. The fee, which was Tk 16.50 lakh for the academic year 2023-24, will be set at Tk 11 lakh for the upcoming academic year 2024-25.

Low Enrollment Prompts Decision

The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) highlighted that out of 1,405 available seats in private dental colleges, only 500 students were admitted in the current academic year, leaving nearly one-third of the seats vacant. The decision to lower the admission fee is driven by the objective to make dental college education more accessible to the middle-class segment and to encourage greater enrolment.

Collaboration with Private Dental Medical Colleges

Prof Dr Mohiuddin Matubbar, Director of Medical Education, confirmed the decision, emphasizing that the move was made in consultation with private dental medical colleges. He stressed the importance of maintaining quality education while implementing the fee reduction, citing the necessity of adhering to “The Private Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges Act, 2021.”

Prof Dr Mohiuddin Ahmed, President of Bangladesh Private Dental College Association, highlighted that the admission process delay and the high fees had been discouraging for students. Recognizing the importance of dental surgeries, he expressed the association’s efforts to encourage the middle class by reducing the fees to Tk 11 lakh from the next academic session.

Concerns About Academic Quality

Experts, including M Iqbal Arslan, former dean of the Faculty of Basic Science and Paraclinical Science at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), welcomed the fee reduction but stressed the need for stringent monitoring of academic quality. Arslan emphasized that the focus should be on providing quality education to future dental surgeons to avoid potential risks of mistreatment.

The decision to reduce fees comes in light of the shortage of dental surgeons in Bangladesh. While the country currently has 1,350 dental surgeons, the demand is estimated to be at least 35,000, according to Ministry officials. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a ratio of one dental surgeon per 5,000 people.

As the Ministry takes steps to make dental education more affordable, experts underscore the critical importance of monitoring the academic quality to ensure that a reduction in fees does not compromise the education provided to aspiring dental professionals. The move aims to strike a balance between accessibility and maintaining high standards in dental education.