Dentists can practise as general physicians after bridge course,IMA opposes it

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Niti Aayog has agreed to a proposal by the Dental Council of India (DCI) to allow dentists to practice as general physicians following a bridge course. A meeting between senior members of the Aayog and a representative from the DCI concluded on the note that modalities of the course would be explored.The development comes after a meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office earlier this month in which it was discussed that unconventional methods be embraced to address the shortage of doctors in the country, especially in rural areas.

A letter by Niti Aayog inviting the DCI stated that in the said meeting it was decided to explore the option of allowing dentists to practice family medicine/mainstream medicine following a bridge course. A meeting to discuss the issues on leveraging dentists to provide primary health care in order to reduce the gaps of shortage of doctors was scheduled for April 22, 2019.The DCI had last year also sent a proposal to the medical education regulator, the Medical Council of India, but it was not taken forward.

The DCI has proposed a post Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) bridge course running for 3 years. The council submitted that admission would be either through a common entrance exam or through cumulative marks secured in the BDS course, or a combination.According to the DCI, the syllabus, scheme of examination, method of evaluation, degrees and registration will all be the same as recommended for MBBS.

The Indian Medical Association, which had earlier opposed a bridge course for AYUSH practitioners, has strongly objected to the proposed move.IMA has alleged that idea of bridge courses and mid-level practitioners to fill the gap doctors in rural areas is a myth. “There is no shortage of doctors in the country. 63,250 MBBS graduates come out of 494 medical colleges of India. India has only 23,729 post graduate seats. The fact remains that the Government does not have the capacity to absorb rest of them," said Santanu Sen, National President, IMA. “Every year the unemployment amongst young medical graduates is a cause for great concern. The frustration of these youngsters with a decent undergraduate degree in medicine has to be addressed," he said.

When the government proposed to let AYUSH practitioners practise modern medicine, under the National Medical Commission Bill 2017 a similar opposition from IMA and other doctors came up. “The government's attempts to provide half baked medical care to the citizens through mid-level practitioners are dangerous. The Government should give permanent postings to MBBS Graduates in the 1,50,000 wellness centres. Adhoc postings are unacceptable. This is nothing but cruel exploitation of these hapless young graduates," said R.V. Asokan, Secretary General IMA.

“Every allied profession to medicine has a unique identity and serves a specific purpose. Dentists, Nurses, Optometrists and Pharmacists have a role and should contribute their services in the respective fields. To baptize them as mid-level medical practitioners through a six months bridge course is being indifferent to the needs of patient safety and patient care," he said.

The IMA has also raised questions that why the large number of MBBS graduates who are not absorbed into Post Graduate courses every year are not given employment by the Government. “Non creation of new posts, new Public Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres(CHCs) due to budget constraints is the sole reason. Stagnating 1.1% of GDP as expenditure on Health by successive Governments is the sole reason for the miserable status of Health Care delivery in the country," said Asokan.

According to union health ministry, there is less than one doctor for every 1000 population in India which does not meet the World Health organisation (WHO) standards. As per WHO, the doctor population ratio should be 1:1000. The data also shows that more than 65% of health professionals are available in urban part of India for 31% of population, whereas in rural areas 33% of health professionals are available for 70% of population.

As on today on yearly basis more than 30,000 dentists pass out of which 3000-4000 go for post graduate education in country, whereas some go abroad or practice as dentist or some opt for different profession.