As dental practices in Pakistan modernize, the demand for skilled support staff is growing. To address this need, the Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine (AIDM) has introduced a Dental Surgery Assistant (DSA) Program aimed at training professionals to assist dentists and enhance clinic efficiency.
Dental assistants play a critical role in modern dental care, from aiding in procedures to ensuring infection control and managing patient flow. However, structured training opportunities in Pakistan for these essential staff members have been scarce.
The DSA program at AIDM seeks to fill this gap by providing a formal, hands-on training path for aspiring dental surgery assistants. Designed with real-world application in mind, the program equips participants with the technical skills and clinical knowledge needed to support dental teams effectively.
The initiative is led by Dr. Zia Abbas, Director of the Dental Auxiliary Program, who has been instrumental in developing the curriculum. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Hasnain Sakrani, Principal, and Prof. Dr. Naseer Ahmed, Vice Principal of AIDM, the program has received strong institutional support.
Dr. Shaur Sarfaraz, Director of Medical Education and the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), is overseeing academic standards to ensure that the training remains relevant and of high quality.
The program is part of a broader effort to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare workforce, led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Altamash, President of AIDM. With advances in dental technology and procedures, the demand for qualified dental assistants is set to increase, and this program is expected to play a key role in meeting that demand.
Experts agree that initiatives like AIDM’s DSA training program are essential to improving dental care delivery in Pakistan, ultimately supporting the growing needs of modern dental clinics.