By Asif Iqbal Naik
Public healthcare institutions are often the first and only point of access for affordable medical care for a large section of society. When concerns emerge repeatedly from patients and professionals alike, they must be viewed not as isolated complaints but as indicators of deeper systemic stress. Recent discussions around patient experience at government dental institutions in Jammu have once again highlighted long-standing gaps in dental healthcare delivery in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dental care remains one of the most neglected segments of public health policy. While medical services have seen periodic recruitment drives and infrastructure expansion, dental services across government hospitals have suffered from prolonged policy inaction. The consequences of this neglect are visible in the form of overcrowded tertiary institutions, extended treatment timelines, and growing public dependence on private dental care.
At the heart of the issue lies a critical human resource gap. Regular recruitment of dental doctors in Jammu and Kashmir has reportedly not taken place for over 15 years. This prolonged freeze has created a dual crisis—government hospitals are struggling with inadequate manpower, while thousands of qualified dental graduates are left with limited employment options. Many are forced into private practice, not out of choice but necessity, while public institutions continue to function under strain.
Teaching hospitals and dental colleges, by design, are meant to serve both academic and service roles. However, when staffing levels remain stagnant and patient loads continue to rise, even the most well-intentioned systems face operational challenges. Overburdened institutions risk losing public confidence, regardless of the clinical competence of their professionals.
The absence of consistent recruitment has also weakened healthcare delivery at district and sub-district levels. Had peripheral hospitals been adequately staffed with dental surgeons, tertiary institutions would not have to shoulder an excessive patient burden. This imbalance has long-term implications for equitable access to care, especially for economically weaker sections who cannot afford private treatment.
What is needed now is not blame-shifting but policy clarity and administrative resolve. A fast-track, transparent recruitment process for dental doctors across Jammu and Kashmir is essential. Simultaneously, the government must strengthen monitoring mechanisms, patient feedback systems, and workforce planning to ensure that public trust in government healthcare institutions is reinforced.
Dental health is not a luxury—it is an integral part of overall health. Ignoring it has both medical and economic consequences. As Jammu and Kashmir moves towards healthcare reform and infrastructure strengthening, dental services must no longer remain on the margins of policy discourse.
The issue carries undeniable public importance. Addressing it decisively will not only improve patient care but also restore faith among young professionals who have waited years for fair opportunities in the public health system. The time for incremental adjustments has passed; what is required is structural correction and sustained commitment.
The Author is Sr. Journalist in J&K with experience of more then 25 years in the field of print & electronic media and could be reach out at asif2000inin@gmail.com
