1999-1-Editorial - Saudi Dental Journal

ISSN (Print) 1013-9052
EISSN 1658-3558

The Saudi Dental Journal,
P.O. Box 52500,
Riyadh 11563,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Tel.	966-1-467-7328
Fax.	933-1-467-7308 / 966-1-467-7534
Email	saudidj@ksu.edu.sa

Editorial

Quo Vadis, Graduates???

Over the years, dentistry in the Kingdom has been experiencing rapid growth and expansion which resulted in opening doors and countless possibilities for our new dental graduates. Unfortunately however, the trend of enlarging demand and supply for dentists is presently seen moving in an opposite direction, especially in the main cities of the Kingdom. Inspite of the fact that the pool from which to choose, as far as employment is concerned, has been increasing at a dramatic rate, our recent graduates seem to be in the throes of a rapidly spreading unemployment phenomenon. The new graduates have the formidable task of confronting the current economic climate, the existing moral and cultural upheavals and the challenges of joining a private dental practice.

The nature of change which they normally encounter after graduation need not be seen as a threat but as an opportunity for new challenges. Any change, for that matter, should be taken as an offer of possibilities for an enriched personal and professional life. There is every reason to anticipate that, over time, new conditions or situations will emerge that may require new responses from the dental profession. They just have to equip themselves not only with solid academic background and clinical expertise but also with values such as patience and forbearance. Given the realities of today's underutilized dental work force, it is to be expected that recent graduates will be quick to respond to new opportunities for applying their skills.

Presently, however, the existing government entities are faced with a dilemma in that they are capable of employing only a minimal number of our new graduates. It is therefore positively suggested that graduates should consider looking into other preferential options, e.g. joining a private entity, establishing a partnership or corporate dental practice whichever is feasible under the circumstances.

With the present predicament of our graduates, more efforts must be geared toward their proper placement. After all, the drive of the dental education system provided by the various universities in the Kingdom is to be responsive to the collective dental health care delivery system. The effectiveness with which that system is to meet the needs and expectations of the public at large can be fulfilled only through maximum utilization of the current available human resources in the field.

Sulaiman E. S. AlEmran, BDS, MSc, PhD
Preventive Dental Sciences Department, and Dean,
College of Dentistry, King Saud University,
PO Box 60169, Riyadh 11545, K.SA.