PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) has urged the government to accord similar considerations for contract dental officers following allocations under Budget 2027 for permanent positions for 9,000 contract doctors.
Its president Dr Chong Zhen Feng said the association had called for intervention in April, as contracts of dental officers from the 2021 cohort were due to end.
“Regrettably, these contracts have since expired without extension, and subsequent cohorts have faced similar outcomes. This has resulted in trained dental professionals leaving the public healthcare system despite having completed their service and gained valuable clinical experience,” he said.
He said the situation has not only raised concerns about the career prospects of young dental professionals, but also the sustainability and continuity of public oral healthcare services.
“While MDA recognises that workforce requirements and appointment mechanisms may differ across healthcare professions, we firmly believe that all healthcare professionals deserve fair consideration, transparent career pathways and recognition for their contributions to national healthcare,” said Dr Chong.
“MDA therefore respectfully urges the government to review the position of affected contract dental officers, consider appropriate opportunities for permanent appointments, and establish a sustainable workforce strategy that prevents further loss of trained dental professionals from the public sector.”
A similar call was made by the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) which sought clarification on the status of contract pharmacists.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Sunday that the ministry will work with the Finance Ministry to expedite the absorption of contract pharmacists into permanent positions.
