ISLAMABAD: For the first time, the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has conducted the Dental National Licensing Examination-2 (Clinical Skills Examination) of Foreign Graduates in School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZAMBU) Islamabad.

According to a statement, the whole purpose of the National Licensing Examination (NLE) is to test the competency, knowledge and skills of a graduate to ensure they are a ‘safe doctor’ as they would be granted a licence to treat patients independently.

The NLE exam represents the basic skills that are mandatory for patient handling and management in the absence of which patients would be at severe risk. For the first time, the PMC has conducted the NLE in School of Dentistry, SZAMBU.

“A number of students appeared in the examination and said it was a good initiative to screen students,” the statement claimed.

The PMC spokesperson said the NLE was likely to protect the right of the patients and encourage all able and learned students to assume practice in the mainstream field. He said commission was working with clear vision and dedication to facilitate and improve the healthcare system in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2022