KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) has urged the government to give contract dental officers similar consideration for permanent appointments as announced for other healthcare professionals.
Under the 2027 budget tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday, the government will offer permanent positions to more than 9,000 contract medical officers next year.
In a statement today, MDA president Dr Chong Zhen Feng said all healthcare professionals deserve fair consideration, transparent career pathways, and recognition of their contributions to the national healthcare system.
Chong said some dental officers had their contracts expire without renewal, resulting in trained dental professionals leaving the public healthcare system.
He urged the government to review the status of the affected contract dental officers and consider appropriate opportunities for permanent appointments, alongside a sustainable workforce strategy to prevent further loss of trained dental professionals from the public sector.
He said investment in training and developing dental professionals should not be overlooked, as their experience and commitment represent valuable national healthcare resources that should be retained wherever possible.
Chong said dental officers play an essential role in providing preventive and clinical oral healthcare, particularly to schoolchildren, underserved communities, and Malaysians who rely on public dental facilities.