KATHMANDU, May 5: Dentistry has emerged as a preferred career path for many aspiring medical professionals in Nepal, with an increasing number of women choosing this field.
Christina Pradhan, a dental surgeon at Samaj Dental Hospital and a graduate of the People’s Dental University, chose dentistry as her preferred career, as it offers a balance between professional success and family life, with flexible working hours and abundant employment opportunities. It has expanded.
“I chose dentistry because, unlike other professions, it offers stable working hours and abundant employment opportunities. It allows me to prioritize both my career and my family. “I can do it,” Pradhan said, citing the satisfaction that comes from achieving work-life balance while demonstrating one’s abilities. Profession.
Pradhan pointed out that the field of dentistry attracts women because of the possibility of immediate employment after completing a five-year course and the opportunity to set up your own dental clinic. In addition, interest in this field is increasing among women, as it offers easy access to further education and lucrative careers both domestically and internationally.
Sumana KC, a fifth-year student at Peoples School of Dentistry, echoed similar sentiments, stating that hands-on experience and exposure to professional medical practice were key factors in her decision to pursue dentistry. He also cited the possibility of becoming proficient in dental surgery within five years and being able to open his own practice and become independent after graduation as a reason for choosing this field.
Sabina Neupane, also a fifth-year student at Peoples School of Dentistry, said the lack of night shifts and the opportunity for independence were the driving forces behind her choosing dentistry as a career path. She Neupane shared her plans to open her own clinic as soon as she completes her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree.
Men also aspire to become dentists, but statistics show that there is a significant gender disparity. According to Pranaya Shakya, a professor at People’s Dental University and president of the Nepal Dental Association, women make up 75% of dental students at People’s Dental University. That’s what it means.
However, 58 percent of doctors affiliated with the Nepal Dental Association are women.
Despite the misconception that there are no night shifts in dentistry, Shaka revealed that certain specialty services, such as maxillofacial surgery, may require night shifts.
Shakya also highlighted that there is a financial barrier to setting up a dental clinic as it involves high equipment costs. He also cautioned against unqualified individuals running clinics and stressed the importance of trained dental surgeons to provide quality care.
Shaili Pradhan, head of dentistry at Bir Hospital, said doctors who studied dentistry in Nepal are now earning attractive amounts in countries like America and Australia.
Overall, the increasing rise of women in the dental world reflects the changing landscape of the healthcare sector in Nepal, with increasing opportunities for women to excel professionally while contributing to the delivery of oral health care. It is reflected. Of the 2,308 doctors affiliated with the Nepal Dental Association, 1,349 are women. The number of male doctors is only 959.
