Srinagar, Sept 24 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said recruitment to the post of Dental Surgeon will be undertaken only against substantive vacancies, while the creation of additional posts will depend on an assessment of manpower requirements and actual gaps in the health system.
The Health and Medical Education Department stated this in response to a question by MLA Reyaz Ahmad Khan regarding the status of vacant dental posts, recruitment of Dental Surgeons and the availability of dental services in government hospitals.
The department said recruitment to Dental Surgeon posts was being undertaken subject to the availability of substantive vacancies. It also pointed out that surplus Dental Surgeons are presently working against supernumerary posts in Jammu and Kashmir.
The government said the non-referral of vacant posts to the recruitment agency should therefore not be treated as abandonment of the recruitment process, adding that the decision was based on the availability of vacancies and financial prudence.
On the proposal to create additional Dental Surgeon posts, the department said the requirement would first be assessed on the basis of manpower needs and actual gaps.
The proposal for creation of posts, it said, would be processed once the austerity measures imposed through Government Order No.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel198-F of 2026 dated May 22, 2026 are withdrawn.
On the issue of assistance to dental doctors intending to establish private clinics, the government said it provides the necessary regulatory and facilitation framework, rather than routine financial assistance.
It said private dental clinics are governed by statutory and regulatory requirements covering registration, professional qualifications, premises, biomedical waste management, patient safety and other prescribed standards.
Eligible Dental Surgeons seeking to establish private clinics are required to obtain the necessary registrations and permissions from the competent authorities and comply with the applicable statutory requirements, the department said.
The government clarified that the department does not ordinarily provide direct financial assistance for setting up private dental clinics, unless such assistance is specifically covered under a government scheme or programme.
However, it said the concerned regulatory authorities facilitate applicants in completing the prescribed procedures and obtaining the required permissions and registrations.(KNS)