KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 12 -- The Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) has urged the federal government and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to grant contract dental officers the same absorption opportunities as medical doctors and pharmacists, warning that trained dentists are being forced out of the public sector after their contracts lapsed without extension.

In a statement today, MDA president Dr Chong Zhen Feng said the association welcomed the government's commitment to reinforcing the public healthcare workforce, particularly the permanent appointment drive announced under Budget 2027.

While tabling the national budget in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that over 9,000 contr...