Al-Asmar: 13.5 thousand registered dentists and 5000 unemployed amidst rising treatment costs, declining purchasing power of citizens, and increasing number of dental graduates versus limited job opportunities, along with the expansion of unlicensed practices and the impersonation of dentists. The dental profession in Jordan faces a set of challenges that complicate the equation for patients, dentists, and the healthcare system. The Dean of Jordanian Dental Practitioners, Dr. Aya Al-Asmar, confirmed that the rise in dental treatment prices is linked to the increased operational costs of clinics, from wages and energy to equipment and medical supplies, alongside the rising cost of dental studies themselves, while the purchasing power of citizens has not developed accordingly. She pointed out in an interview with 'Al-Rai' that this has led some patients to postpone treatments that they do not consider urgent or necessary, and to seek services covered by insurance, emphasizing the need to treat oral and dental health as a fundamental part of public health, not as a supplementary service. According to Al-Asmar, the number of dentists registered in the syndicate is about 13.5 thousand, while the number of unemployed is estimated at about 4-5 thousand, which may approach 50% according to the syndicate's data, with the possibility of a slight decrease due to doctors who have obtained jobs and have not updated their data. On the other hand, the number of new entrants to the profession has accelerated, as the annual number, as she mentioned, has risen from about 300-400 doctors years ago, to 500-600, then 800 and a thousand, reaching about 1400 doctors in the recent period, in addition to more than a thousand doctors on internship seats. She stressed that the rise in unemployment does not mean that Jordan does not need dentists, as regions and governorates still need more services, calling for a geographical survey that links the health needs of the population with the distribution of doctors, along with providing tax incentives and easy loans to encourage graduates to work in less-served areas. The cost of setting up a clinic is another obstacle for young dentists, as Al-Asmar explained that the cost varies according to the location and equipment, and may start at an estimated 20-25 thousand dinars for a clinic with one chair, while it may reach about 50 thousand when introducing modern equipment and technologies. She pointed out that the syndicate has proposed within legislative amendments to allow two doctors to work on one chair at different times, which reduces the cost of setting up clinics and provides an opportunity for another doctor. Regarding wages, Al-Asmar revealed that the dental salary scale in use dates back to 1999, and that more than half of the procedures currently in the profession are not mentioned in it, due to the great development that dentistry has witnessed over 27 years. She pointed out that the syndicate has been working since the beginning of 2026 on a new scale that determines the minimum and maximum wages and includes modern treatments, in a way that protects the patient and the dentist, in parallel with discussions to expand insurance coverage. Al-Asmar noted that prevention, primary care, and simple treatments are less costly in the long term than implants, restorations, and complex treatments, while warning at the same time that 'burning prices' may come at the expense of treatment quality, sterilization, and safety standards. The file of impersonating a dentist and unlicensed practices is highlighted as one of the most dangerous files, as Al-Asmar said that the syndicate dealt with at least 50-60 cases of impersonation in Amman alone over a year, while the number of unlicensed clinics referred to the competent authorities exceeded 100-150 clinics. She added that the syndicate referred about 200 files related to various violations during the year, and estimated the number of clinics whose files were sent for closure at about 150 clinics, noting that the level of achievement in closing them is estimated at about 30% due to the burden on regulatory authorities. She revealed a case detected in recent months of a person performing dental implants despite 'not having completed school at all', calling for the strengthening of penalties and amending the Public Health Law, and stressing that practicing dentistry by unqualified individuals may threaten patients' lives due to the possibility of bleeding or severe allergies, or the transmission of diseases in the absence of proper sterilization. Regarding confronting illegal advertisements on social media, Al-Asmar considered that monitoring and cooperation with the Electronic Crimes Unit contributed to reducing the number of pages monitored by the syndicate from at least 80 pages to about 10-12 pages, pointing out that many advertisements that include discounts and commercial offers are not from dentists. She continued that hundreds of cases have been referred to investigation committees, confirming that the new advertising regulations, included in legislative amendments, aim to prevent misleading, unscientific claims, and commercial promotion that is offensive to the profession. Regarding oral and dental health in children, Al-Asmar confirmed that she does not have recent accurate numbers, but the figures circulating in various studies and data are around 70% for tooth decay, which she described as a high percentage. She linked this to changing lifestyles, the abundance of fast food, beverages, and intermittent meals, and the weakness of preventive culture, calling for strengthening school examinations in public and private schools. Regarding cosmetic procedures, she warned against performing teeth whitening and veneers without a clear need, confirming that any non-therapeutic cosmetic intervention must be preceded by presenting the option of non-intervention, alternatives, and the advantages and risks of each option, while expanding the application of 'informed consent', which she said exists in Jordan but is not widely spread. Al-Asmar revealed a project to launch a QR code for each dentist that allows the patient to verify the doctor's name, license, specialty, and facility license, considering it a tool to confront impersonators and unlicensed clinics and enhance confidence in medical tourism. Regarding the future of the profession, she stressed that the market has reached a state of'saturation and severe pressure', but at the same time, the problem is treatable through a national project that links the number of graduates to the absorptive capacity of the labor market, and expands opportunities for specialization, employment, and distribution across the governorates. Al-Asmar emphasized that the continuation of the current number of graduates requires a parallel increase in operational capacity, considering that the file has reached a stage that necessitates national decisions involving the Ministries of Health, Higher Education, and concerned authorities, instead of looking at thousands of graduates as a crisis, and working to invest them as a national and professional wealth.