Casablanca dental students threaten training boycott as overcrowding, shortages fuel unrest

Dental students in Casablanca say they are ready to boycott hospital training when the next academic year starts, warning that years of overcrowding and shortages are making it impossible to get the clinical experience they need.

The threat comes after general assemblies held across all year groups, where students agreed they were prepared to escalate protests if authorities fail to address what they describe as two urgent problems: a lack of hospital training space and chronic shortages of medical supplies.

At the center of the dispute is the Faculty of Dentistry’s clinical training program, which students say has failed to keep pace with rising enrollment. They argue that too many students are being trained in facilities that were never designed to handle the current numbers, leaving many without enough hands-on practice.

Student representatives say the situation has been known for years. Authorities have already recognized the need for a second dental training center, they said, but the project remains stalled because no suitable site has been secured.

While that long-term solution remains uncertain, students are urging officials to immediately open a new multidisciplinary and emergency department at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital’s dental examination and treatment center.

According to the student office, construction on the unit was completed months ago, but it has yet to begin operating despite being part of commitments linked to the introduction of a sixth year in the dentistry program in 2019.

Students also say basic materials needed for clinical practice are often unavailable. They are calling for regular supplies of dental equipment and consumables so training can meet accepted professional and scientific standards.

The student office said authorities have failed to take meaningful action despite repeated appeals, including an earlier statement issued in March and a large student march organized in April.

If no progress is made before the new academic year, students say they are prepared to launch several forms of protest, including a complete boycott of hospital placements.

The student office warned that such a move would have consequences beyond the university. Dental students play a role in providing care at the university hospital, meaning any disruption to their clinical training could also affect services offered to patients.