The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will no longer welcome foreign dentists to open more opportunities for locals, the Labor Ministry announced.
The move seeks to encourage private clinics and hospitals to hire more local dentists.
Local dentist Adnan Al-Sulami said there has been a recurring unemployment among Saudi professionals because private establishments opt to employ expats who receive lower salaries, Arab News reported.
The hiring freeze also supports the Kingdom’s efforts to expand and reinforce its labor force.
The Labor Ministry said it will collaborate with the Health Ministry in the monitoring of the implementation of the ruling and training of local dentists.
In 2015, only 5,946 of the total 10,150 registered dentists were Saudis, Saudi Gazette said.
Last year, an unemployed Saudi dentist burned his certificate outside the Civil Service Ministry building in Hafr Al-Batin City after failing to find a government job.
