Syllabus of graduate dental course will undergo change


The government is planning to change the syllabus of undergraduate dental courses to upgrade the knowledge and skills of doctors.


Minister of state for health and family welfare P Lakshmi told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the plan was mooted based on the recommendations of the Dental Council of India and in consultation with the state governments and medical universities.


The bachelor in dental surgery (BDS) course regulations for undergraduate students were last framed in 1983 - 23 years ago. Since then, significant developments have taken place in the field of dentistry worldwide, the minister told the House.


New subjects like aesthetic dentists, oral implantology, behavioural sciences, forensic odontology and dentofacial orthopadedics will be introduced in the syllabus, she said.


The new course will bring country's dental colleges on a par with international standards.


(TOI:07/12/2006)