Dental Council of India to revamp BDS curriculum

India: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has decided to overhaul the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course for the first time in 74 years.

The DCI decision, which falls under the purview of the Health Ministry, is aimed at updating the undergraduate course and bringing it on the par with global standards.

The proposed changes will introduce to the course a credit-based curriculum and semester system, in addition to increasing its duration by six months.

Course duration to increase by 6 months

The BDS is currently is a five-year course, including four-years of academic studies and a year of internship. The extended BDS includes a five-and-a-half-year course, which covers four-and-a-half years of academics and one year of rotational internship.

In addition, the exam pattern will shift from yearly to semester system where the student has the option to pick from the 50-60 elective subjects.

New elective system and upgraded syllabus

The elective subjects include Ayurveda/ Homeopathy/ Unani/ Siddha Medicine dentistry; implantology; yogic sciences and dental medicine; sports dentistry; laser dentistry; 3D planning in orthodontics; palliative care dentistry, etc.

“Students should complete at least nine electives across all listed categories to graduate. Each elective shall carry two credits,” says the proposed draft.

 “Maintaining standards of a BDS undergraduate on a par with or exceeding the changing global standards, improving the quality of dental care across the nation, educating dentists about dynamic ethical problems – are among the hallmarks of the proposed change,” said Anil Kumar Chandna, executive member, the Dental Council of India.

“The upgraded syllabus will also ensure pay equality with medical graduates and encourage students from neighbouring countries to come study in India.’’

Towards comprehensive oral health care

The new credit system will also encourage students to diversify their knowledge with electives and continuing education credits, said the proposed draft.

“Dental colleges are expected to transition towards comprehensive oral health care training and also highlight the technology enhancement required to maintain global standards,’’ said Dr Chandna.

The draft curriculum has proposed nine semesters plus one year paid compulsory rotatory internship (CRI) in dental colleges, with a minimum of 240 teaching days in each academic year.

According to DCI, the proposed changes could be brought in as early as the next academic session.