Shaping India’s Future Dental Leaders: Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s Academic Vision at Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital

With a strong commitment to global standards and cutting-edge research, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Pimpri, Pune is preparing the next generation of dental professionals to excel on an international stage.

By Danny Chan

Dental education in India is steadily gaining recognition for its ambition and progress, with institutions like Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, exemplifying this transformative shift. Alongside peers, it represents a growing effort to elevate Indian dental education to match the scope and quality of programs at globally renowned universities. The institution has been ranked 5th in the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) amongst all the Dental institutions in India – A ranking by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The institution has been in the top 5 rankings since it was introduced in the Dental Category in the year 2020.

In recent years, the dental college and hospital located in Pimpri, a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, about 15km northwest from the historic Pune city, has emerged as an institution that defies the conventional narrative of dental training in the country, often marked by insular, rote learning environments. The institution’s approach is fundamentally distinguished by its commitment to creating a holistic educational environment that intertwines cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art facilities, and international perspectives.

At the heart of this academic vision stands Dr. Gopalakrishnan Dharmarajan, the school’s esteemed Dean & Head of the Department of Periodontology, whose international credentials and global outlook perfectly align with the college’s strategic commitment to excellence.

Aligning Global Ambitions and Visions

Accredited with an ‘A++’ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital has stamped its mark of excellence on the competitive landscape of Indian dental education. In addition, the dental hospital received an accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) to benchmark patient care in the facility. The institution’s mission of fostering global competencies, advancing cutting-edge research, and providing ethical, patient-centered service underscores its role as one of India’s leading innovators in dental academia.

With its state-of-the-art facilities and a curriculum designed to meet international standards, the college is producing a new generation of dental professionals poised to make a significant impact locally and globally. This can be well acknowledged by the school receiving the prestigious Best Institution in India award at the Inaugural Charaka Awards for Excellence in Clinical Dentistry conferred by the Indian Dental Association.

This dedication to excellence finds its perfect complement in Dr. Gopalakrishnan, the Dean and Head of Periodontology. A distinguished academic and clinician, he mirrors the institution’s global vision through his own remarkable career. With advanced education from Rajah Muthiah Dental College and a PhD mentored by the globally renowned Dr. P.D. Miller, he has represented India on international platforms, earning accolades for his contributions to research and innovation in periodontology.

His role as an ambassador to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), Board Member of the International Society of Perio-Plastic Surgeons, Immediate Past President of the Indian Society of Periodontology, Executive Committee Member of the Indian Society of Dental Research, and frequent invitations to lecture at global forums since career inception for around two and a half decades, highlight his stature as a world-class professional.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s journey with international expertise began in 1999 at the AAP, where he first met Dr. P.D. Miller. From the year 2002 onwards, he became a regular attendee and presenter at the academy’s annual meetings. These events provided opportunities to engage with Dr. Miller during breakfast meetings, discussing advancements in perio-plastic surgeries. Dr. Miller was impressed by Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s work, inspiring him to integrate these concepts into his clinical practice.

Over time, Dr. Miller played a pivotal role in shaping Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s expertise in periodontology and perio-plastic surgery, fostering professional growth that is evident in his contributions today.

Innovative Approaches and International Collaborations

The college’s approach to education transcends traditional boundaries. “We have introduced concepts like mentor-mentee systems, online weekly tests, a buddy system, a digital patient information system, and a learning management system,” Dr. Gopalakrishnan notes. Regular training workshops, including sessions on problem-based learning by international experts like Professor Lakshman Samaranayake, further enhance the educational experience.

Strategic international collaborations have been key to the institution’s success. Partnerships span across institutions like the University of Hong Kong, NYU College of Dentistry, and universities in Thailand and Vietnam. Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s international experience has been instrumental in this approach. “Whatever I learn and innovate, I present my work and spread knowledge in the international community through lecture presentations and scientific publications,” he explains.

Pioneering Research and Clinical Excellence

A crowning achievement of Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Pimpri, Pune is the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, established in 2018 and expanded in 2020. GMP certified and FDA approved – a unique distinction among India’s 307 dental schools – the lab focuses on stem cell research with the aim of translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications.

“We wish to go global and make this centre a pioneering platform for stem cell research,” Dr. Gopalakrishnan emphasises. The lab currently houses several funded projects, supported by a team of full-time scientists dedicated to advancing translational medicine.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the institution is its extensive clinical training. “The hands-on clinical training that students in India get is unmatched by the rest of the world due to ample clinical material and the opportunity to work with patients,” Dr. Gopalakrishnan asserts. This claim is substantiated by international recognition, with experts like Dr. Joseph Gian Grasso acknowledging the superior infrastructure.

The DPU Dental Implant Centre stands as a testament to this commitment. Spanning 9,000 square feet, the centre offers a fellowship program in collaboration with international universities. The Centre was inaugurated during the 2015 Academy of Osseointegration Indian Outreach Meeting. It has completed the placement of more than 10,000 dental implants, encompassing different systems while successfully managing complex cases such as indirect and direct sinus lifts, implementing PRF technology, and performing block grafting. Residents from Oral Surgery, Periodontology, and Prosthodontics gain valuable exposure at this centre, receiving training under the supervision of American Board Certified Implantologists.

The college initiated a Fellowship in Implant Dentistry programme, which was initially formally associated with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Subsequently, an in-house fellowship programme was established with a capacity of 6 students per year, with students expected to complete the placement of approximately 200 implants.

The centre further expanded its international collaborations by establishing an understanding with the University of Buffalo, USA, which involved international faculty delivering the final module of their programme. More recently, Dr. Gopalakrishnan has entered into an agreement with the University of Sofia, Bulgaria for the next student cohort.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan notes that international experts, including Dr. P.D. Miller, Dr. Joseph Gian Grasso, Dr. Peter Nordland, Dr. Sebastian Andreana, Dr. Homayoun Zadeh, Dr. Georgios Romanos & Dr. Borvornwaut Buranawat have praised the centre’s facilities as the best. The Dean credits the success solely to the management of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, especially Honourable Chancellor Dr. P D Patil and Honourable Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Smita Jadhav. Notably, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College was the first in the country to acquire high-end dental equipment, which the founding leadership helped establish.

Preparing Professionals of the Future

For students considering pursuing their specialization in the field of Periodontology, Dr. Gopalakrishnan offers inspiring words: “It is a wonderful specialty where you get an opportunity to save teeth by regenerating hard and soft tissues supporting them. I always say you should save the teeth whenever you get a chance, or else you will never get a chance to save the teeth.”

Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College represents more than an educational institution. It is a dynamic platform actively reshaping the future of dental healthcare through its comprehensive, forward-thinking approach.

As Dr. Gopalakrishnan succinctly puts it, “We are not just training students; we are preparing global professionals who can contribute empathetically to oral healthcare.”