The Dental Council of India Calls for Appointment of Dental Specialists in Hospitals Nationwide

India: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has recently issued a directive to all states in the country, urging them to appoint dental specialists in hospitals and health centers that have operational dental departments. This policy decision was made during the DCI General Body meeting held on May 20 and May 21, 2023, with the primary objective of enhancing the oral health of the general public.

Addressing Shortage in Rural Areas

The Dental Council of India, operating under the Union Health Ministry, is responsible for regulating dental education, the dental profession, and dental ethics across the country. Earlier this year, DCI had proposed to Niti Aayog the employment of BDS graduates or dentists to train as family doctors to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas.

The suggestion put forward by the Apex Commission governing dental education in India proposed providing training to dentists for a period of six months to one year, after which they would be certified as family doctors. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap in healthcare services, particularly in underserved rural regions.

Intervention and Implementation

In light of this development, Dr Dibyendu Mazumdar, the President of DCI, has addressed a letter to Shri Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, requesting his intervention and necessary actions to implement this directive effectively. 

According to the letter, Dr Mazumdar stated, “I would like to draw your kind attention towards the aforesaid subject matter and state that the General Body of the Dental Council of India in its meeting held on 20th and 21st May, 2023 has taken the following policy decision: ‘To request the Chief Ministers of all the States to appoint Dental Specialists in all the Hospitals and Health Centres where dental department is running for betterment of Oral Health of masses’.”

The DCI’s letter to the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh further urged the state authorities to issue necessary directives to implement the appointment of dental specialists in hospitals that have dental centers. The aim is to ensure the provision of specialized dental care services for the well-being of the population in Arunachal Pradesh.

In line with their efforts to improve access to quality healthcare, the DCI’s recent call for the appointment of Dental Specialists in hospitals and health centers nationwide is another step toward strengthening oral healthcare services for the public.