Offer Training to BDS Graduates, Certify them as Family Doctors to deal with shortage: DCI suggests Niti Aayog

Mangaluru: In order to overcome the shortage of doctors in the rural areas, the Dental Council of India (DCI) has suggested to Niti Aayog to employ BDS graduates or dentists to train as family doctors.

The Apex Commission regulating the dental education in India has suggested to provide training to such dentists for a period of six months to one year and after completion of the training, certify them as Family doctors, adds TOI.

Apart from this, the Council has also submitted its suggestions to the Union Government for attracting more foreign students to pursue the dental courses.

The information in this regard was shared by the President of DCI, Dr Dibyendu Mazumdar, while addressing the attendees at the three-day Aesthetic Dentistry Association of India National Conference (ADAINC).

During the conference, the DCI President pointed out how the MBBS seats have increased in India over the last few years and it resulted in a dip in BDS admissions.

Also Read: Few Takers For Dental Courses, 547 BDS Seats Still Remain Vacant in Tamil Nadu

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, the DCI president referred to the fact that after NEET was implemented, it reduced the number of foreign students taking BDS admission in India. Therefore, in order to attract students abroad and regain the inflow of foreign students to Indian campuses, the DCI has suggested to the Union Government to sign MoUs with foreign countries.

With the help of the MoUs, the foreign students will be allowed to take BDS admission in India without appearing in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), which is mandatory for Indian students. DCI has suggested reserving 10% of seats for such students from abroad.

Apart from this, DCI has also suggested to make NEET centres available across the globe, so that many more foreign students pursue their interest of studying medical and dental courses in India.

The conference by Aesthetic Dentistry Association of India has been organised for the first time, in association with AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Derlakatte, Mangaluru.

During the conference, the DCI president also mentioned about the suggestions and plans of Dental Council for National Exit Test. NExT is going to replace the NEET-PG examination very soon. Similarly, DCI has proposed conducting two tests for dental courses as well- one test during the final examination of BDS course, and another one after completion of the Internship.

Also Read: Poor oral health may contribute to declines in brain health including memory and clarity of thinking