Soon: NExT exam for BDS, Bill Introduced in Parliament

New Delhi: Just like medical graduates, dental graduates will also be required to appear in the 'National Exit Test (Dental)' to be granted a licence to practice dentistry, stated the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023 that was introduced in the Parliament on July 24, 2023.

Apart from getting enrolled in the State and National Register, the NExT (Dental) examination shall also be the basis for admission to the postgraduate dental education in dental institutions, mentioned the Bill.

Introduced by the Union Health Ministry on Monday, the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023 seems to be structurally similar to that of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which had previously replaced the erstwhile Apex medical body i.e. the Medical Council of India (MCI). Now, the proposed National Dental Commission is likely to replace the Dental Council of India, the apex dental education regulatory body in the country.

The Central Government has introduced this bill in the Lok Sabha with an aim to regulate the profession of dentistry in the country, to provide for quality and affordable dental education, to make accessible high quality oral healthcare and for connected matters.

According to the Bill, the National Dental Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, eight ex officio Members, and twenty-four part-time members. It further mentions that the Central Government shall constitute Autonomous Boards, under the overall supervision of the Commission, to perform the functions assigned to such Boards. 

Such Boards include (a) the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board; (b) the Dental Assessment and Rating Board; and (c) the Ethics and Dental Registration Board.

"Every Autonomous Board shall consist of a President, not more than two whole-time Members and not more than two part-time Members," stated the Bill.

The Bill further addressed in detail about the composition of the National Dental Commission, Search-cum-Selection Committee for appointment of Chairperson and Members, term of office and conditions of service of Chairperson and Members, removal of Chairperson and member of Commission, appointment of Secretary, experts, professionals, officers, and other employees of the Commission, meetings etc. of the Commission, and powers and functions of the Commission.

Also Read: National Dental Commission Bill, 2022 listed for introduction in upcoming Session of Parliament

Further, the bill discussed about the constitution, composition, functions and meetings of the Dental Advisory Council, about the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, National Exit Test (Dental), constitution and composition of Autonomous Boards, search-cum-selection committee for appointment of President and Members, term of office and conditions of service of President and Members, advisory committees of experts, staff of Autonomous Boards, meetings etc of Autonomous Boards, Powers of Autonomous Boards and delegation of powers, powers and functions of UG and PG Dental Education Board, Dental Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Dental Registration Board.

It also addressed the details regarding the Permission for establishment of new dental college or to start PG course or increase number of seats, criteria for approving or disapproving scheme, State Dental Council or Joint Dental Council, National Register and State Register, Rights of persons to have licence to practice, and to be enrolled in National or State Register, bar to practice, recognition and de-recognition of dental qualifications, Grants by Central Government, National Dental Commission Fund, Audit and Accounts, furnishing of returns and reports to Central Government, etc.

The Bill also discussed about miscellaneous issues such as- power of Central Government to give directions to Commission and its Autonomous Boards and State Governments, Information to be furnished by Commission and Publication, obligation of universities and dental institutes, completion of courses of studies in dental institutes, joint sittings of Commission with relevant regulatory bodies, state government to promote preventive and promotive dental care in rural areas, Chairperson, Members, officers of Commission and of Autonomous Boards to be public servants, Protection of action taken in good faith, Cognizance of offences, Power of Central Government to supersede Commission, Power of Central Government to make rules, Power to make regulations, Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament, Power of State Government to make rules, Power to remove difficulties, Repeal and saving and Transitory provisions.

National Exit Test (Dental):

In Chapter V of the Bill, the Government has specified the proposal of conducting a National Exit Test (Dental) for the BDS graduates as well. According to the Bill, 

15. (1) A common final year undergraduate dental examination, to be known as the 'National Exit Test (Dental)' shall be held for granting licence to practice dentistry as dentists and for enrolment in the State Register or the National Register, as the case may be.

(2) The Commission shall conduct the National Exit Test (Dental) through such designated authority and in such manner as may be specified by regulations.

(3) The National Exit Test (Dental) shall become operational on such date, within three years from the date of commencement of this Act, as may be appointed by the Central Government, by notification.

(4) Any person with a foreign dental qualification shall have to qualify National Exit Test (Dental) for the purpose of obtaining licence to practice dentistry as dentist and for enrolment in the State Register or the National Register, as the case may be, in such manner as may be specified by regulations.

(5) The National Exit Test (Dental) shall be the basis for admission to the postgraduate dental education in dental institutions which are governed under the provisions of this Act or under any other law for the time being in force and shall be done in such manner as may be specified by regulations.

(6) The Commission shall specify by regulations the manner of conducting common counselling by the designated authority for admission to the postgraduate seats in the dental institutions referred to in sub-section (5).

(7) The designated authority of the Central Government shall conduct the common counselling for All India seats and the designated authority of the State Government shall conduct the common counselling for the seats at the State level.

Also Read: NEXT after BDS for license to practice, PG Dental Admissions proposed by Govt

National Examination: 

The Bill mentioned that all admissions to UG dental courses in all dental institutes shall be through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). It further specified that till the time National Exit Test (Dental) becomes operational, all admissions to PG courses of Master of Dental Surgery in all dental institutions shall be through National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (MDS).

The details are as follows:

14. (1) All admissions to the undergraduate course of Bachelor of Dental Surgery in all dental institutions which are governed by the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force shall be through National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test conducted under section 14 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

(2) Till such time as the National Exit Test (Dental) becomes operational under section 15, all admissions to the postgraduate courses of Master of Dental Surgery in all dental institutions which are governed by the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force shall be through National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (MDS) to be conducted by the designated authority appointed by the Central Government.

(3) The Commission shall specify by regulations the manner of conducting common counselling by the designated authority for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate seats in all the dental institutions which are governed by the provisions of this Act: Provided that the designated authority appointed or nominated by the Central Government shall conduct the common counselling for all India seats and the designated authority of the State Government shall conduct the common counselling for the seats at the State level.

To view the Bill, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/the-national-dental-commission-bill-2023-214903.pdf

Also Read: NMC defers NExT Exam