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Lt. Governor calls for skills-oriented syllabus for dental course

S. Nadarajan

Appeals to Dental College to promote community dentistry

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

FELICITATED: Lt. Governor Mukut Mithi distributes medals to students of Mahatma Gandhi PG Institute of Dental Sciences at the first Institute Day celebration on Thursday.

Puducherry: Lt. Governor Mukut Mithi stressed the need for spreading awareness on oral health among the people through effective communication and by encouraging oral health education programmes.

Distributing medals to students of the Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences on the occasion of the first Institute Day on Thursday, Mr. Mithi said that although there were nearly 150 dental colleges across the country, they were unevenly distributed leading to mismatch in availability of dental treatment. There was one dentist for every 30,000 people, which reflected gross inadequacy.

Ninety per cent of the facilities were available only in urban areas.

Mithi felt anguished over non-availability of dental surgeons at the levels of the Community or Primary Health Centres in most of the States. There was also acute shortage of equipment and material. There should be periodical rural camps and establishment of extension centres to address the shortcomings.

He wanted a need-based skills-oriented syllabus with more practical training to make young graduates adequately able to attend primary health care requirements. He appealed to the college authorities to promote community dentistry by sending students to rural areas. Cost of dental treatment should be reduced by developing alternate indigenous dental treatment. He welcomed the proposal of the college to set up centres of excellence in four specialties to give a thrust to research activities. He lauded the college's successful implementation of the World Health Organisation project "Survey on Oral Health Status of Southern Area-India".

Director of the College Dr. Shyam Singh said the hospital attached to the institute treated 1.44 lakh patients last year. Three more disciplines were added to the institute.

S. Hanumanth, president of students' council, welcomed. Students Advisor Dr R. Rajarathinam also participated. Lt Governor released a souvenir on the occasion.

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