DentalReform – Government Launches New Commission to Transform Dental Education
DentalReform – In a significant move to modernise dental education and improve healthcare access, the Union government on Friday announced the formation of the National Dental Commission (NDC). The new body is expected to bring sweeping changes to how dental education and professional standards are regulated across the country.
New Regulatory Framework Comes Into Force
The National Dental Commission officially came into effect on March 19, following the issuance of government notifications. With this development, the existing Dental Council of India, which had been overseeing dental education and practice for decades, has been dissolved.
The newly established commission will now serve as the apex regulatory authority, tasked with reshaping policies and ensuring higher standards in dental education and services nationwide.
Focus on Quality Education and Accessibility
According to the Union Health Ministry, the NDC aims to address long-standing gaps in dental education and make oral healthcare more accessible and affordable. The Commission will be responsible for designing regulations under the new law and introducing systems to assess and rate dental institutions.
It will also focus on evaluating workforce requirements in the sector, promoting research in dentistry, and setting guidelines for fee structures in private dental colleges. Additionally, the Commission will define benchmarks for community-based dental care, professional conduct, and educational standards.
Officials noted that the reform is intended to create a system that is more transparent and accountable, replacing the earlier structure that relied on elected representatives.
Three Autonomous Boards to Support Functions
To ensure effective implementation of its responsibilities, the government has also established three independent boards under the Commission.
The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board will oversee academic standards and curriculum development for dental courses. The Dental Assessment and Rating Board will handle accreditation processes and institutional evaluations. Meanwhile, the Ethics and Dental Registration Board will monitor professional conduct and maintain the registration of dental practitioners.
These bodies are expected to function autonomously while working in coordination with the central Commission.
Key Appointments Announced
The government has appointed Dr. Sanjay Tewari as the Chairperson of the National Dental Commission, with Dr. Mousumi Goswami serving as a part-time member.
Dr. Chandrashekhar Janakiram will lead the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board as its President. He will be supported by Dr. Shailesh Madhav Lele as a full-time member and Dr. Nagaraj M as a part-time member.
For the Dental Assessment and Rating Board, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Nanda Kishore Sahoo has been named President. Dr. Himanshu Aeran will serve as a full-time member, and Dr. Parimala Tyagi has been appointed as a part-time member.
The Ethics and Dental Registration Board will include Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Tapas Kumar Bandyopadhyay as a full-time member, along with Dr. Usha Hegde and Dr. Swarga Jyoti Das in key roles.
Arindam Modak has been appointed Secretary and will head the Commission’s secretariat.
Old Law Repealed, New Era Begins
With the implementation of the NDC Act, the Dentists Act of 1948 has been repealed. This marks the end of the previous regulatory system and the beginning of a new governance structure aimed at aligning India’s dental education framework with international standards.
The Health Ministry described the reform as a decisive step toward improving institutional quality, strengthening oversight, and ensuring better delivery of dental care services across the country.