National Dental Commission

Functions

Functions and responsibilities of the National Dental Commission

Functions of the Council

Regulation of dental education, profession and standards

The National Dental Commission is constituted by an act of parliament ‘The Dentists Act, 1948’ (XVI of 1948) with a view to regulate the dental education, dental profession and dental ethics thereto – which came into existence in March, 1949.

The Council is composed of 6 constituencies representing Central Government, State Government, Universities, Dental Colleges, Medical Council of India and the Private Practitioners of Dentistry. The Director-General of Health Services is Ex-Officio Member – both of the Executive Committee and General Body.

The Council elects from themselves the President, Vice-President and the members of the Executive Committee. The elected President and the Vice-President are the Ex-Officio Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is the governing body of this organisation, which deals with all procedural, financial and day-to-day activities and affairs of the Council.

The National Dental Commission was also charged with the responsibilities for according recognition to the Dental Degrees awarded by the various Universities and also for maintaining uniform standards of dental education in the country. In discharge of its functions and responsibilities, the Council inspects the various dental institutions and brings the deficiencies observed to the notice of the authorities concerned for suitable remedial action.

Before the Dental Colleges or a Post – graduate Dental Department is set up, It should essentially fulfill certain minimum requirements in respect of the staff, equipments, buildings etc. without these pre-requisites, it is hardly possible to ensure that the students joining these institutions will be able to attain the Dental Education of the prescribed standard. In fact recognition of the qualification of the students hinges on fulfillment of these prerequisites.

With a view to maintain high standards of academic Institutions introducing new Dental courses, it is requested that the State/Union Territory Governments and the Universities may kindly ensure that:

Minimum Requirements
  • No Dental College is permitted to start functioning unless and until the National Dental Commission has satisfies itself through inspections or otherwise that the teaching staff, equipments, building etc., provided for, are in conformity with the minimum requirements as laid down by the Council and approved by the Central Government;
  • That no Dental Institution is permitted to start Post graduate Course(s) unless and until the Dental Council of India has satisfied itself through Inspections or otherwise, that the minimum requirements in respect of Teaching staff, Equipments etc. have been fully provided for in respect of B.D.S. Courses and that the teaching staff, Equipments etc, for the Post-graduate course(s) are in conformity with the minimum requirement laid down by the National Dental Commission and Approved by the Central Government.