Five-Year Term Proposed for BDS Course

In a fresh developments, The Dental Council of India (DCI) has made a proposal to the Central government to increase the term of the BDS (Bachelor of Dental Science) course from four years to five. This will include a year of internship, on the lines of MBBS. The information was given by President of DCI Dr. Dibyendu Mazumdar.

Mr. Mazumdar said that the proposal will be circulated to the States and responses would be taken within 15 days' time. The President also said that by August 4, this process will be materialized and once again forwarded to the Centre for notification. He was also hopeful of notifying about the proposal by the end of August.

Once notified, the five-year programme would be implemented for BDS students in all States (other than two which already have a five-year programme) except those going into the fourth year of study during the current academic year.

While preparing for this proposal, Mr. Dibyendu Mazumdar made an extensive tour to the States and had found positive response from the student community.

Dr. Mazumder also made an appeal to State governments to set up dental clinics in rural areas. He was of the opinion that the proposal made for BDS course will prove highly beneficial for rural population and also give a push to the employment opportunities for the students graduating out of the 290 dental colleges in the country every year.

Source: Prachi Srivastava (Shiksha Team)
Date: 2^nd August, 2011