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 Around 60,000 dentists across India are about to go back to school to upgrade themselves to improve the general standard of tooth care.
The programme by Continuing Dental Education (CDE) would be mandatory for all registered dentists who have to log in points for continuing their practise.
Point system
“Each dental surgeon would need to score a minimum of 100 points in five years, with a minimum 15 and a maximum 25 points a year.
All dental surgeons registered under the state dental councils will abide by the procedure and requirements of the CDE programmes, which will be on a voluntary self-assessment format subjected to random audits and with a periodic review,” said Dr Anil Kumar Chandna, the government nominee to the Dental Council of India.
“This initiative will help provide good dental treatment to the society. As the medical field continues to make technological advancement, doctors need to update their knowledge and skills through this programme which already exists in other countries,” He added.
The program will be available both online and in medical colleges in each state with those not taking it up could loose their registration.
Money matters
The move has been appreciated by dentists who felt that it would keep them updated in the field.
Talking to MiD DAY, leading dental surgeon Dr Deepak Nakhra, who had recently done a course in implantology at an exorbitant cost, hoped the CDE courses will be cheaper.
At the moment, dentists wanting to improve their skills have to shell out huge amounts. Their effort is entirely voluntary and it is not necessary for them to upgrade their skills, he said. “Most of us will be only too happy to have the CDE run these courses,” he said.
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