Lucknow: The Dental Council of India(DCI) recently proposed a revised curriculum for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery(BDS) course in India where the yearly system is most likely to be replaced by the semester system.
Dr. Dibyendu Majumdar, current president of the Dental Council of India, attended the inauguration ceremony of a two-day UP Dental Show in Lucknow. The proposed changes in the curriculum and course system were announced at the ceremony.
The main aim of the changes in the curriculum is to help the students attain overall development and not just excel in academics. The present time frame for the BDS course in India is five years which includes 4 years of study + 1 year of internship posting.
This proposed curriculum will extend the term to 4.5 years of study + 1 year of internship which is equal to the term for a MBBS course in India. Yearly system is also most likely to replaced by semester system which means that 4.5 years will be divided into a total of 9 semesters.
Theboard is also likely to add the following subjects to the curriculum which were not included previously :
- Forensic
- Basic life support
- Advanced life support
This curriculum is said to be more ‘student friendly’ as compared to the current one.
“Under the credits-based system, we will give credits for sports activity, participation and practice in Yoga and other soft skills,” said Dr. Mazumdar.“Also in each semester, students will get a choice to pursue two out of four subjects first, and the other two later. It will increase the burden upon colleges but will benefit students by allowing them to choose the subject they wish to finish first”.
The said proposal is sent to the central government, approval for which is awaited to finalize the changes.
