Current status: proposal, not practice authorisation
This article reports a historical policy proposal. A proposal, committee recommendation or news report does not by itself change the legal scope of practice. BDS graduates should not assume authorisation to practise medicine or work as family physicians unless a valid current law, regulation, recognised training pathway and registration framework expressly permits it. Verify the present position through the competent statutory authorities before making educational or professional decisions.
The Dental Council of India (DCI) has put forward a proposal to bridge the gap in doctor shortages in rural areas. The initiative calls for employing Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduates to train as family doctors and provide primary healthcare services in communities across the nation.
The Apex Commission regulating dental education in India has suggested providing training to such dentists for a period of six months to one year and after completion of training, certifying them as family doctors. Apart from this, the Council has also submitted its suggestions to the Union Government for attracting more foreign students to pursue dental courses.
Dr.Dibyendu Mazumdar, the respected President of DCI, shared the information regarding this proposal during his address at a three-day national conference by the Aesthetic Dentistry Association of India. This conference was organized for the first time by the Aesthetic Dentistry Association of India in association with AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences at Derlakatte, Mangaluru.
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