The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, which was introduced on July 24 was approved by Lok Sabha on Friday. The 1948 Dentists Act is repealed by the Bill. It aims to regulate the field of dentistry and "provide for quality and affordable dental education."
The following goals are listed in the bill's statement of purposes and reasons:
- To repeal the Dentists Act, of 1948 and for dissolution of the Dental Council of India.
- Constitution of a National Dental Commission (the commission) for development and regulation of all aspects relating to dental education. the dental profession and dental institutions and a Dental Advisory Council to advise and make recommendations to the commission.
- To constitute three Autonomous Boards:
- the Undergraduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board, to regulate dental education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and to determine standards thereof.
- the Dental Assessment and Rating Board, to carry out inspections, to assess and rate the dental institutions, to grant permission for the establishment of new dental colleges, for starting postgraduate courses, etc.
- the Ethics and Dental Registration Board, to regulate professional conduct, to promote dental ethics amongst dentists and professionals, and to maintain digital National Registers of all licensed dentists and dental auxiliaries.
4. Holding a uniform National Exit Test (Dental) for granting a license to practice dentistry, for enrolment in the State Register or the National Register, and for admission to postgraduate dental courses.
5. Recognition of dental qualifications granted by universities and dental institutions in India and outside India and also for recognition of dental qualifications granted by statutory and other bodies in India as listed in the Schedule of the Bill.
Click here to read or download the entire dental bill.
Related reading: Parliament Approves Dentists Amendment Bill.