The undergraduate course involves organisation of teaching programmes year-wise. However, this course, as a whole, should demonstrate integration of the basic sciences, clinical dentistry and practical or the laboratory skills. The course should be designed and integrated in such a way to permit smooth progression from pre-clinical to clinical phase. Collaboration should be encouraged between teachers of basic sciences, dental sciences and clinical subjects.

The undergraduate dental course consists of three main components. The first component consists subjects common to medicine and dentistry like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and behavioural science, leading to pharmacology, pathology, microbiology and then on to general medicine and general surgery. The second component runs concurrently with the first and deals with special aspects of oral and dental tissues, oral biology and oral pathology. Finally, the third component based on the foundations of the first two, deals with the clinical and technical aspects of dentistry as is required for general dental practice.

The first component of the course is intended to provide initially, an appreciation of normal human structure, development, function and behaviour, leading to understanding of the diseases, its prevention and treatment. The main objective is to provide the student a broad knowledge of the normal structures and functions of the body, the alterations which take place in disease with particular reference to those conditions in which medical and dental co-operation is essential for proper management. At this stage, the student should also be made aware of the social and psychological aspects of patient care with special reference to the relationship between dentist and patient. The behavioural sciences including both sociology and psychology should be introduced at the initial stages of the training programme, much before the students actually deal with the patients.

The second component of dental undergraduate programme consists instruction in the subjects dealing with dental and oral aspects to ensure a detailed knowledge of the structure and function of the dental and oral tissues. This enables the student to diagnose, prevent and treat the dental and oral diseases and disorders which were not included in the first component. The subject of oral biology is to be introduced at this level to provide the students a comprehensive knowledge and application of oral physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and oral immunology. Students should be exposed to the basic aspects of forensic odontology at this stage of the course along with oral biology/oral pathology.

The third component of the course comprising the clinical and technical aspects of dentistry actually prepares the student to undertake total oral and dental health care of the patients of all ages. The emphasis at this stage should be on the prevention of the various dental diseases and how to preserve natural teeth with their supporting structures. The importance of the various preventive methods need to be stressed. The significance of diagnosis of various dental and oral problems needs to be emphasized along with treatment planning before actual treatment procedures are undertaken. In addition to acquiring the knowledge, the students need to gain adequate clinical hands-on-experience in extractions and other minor oral surgical procedures, all aspects of conservative dentistry, endodontics, crown and bridge, provision of partial and complete dentures, various periodontal therapeutic procedures and use of removable orthodontic appliances. Familiarity with various radiological techniques, particularly intra-oral methods and proper interpretation of the radiographs, is an essential part of this component of training and has application in clinical diagnosis, forensic identification and age estimation. Towards the final stage of the clinical training, each student should be involved in comprehensive oral health care or holistic approach to enable them to plan and treat patients as a whole, instead of piece-meal treatment provided in each speciality. The Dental Council of India strongly recommends that all the dental colleges should provide facilities and required infrastructure for this purpose. The aim of the undergraduate programme should undoubtedly be to produce a graduate, competent in general dental practice.

The commitment towards the society as a whole, needs to be stressed along with the knowledge and treatment skills gained. Instruction in public health dentistry should emphasise the sociological aspects of health care particularly, oral health care, including the reasons for the variation in oral and dental needs of different sections of the society. It is important to know the influence of the social, behavioural, environmental and economic factors on oral and dental health. Students should be made aware of the National oral health Policy and the importance of being a member of the Health care team delivering medical and oral health care particularly among rural population.

Scientific advancement of any profession is based largely on continuous research activities. Dentistry is no exception. It is important that in every dental college proper facilities should be provided for research and the faculty members should involve themselves in such activities. Inter-disciplinary research should be encouraged to bring in integration among various specialities. The teaching and training methodology should be such that the students are motivated to think and indulge in self study rather than playing a passive role. Provision should be made in the daily schedules for adequate time for reading. Proper library facilities with adequate timings and seating capacity should be made available in all dental colleges. Adequate audio visual aids, like video tapes, computer assisted learning aids, Medline and internet facilities should be provided in all dental colleges to encourage self-study. Students should be encouraged to participate in simple research project work and the system of electives, spending some stipulated amount of time in another dental college within the country or outside should be given a serious consideration by all the dental institutions.

AThe society has a right to expect high standards and quality of treatment. Hence, it is mandatory and a social obligation for each dental surgeon to upgrade his or her knowledge and professional skills from time to time. The Dental Council of India strongly recommends that facilities and proper infrastructure should be developed to conduct the continuous professional education programmes in dentistry to enable the practitioners to update their knowledge and skills. The Council is of the opinion that the dental colleges by virtue of their infrastructural facilities will be ideal to conduct such courses and recommends establishment of a Department of continuing dental education in each of the dental colleges. In addition, the practitioners should be encouraged to attend conferences of state and national level, workshops, seminars and any other such activity which the Council feels is suitable to upgrade the knowledge and skills. The Council is also in agreement that it should be made mandatory and linked with renewal of registration in a phased manner.

The undergraduate curriculum should stress the significance of infection and cross- infection control in dental practice. Aspects like sources of infection, measures to be adopted both general and specific for control particularly the HIV and hepatitis should be properly incorporated into the curriculum so that the graduates are aware of its significance and follow it in their practice.

The information technology has touched every aspect of an individual’s personal and professional life. The Council hence recommends that all undergraduates acquire minimum computer proficiency which will enable them to enhance their professional knowledge and skills.