Vol.3 No.1 (Jan-Jun 2007)

The dentistry is challenged by patients demands in routine, may be because of increasing awareness or scientific and technological advancements. The professional image of the dentist in the eyes of their patients is important; which, I am afraid is no more satisfying. Professionalism, in true sense, is the image that promotes a successful relationship with the patient. There is always an intimate relationship between the rights and responsibilities of dentists and the rights and responsibilities of the patients. The rights of patients are well-defined. However, less emphasis has always been placed on the rights of dentists as compared to their responsibilities. This might be true not only with the dentists, but all health professionals at large.

The insecurity amongst dentists, the reason may be any, is deviating them from being professional. It is high time, we the dentists must evaluate ourselves vis-a-vis our responsibilities towards the profession and the society. We must understand the commitment of the profession, standard of the professional responsibility and comply with the demands of the patients with honesty and integrity.

Dr. Vimal Sikri

Vol.2 No.1 (Jan-Jun 2006)

Dental Council of India, after a thorough debate during the conclave held at Bangalore, decided to have a five year curriculum for BDS with no internship. The final year will be of two years with eight subjects, four in each year. This new rule needs exhaustive discussion before being implemented. Firstly, the internship period should be utilized for clinical training of the students. The migration in internship from one college to another should not be allowed because the students usually fail to acclimatize to the new place and the new teachers. Completing internship in the same college is always beneficial. The interns can be strictly trained for clinical dentistry along with preparation for post graduation at college level. Abolishing of internship may lead to less clinical training to the BDS students. Secondly, in case the final year is of two years, there will be no training of pre-final year subjects in final year and final year subjects in pre-final year. Such students immediately after passing BDS will lack confidence in clinical practice. Needless to say that only 5% students get post graduation and others opt for practice as a profession. My request to Honorable Dental Council of India and my fellow colleagues in the committee is to rethink the matter once again before recommending the same to the Govt. of India.

Dr. Vimal Sikri