Govt. Dental College Thiruvananthapuram

Govt. Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram, the alma mater to hundreds of dental health professionals was started in the year 1959. Dr. A.R. Menon and Dr. M. Thangavelu, the then Minister of Health and the Principal of Medical College respectively, were instrumental in the initiation of the second oldest Dental College in South India. Dr. A.M. Clement was its first director and it had a humble beginning as a small block of the Medical College. The old block in the present building was commissioned in 1962 and the first batch of BDS students passed out in the following year. Initially twenty students were admitted yearly and later it was increased to 40. 2010 onwards 50 students are being admitted with 10 seats reserved for economically weaker section. Postgraduate courses were started in 1966. Paradental courses -Diploma in Dental Hygienist Courses, Diploma in Dental Mechanic course were started in 1962 and 1964 respectively. The new block of Dental College was commissioned in 1995. In 1996, independent status for Dental College headed by a Principal was sanctioned.

The college has 9 departments and 8 of them offer Postgraduate courses. In 2011, a new course “DORA” was started.

BDS, a branch of Modern Medicine is a course of 4½ year duration followed by a one year of compulsory and rotating internship. The paradental courses namely Diploma in Dental Hygienist Course, Diploma in Dental Mechanic course and Dental Operating Room Assistant course are of two year duration.

With an ever vigilant committee for prevention of ragging activities (CPRA), this institution has an enviable record in preventing the incidence of ragging. Mentor to many an expert academicians & clinicians, this grand institution has been maintaining high standards in delivering top class education and in producing research works of great merit. As a tertiary level hospital, Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram serves thousands of patients annually and is a major refuge for the poor & down trodden sections of our population. This college has a well-functioning PTA (Parents Teachers Association). The academic forum of dental college conducts regular lectures for the benefit of students as well as faculty members. The NSS unit of this college is also quite exemplary in its activities. The Scientific committee and Ethical committee oversee and provide the necessary guidelines for various research activities. With the Government sanctioning Twelve Crores rupees for the construction of a new block this grand Institution will be able to serve the society in better ways in the coming years.

Vision:

To create dental professionals who are leaders with humanitarian considerations, communication skills, and a thirst for knowledge who will impart international standards of patient care to the society.

Mission:

• To facilitate the students to acquire advanced knowledge & skills in basic behavioural and clinical sciences by transferring knowledge in a student friendly learning environment.
• To convert a novice into a competent expert through appropriate and innovative training programs ensuring global standard practices in imparting education and dental services.
• To facilitate imparting comprehensive primary and specialized oral health care to the society, especially marginalized groups and disseminate knowledge of disease prevention to the public through problem based learning.
• To encourage lifelong learning by facilitating research collaborations and dissemination of knowledge through CDE programs.
• To improve infrastructure and hospital facilities to provide state-of-the-art treatment facility to the public especially the underprivileged.

Core Value:

Integrity, Compassion to Society and Dedication to the Dental Profession with global standard practices are the core values which we focus on in a student.