The Dental Council of India (DCI) is the apex regulatory authority responsible for overseeing dental education and professional practice in India. Established in 1948 under the provisions of the Dentists Act, 1948, the council aims to maintain high standards in dental education and clinical practice. It also ensures public safety by allowing only qualified and registered dentists to practice, while continuously monitoring and regulating the dental profession in the interest of public health and overall well-being.
The Dental Council of India (DCI) regulates dental education in India by offering structured academic programs such as the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at the undergraduate level, the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) and PG Diploma at the postgraduate level, and DH/DM programs at the doctoral level; currently, it oversees 283 MDS colleges, 329 BDS colleges, 6 PG Diploma institutions, and 130 DH/DM colleges across the country, while its official website also provides regular notifications and updates related to oral health in India, and interested candidates can refer to the article below for detailed information about the council.
Dental Council of India (DCI) – Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of the body | DCI |
| Full-Form | Dental Council of India |
| Official website | dciindia.gov.in |
| Founding year | April 12, 1949 |
| Purpose | To regulate dental education and the dentistry profession in India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Agency Executive | Dibyendu Mazumder (President) |
| Number of Colleges | MDS – 283 BDS – 329 PG-DIP – 6 DH/DM – 130 |
| Permitted Seat | MDS – 7357 BDS – 28016 |
| Faculties | 25773 |
| Dentists | 381118 |
History of the Dental Council of India
The Dentists Act, 1948 marked a significant milestone in the history of dental education and the dental profession in India; it came into effect on 29th March 1948, leading to the establishment of the Dental Council of India on 12th April 1949.
Before exploring the history of the Dental Council of India and the significant role it has played in advancing dental education and improving oral healthcare in India, it is important to understand its foundational background and contributions.
Objectives
The Dental Council of India is entrusted with the following key objectives:
- Ensuring a consistent standard of dental education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
- Conducting inspections and visits to dental colleges to grant permission for starting new colleges, increasing seat capacity, and introducing new postgraduate courses.
- Establishing standard curricula for training dentists, dental hygienists, dental mechanics and setting conditions for such training.
- Setting minimum standards for examinations and other criteria needed to obtain recognized qualifications under the Act.
- Overseeing all dental institutions to ensure adherence to the prescribed standards.
Functions
The Dental Council of India, established under the Dentists Act, 1948 (XVI of 1948), commenced its operations in March 1949 and is responsible for regulating dental education, the dental profession, and maintaining ethical standards in dental practice across India.
The Council comprises representatives from six constituencies:
- The Central Government
- State Governments
- Universities
- Dental Colleges
- The Medical Council of India
- Private Dental Practitioners
The Director-General of Health Services serves as an ex-officio member of both the Executive Committee and the General Body.
Council members elect the President, Vice-President, and members of the Executive Committee from among themselves, with the President and Vice-President also serving as the ex officio Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee functions as the governing body of the Council, responsible for supervising all procedural, financial, and day-to-day operations.
Past President of Dental Council of India
| S No. | Name | Term From | Term To |
| 1 | Dr. K.C.K.E. Raja | 12-04-1949 | 17-09-1952 |
| 2 | Lt. Col. C.K. Lakshmanan | 18-09-1952 | 11-05-1954 |
| 3 | Dr. R. Ahmed | 05-11-1954 | 15-05-1959 |
| 4 | Col. N.N. Berry | 07-11-1959 | 06-08-1962 |
| 5 | Col. N.N. Berry | 04-08-1962 | 04-08-1967 |
| 6 | Dr. K.L. Shourie | 28-08-1967 | 16-11-1968 |
| 7 | Dr. K.L. Shourie | 16-11-1968 | 16-11-1973 |
| 8 | Dr. G.B. Shankwalkar | 01-02-1974 | 20-02-1975 |
| 9 | Dr. B.K. Venkataraman | 14-10-1976 | 03-09-1978 |
| 10 | Dr. T.M. Udani | 27-11-1978 | 11-10-1979 |
| 11 | Dr. Fali S. Mehta | 08-04-1980 | 22-09-1982 |
| 12 | Dr. B.P. Rajan | 08-04-1983 | 05-02-1984 |
| 13 | Dr. R.P. Singh | 17-04-1984 | 05-12-1985 |
| 14 | Dr. Fali S. Mehta | 07-04-1986 | 18-08-1988 |
| 15 | Dr. Fali S. Mehta | 29-11-1988 | 14-01-1990 |
| 16 | Dr. R.K. Bali | 05-04-1990 | 15-10-1994 |
| 17 | Dr. N. Sridhar Shetty | 09-10-1995 | 16-01-1998 |
| 18 | Dr. R.K. Bali | 17-01-1998 | 03-10-2004 |
| 19 | Dr. Anil Kohli | 25-10-2004 | 17-07-2009 |
| 20 | Dr. Anil Kohli | 18-07-2009 | 22-10-2010 |
Major Achievements
Attachment of New Dental Colleges to Medical Colleges
New dental colleges are now mandated to be affiliated with medical colleges to curb the growth of substandard institutions and improve the overall quality of dental education across the country, while also supporting the development of postgraduate programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Reintroduction of the Internship Programme
The internship programme has been reinstated to address the challenges students faced in gaining adequate clinical exposure without structured training; accordingly, the Council has reintroduced a one-year compulsory rotational internship, including a rural posting, to be undertaken after completing the four-year BDS course, a decision made in response to multiple representations from students and other stakeholders to enhance practical learning and professional readiness.
Act, Rules & Regulations
List of BDS Colleges in India
Here’s the List of BDS Colleges in India:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the new curriculum of DCI?
As per the new proposal suggested, BDS will be a 5.5 years curriculum including 4.5 years with nine semesters and one-year additional internship. In addition, the DCI has also proposed to add chapters on Forensic, Basic and Advanced life support in the BDS course.
Which was the first dental college in India?
The first Dental College was established at Calcutta in 1920 by Dr. R. Ahmed. The College was started with one year diploma course
Who is the father of dental in India?
Rafiuddin Ahmed is remembered as the Father of Modern Dentistry in India. He was born to Maulvi Safiuddin Ahmed, who worked as a Deputy Collector and mother Faizunnesha. He was the second child amongst his four brothers and one sister.
Which is No 1 Dental College in India?
Saveetha Dental College is ranked 1st among 300+ private and public dental schools by the government of India in 2022. With over 13100+ Scopus® publications; we also stand 2nd in the global scale!
Is DCI dissolved in India?
The National Dental Commission Act 2023, will introduce a groundbreaking regulatory framework by establishing the National Dental Commission (NDC), which will replace the existing Dental Council of India (DCI) and repeal the Dentists Bill, 1948.
