Madhya Pradesh: No more new pvt dental colleges

Bhopal: Opening of new Private Dental Colleges in the state of Madhya Pradesh has come to a halt. Heeding the Dental Council of India's recommendation, the state government has put its foot down on any fresh developments on this front. A majority of dental doctors passing out of the 14 existing dental institutions in the state of Madhya Pradesh are finding it difficult to be gainfully employed. The DCI has also raised questions about the quality of education and infrastructural facilities available in the existing dental institutions.

As reported by TOI, speaking at a DCI two day 'Inspector's Training Programme', Madhya Pradesh Health Minister, Narottam Mishra hinted at a change in policy for dental doctors."AYUSH and dental doctors will be incorporated into the government health network," he said.

If implemented on the lines of Bihar, MP too would recruit non MBBS doctors to provide primary health care services in rural areas.Bihar has recruited some 600 dentists to man primary healthcare centers. As per world health organization standards, MP is short of an estimated 10,000 doctors.

Mr. Mishra also announced that no new private dental colleges would be permitted in MP.Speaking on the occasion, DCI chairman Dr Dibeyendu Mazumder said, "There is an excess of dental doctors and not many are finding job opportunities. There needs to be a consented effort to upgrade existing dental colleges."

1,400 graduate dentists pass out each year. DCI officials clarified they were not opposed to opening of new government medical colleges.