Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery, which started in 2001 in the rural area of Vikarabad, had a chequered growth. The college offers BDS programme and MDS in 9 dental specialties. The courses are supported by ancillary Medical departments dealing with Basic Medical sciences and a 100 bedded Hospital to teach General Medicine and General Surgery to BDS students (as per statutory requirements). The hospital also supports the surgical needs of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery services (Operation theatres, ICU etc.,).
The college is involved in extensive Community work and was the nodal centre for Oral Health Survey conducted by the Dental Council of India, and has also organized National conferences from time to time involving Community Dentistry, Oral Medicine and Radiology and Conservative Dentistry and Endodontology. These events brought a galaxy of National and International experts who delved on scientific and academic matters.
The college in addition to BDS and MDS programmes has been recognized by IGNOU for Implantology course and has also been conducting modular courses in Dental Implantology and made a name in the Dental Implant circles of the country. Other activities like Basic Life Support (BLS) and Conscious Sedation in Dentistry are novel in nature. This institution is a pioneer in the field of Conscious Sedation in Dentistry both in training doctors all over the country and as well as experts from the institute lecturing in other dental colleges throughout the country.
The college’s competent and committed faculty is responsive to student needs and aspirations. Innovative and personalized teaching, mentor system, monthly clinical meetings has been our forte.
The college is aware of the physical, personality and living needs of students and developed a state-of – the art gymnasium and tried to improve the personality and well being of the students by providing the help of expert counsellors.
The college has been extending modern advanced dental care at most affordable rates and most often involving no payment. Notable work in Conscious sedation, cleft surgeries, facial surgeries by renowned specialists in the field are the special areas where we could claim a modicum of success and satisfaction. A number of blood donation events to help Thalassemia and Sickle cell anaemia patients, 30 sessions of BLS training and eye donations pledge by faculty and students have been our way of returning our debt to the society which made us what we are today.
So far 9 batches of BDS and 6 batches of MDS students have graduated from the college. Some of them have joined Government service, PG programme in institutions abroad and most have settled in private practice.
Starting a Dental college in a rural, sparsely populated area was a daunting task. Such an endeavour had its own draw backs. Incessant power breakdowns, non-compliant rural patients who do not know the dental appointment system and diversity of students admitted to BDS course were some of the obstacles which the institute had to overcome.
While we succeeded in certain academic and health domains, we did have our limitations and shortcomings. Research is one area we could have excelled. The academic research is satisfactory but a lot need to be done with reference to collaboration, liaison with trade, patents and winning some prestigious research grants like from ICMR, WHO and DBT. Since we a have achieved a modicum of academic success, our next target is research and this would be our mantra in the future.
The institute has to do well in the competitive world. Sporadically our students have been getting top ranks in MDS common entrance examinations. Sporadic success need to be converted into a habit and we have to reinvent our approach to coaching and Continuing education of our alumni.
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