Dental education in India is extensive and rapidly expanding, yet it faces numerous challenges. The most significant issue is that many dental institutes fail to provide students with the appropriate knowledge and skills, resulting in graduates who are not adequately prepared to become competent and compassionate dental professionals. Despite the mushrooming number of dental colleges, only a few meet the expected standards. Among these, People’s Dental Academy, People’s University Bhopal distinguishes itself, making a profound impact in the field of dentistry.
People’s Dental Academy in a Nutshell
Founded in 2004, People’s Dental Academy (PDA) has since been known as a prominent dental institution. As an integral part of People’s University, PDA provides vital clinical facilities to various centers spanning rural and urban areas, with a prime focus of extending healthcare services to diverse communities.
The key features of PDA can be summarized as
- Innovative teaching, research, scholarship and community services
- BDS and MDS courses are Recognised by Dental Council of India, New Delhi and Ministry of Health &Family Welfare
- ISO 9001:2015 Certified Institution
- Running fellowship Program in Forensic Odontology and certificate course in CBCT under People’s University.
- World class equipment like CBCT, LASER, OPG and fully equipped ceramic casting lab for research purposes.
- Recognised centre by People’s University for pursuing Ph.D
- All the facilities like separate hostels for boys and girls, gym, cafeteria, sports grounds, ATM, bank, post office, Hospital & medical shop etc in campus.
“Our dental institute has a strong innovative spirit, which is evident through our copyrighted and patented creations, recognized and endorsed.”, shares – Dr. Sanjeev Tyagi, Dean People’s Dental Academy. Home to an extremely nurturing environment, education is imparted beyond the classrooms and labs, through knowledge-driven seminars focused on dental care. adds Dr. Tyagi.
Furthermore, with an aim of staying completely in-sync with the changing times and trends, PDA has altered its teaching and learning methodologies. From utilizing simulation, to hybrid-learning and even integrated case-based learning, PDA is indeed committed to advancements, which is visible in its educational framework.
Comprehensive Dental Education and Advanced Specializations at People’s Dental Academy
People’s Dental Academy offers a comprehensive range of courses designed to produce skilled dental professionals. The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program spans four years followed by a one-year internship. For advanced education, the academy provides the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) program, with a duration of three years. Specializations in the MDS program include Prosthodontics, Crown & Bridge, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Public Health Dentistry, Oral Medicine & Radiology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology, Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, and Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, with NRI seats available.
A Hub of High-Tech Learning
PDA is a hotspot for state-of-the-art infrastructure, where all its graduates engage with models and mannequins, enabling complete hands-on practice, but in a controlled environment. The institute features fully air-conditioned lecture halls equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology to enhance students’ learning experiences.
PDA is especially proud of its ultramodern high-tech clinics and laboratories, which serve the needs of patients, students, and the community. The adjacent People’s Hospital, a modern multi-specialty facility, provides comprehensive support and 24/7 services to the dental college. The spacious library accommodates around 300 students and includes separate journal, computer, and reading rooms, as well as a photocopying machine for student convenience. Also, the library boasts a collection of over 4,900 textbooks and reference books, continuously expanding, and subscribes to more than 49 international journals and 15 national journals with 1,097 titles. The library maintains subscriptions since the college’s inception and adds new journals annually.
Expanding Dental Care Through Community Outreach
People’s Dental Academy actively engages in outreach programs to promote dental awareness and provide basic treatment to underserved communities. The academy conducts regular dental camps, having organized over 350 in various areas of Bhopal and its surroundings. Additionally, the academy has established four satellite clinics in urban and rural areas, including the Central Jail in Gandhi Nagar, the Rural Health Clinic in Ratua Village, the Urban Health Center in Indrapuri, and the Dental Unit at People’s Hospital in Bhanpur, Bhopal. These clinics efficiently handle sufficient OPD cases, offering services such as oral and dental check-ups, oral prophylaxis, home care instructions, extractions, restorations, replacements, and other minor oral surgical procedures. For specialized treatments, patients are referred to the dental college.
Mr. Suresh Narayan Vijaywargia – Chancellor
Mr. Suresh Vijaywargia was born in a business family. He did his schooling in Bhopal and got his Engineering Degree (Electrical) in 1968. A natural aptitude for entrepreneurship coupled with leadership quality helped him in setting up successful business in India as well as abroad. A larger vision coupled with intelligence and creativity helped him in realizing his biggest challenge and dream of setting up an educational hub in the city of Bhopal. The People’s Campus located at Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), India, is one of the largest for Medical, Dental, Management, Engineering, Media, Law, Nursing, Paramedical, Physiotherapy and School Educations, Hospitals and Healthcare in the central India. Mr. Vijaywargia has embarked on a mission for creating and harnessing a talent pool for various disciplines. The journey of People’s Group began with the prime objective of “Nurturing Humanity through Health and Educational Excellence”.
Dr. Megha Vijaywargia– Pro-chancellor
Dr. Megha Vijaywargia is a philanthropist and entrepreneur who has contributed to healthcare, education, and social welfare. Her philanthropic endeavors have left a mark on society, and her focus on scientific research, particularly in the domain of dental research, showcases her dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation. As a patron of scientific research, she has promoted interdisciplinary research integration through the Center for Research and Development at People’s University, facilitating groundbreaking research in the life sciences, dental and biomedical fields. Her commitment to social transformation is evident in her Mission Thousand Research Plan (Mission TRP), which aimed to develop 1,000 interdisciplinary and innovative research projects with a focus on applications that benefit the underprivileged and the masses.