New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Government of India has constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), marking a major reform in dental education and regulation, with the aim of improving quality and aligning standards with global benchmarks.
The new framework, notified on March 19, 2026, replaces the Dental Council of India and comes into effect immediately. With this, the Dentists Act, 1948 has been repealed, and the existing regulatory structure has been dissolved.
Officials said the move represents a shift towards a transparent, accountable, and quality-driven regulatory system, replacing the earlier elected body with a more streamlined governance model.
The NDC will function through three autonomous boards to oversee key areas. The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board will regulate academic standards, while the Dental Assessment and Rating Board will handle accreditation and institutional evaluation. The Ethics and Dental Registration Board will be responsible for professional conduct and registration of practitioners.
Dr. Sanjay Tewari has been appointed as Chairperson of the Commission, with Dr. Mousumi Goswami as a part-time member.
Other key appointments include Dr. Chandrashekhar Janakiram as President of the Education Board, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Nanda Kishore Sahoo heading the Assessment and Rating Board, and senior professionals appointed across all boards to ensure effective implementation.
The Commission will be responsible for framing regulations, assessing and rating dental institutions, promoting research, evaluating human resource requirements, and setting standards for education, community dental care, and professional ethics.
It will also frame guidelines for fee regulation in private dental colleges, a move aimed at improving transparency and affordability in dental education.
Officials said the reform is expected to enhance the quality of dental education, strengthen healthcare delivery, and expand access to affordable oral healthcare services across the country.
