National Dental Commission Bill, 2023:
The government recently introduced the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha.
National Dental Commission Bill, 2023:
- The Bill seeks to repeal the Dentists Act, of 1948.
- The bill also aims to make dental education affordable and make quality oral healthcare accessible.
- It seeks to replace the Dental Council of India with the National Dental Commission (NDC).
- National Dental Commission (NDC) will draft policies and maintain quality standards in dental education and the profession.
- The new commission will also regulate fees for 50% seats in private dental colleges.
- The composition of the NDC will be similar to that of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which had replaced the Medical Council of India.
- The head office of the National Dental Commission shall be at New Delhi and it will consist of a chairperson; eight ex officio members; and 24 part-time members.
- They will be appointed by the central government.
- Members of NMC, health ministry, AIIMS, New Delhi will be among the eight ex-officio members.
- Out of 24 part-time members, a total of 19 members will be appointed on rotational basis from amongst the nominees of the states and union territories for two years.
- Other five members who will be appointed for four years will include two dental faculties from any central or state or autonomous government institutes; three members who have special knowledge and professional experience in areas including management, law, medical ethics, health research, consumer or patient rights advocacy, science and technology and economics.
- According to Bill, the commission’s members will declare their assets and liabilities at the time of entering and demitting office and also declare all professional and commercial engagements.
