THE NATIONAL DENTAL COMMISSION (NDC)

NEWS: The Government of India has formally constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), replacing the decades-old Dental Council of India (DCI)

ABOUT

• A statutory regulatory body that replaces the Dental Council of India (DCI) following the repeal of the Dentists Act, 1948.
• The National Dental Commission is the new apex regulatory body for dental education and profession in India, established to align oral healthcare with global standards.
• Established àMarch 19, 2026 (following notifications issued on the same date).
• Governing Structure: Supported by three specialized boards:
  • Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board
  • Dental Assessment and Rating Board
  • Ethics and Dental Registration Board
• Aim: To improve the quality of dental education, ensure transparency in regulation, and enhance access to affordable oral healthcare across India.

Key Functions

• Frames regulations to implement the provisions of the National Dental Commission Act.
• Conducts rigorous rating and assessment of all dental institutions in the country.
• Frames guidelines for fee regulation in private dental colleges to ensure affordability.
• Evaluates human resource requirements and promotes advanced dental research.
• Establishes uniform standards for community dental care, professional ethics, and research.