Nearly 30 pc college seats remain vacant as Kerala dental sector left in limbo

New Delhi: Lack of proper training for students in colleges coupled with the absence of modern facilities is reportedly reducing the quality of the dental education sector in Kerala. The shortage of patients also has an adverse effect on the training of students in private dental colleges. As a result, around 25-30 per cent of seats remain vacant in the dental colleges across the state.

In addition, opportunities are relatively less in the dental primary health sector, when compared with MBBS in the government sector. Yet, BDS and MDS require almost similar time and expense as that of the MBBS course.

“Even after spending around Rs 20 lakh for studies at private dental colleges, we are forced to set up clinics at our own expense to ensure employment,” opined students of dental colleges.

Meanwhile, even as seats remain unfilled in existing dental colleges, the state and central governments continue to set up new ones, particularly in the private - autonomous sectors.

As per the report submitted by the Health Ministry in the parliament, the number of seats was increased by 48 per cent in MDS and 14 per cent in BDS courses between 2014 and 2023.

A petition filed by the Indian Dental Association against sanctioning the setting up of new colleges, without considering the necessity and human resources, is currently pending before the Kerala High Court.