Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced an additional Rs 18 crore for strengthening dental infrastructure across the state, saying the government has already released Rs 5.10 crore in the first phase for the purpose.

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Sukhu, who met dental doctors to discuss measures to strengthen and improve dental services, said that advanced equipment would be provided to the Rajiv Gandhi Government Dental College in Shimla, including high-end chairs, CBCT machines, intra oral scanners and operation tables, an official statement said.

"The advanced facilities will not only enhance the working efficiency of the dental professionals but also ensure better diagnosis and treatment," he said.

Sukhu also assured that adequate para medical staff would be deployed to support dentists in delivering efficient healthcare services, and emphasised the need to strengthen radiology services through modern equipment.

The chief minister said a state-of-the-art dental college and centre of excellence is being established in Hamirpur at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore.

The state government is also exploring the possibility of constructing a new campus for the dental college at Chamiyana near Shimla, he said.

"A senior residency policy would be implemented in dental colleges to strengthen academic and clinical services, under which lecturers would be promoted as assistant professors for a better career progression for dental faculties," he said.

An anesthesiologist would be made available at the dental college in Shimla and dental chairs would be installed in the trauma centres to facilitate timely treatment in emergency situations, Sukhu said.

He also said the government is considering granting a non-practising allowance to dentists, and asked them to make optimum use of modern technology for transforming the quality of dental healthcare in the state.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said technological upgradation would be undertaken not only in medical colleges but also in dental colleges to ensure better healthcare delivery.

(This story has not been edited by Mathrubhumi and is published from a syndicated feed.)