The Higher Education Review

The 6.21-acre campus of Manubhai Patel Dental College (MPDC) in Baroda, which has Dental College, SSR General Hospital and Hostels for boys and girls, is always a busy place. Every day, the hospital sees around 400 - 450 patients, which in turn helps the students of the MPDC in getting high clinical exposure. With such good flow of patients, experienced and supportive faculties, MPDC is now providing the best learning experience of highest value to make broadly educated and humanistic dentists. "We started operations in 2000 as the first private Dental College in the state of Gujarat. With an objective of eradication of oral diseases globally, we have always provided the optimum facilities for our students," states Dr. Rajendra Singh Rathod, Dean and Chairman, MPDC.

Now in the 18th year, MPDC is imparting courses in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), the primary undergraduate degree course of dentistry with an intake of 40 per year. For those who wish to study further, the institute offers 3-year Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in five specialties namely Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Periodontology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. To add on, the institute also has Diploma in Dental Mechanics (DDM), a 2-year Para dental program to train dental technicians supporting dental lab work with an intake of 15 per year. "All our programmes are unique. Although, the Dental Council of India controls the curriculum and the scope of the examination, we have broad powers in managing the delivery of the curriculum and practical training. We have an Academic Council consisting of the Dean and senior faculty, who control academic policy and related matters of the college," explains Dr. Rathod.

MPDC is considered the best private dental college in Gujarat mainly due to the high impact of its graduating students in the society who are academically sound, confident and clinically brilliant due to the exposure of excellent faculty, advanced dental equipment, high research activity and tremendous clinical patient flow. "The well equipped latest electrical dental units, equipments and phantom heads help in complete practical training for students. We have assigned a senior faculty as a mentor for each student and we ensure that they everyone gets an apt guidance. Students are provided with all relevant materials and instruments within the clinics," pinpoints Dr. Rathod.

"MPDC has an international MoU with University of Malaya Dental School for research, student and teachers exchange.

MPDC is also known for its industry connects. Recently, the Department of Conservative Dentistry in association with the Zeiss India successfully conducted a CDE programme on "Microdentistry". Conducted by young enthusiast and eminent Dr. Anuj Bhardwaj, the programme hosted students and private practitioners of Vadodara city. Frequent industry oriented programmes are always an important feature of the MPDC course curriculum. "The Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics organized an online webinar, which was conducted by the distinguished Dr. Vivek Hegde. The topic of the webinar was 'Challenges & Solutions in Endodontics'. All Endodontists, post graduate and undergraduate students were overwhelmed on listening such informative lecture. Similarly, the teaching at our institute completely goes hand in hand with the industry," elaborates Dr. Rathod.

The college also maintains numerous tie-ups with dentists based in Gujarat for internships and job placements. Every year, MPDC takes feedback from the industry in order to gauge the reputation of the college and the skills of the students graduating from there. The college has an international MoU with University of Malaya Dental School for research, student and teachers exchange.

Dr. Rathod claims, "Making a team of experienced faculty members is an important element associated with the best molding of service-minded dentists. All our faculty members excel in classroom teaching and collaborative research." PubMed, a site for research published in the medical field is very popular among the students and faculty of the MPDC. The faculty team of the institute has made numerous publications within it, which not only motivates them towards research but also helps them in their studies. "Ph.D. is relatively new in the field of Dentistry. Currently, we have one Ph.D. holder and a good lot are pursuing Ph.D. Within eight years, we will have at least 50 percent of our faculty members with PhDs," adds Dr. Rathod. The college is currently in talks with universities in the USA and Europe for similar attachments.

Moving on, the institute will focus on building a generation who will be working in order to serve the society by providing low-cost treatment and ensuring quality services. "We aim at being the most responsible and respected entity in the field of dentistry by advancing excellence in Dental Education, Dental Research and Health Care at the long run," concludes Dr. Rathod.

Dr. Rajendra Singh Rathod, Dean and Chairman
He completed his Bachelors and Masters from Government Dental College, Ahmadabad and PhD from Pacific University, Udaipur. He has numerous publications and conferences under his hat. The scion of the Royal family of Limdi has also achieved numerous prestigious awards for his social and academic achievements. The awards include; Jewel of India Award in 2006 by Indian Solidarity Council - New Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award in 2006 by International Institute of Education & Management - New Delhi, Glory of Gujarat Award in 2013 by Dr. Shrimati Kamlaji - H.E. Governor of Gujarat for 'Real Rural India on Wheels' Project, IDA - Sushruta Award in 2015 by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual in providing Community Oral Healthcare Services.