The Higher Education Review

Established in 1998 with a vision to develop a Centre of Excellence of International acclaim in the field of Dental Education, Healthcare and Research, the Saraswati Dental College & Hospital (SDC&H) has come a long way since its inception. The institution is affiliated to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) for award of BDS and MDS degrees which are recognized by the Dental Council of India. Based in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, SDC&H is the brainchild of late Lt. Col (Dr.) T.S. Mathur (Retd.) who has had a successful career in the Dental Corps of the Indian Army. During his career he became aware of the unmet demands of dental healthcare services in the country and a deficit of competent dental professionals to meet the challenge, and this is what led him to lay the foundation of Saraswati Dental College & Hospital (SDC&H).

Recognized as the `Outstanding Dental College in Academics and Clinical Research' in Feb, 2020 at Bangkok, Thailand by International Education Summit and Awards organization, today Saraswati Dental College & Hospital has earned a reputed place in the dental education space in India. A certified Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) acknowledged by Department of Science & Industrial Research (DSIR) Ministry of Science and Technology, GOI. Also for conducting Ethical Human Research involving drug trials, and more. The Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC) of Saraswati Dental College has been duly approved & registered with `Department of Health Research' under MoHFW, Govt. of India.

The SDC&H has also been prestigiously ranked at 27th position by NIRF (National Institution Ranking Framework) amongst all Dental Colleges of India in 2021. Additionally, the institution has been accredited as NAAC `A' Grade institution by NAAC in May 2016, becoming the not only `A' grade Dental College in Lucknow but also one of the four NAAC `A' accredited Dental institutions in Uttar Pradesh. In order to maintain the standard & quality sustenance, Saraswati Dental College, Lucknow has also become a member of Quality Council of India (QCI).

Equipping Students for a Promising Career
Every year, Saraswati Dental College & Hospital (SDC&H) admits 100 students in the BDS

program and total of 33 students in the various MDS programs. The PG curriculum is well planned which includes seminars, journal clubs, case presentations and Inter-disciplinary clinical case discussions. All dental education and assessment programs are well planned, reviewed and implemented at the beginning of every academic year to make it perfect and up-to-date. For effective curriculum delivery, faculties use participative and student-centric learning techniques (problem based/case based/evidence-based learning) by using suitable ICT methods. The institute also conducts various choice-based programs that give students the opportunity to gain knowledge, enhance clinical skills and develop research acumen related to topics beyond prescribed syllabus.

"At Saraswati Dental College & Hospital, we aim to become a global brand to generate competent dental professionals and provide a non-discriminatory campus environment that encourages intellectual curiosity, pursuit of new knowledge, academic freedom and professional integrity. We are equipped with one of the best infrastructure facilities amongst all the Dental Colleges in India. The College campus is prominently located on NH-24 in the city, which has facilities like housing academic & administrative blocks, hospital, auditorium, student hostels, staff quarters, sports complex, canteen and many more. The clinical and non-clinical departments, OPDs, OT complex, Lecture theatres, Seminar halls, Specialty Dental Departments and Clinics have modern facilities for teaching, learning, patient care and research for Undergraduate & Postgraduate students.

Multiple Classrooms for online/offline TLE are state of the art with all Clinics having modern and advanced devices and equipment for diagnostics and treatment. Adding to this, a well-equipped 110 bedded Multi-Specialty Hospital (SHRC) having 24x7 Medical & Surgical Emergency services with ambulance facility is also located within the campus being an integral part of the institute", highlights Dr. K. N. Dubey, the Principal of Saraswati Dental College, Lucknow.

The ideal student to teacher ratio (4:1) at SDC positively impacts the TLE process resulting in excellent learning with personal attention to each student. All faculty members are well versed with modern IT tools to impart top quality training utilizing varied teaching methods. Enriched learning environment of SDC is conducive for innovative thinking, creativity and in developing research orientated scientific temperament for the students also. Several value-added

programs, workshops, FDPs, seminars, and CDEs are regularly organized to facilitate continuous enhancement of knowledge and skills for students. Faculties also closely guide the students in thesis/dissertations, writing research papers and other community outreach activities. They also effectively train the students nuances of special service clinics viz. Geriatric Dentistry, Lasers and Implants. Faculty actively imparts knowledge on professional & human ethics and acts as a role model to inculcate moral values.

A Powerhouse of Opportunities
SDC&H provides new opportunities of learning to its students by creating an atmosphere that values intellectual curiosity, pursuit of knowledge, academic freedom and integrity and by establishing strong bridges between industry and academics through collaborative research & interactions. In order to provide novel exposure to its students with regard to new ideas, modern equipment & technologies and contemporary thought processes, SDC&H has established MoUs with numerous institutions of excellence including University of Pennsylvania (US) University of Stanford (US) Indian institute of Technology, Kanpur, Central Drug Research Institute, Indian Toxicology Research Institute, Lucknow Cancer Institute and many more.

Saraswati Dental College is also one of the participating institutes in `Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan', a Central government initiative to provide quality healthcare in remote areas. The college has adopted 22 villages & schools and has also collaborated with NGOs to look after the Oral healthcare needs of the society. `Jan Pragathi' (NGO) has also partnered with SDC in providing Dental healthcare to children living in slums of Lucknow. Regular participation of student in `National Service Scheme (NSS)' activities provide human connect between the students and Society.

SDC&H provides opportunities on Career guidance through its Institutional Placement and Guidance Committee. Dissemination of information regarding various career opportunities is executed through an Employment and Deployment Board which is continuously monitored by IPGC. The SDC Incubator SDC `Spark' is a platform for entrepreneurship/innovative idea development for furtherance of career options by students. Striving to project Saraswati Dental College & Hospital as a global leader in the field of dental education, healthcare, and research, Saraswati Dental College & Hospital (SDC&H) is leaving no stones unturned when it comes to produce quality dental graduates and postgraduates with strong ethical and moral values.