Madras Dental College Alumni Association (MDCAA), the association of alumni of Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital (formerly known as Madras Dental College or Dental Wing, Madras Medical College) is to felicitate its ‘1993 BDS batch’ members (who commenced their dental education 30 years ago in 1993 and graduated 25 years ago in 1998) in the forthcoming Annual meet -2023 to be held on Sunday 29th January 2023 at 10 am, at the auditorium of the college in Chennai.
MDCAA which has around 2000 members, has earlier felicitated the old students from this illustrious Institution right from the first batch (1953) onwards. During the previous Annual meet functions, the students of batches 1953-1960, 1961-1963, 1964-1966, 1967-1969, 1970-1972, 1973-1975, 1976-1978, 1979-1981,1982-1984, 1985-1987, 1988-1990,1991 and 1992 were felicitated. In continuation, the association will felicitate the BDS students, mechanic students, hygienist students’ of 1993 batch, in the forthcoming Annual meet to be held on the 29th January 2023 at the College Auditorium, III floor, New Building, Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital in Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
Madras Dental College (now known as Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital for several years) is a reputed dental school of India. It was originally established as the Dental Wing of Madras Medical College on 10 August 1953 when the discipline of dentistry and provisioning of oral healthcare services in India were still in infancy. The story of this college and its students is also the story of growth of dentistry in India, particularly the southern region of the country. With implementation of All-India quota in late eighties, the college acquired national character. Dentists trained at MDC are now found almost everywhere in India and abroad (particularly in the USA, UK, Australia and Middle-Eastern countries).
Primary function of medical education is to create suitably trained workforce to provide treatments to the people and to man the healthcare organisations at various levels. On this count, contributions of this institution to the people in the region is exemplary. Now, progress of any society is very much dependent on research & innovation and entrepreneurship. Hence, research output is one of the key dimensions in performance ranking of educational institutions.
Living legend, T. R. Saraswathi, the renowned dental researcher in the area of oral pathology is an alumnus of this institution (she was educated at UCL Eastman Dental Institute as well). In the cohort being felicitated this year, Ahila Chidambaranathan , Parthasarathy Madurantakam, Priyanshi Ritwik are some of the names that have left marks in their respective fields with their novel creative works as researchers. Ahila’s achievements are particularly commendable in view of her social background.
MDCAA has taken several steps to promote research. It seems, a discussion is currently on going among the members to institute an award, to create role models and recognise contributions, so as to motivate fresh graduates of this college to pursue a career in full time research.
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