Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Government Constitutes National Dental Commission to Transform Dental Education and Strengthen Healthcare Quality
Posted On: 20 MAR 2026 1:52PM by PIB Delhi
In a major reform aimed at improving the quality of dental education and aligning it with global standards, the Government of India has constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC) along with three autonomous boards, replacing the Dental Council of India (DCI). The Notifications in this regard were issued on 19 March 2026, and the NDC framework comes into effect from the same date.
This historic reform marks a decisive shift towards a regulatory framework that is transparent, quality-driven, and accountable; replacing the earlier elected structure. The Commission will introduce essential and long-overdue regulatory reforms in dental education, and enhance access to affordable oral healthcare across the country.
Distinguished professionals have been appointed to lead the Commission and its boards. To support the functioning of the Commission, three autonomous bodies have been constituted:
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board – to oversee dental education
- Dental Assessment and Rating Board – to regulate accreditation and institutional assessment
- Ethics and Dental Registration Board – to govern professional conduct and registration of dentists
Appointments
The following appointments to the National Dental Commission and its autonomous boards have been approved:
National Dental Commission
- Dr. Sanjay Tewari – Chairperson
- Dr. Mousumi Goswami – Part-Time Member
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board
- Dr. Chandrashekhar Janakiram – President
- Dr. Shailesh Madhav Lele – Whole Time Member
- Dr. Nagaraj M. – Part Time Member
Dental Assessment and Rating Board
- Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Nanda Kishore Sahoo – President
- Dr. Himanshu Aeran – Whole Time Member
- Dr. Parimala Tyagi – Part Time Member
Ethics and Dental Registration Board
- Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Tapas Kumar Bandyopadhyay – Whole Time Member
- Dr. Usha Hegde – Whole Time Member
- Dr. Swarga Jyoti Das – Part Time Member
Shri Arindam, Modak will head the Secretariat as Secretary to the NDC.
Key Functions of the National Dental Commission-
The National Dental Commission will:
- Frame regulations to implement the provisions of the Act
- Conduct rating and assessment of dental institutions
- Evaluate human resources and promote dental research
- Frame guidelines for fee regulation in private dental colleges
- Establish standards for community dental care, education, research, and professional ethics
With the coming into force of the NDC Act from 19th March, 2026, the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed, and the Dental Council of India is dissolved with effect from the same date.
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SR
HFW/National Dental Commission/20th March 2026/
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