NEW DELHI: Niti Aayog has agreed to a proposal by the Dental Council of India (DCI) to allow dentists to practice as general physicians following a bridge course. A meeting between senior members of the Aayog and a representative from the DCI concluded on the note that modalities of the course would be explored.

The development comes after a meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office earlier this month in which it was discussed that unconventional methods be embraced to address the shortage of doctors in the country, especially in rural areas.

A letter by Niti Aayog inviting the DCI stated that in the said meeting it was decided to explore the option of allowing dentists to practice family medicine/mainstream medicine following a bridge course. A meeting to discuss the issues on leveraging dentists to provide primary health care in order to reduce the gaps of shortage of doctors was scheduled for April 22, 2019.

The DCI had last year also sent a proposal to the medical education regulator, the Medical Council of India, but it was not taken forward.

The DCI has proposed a post Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) bridge course running for 3 years. The council submitted that admission would be either through a common entrance exam or through cumulative marks secured in the BDS course, or a combination.

According to the DCI, the syllabus, scheme of examination, method of evaluation, degrees and registration will all be the same as recommended for MBBS.

The Indian Medical Association, which had earlier opposed a bridge course for AYUSH practitioners, has strongly objected to the proposed move.