Dr. Basavraj P. : Professor and HOD Dr.Basavraj P. completed his BDS from S.J.M. Dental college & Hospital, Chitradurga from Mysore University in 1995 and his MDS in the subject of Public Health Dentistry at Bapuji Dental College & Hospital, Davangere. From Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore 1997-2000. He has been in teaching/ academics over 23 years. He has been organizing secretary for national conference of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry 2007 Kanpur, organizing chairman for national conference of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry 2018 Modinagar. He has alsohold many positions in Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry such as executive member, treasurer and Vice President of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry. He has been a PG guide with several completed and ongoing research projects. He has to his credits over 120 publications in national and international academic journals and also has 9 books as an author.

COURSE INSIGHT:

Public health dentistry is the branch of dentistry which deals with the preventing and promoting oral health and prolonging life through organized community efforts. Bringing a commitment to preventive and curative care through education, research and organized effort. The department is well equipped for academic training of Under-graduates (100 per year) and post-graduates (3 per year).

Infrastructure:
1. PG Clinic: consists of 9 electrically operated Dental chairs with partitions and instrument cabinets. Each postgraduate student will be allotted a Dental chair with all attachments like Light cure unit, Ultrasonic scalar, Airotor, Micromotor, 3-way syringe, instrument tray and suction.
2. UG Clinic: Consists of 16 electrically operated dental chairs
3. Sterilization Room
4. Oral Health Education and Tobacco counselling centre.
5. Oral Health Museum
6. Seminar and Faculty rooms
7. Postgraduate rooms with Lockers
8. Departmental Library
9. Mobile Dental Van: Fitted with 2 dental chairs with complete dental unit, Ultrasonic scalar, compressor, Generator, Public address system, audio-visual aids, Instrument cabinet, emergency medicine kits, BP Apparatus, Portable oxygen cylinder and portable dental chair.

Clinical competencies:
The department of Public Health Dentistry strives to develop leadership qualities, scientific temperament, research aptitude, communication and analytical skills among the students.

Undergraduates:
1. History recording, Indices recording and Comprehensive treatment planning.
2. Oral health education, Oral health education model, chart and posters preparation.
3. Oral health care delivery through rural camps.
4. Visit to Primary health centres, Milk dairy

Postgraduates:
1. History recording, Indices recording and Comprehensive treatment planning.
2. Comprehensive oral Health care delivery and Preventive therapies.
3. Caries risk assessment and Tobacco counselling.
4. Organizing and conduction of Rural Dental camps.
5. Organize and conduct school oral health programs and Oral health survey.
6. Scientific Literature searching, Seminar presentations, Journal discussion and Pedagogy (Theory classes).
7. Research activities, Statistical analysis, Oral health research projects and assistance in implementing National health programmes.
8. Visit to Community health centres, Primary health centres, Milk dairy, Water purification plant, sewage treatment, De-addiction centre.

Out-reach programme:
In view of institutes vision and mission, the extension activities contribute to the improvement of oral health at individual and community level and the advancement of health sciences in the region and state. The strong management structure underpins the extension services and teaching programmes to ensure that the student’s needs are met and academic standards are maintained at the same time benefitting the rural community. Within the curricular guidelines of the university and Dental council of India (DCI) students, Interns and postgraduates are posted to these outreach programmes under the supervision of faculty. The outreach programmes like oral health education, Dental screening and Treatment camps conducted by the institution.
The institute also conducts innovative outreach programs for rural masses like
1. Adoption of Schools and villages for provision of comprehensive oral health care.
2. Anti- Tobacco campaign

Satellite centre:
To ensure Quality Dental care to the rural and urban masses, institution has established Fully equipped Peripheral Dental Satellite Centre under aegis of Public health dentistry department.

Internship programme:
The department of Public health dentistry provides training to students in rural community settings. This training is for 3 months and is in according to guidelines of Dental council of India. It aims to develop skills and knowledge about diagnosis health problems, determining appropriate measures to treat or prevent oral health problems and promoting health through health education programmes. This enables the students to develop a positive attitude and social responsibilities towards oral health care of rural populations.

KEY RESULT/ ACTIVITY AREAS

1. Adoption of Schools and villages for provision of comprehensive oral health care
2. Anti- Tobacco campaign
3. Mobile Dental van programmes
4. Visit to Primary health centres, Milk dairy.