The virtual school to train the dentists is an experimental programme that will help doctors to update their skills.
From a classroom with real time models, it is now on to virtual classrooms, computer rooms and libraries. Given that there is a dearth of trained teachers at dental colleges, dentists are looking to use technology to reach out to their peers.
At Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital in Chennai last week, a team of dentists and physicians from the U.K. interacted with their counterparts from several private colleges in the city. Anil Kohli, president of the Dental Council of India, was present at the conference, attended by principals of various private dental colleges.
Updating Doctors
Now that medical tourism was a reality in India, the virtual school effort would help to provide the necessary training to doctors and update them on the latest techniques, said Dr. Kohli. ?We have too many dental schools now, but not enough faculty.
In Tamil Nadu alone, we have 28 schools of which one is in the government sector. The virtual school is an experimental programme and a good beginning.? Since the U.K. dental degree is recognised in India, the programme could find wide acceptance here.
Consultant maxillofacial surgeon S.M. Balaji said the virtual school offered an opportunity for experienced teachers to upload their notes, while classes could be recorded for later use by students. They could learn at their own pace and the demand for certain specialties would also be addressed.
The International Virtual Dental School (IVIDENT) is a three-year-old programme funded by the United Kingdom government's Health Department. The school has proposed to go online next June. The Kings College of London Dental Institute is its lead partner, while academic inputs are received from faculty at the University of Portsmouth, University of Bristol Dental School, Queen's University of Belfast School of Dentistry and Eastman Dental Institute.