Govt. Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram

Govt. Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram, which has trained hundreds of dental health professionals, was established in 1959. Key figures in its inception included Dr. A.R. Menon, the then Minister of Health, and Dr. M. Thangavelu, the Principal of the Medical College. Together, they laid the foundation for what is now the second oldest dental college in South India. Dr. A.M. Clement was the first director of the college, which initially began as a small section within the Medical College. The original building was inaugurated in 1962, with the first batch of BDS students graduating the following year. Initially admitting 20 students annually, the intake increased to 40 and, since 2010, has been 50 students per year, with 10 seats reserved for economically disadvantaged candidates. Postgraduate programs began in 1966, and paradental courses—including the Diploma in Dental Hygienist (1962) and the Diploma in Dental Mechanic (1964)—were introduced. A new building for the college was opened in 1995, and in 1996, the college was granted independent status with its own Principal.

The college comprises 9 departments, 8 of which offer postgraduate courses. In 2011, the college introduced a new course titled “DORA.”

The BDS program is a 4½-year course followed by a one-year compulsory rotating internship. The paradental courses, including the Diploma in Dental Hygienist, Diploma in Dental Mechanic, and Dental Operating Room Assistant course, each span two years.

Maintaining a strong commitment to preventing ragging through a vigilant committee (CPRA), the institution is renowned for its exemplary standards in education and research. As a tertiary care hospital, the Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram, serves thousands of patients annually and provides crucial support to underprivileged communities. The college benefits from an active PTA (Parents Teachers Association) and a dynamic academic forum that offers regular lectures for students and faculty. The NSS unit is also recognized for its outstanding contributions. The Scientific and Ethical Committees oversee research activities, ensuring adherence to high standards. With a recent government allocation of twelve crores for constructing a new block, the institution is poised to enhance its services and impact in the future.