NExT exam for BDS admissions; Bill introduced in Parliament

National Dental Commission Bill, 2023: The Chairperson and every Member of the Commission shall make a declaration of his assets and liabilities at the time of entering upon his office and at the time of demitting his office and also declare his professional and commercial engagement or involvement in such form and manner as may be prescribed, and such declaration shall be published on the website of the Commission.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday introduced ‘National Dental Commission Bill, 2023’ in Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to replace the Dental Council of India with the National Dental Commission which will draft policies and maintain quality standards in dental education and the profession.

The bill says that just like medical graduates, dental graduates will also be required to appear in the 'National Exit Test (Dental)' to be granted a licence to practice dentistry. Also, the NExT (Dental) exam will be the basis for admission to postgraduate dental education in dental institutions.

As per the bill, National Dental Commission shall consist of Chairperson, eight ex-officio members, and twenty-four part-time members. 

Out of 24 part-time members, a total of 19 members will be appointed on a rotational basis from amongst the nominees of the states and union territories for two years.

The Chairperson shall be a dentist of outstanding ability, proven administrative capacity and integrity, possessing a postgraduate degree in dentistry from any University or institute of national importance and having experience of not less than twenty years in the field of dentistry, out of which at least ten years shall be as a leader in the area of dental education.

The following persons shall be appointed as part-time members of the Commission, namely:—

(a) three Members, to be appointed from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing, who have special knowledge and professional experience in such areas including management, law, medical ethics, health research, consumer or patient rights advocacy, science and technology and economics, in such manner as may be prescribed, for a term of four years;

(b) ten Members to be appointed on a rotational basis from amongst the nominees of the States and Union territories under clauses (c) and (d) of sub-section (2) of section 11 in the Dental Advisory Council, in such manner as may be prescribed, for a term of two years;

(c) nine members to be appointed on a rotational basis from amongst the nominees of the States and Union territories under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 11 in the Dental Advisory Council, in such manner as may be prescribed, for a term of two years;

(d) two dental faculties, from any Central or State or Autonomous Government Institutes, doing exemplary work in the field of dental education, to be nominated by the Central Government, in such manner as may be prescribed, for a term of four years.

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