An open letter to the President and
members of the Dental Council of India
Dear Sirs,
We were shocked to read an office communication (No
DE-190-2013/2630) where the DCI ‘has resolved’ to start a new course in oral
and maxillofacial surgery called M.D.Ch which will be a higher degree in general
OMFS. The communication sent on 24th May 2013 to several State
secretaries, DMEs and Registrars of Universities goes on to explain that if
they do not hear from the recipients within 21 days, the DCI would go ahead
with the implementation of the new course with a duration of 5 ½ years after
BDS or two years after MDS. Most importantly, it is also being offered to MBBS
graduates. Please remember this is a general OMFS degree that is being offered-
not a super specialty in Cleft , cancer etc. The letter was ostensibly written
to the above Government and University authorities because they are defined as ‘stake
holders’ as per section 20 of the Dentists Act. We are reasonably certain that
most of these ‘stake holders’ may not have replied within the stipulated time
(15th of June) and therefore the ground is being prepared for
another ill advised adventure into our course curriculum. In 2007, a similar
adventure under a different president was undertaken when the DCI for some
inexplicable reason, had scrapped the internship. Then too the ‘stake holders’
remained silent!!! Thankfully that experiment with the course curriculum was
reversed. ‘Stake holders’ like Secretaries and Registrars of Universities will
naturally remain silent because they do not understand or care about the name
of some obscure dental degree. Why should they?
Respected Sirs (and Madams), let us once again remind you
that the real stake holders of the profession of OMFS are the more than 3,500
MDS degree holders in the country. Nearly 2500 of them belong to an
organization called the ‘Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of
India’(AOMSI). We may not be government agencies or bureaucrats but we
certainly are the real stake holders because we practice the specialty, serve
the public and make a living with a ‘humble’ degree called MDS in Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery. We are aware that there are a couple of persons from the
OMFS fraternity in the DCI trying to push forward an insidious plan to
undermine the qualification of the existing MDS degree holders. We are also
aware that it is being carried forward on the specious argument that the course
duration needs to be increased. We strongly agree that the course duration
needs to be increased taking into account the special medical training needs of
the specialty. In fact several of us have petitioned the DCI on this matter.
The argument that an increase in course duration must necessarily mean a change
in the name of the degree is difficult to buy. When the MDS course was
increased from 2 to 3 years we do not remember anyone changing the name of the
degree. The argument that courses with different durations cannot be called by
the same name is also not acceptable in principle. Let us illustrate. The BDS course can be studied in 4 years in most
universities but it is 4 ½ years in Kerala (24 dental colleges). The longer version
is not called B.D.Ch or any such name. Similarly a condensed BDS of 2 years
(for MBBS graduates) has been offered in Annamalai University for several
years. To the best of my knowledge it is called BDS. Try the Medical
specialties. One can do a 5 year Mch in Neurosurgery. One can also do a 3 year
MCh after MS. They are all called MCh ,in case the DCI has not noticed. One can
do an LLB in 3 years (after graduation) or a consolidated 5 years. Both are
called LLB. In this country there are LLM courses offered for 1 year and for 2
years. Are they not called LLM? PhD degrees in different universities are
offered for a minimum of 4 years and 5 years. Both are called PhD at the end.
We strongly recommend that the MDS course duration be
increased if necessary. But please do not find disingenuous arguments to call
the new format by a different name. What is more ridiculous is the offer to MDS
persons to attain the new degree by studying for 2 more years. The implication
is that the existing MDS qualified persons are sub-standard. The only people
likely to benefit from these new fangled ideas are the numerous dental colleges
that can charge more for a new degree (M.D.Ch) or from those wanting to study
some extra years after MDS. In fact we are convinced that this may in fact be
the real reason for pushing this forward with so much haste keeping the real
stake holders in the dark.
Let me explain what happens if you change the name of the
degree from MDS to M.D. Ch. We are going
to have a new kind of Oral Surgeon with a different name and a superior
attitude. The humble MDS graduate, and there are 3500 of them, will be
downgraded with one sweeping, inconsiderate act of the DCI. MDS graduates will
technically be reduced to second grade post graduates. Is this what you want to
do to a generation of young post graduates- disenfranchising and downgrading
them and their precious degree?
The MDS graduates with oral and maxillofacial surgery have
unanimously struck down this proposal in 2011 during a well attended conference
in Delhi. The matter was clearly communicated to the DCI. We do not know what
has changed in the statutory body. We will challenge it again in a court of law
if necessary.
We request the DCI in its collective wisdom to withdraw this
proposal. This is a request from the ‘real stake holders’ of the profession.
George Paul- Past Hon. Secretary, Past
President (AOMSI) and member of the AOMSI education committee of AOMSI
Manjunath Rai- Hon. General Secretary
AOMSI
Kishore Nayak- Past Hon. Secretary,
Past President and President of the International Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery
Prabhu. S- Past Hon. Secretary, Past
President (AOMSI) and member of education committee
Sanjiv Nair- Hon. Editor of AOMSI
national journal and executive member of the International Association (IAOMS)
Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya- Past
executive member and member of the education committee of AOMSI.
28 comments:
Thank you Sir for representing all the maxillofacial surgeons. The decision of a 5 year program is a huge disappointment. It saddens to see the council concentrating on sub standardizing the MDS in Maxillofacial surgery when the council's hands are full with existing problems related to the standard of education in dentistry in India. With an uprise in the number of dental colleges(Confusion between college buildings and building colleges) and increase in the number of BDS and MDS graduates being jobless indicates council's poor strategy.This decision would add to the turmoil. Hope the council takes necessary steps to avoid or rather reduce the impending doom in dentistry and its specializations.
I liked your pithy comment about buildings in dentistry and building dentistry. I agree with you completely. I am going to use your comment on buildings. Can I use your name or should I make it anonymously.
Sir, thank you for the updates. The problem we are facing is rather different. I support for medical degree to be included into or curriculum for eligibility requirements for medical council registration. With all the govt schemes and insurence polices in medicine, we are not eligible to practice most of the spectrum of our branch which are included in plastic surgery or oncosurgery as a result of lack of medical registration. It is wise not to change the name of the degree but optional medical qualification has to be added for surgeons interested to pursue further courses.
Exactly our point Sandhya. Unfortunately the MCI is not in favor of allowing an integrated or even a reserved medical course for maxfax surgeons. We need a registrable medical degree for it to be meaningful. Then it can be called whatever. But as you said an MBBS MDS is fine! Regarding surgical privileges I do not know why you cannot operate. I do a whole range of procedures including trauma, cleft and cancer for the government insurance in Tamilnadu as well as for private insurance. Where do you practice?
Dear Dr George,
It seems that the very existence and acceptance of MDS Oral Maxillofacial Surgery is at risk with this ill-conceived and ill-intended move.
This move implies more than a parallel degree. Its intent is a Super-degree-- for the same curriculum.
Also, as I understand, that this Degree is OPEN to MBBS students also. When Medical Degrees don't permit Dental Candidates, there seems to be no reason for reciprocity.
If the move/initiative has not been forwarded by the AOMSI, then at whose behest has this concept been conceived.
There seem no be NO beneficiaries in this proposal, apart from Managements of Dental colleges running Post-grad programs and the BODY which oversees their approvals.
On the other hand, the victims are MANY (around 5000 Maxfax surgeons).
Without adding anything new in curriculum, a new stream is going to be created, which will create confusion and problems at all levels.
Not only in PRIVATE JOBS, but in GOVERMENT APPOINTMENTS and INTERVIEWS, and most Importantly in PRIVATE Sector Hospitals and NURSING homes.
As a United Body representing the Specialty of OMFS, we must take a strong stand and exception to this MOVE, and make it very clear in no uncertain terms that such a move has vested and ulterior interests, under the garb of benefiting the specialty.
I feel that this is a big test for the Association and the Association must respond to this LOW BLOW by a tactful and appropriate plan of action.
best regards
Dr Rohit Chandra
Well said Rohit!
Well said Rohit!
thank you Sir, i oblige to know the curriculum for the MDCH program.
Though MD Ch is a welcome addition to maxillofacial training in our country, In the present format it will not meet the objective it attempts to resolve- developing super-speciality within Maxillofacial. If that is the goal the MD Ch should be focussed on different subspecialties of MDS- As in M Ch after MS. In the present format, same training program of MDS will be extended to few additional years. That to me is a total waste of time and efforts of all concerned.
The MD Ch Curriculum should be formulated to meet the objective it should be in different fields such as oncology, cleft and cranio-facial, aesthetic surgery etc. Moreover the training should be carried out where the work is done; which need not be in Dental Colleges.
Moni Kuriakose
This is what we have suggested Moni! Unfortunately these things are never planned with clear perspectives. I still do not understand why DNB was removed. It could have been offered to numerous institutions ( not necessarily dental colleges). This would have benefitted the merit student who could get an admission and be paid during training. The institutions too will have more hands for patient care. It would have been a win- win situation. Unfortunately the private dental colleges will not benefit because there are no fees and capitation involved. C'est la vie!
Thank you Sir! Of course you can use it its everybody right to write. Hope they come up with a good and effective solution. Your efforts are deeply appreciated Sir. I have tagged your article in my blog: www.craniologic.blogspot.com.
Dear sir
The need of the hour is to give the fraternity medical recognition in the country. A few men sitting in Delhi will not decide our future. I vehemently oppose this irrational decision. If there has to be such a course after MDS it has to have
1.Recognition by MCI (Registration with MCI).
2. Training in those aspects which can usually not be addressed completely in MDS.
3.Licensing to practice the complete scope of Maxillofacial Surgery including Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery irrespective of presence of other specialists in the centre/ hospital.
4. Authority to issue death certificate, fill up blood transfusion forms and all such rights that a medical graduate possesses.
Else it is immaterial to lure young surgeons from substandard institutions into yet another degree which leaves them hollow again and the current capable MDS surgeons are shown inferior to them due to another gimmick played for some oblivious vested political interests.
5. Offering the course to MBBS is unjustified since reciprocation is not there....that means 5 years from now there will be medical maxillofacial surgeons and dental maxillofacial surgeons...(both read for 10 years...one dental school for 5 years and other medical school for 5 years.) funny...isn.isn't it..?
6. This will also be utilized by those college managements where MDS Maxfac is currently going on without fully functional hospitals/OTs ....they will get this escape route that all those things are required for so called MDCh and not MDS.
Regards
its a great move atleast some more training which was needed people should not get paranoid and understand things will not tremain same according to their wishes just because a higher qualification will start they should take example fromn medical guys not all do mch or dm post pg and a post graduate is no never inferior if he or she is good at his work so all my respected seniors should take it with open minds and conc on making it more better form of course,However we can always start dnb post pg in oral onco,facial plastic and pediatric craniofacial depending on the need of the hour only if our seniors take a step ahesd,,,
Any furthur training is always welcome. I think that it should be three furthur years of training in either cancer, clef craniofacial or esthetic surgery.
This MDCh should limited to meritorius oral max fac postgraduates only (like MCH is for MS candidates)
This as Dr. Kuriakose suggested should be at centres of excellence in respective fields ( not limited to dental colleges)
The paperwork should be done in a away, that it does not take anything away from the spectrum of work from the already established Maxillofacial surgeon with an MDS degree.
If all this happens than this may be a good move.
well in short ..g8 work ba dci...it been seen dat in emergency facial trauma case ,it should be treated ba a oral max. surgeon but in dia nly its done ba general or plastic surgeon...so its a platform whr oral max. surgeons will get d standard wich ws required frm a long time...as a omfs we can do everythng over facial skin legally but whn a hospital already hvin a gen surgeon wil nt gona waste his money fr omfs ppl...so enjoy dis g8 deal..g8 fr evry omfs...
its pretty obvious dat mdch ppl will b recognised ba both dci and mci ....and code of conduct is gona b mainly under mci...
Respected sir mt self dr himanshu mittal post graduate student in dept of orthodontics. Sir i just want to know what about the job security. Most of MDS are unemployed and some are being paid to 10 % of there talent. Kindly tell me if this degree imoroves job security.I have seen BDS,MDS,PhD peoples starving for job because everybody dont have that 40-50 lakh for opening clinic.I request respected president sir to kindly control the privatization so that every student who had spent there 10 years of life for or feild dont be a victim of these selfish private colleges.please everyone us suffering sir, only you can make us feel proud on our profession
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Please start mbbs bridge course as early as possible so that maxface surgeon will b at equal level to othes medical field surgeons in india
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