Manipal: A certificate course in integrated dental photography was launched at Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), a constituent of Manipal University, here on Saturday. The university said that the course was the first of its kind to be conducted by a dental college in the country.

Inaugurating the course, H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor of Manipal University, said that this course was one of the means of providing job opportunities for dental professionals. He also mentioned that dental photography will improve the methods of teaching and will help in patient education and documentation. “The starting of this course is yet another feather in the cap for MCODS,” he said.

K. Madhavan Pillai, Chief Editor, Better Photography, who was the guest of honour, said that photographs were one of the most significant discoveries of the centuries. Even a tooth had a beautiful landscape, he said.

Mayur Dvada, president and CEO, Dental Photography, Mumbai, and course mentor, provided an overview of the certificate course. “The course will provide a complete understanding of intra-oral, extra oral and table clinics photography. It will also deal with composition of images that will help in publications and scientific presentation,” he said.

Vidya Saraswathi, Head of the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, MCODS, is the coordinator of this course. Tina P. and Pradeep are faculty members for this course.

This course will be conducted in two modules of three days each. Fourteen students from both India and abroad (Dubai) have registered for the first session of this certificate course.

Nirmala N. Rao, Dean, MCODS, welcomed the gathering. Keerthilatha M. Pai, Additional Dean, proposed a vote of thanks. Swati Pai, Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, was present.