Mangalore: Dr. D. Majumdar, heading Dental council of India (DIC) said here that rural area internships (on training) for dental students would benefit them to gain valuable experience, and rural population would improve their dental care as well, while delivering a keynote speech at the SJ Celebration of Manipal college of Dental Sciences, at TMA Pai Convention centre on Sunday (April 22) morning, in a city.

He advised students to spend at least 3 months in rural areas as interns, to look after rural people’s dental care. It would serve the poor, and give an exposure to the interns too.

Dr. Majumdar said doctors treated only 30% of Indian people in dental care. 70% lived in rural areas, he pointed out.

He asked students to spend time in satellite centres (towns), PHC rural centers, or by mobiles clinics to diagnose cancer in teeth also. Over 60% cancer in rural areas are oral cancer cases, Which students can detect and treat, he opined.

He added that colleges without sufficient clinical materials in an years time, will be closed down. He expressed contentment in the Manipal model.

Dean Dr. V.S. Shetty presented an overall report. Dr. H. S. Ballal, Dr. K. Narayan and Dr. G. K. Prabhu among others were present.