Dr. Navjot Singh Mann is a Professor and HOD at the National Dental College and Hospital. He holds a BDS and an MDS degree from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, in 2004 and 2009. An experienced doctor, he has been associated with academia for 13 years. Over the years, he has written papers in his area of expertise in 13 national and 27 international journals. He is also an ECE Member of the Indian Association of Conservative Dentistry and Endodentrics.

National Dental College and Hospital

What is the latest program that you are offering in your institute/dept. which will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

We promote an 'evidence-based approach' to revitalize the science underlying clinical decisions. We employ an evidence-based approach in our clinical teaching curriculum. Evidence based dentistry is a patient - centered approach to treatment decisions' that provides personalized dental care based on the most current scientific knowledge. It involves the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence relating to the patient's oral and medical condition and history with the dentist's clinical expertise and the patient's treatment needs and preferences. It integrates clinician's expertise, patient's needs and preferences, and clinically relevant evidence in decision making and treatment planning and follow up. Students at National Dental College are taught to properly plan and formulate diagnostic and treatment plans.

What are the factors that make this program the best for the students to opt?

Our curriculum is designed in such a way that each lesson or unit is developed across many disciplines with a common organising topic. A series of classes are used to teach a unit across different curricular disciplines. This makes each student learn the basics of each subject along with its clinical implications simultaneously. We implement an integrated, interdisciplinary instructional methodology in which a common topic is studied in more than one content area. It evokes an all-round in-depth understanding of each topic, which is essential for an evolving subject such as dentistry. This synchronised multidisciplinary approach helps teachers better utilize instructional time and look deeper into subjects through a variety of content-specific lens. Another benefit of integrated instruction is that teachers can differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs.

What will you say the “best practices” in the course you’re offering?

There is an increased emphasis on learning newer subjects that have been introduced in the dental teaching curriculum in the field of dentistry, such as forensic odontology and implantology, at the undergraduate level. We also have specific modules with specific learning objectives that have been devised to introduce these subjects with practical applications.

What are some valuable insights of the program that you are offering at your institute/dept.?

We implement a microteaching concept where the teaching objectives are student centric, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely updated. Microteaching is based on the principle of limited content. Teachers prepare their lessons within the given content; therefore, it becomes easier for them to conduct their lessons. It also allows learning each skill to the maximum extent as there is a chance of listening, observing, and practicing.

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How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

Continuing education programmes are held every month to provide scientifically and clinically relevant continuing education for students to review, enhance and expand their basic science and clinical knowledge. It provides an enriching learning experience to all students by providing a platform for healthy discussions on the latest clinically relevant topics from various specialties. Additionally, it helps to create a healthy learning environment among the students.

How did you train yourself/faculty to deliver this program to the students?

We have a faculty development program that aims to equip educators to create learning environment and help them become more patient centric. Faculty members are taught to adopt evidence-based instructional and assessment methods to ensure engaging and interactive learning.

How do you tend to build an industry connect with this program?

We are constantly working to build meaningful industry connections. We want to teach our students the latest developments in dental science and keep them up to date with new trends. In recent years, we have included new instructional technologies, academic aids and assessment methods to meet the learning needs of students.

What are the types of projects that the students are working on through this program?

Students usually choose projects depending on their interest areas and curriculum requirements. Our students participate in pre-clinical activities, clinical exposure, conferences for paper and poster presentations, and public health awareness programs to educate the public about the importance of oral health. All of these count towards projects for curriculum credit.

What are the benefits and career options after pursuing this course?

Our emphasis in the programme is on focusing on the holistic development of students by addressing their issues like academic and scholastic issues, psychosocial issues, and physical and mental health. We have a team of experienced and trained faculty members who bring their years of experience to teach the courses. Our students can work as medical professionals in both private and public hospitals and clinics or start their own practices. They possess all the skills and abilities to work in any situation or organisation.