Dr. Rakesh Thukral is the HOD at CDSH, Indore. He did his postgraduation in the year 2000. For the last 24 years, he has been in teaching and clinical practice as well. His special interest is in Mechanics used for the movement of teeth. He was the co-chairman of the National Integrated Advanced Typhodont workshop of the Indian Orthodontic Society in MDRC, IOS PG orientation program in SAIMS, Indore. He is a life member of the Indian Orthodontic Society, Madhya Pradesh Orthodontic study group, and a fellow of Pierre Fauchard Academy, France (India section). He has published many articles in national and international journals and attended many orthodontic conferences.

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Being a HOD at CDSH, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

To supervise the treatment cases, being treated by students. Helping them, improving their clinical skill and knowledge of the subject, and giving them clinical tips based on our clinical experience.

How do you establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty?

Teacher-student relationship plays a vital role in the life of the Teacher as well as the student. I build strong relationships with students which help them develop academically and socially. Further regarding relations with fellow faculty, I establish healthy relationships with fellow faculty by maintaining a trustworthy environment in the department and allowing them to express their views.

How do you try to bring in a practical approach toward subjects and make it industry-oriented?

By giving them ideas for solving the clinical problem which I have learned from clinical practice for the last 23 years, the main focus being on the good finish at the end of treatment.

What are the best practices offered by the Institute to the students, which help them gain the necessary skills?

The institute is taking great care of the patients being treated and the institute is providing materials and equipment promptly and remains in continuous contact with every patient.

How do you strategize the curriculum and how often does it get updated to make it beneficial for the students?

By following the guidelines given by DCI sometimes we adjust the time limit for the various exercises according to students’ performance to help them enter the clinical work as per schedule.

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How do you help your students cope with the high competition in the outside world?

By teaching them the latest technologies and the importance of honesty and hard work we keep regular watch over the work done by them.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real-world challenges?

Yes, we organize extracurricular activities like lectures, workshops, and also, and we encourage them to attend important national and international conferences and conventions. We also give them opportunities to handle and organize events in the department.

When you came to the Institute, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same? 

I aim to provide my postgraduate students with the best clinical skills and theoretical knowledge by giving them the advantage of my vast clinical and academic experience and also encouraging them to carry out at least a few research works.

What are the interventions and approaches you bring in apart from the curriculum to train/ teach the students?

By giving them important clinical tips for solving day-to-day clinical problems apart from conventional routine teaching and holding chairside discussions for every patient.

What valuable advice would you like to give to the students to have a prosperous career ahead?

I would like to advise them to take care of their patients as if they were treating their family members and also the importance of reading in clinical practice like journals and, the latest books, and attending national/ international conferences.