Dr. Sandeep Sharma is an Associate Professor at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the College of Dental Science and Hospital. He earned his BDS from Himachal Institute of Dental Science Paonta Sahib H.P. and then went on to earn an MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

Dr. Sharma has worked as a Lecturer at the Department of Oral Pathology at the College of Medical Sciences-Dental Department, Bharatpur and then as an Associate Professor (Reader) at the College of Dental Science and Hospital Rau, Indore. With over six years of field experience, he has also written a book titled, “Oral Autoimmune Disorders- A Comprehensive Review” and over 11 articles in established journals.

College Of Dental Science

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

Being an HOD my prime responsibility is to maintain the general discipline of the students and motivate them to become skilled and perfectionists in the subject, in a positive, encouraging, and effective working environment.

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

Being an HOD, I try to establish healthy relationships with fellow faculty by maintaining a trustworthy environment in the department and giving them the opportunity to express their views. I believe that healthy relationships with students could be established by motivating them, believing in them, encouraging students and providing them with options and choices in any work, so that they become good learners with time.

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

In my department, while teaching Dental Anatomy, Dental Histology and Oral Pathology we keep them well-versed in the clinical perspective of the topics they are learning. Whatever practical work they do in the department, thereby broadens their vision towards the topic and increases their hunger to learn about the work. We make efforts to make them perfect in their practical work so that they can become perfectionists in clinical practise.

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

Our institute provides a platform where both theoretical and practical knowledge of students is groomed. Through camps, students learn to deal with patients of varying mindsets. They are also trained to deal with various situations. Furthermore, regular Hands-on courses, lectures, and seminars conducted by national and international speakers enhance the skills of our students.

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

The curriculum is strategized by focusing on the students rather than on creating the best lesson, which could be achieved by talking to other experts and teachers from the industry and considering their input. Apart from these, we make an effort to make sure that the curriculum is such that it concentrates on the professional education of each student at different educational levels with an emphasis on the development of their vocational desires, which in turn will enhance their intelligence.

How do you help your students to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world?

To help students cope with the outside world, I teach them how to build patient-doctor relationships. We can set clear goals, praise them when they make efforts, and encourage them to ask for help. We show them the benefits of improving teamwork and collaboration and teach them how to deal with losses by making them mentally tough.

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

Along with the regular events, our department also conducts a number of activities. The faculty in my department helps BDS students create projects, present at seminars, create tooth models, and engage in other activities to promote self-directed learning.

What are the challenges you faced/ are facing to uplift the quality of education of your Institute?

We strive for improvement and face daily challenges, which are taken care of, with meticulous effort and planning. Setting up goals and orientation and encouraging students to participate in more academic programmes like CDE, seminars, and related competitions is another challenge. We also face issues regarding motivation for more research activities and there is a lack of parental involvement in policy making.

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

My goal has remained the same since I started working at this institute, to create well-rounded, self-assured, and responsible students who strive to realise their full potential. I was able to do this by creating a warm, joyful, safe, and encouraging learning atmosphere where everyone is treated equally and their accomplishments are recognised.

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

In my department, I employ a teaching methodology that is centred around an evidence-based approach and places the greatest emphasis on the clinical and practical aspects of Oral Pathology training that are certain to benefit the student in the future. Every student is treated individually during the teaching-learning process at the department in an effort to develop them into effective and responsible clinicians.

What do you see as the Department’s greatest strengths and how it can be enhanced?

Our department’s greatest strength is its teamwork and discipline. Every individual is dedicated to their commitment. It can be enhanced further by add-ons and appraisals on achieving desired targets.

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

Concentrate on your strengths and do not let failure scare you. Always strive for excellence and success will surely follow you. Do not let go of your dreams; do not forget to live your life well; develop a vision; and stop fearing failure.