Vision:

• To develop as a center of excellence in the field of dentistry and allied specialties with focus on evidence based practice and integrated oral/medical healthcare.

Mission:

• To promote and support education/research at two levels – individual patient level care and community level care, in the field of dentistry.
• To deliver quality, safe and equitable care for all.
• To establish postgraduate courses, doctoral/post-doctoral fellowships and to conduct professional development training in the field of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery.
• To collaborate with other specialties including basic/clinical sciences and other technical institutes in the region and with other institutes of national importance.
• Integration of oral and general health at community level.

The Department of Dentistry aims to spread oral health and oral hygiene awareness among the population at Karaikal and nearby regions. Over years, it envisions to focus on prevention, awareness and management of wide variety of orofacial diseases (benign and malignant), dental disorders, maxillofacial trauma, and facial deformities growing into a referral centre for whole spectrum of maxillofacial issues in the region.

Academic

The department undertakes teaching programs for undergraduate (MBBS) students during their clinical posting. The medical students are oriented to different orofacial problems and dental procedures and they are educated about assessment of common dental problems. They are also oriented about Oral cancer screening through lectures and interactive sessions.

Academic and research discussions are regularly conducted among the faculty and residents focusing on professional development, research acumen and clinical skills. Efforts are on to conduct continuing training for medical/dental officers in the region and for starting postgraduate programs in dental specialties.

• Dr. Akilesh. R
  • Associate Professor & Officer-in-charge (Dentistry)
• Dr. Sundheep Kumar. V
  • Senior Resident

Ongoing Research Projects

1. Collaborative research with Department of Anatomy in the use of smart phone photogrammetry
2. Collaborative multi-disciplinary projects with departments of medicine, pulmonary medicine in field of COPD and chronic pain

Departmental Research Interests

1. Facial Trauma, Temporomandibular joint disorders, Orofacial pain, Benign Orofacial pathologies, Oral Cancer screening and diagnosis, Multidisciplinary management of head and neck deformities/pathology, Maxillofacial Prosthetics.
2. Evidence based practice/Systematic reviews & Meta-analysis, Research methodology, Surgically oriented research
3. Health economics Technology, Environmental health, Antibiotic Stewardship
4. Medical education & Dental Education – Curriculum Development, Assessment methods & innovative teaching methods in surgical skills.
5. Healthcare quality, Patient Safety
6. Use of process modeling approaches to surgical research as a tool to promote efficiency and for training purposes
7. Use of EMG signals & hand/gaze tracking in surgical training & research
8. Technology Assisted Teaching-learning methods for Undergraduate MBBS students

At present, the Department of Dentistry, JIPMER (Karaikal), is working actively with the Department of Dentistry, General Hospital, Karaikal. We treat patients with a wide variety of oral & maxillofacial conditions from facial trauma, secondary deformities of facial region, complex dental extractions, auto-transplantation of teeth, treatment of benign pathologies, cysts/tumor of the orofacial region, maxillofacial infections, benign pathology of jaws and temporomandibular disorders. We perform open-reduction and internal fixation of complex maxillofacial trauma and are providing treatment for TMJ problems through arthrocentesis and prolotherapy.

The department is involved in teaching programmes for MBBS students. The department faculty also provides support for integrated teaching with departments of ENT, Ophthalmology, Medicine, Pediatrics and Surgery for clinical teaching.

The department contributes to the community level oral health initiatives of GH, Karaikal and JIPMER, Karaikal.

In future, with establishment of hospital services at JIPMER, Karaikal, Department of Dentistry shall expand its services further to involve the whole spectrum of dental and maxillofacial surgical services, both elective and emergency.

OPD Timings (Monday to Friday) 08:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Saturday 08:30 AM – 12 noon

OT Days: Every Tuesday

MInor Surgery & Preventive Care for children: Thursday, Friday & Monday

Routine Extractions: Wednesday

Orofacial Pain & TMJ Clinic: Monday, Saturday

At present the department performs around 60+ OT procedures and around 500 minor operative procedures in one year. The team attends to peripheral calls from other departments routinely and attends night duty & emergency calls for around 15 days per month.