Dentists in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are unaware of new licensing rules being amended by Andhra Pradesh State Dental Council (APSDC). According to new rules amended, every dentist who wishes to practise dentistry has to get registered and should possess license issued by state dental council every year.

Earlier, the APSDC used to issue a life time validity license for the dental doctors to practice dentistry. But in the year 2008, the state council has amended its old rules and made it mandatory for the dental practitioners to renew their license every year by paying an amount of Rs. 300.

According to APSDC, nearly 60 per cent of dentists in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state are unaware of the new licensing system. Because of this, every year both the states are recording very low registrations from the dentist. “Every year all the dentists need to renew their licenses before 31st December. Irrespective of when they have registered, their licenses will expire after December every year, “said Dr. Mahendranath Reddy, president of APSDC.

At present there are 21 dental colleges operating both in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states. Of which only 4 colleges are in the government sector while remaining 17 colleges are run by private managements.

From all these colleges combined together, every year nearly about 2000 dental doctors are graduating. Despite this large number of dental doctors coming out from the colleges, the dental council is not even registering 40 per cent. The major reason for this low turnout is the lack of awareness about the new licensing system.

While talking about the new licensing system a post graduate dentist practicing in government dental hospital at Afzal Gunj said, “we are unaware of the annual renewal system. Earlier once we register for one time; it used to be valid for life time. But new rules amended by the council are not known to the new graduates. The council need to create more awareness programmes and should involve the students and the dental doctors’ community before amending any rules.”