The Madras Dental Council was constituted on 2nd February 1951 and simultaneously petitioned to the Government to start the BDS course. The Government of Madras accepted the request and senior professors of the Dental wing were posted abroad for higher training.
Dental Wing of Madras Medical College:
The Dental Wing of Madras Medical College came into existence on 10th August, 1953. Fifteen candidates were selected on the basis of representation from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The number of admissions was increased to meet the shortage of Dental surgeons in the state later. There was a progressive expansion in the staffing pattern with the creation of various specialties and the work load correspondingly increased. Due to the paucity of space and as per the recommendation of the Dental Council of India a separate building was constructed and started functioning from1961.
Increase of UG and Start of PG admissions:
In the year 1954, the number admitted to the BDS course was increased from fifteen to eighteen. The seats further increased to 20 in 1956, 40 in 1978, 60 in 1992, and to current 100 seats from1994 as per the recommendations of the Dental Council of India. PG courses began in the year 1966. Initially, the Post-Graduation Programme was in the Department of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine and Periodontics which was later followed by its commencement in the Departments of Conservative Dentistry in 1972, Orthodontics in 1975, Oral Pathology in 1976 Prosthodontics in 1979, and Public Health Dentistry in the year 2007. Along with MDS degree in various specialties the Government also started Dental auxiliary courses namely the Dental Mechanics and Dental Hygienists courses.
Research Programme and Seminars:
The Dental Wing of MMC was fortunate to have many Dental teachers from various parts of the world to exchange information and conduct seminars for the benefit of the Post Graduate Dental students. The researches, various seminars and symposiums have been adequately documented and have been presented at various national and international conferences. In 1963, the first research program with American aid of 4.5 lakhs was initiated at the Dental Wing, MMC and proved to be a milestone in the field of Periodontics in South India.
Silver Jubilee Celebrations:
The Silver Jubilee celebrations were organized at the Madras Medical College in 1978 and the function was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister, Shri M. G. Ramachandran. While celebrating the Silver Jubilee of Dental Wing in 1978, a proposal was submitted which was accepted by the Government and an order was passed stating the separation of Dental Wing from the Madras Medical College forming an Independent Dental College with an Independent Budget from 1979. Inauguration of Madras Dental College was done by His Excellency Prabhudas Patwari the Governor of Tamil Nadu on 26th February1980.
Affiliation to TN Dr.MGR Medical University:
During separation of Dental wing from Madras Medical College in 1980, the Dean of Madras Medical College was relieved of charge and Dr. B.P. Rajan was appointed as the Principal of Madras Dental College. It was initially affiliated to Madras University and later in 1988 all the medical colleges and the Dental Colleges were shifted to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. From then onwards, the Madras Dental College and Hospital has been functioning with excellence to maintain the dignity and honor of the Dental profession and educating hundreds of Dental students from Tamil Nadu and all over India.
Renaming to Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital:
In the year 1992, the institution was renamed as the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, when Madras was renamed as Chennai.
Golden Jubilee Celebrations:
The year 2003 was the Golden Jubilee year of Tamil Nadu Government Dental College. The Golden Jubilee celebration was inaugurated by the Honourable Health Minister, Health Secretary, and Director of Medical Education. The first (1953) Batch of students of Tamil Nadu Government Dental College were felicitated. The 50th year College magazine was released. The cultural programmes and sports were conducted in a vibrant fashion.
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations:
The year 2013 was the Diamond Jubilee year of Tamil Nadu Government Dental College. It was inaugurated by the Honourable Health Minister, Health Secretary, and Director of Medical Education. It was celebrated from 10th to 14th August of 2013. A Dental awareness exhibition was arranged during the period and was open for public viewing. A special consideration was given to all school children in Chennai to attend the exhibition. A fellowship award was granted to all those who contributed to the advancement of Dentistry and development of society.
New Building:
As per the norms and standards of Dental council of India, Government of Tamil Nadu had allotted 52 grounds (1385 sq. ft,) land at the old MUC (Madras United Club) and sanctioned Rs. 13.66 crores and Rs. 6.97 crores consecutively to upgrade the infrastructure and to accommodate the increase in seat matrix for BDS and MDS courses. A new building was constructed initially with stilt, 2 floors, 4 lifts, 4 entrances, 3 staircases and ramps with a total of 9726.67sq.m. The stilt floor has 3316.62sq.m, the first floor has 3280sq.m and the second floor has 3130.05sq.m as built up area.
The stilt floor has Postgraduate prosthetic laboratory, NCC room, Department of Periodontology, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Department of Paediatrics and Preventive Dentistry, Cobalt chrome laboratory, Girls‟ common hall, Boys‟ common hall and the Main Store room. The first floor has Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Dental Radiology wing, Ceramic laboratory, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics. The second floor has Department of Oral & Maxillo-facial surgery, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Department of General Medicine, Lecture Hall – I& Lecture Hall – II, Auto haematology & Biochemistry analyser laboratory.
The newly constructed building of Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital was inaugurated by the then Honourable Chief Minister of the state Dr. Selvi. J. Jayalalitha, on 3rd march 2012 through video conferencing and the institution was declared as “The Centre of Excellence for Dentistry”. Moreover, a sum of Rs. 10 Crore was sanctioned towards development and upliftment of the College. One more floor was planned to facilitate for Operation Theatre, Auditorium, Students class rooms, Library and administrative office. The Honourable Chief Minister inaugurated the third floor of the new building on 7th September 2015 which houses the Mini conference hall, Auditorium, Ward and operation theatre, Recovery room, Post anaesthetic care unit (PACU), Male Doctors room, Female Doctors room, Staff nurse room, Library, Administrative wing, Principal room, Vice Principal room, Board room and Special Dental Clinic.
Equipments:
Apart from Electrically operated Dental chairs, various other equipments such as CBCT, Digital OPG, Dental Microscope, and Auto haematology & biochemistry analyser were procured for the benefit of the patients. The state of art, 3-D Stereolithographic printer was procured in 2018 and TNGDCH is the only Dental Hospital in Tamil Nadu to possess one so far. Moreover, HMIS (Health Management and Information system has been installed to each and every department to help access of patient data online and to minimize paper usage. Biometric system and CCTV camera have been installed and is operational in the Dental College.
Library:
The library has been upgraded with International Journals as per the DCI norms, (6-8 international journals and 3 national journals). A sum of Rs.53.26 lakhs was sanctioned by the Department of Health & Family welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu for the purchase of the National, International journals and backdated volumes. The institution also has an E-Library well equipped with uninterrupted, unlimited network for the benefit of Students.
Hostel:
The Honourable Minister for Health & Family Welfare sanctioned the conversion of the Dental College old building to Girls and Boys hostel exclusively for Undergraduate and Post Graduate Dental students.
Mobile Dental unit:
The Honourable Chief Minister sanctioned a sum of Rs.43.55 Lakhs for the purchase of the Mobile Dental Van for the Department of Public Health Dentistry. The Mobile Dental van was procured in the Year 2020 and inaugurated on 18.10.2021.The Mobile Dental van is utilized to reach out the remote areas to cater quality treatment for needy.
Schemes operating in TNGDCH:
Chief Minister Comprehensive Health Insurance scheme
TAN-II Innovative Initiative schemes for the Rehabilitation of the JAW component
