Chapter IX RECOGNITION OF DENTAL QUALIFICATIONS

1. (1) The dental qualification granted by any University or dental institution in India shall be listed and maintained by the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board in such manner as may be specified by regulations and such dental qualification shall be a recognised dental qualification for the purposes of this Act.
2. (2) Any University or dental institution in India which grants an undergraduate or postgraduate dental qualification not included in the list maintained by the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board shall apply to that Board for granting recognition to such qualification.
3. (3) The Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board shall examine the application for grant of recognition to a dental qualification within a period of six months in such manner as may be specified by regulations.
4. (4) Where the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board decides to grant recognition to a dental qualification, it shall include such dental qualification in the list maintained by it and also specify the date of effect of such recognition.
5. (5) Where the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board decides not to grant recognition to a dental qualification, the University or the dental institution concerned may prefer an appeal to the Commission for grant of recognition within sixty days of the communication of such decision, in such manner as may be specified by regulations.
6. (6) The Commission shall examine the appeal received under sub-section (5) within sixty days from the date of filing of appeal and after giving an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders, as it thinks fit.
7. (7) Where the Commission decides not to grant recognition to the dental qualification or fails to take a decision within the specified period, the University or the dental institution concerned may prefer a second appeal to the Central Government within thirty days of the communication of such decision or lapse of the specified period, as the case may be.
8. (8) All dental qualifications which have been recognised before the date of commencement of this Act and are included in Part I and Part II of the Schedule to the Dentists Act, 1948 (16 of 1948), shall also be recognised dental qualifications for the purposes of this Act, and shall be listed and maintained by the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board in such manner as may be specified by regulations.

1. (1) Any primary dental qualification or higher dental qualification which is recognised for enrolment as a dentist in a foreign country shall, in respect of a person who qualifies the National Exit Test (Dental) for primary dental qualification, or the Screening Test for higher dental qualification, be deemed to be a recognised dental qualification for the purposes of this Act.
2. (2) The Commission shall, for the purposes of sub-section (1), conduct Screening Test for higher dental qualification through such designated authority, and in such manner, as may be specified by regulations.
3. (3) All dental qualifications which have been recognised before the date of commencement of this Act and are included in Part III of the Schedule to the Dentists Act, 1948 (16 of 1948), shall also be recognised dental qualifications for the purposes of this Act, and shall be listed and maintained by the Commission in such manner as may be specified by regulations.

1. (1) The dental qualifications granted by any statutory or other dental body in India which are covered by the categories listed in the Schedule shall be recognised dental qualifications for the purposes of this Act.
2. (2) The Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Commission, and having regard to the objects of this Act, by notification, add to, or, as the case may be, omit from, the Schedule any categories of dental qualifications granted by a statutory or other body in India and on such addition, or as the case may be, omission, the dental qualifications granted by such statutory or other body in India shall be, or shall cease to be, recognised dental qualifications for the purposes of this Act.

1. (1) Where, upon receiving the recommendation from the Dental Assessment and Rating Board under section 25, or otherwise, if the Commission is of the opinion that--
   • (a) the courses of study and examination to be undergone in, or the proficiency required from candidates at any examination held by, a University or dental institution do not conform to the standards specified by the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board; or
   • (b) the standards and norms for infrastructure, faculty and quality of education in dental institution as determined by the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board are not adhered to by any University or dental institution, and such University or dental institution has failed to take necessary corrective action to maintain specified minimum standards, the Commission may initiate action in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2): Provided that the Commission shall, before taking any action for suo motu withdrawal of recognition granted to the dental qualification awarded by a University or dental institution, impose penalty in accordance with the provisions of clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 25.
2. (2) The Commission shall, after making such further inquiry as it deems fit, and after holding consultations with the concerned State Government and the authority of the concerned University or dental institution, comes to the conclusion that the recognition granted to a dental qualification ought to be withdrawn, it may, by order, withdraw recognition granted to such dental qualification and direct the Under-Graduate and PostGraduate Dental Education Board to amend the entries against the University or dental institution concerned in the list maintained by that Board to the effect that the recognition granted to such dental qualification is withdrawn with effect from the date specified in that order.

Where, after verification with the authority in any country outside India, the Commission is of the opinion that a recognised dental qualification granted by dental institutions outside India which is included in the list maintained by it is to be de-recognised, it may, by order, de-recognise such dental qualification and remove it from the list maintained by the Commission with effect from the date of such order.