Introduction

The Dental Council of India - a statutory body - was constituted on 12th April 1949 under an Act of Parliament - the Dentists Act, 1948 (XVI of 1948). The amendments were made through an ordinance promulgated by the President of India on 27th August 1992. Through this ordinance, new sections i.e. section 10A, section 10B, section 10C were introduced in the Dentists Act, 1948 mainly to restrict mushroom growth of dental colleges, increase of the seats in any of the course and starting of new higher courses without the prior permission of the Central Govt., Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The amendment was duly notified by the Govt. of India in Extraordinary Gazette of India, Part II, Section I on 3rd April 1993 with effective date 1st June 1992.

The Council is financed mainly by grants from the Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Department of Health) though the other source of income of the Council is the 1/4th share of fees realized every year by various State Dental Councils under section 53 of the Dentists Act, Inspection fee from the various Dental Institutions for Inspecting under Section 15 of the Dentists Act, 1948 and application fee from the organization to apply for permission to set up new Dental College, opening of higher Courses of study and increase of admission capacity in Dental Colleges under section 10A of the Dentists Act, 1948 as amended by the Dentists (Amendment) Act, 1993.