MCODS, Manipal files first patent, informs Dean on College Day

Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal filed its first patent, a student project called “Opticure”. This was announced by Dr Nirmala N Rao, Dean of the college while presenting the annual report at the College Day and Awards ceremony held at Fortune Inn Valley View on March 21, 2014. She said, “Opticure is a method by which the light from a dental chair is converted to blue light and is used for curing of composites”.

Dr Rao highlighted the research activities, accomplishments of the students and faculty and the events that were hosted by the institution. She also mentioned that among the future goals of the institution were to open a VIP clinic and to improve the infrastructure of the institution by expanding the PG clinic. Earlier, Dr Keerthilatha M Pai, Associate Dean welcomed the gathering.

Dr H Nagesh Prabhu, Joint secretary to the Government of India, Department of health research, Ministry of health and family welfare, who was the chief guest congratulated the students for passing out from one of the top dental colleges in the country. He urged the students to rise above the normal and reach out to the rural sector. He advised them to help the 70 per cent rural population of India. He said that in India today, 80 per cent of the dental doctors were catering to the rich and well-to-do people in towns. Dr Prabhu informed the students and faculty on the new research schemes that are introduced by the Indian council of medical research and assured the institution of his unstinted support.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dr Vinod Bhat in his address commended the research activities of the students and faculty of the institution and also encouraged the students to continue to do quality research work. Manipal Odontoscope, the official publication of the Manipal Branch of the Indian Dental association, a compilation of the abstract of all the research publication of the faculty and post graduate of the institution-'Research Abstracts' and 'Dental Indices- Ready reckoner', a book authored by Dr Kalyan Chakravathy, Department of Public health dentistry were released.

DR Lokendra Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics was recognized as the Good Teacher. Dr Vasudev Ballal, Additional Professor, Department of Conservative and endodontics was recognized as the faculty with the maximum number of scientific publications. Jakka Sabareesh was the best outgoing student of the year. The class toppers of the outgoing batch were Dr Saumya Jha and Dr Anupam Singh.

The meritorious students, class and subject toppers for all the four years of the BDS course were recognized and awarded. Students with hundred percent attendances and those who participated in the republic day parade were also recognized. Post graduate students Dr Mahima Rakheja and Dr Pratik M Patel (Department of Oral Pathology) and Dr Samuel Raj (Department of Public Health Dentistry) who received financial grants for their research work were appreciated. Betsy Thomas, Professor and Head, Department of Periodontics proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr Manish Bhagania and Dr Jothi Varghese were the masters of ceremony.