Navodaya Dental College organised inauguration of 19^th batch of Dental Undergraduates and 14^th batch of Dental Postgraduates for the academic year 2024-2025 on Nov 4^th 2024, held at Dr. S.R. Hegde Silver Jubilee Auditorium, Navodaya Medical College, Raichur followed by three-day orientation program. The event was attended by Distinguished guests, Faculty and the New batch Students.

The program was commenced with a traditional Saraswathi Pooja, followed by the escorting of dignitaries to the dais. Chief Guest, Shri S.R. Reddy, Honourable Chairman, Navodaya Education Trust, Raichur. Distinguished Guest, Dr. Prashant G.M, Vice President, Karnataka State Dental Council. Guest of Honour, Dr. T Srinivas, Registrar, Navodaya Education Trust. Dr. B Devanand, Dean/Principal, Navodaya Medical College and Dr. P. Vijay Kumar, Director, IP&SA, Navodaya Education Trust. Presiding Officer, Dr. Girish Katti, Principal, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur. The event was enriched by an invocation song.

Dr. Anila K, Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, delivered the welcome address.

Dr Suresh Babu, Professor & HOD, Department of Public Health Dentistry, has given brief introduction of the Distinguished Guest.

Dr. Suga Reddy, Professor and HOD, Department of Orthodontics, introduced the new course curriculum to Undergraduate students. Dr. Girish Galagali, Professor and HOD, Department of Prosthodontics, introduced the new course curriculum to the Postgraduate students.

The Inauguration ceremony continued with a student’s pledge by Dr. Santosh Kumar M, Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, reinforcing the values of professionalism, ethics and values in the field of Dentistry.

Guest of Honour, Dr. T. Srinivas, Registrar, Navodaya Education Trust, Raichur, expressed his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the students. Distinguished Guest, Dr. Prashant G.M, Vice President, Karnataka State Dental council, addressed the gathering and inspired the students to strive for excellence in their careers. Dr. B Devanand, Dean/Principal, Navodaya Medical College addressed the gathering. This was followed by an address from Dr. P. Vijaykumar, IP&SA, NET, vowed the students, the nurturing and stimulating campus atmosphere. Presiding Officer, Dr. Girish Katti, Principal, Navodaya Dental College, shared his presidential remarks and addressed the gathering with the insights of UG and PG curriculum.

A felicitation ceremony for the Distinguished Guest, Dr. Prashant G.M, Vice President, Karnataka State Dental Council followed, recognizing their contributions to the field of dental education.  The event was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Chandrika Katti, Professor, Department of Orthodontics, expressing gratitude to the Guests, Faculty and Students for making the event a success.

The ceremony ended with the National Anthem, after which guests and attendees were invited for Hi-Tea and snacks.

In the afternoon session, Parent Teacher Meeting and Mentor Committee Meeting was conducted at Dr. S.R. Hegde Silver Jubilee Auditorium, NMC, Raichur.

Second Day Orientation program, i.e. on Nov 5^th 2024, Overview of 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Year Undergraduate subjects was conducted by their respective Department faculty. Apart from this, Management of Time and Stress during Professional Journey by Dr. Sunil Kumar, Professor & HOD and Communication Skill and Interpersonal Relationship by Dr. Pavan Kallimath, Associate Professor, Department of Pyschiatry, NMC, were given a brief lecture to 1^st year new batch students.

Dentistry as a profession, lecture given by Dr. Prakash Nidwani, Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur. Afternoon Session, 1^st year new batch students were taken to the department visit.

Third Day Orientation programme, i.e. on 6^th Nov, Skill Lab Orientation program was conducted at Skill Lab, Navodaya Medical College, Raichur.

The Programme Co-ordinators, Dr. Sindhura H, Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, NDC and Dr. K.M. Parveen Reddy, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Preventive Dentistry, NDC.  Objectives and Purpose of the Skill Lab Orientation program serves many educational objectives such as “goal of acquiring skills” in an environment similar to reality, serves the “cognitive goal” as it helps the learner to gain a lot of knowledge about the real work environment and its requirements and provide a safe environment for students to learn, practice and be observed performing skills in a simulated environment thus mitigating the risks involved in direct patient exposure. It provides the students with the access to learning opportunities in a safe and protected environment. Bridging the gap between the classroom and the clinical setting decreases students’ anxiety.

A total of 80 first B.D.S students attended the lecture and acquired the necessary techniques and are properly assessed before practicing on real patients.

‘Simulation-based medical training offers useful opportunities for students to reduce risks to patients and learners, improve learners’ competence and confidence, increase patient safety and reduce health care costs in the long run.