Latest news with #AbhayDatarkar
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Govt Dental College gets notice over false anti-ragging report
Nagpur: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has issued a show-cause notice to the Government Dental College and Hospital (GDCH), Nagpur, for allegedly furnishing false information in its official anti-ragging compliance report for the academic year 2024–25. The incident happened during the tenure of former dean Dr Abhay Datarkar, who was recently transferred to Jalgaon. The DCI letter, dated July 15, addressed to the present dean of GDCH Nagpur, alleges that the college falsely claimed that DCI member Dr Arun Dodamani personally conducted the mandatory Anti-Ragging Orientation Programme (AROP) on Nov 18, 2024. However, upon verification, DCI found that Dr Dodamani never visited the institution on the said date. The college previously submitted clarifications in response to DCI's queries raised through letters dated May 5 and May 16, 2025. But the executive committee of DCI, dissatisfied with the explanations, described the act as "misguiding" and reflecting a "lack of seriousness towards the zero-tolerance-to-ragging policy." Now, DCI has summoned the current dean of GDCH to appear for a personal hearing before its executive committee on July 22 in New Delhi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo The timeline of the alleged incident coincides with Datarkar's tenure as dean of the institution. The matter has triggered serious concerns about administrative transparency during his tenure. During the last session of the state legislative assembly, senior Congress leader and former minister Dr Nitin Raut demanded an inquiry into the role of Dr Datarkar, alleging that the former dean was involved in multiple irregularities in recent years. Raut has called on the Maharashtra govt to not only investigate the ragging report forgery but also review decisions and functioning of the former administration. The current in-charge dean, Dr Milind Phadnaik, declined to comment, stating that he is not a full-time dean and the matter pertains to an official DCI notice. Dr Datarkar is on medical leave at present.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Long queues at govt hospitals as dental treatment costs soar
Nagpur: Dental health is a vital component of overall well-being, yet it often remains neglected until problems escalate. With rising cases of tooth decay and gum disease, a growing number of patients are turning to govt hospitals for affordable is home to the Government Dental College and Hospital (GDCH) and three private dental colleges. While GDCH remains the first choice for many due to its reputation and free treatment under govt schemes, the private dental colleges and their attached hospitals also witness significant footfalls. The primary reason: the exorbitant costs at private dental hospitals and clinics across the city. However, GDCH and the private dental colleges are all grappling with long waiting periods due to the overwhelming contrast, private dental clinics have significantly hiked their charges, making them unaffordable for the average person. As a result, public hospitals are witnessing a surge in patients but are unable to meet the growing demand queues and delays — especially for critical procedures — have become GDCH, nearly 4,000 patients receive free dental care every month under various govt schemes. Common treatments include fillings, tooth extractions, and scaling. Despite wait times of up to 15 days for basic procedures, patients rarely complain. "Waiting is fine as dental treatment is usually not urgent or critical. It's mostly elective. What matters is getting good-quality treatment free of cost," said Manikrao Sukale, a senior citizen and regular visitor to GDCH. Many others echo his to GDCH Dean Dr Abhay Datarkar, the situation benefits both patients and students. "Students gain hands-on training and clinical experience with real patients. A good volume of cases is a positive sign for any teaching institute," he Dr Shradha Agrawal, a dentist with a healthcare brand, said, "To get quality treatment, a patient needs to pay for the services. We provide the best of infrastructure and patient care. More importantly, the awareness to maintain oral hygiene is lacking among people. They go to the dentist only when they have a problem but avoid taking preventive measures."In recent years, the cost of dental treatments at private clinics has skyrocketed. A root canal, which once cost around Rs 1,500, now ranges between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000. Scaling costs have risen to Rs 800–Rs1,000, while composite fillings range between Rs 500 and Rs 700. Crowns and tooth replacements can go up to Rs 7,000 or more.A city-based private dentist noted that the rise in costs is linked to expensive materials, equipment, and implants. "This is a costly field. But many patients delay treatment or opt for temporary fixes, which only worsen oral health in the long run. There's nothing wrong with going to govt hospitals, but one shouldn't delay treatment," the dentist of Common Dental Procedures at GDCH* Root canal treatment: Rs 300* Composite filling: Rs 150* Tooth extraction: Rs 20* Metal cap: Rs 500* Ceramic tooth: Rs 450
