Dental surgery department made its inception in the year 1977 in the old block of CMCH to cater to the dental needs of residents of Chengalpet and adjoining areas. The faculty then consisted of one Civil Surgeon and one Assistant Professor. Two and a half decades later the department was upgraded and shifted to the current block in the year 2004. CMCH Dental OPD is a referral center to all the primary health centres in and around Chengalpet for major Dental issues as it provides from primary to tertiary dental care.

FACILITIES

The Department is provided with three dental chairs to facilitate the dental needs of the patient

Treatment procedures :

1. Oral Surgery Treatment

Simple and Complicated oral procedures including extractions, impactions, alveoloplasty being performed under local anaesthesia.

A four bedded facility at the in patient block supports the dental department where an operation theatre along with other medical and surgical specialities is available for major and complicated oro maxillofacial surgical procedures under general anaesthesia.

2. Restorative treatment

Permanent restoration of decayed teeth with Glass Ionomer Cement, Temporary restoration of decayed teeth with Zinc Oxide Eugenol cement, Root canal treatment for painful decayed tooth and restoration with acrylic crowns, management of fractured anterior tooth with composite restoration are available.

3. Prosthodontic Treatment

Prosthetic rehabilitation of missing teeth with complete and removable dentures. The in house Dental lab Technician takes care of all the laboratory procedures associated for the fabrication of dental prosthesis.

4. Orthodontic treatment

Correction of dental discrepancies using removable appliances.

5. Periodontal treatment

Treatment of gingival inflammation that leads to gingival bleeding and Halitosis through Scaling. Treatment of gingival Enlargement through gingivectomy and gingivoplasty. Treatment of Periodontal problems through Scaling, SRP, and flap surgery.

6. Investigative procedures

Biopsy done under local anaesthesia for histopathologic investigations and for oral cancer screening procedure.

v Teaching room facility to conduct lecture classes for the pre final medical students.

v Paramedical staff : Services of Dental Lab Technician and Dental Hygienist are available

7. Role of Dental Lab Technician

: Laboratory works associated with the fabrication of dental prosthesis ie removable dentures, complete dentures, acrylic crowns, denture repair works etc

8. Role of Dental Hygienist

§ Maintains sterilization protocol

§ Oral prophylaxis : Patient education and motivation & Scaling

§ Assisting dental surgeon during surgical procedures

v Dental Camps : The faculty and trainees actively participate in the camps conducted in rural areas where patients are screened and referred to the hospital.

A team of faculty members consisting of a Professor, Associate Professor, two Assistant Professor and Senior House Surgeon provide services in academic and clinical fields of dentistry.

Academic Activities

• Clinical Posting for Pre Final Year Medical Students

The faculty trains the medical undergraduate students about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene its relation to oral health and to other medical conditions. Clinical demonstration of out patient procedures followed by lecture classes is held for a period of two weeks which is a part of their academic curriculum.

• Training Senior House Surgeons / Special trainees

Registered dentists who have graduated from private instituitions in and around Chengalpet are provided intensive training for a period of 6 months. Such trainees are also provided with a completion certificate which is used as experience certificate for future employment. Special Trainees conduct seminars once in a month for updating and sharing knowledge. Maximum of 3 special trainees are trained at a particular period of time. Completion of training program requires Poster / Paper Presentation at the Dental Association / at the Department.