The Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Government Dental College, Kozhikode was established in the year 1981 to meet the needs of the Malabar population. The department has since been spearheading the path of clinical excellence, built on a strong foundation of evidence based Orthodontics. We provide good clinical exposure and thorough training in various aspects of removable, myofunctional and dentofacial orthopedic appliances during the undergraduate training program, through seminars, lectures, discussions, practical demonstrations, personal care, formative and summative assessments by highly skilled faculty.
Post graduation was started in the department of Orthodontics in 1994 with two seats for MDS, initially affiliated to Calicut University and later to Kerala University of Health Sciences. The PG program is an intensive and exciting three year journey under highly experienced faculty, aimed at developing high competency in the profession. This department is highly rated at the National level, due to which it is chosen by top rankers, many of them first rank at the National Entrance examination. Thus far it has produced 48 Orthodontists serving in various parts of Kerala, India and abroad, working in key positions in reputed institutes. The department has also undertaken pioneering research in different spheres of Orthodontics and has many publications in reputed, peer reviewed, indexed, international and national journals.
The department has conducted numerous Continuing Education Programs/Workshops/Conventions under the banner of “Calicorth” ‘CALICORTH’ is an educational initiative, the brainchild of the Department of Orthodontics, Govt. Dental College, Calicut, started with the sole aim of increasing orthodontic awareness, identifying and honouring good subject knowledge and clinical acumen, as well as inspire the cream of undergraduate and post graduate students to seek further knowledge in Orthodontics. It was started in 2010, as an annual CDE program and Gold Medal examination. Workshops were conducted thereafter every year till 2014 under the banner of Calicorth. In 2015, Calicorth conducted the first Kerala Orthodontic Post graduate convention, and a post convention workshop on PEA, which was a resounding success. The same year saw a grand public awareness program “Smile Torch”, endorsed by our national body, The Indian Orthodontic Society. Calicorth CDE programs were conducted in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021 as well.
The department is a trailblazer and has set a record by producing University ranks every single year since 2013.
Department of Orthodontics is committed to providing standard tertiary level care including removable and fixed orthodontic procedures, surgical orthodontics and cleft patient care. Options for advanced treatment modalities with Temporary anchorage devices (miniscrews, infrazygomatic & buccal shelf screws, Marpe), lingual orthodontics, self ligating brackets, enables students to improve their clinical skills in diagnosis and management of complex skeletal and dental malocclusions. Courses provided include BDS, MDS, DM and DORA.
The department is divided into undergraduate and postgraduate sections.
Under Graduate Training Programme:
- Initial introduction to the subject of Orthodontics from second year BDS through lectures, wire bending demonstrations, symposiums and discussions.
- Wire bending skills acquired will be made use of in third and final year for fabrication of removable appliances in patients.
- Trained in clinical and cephalometric diagnosis & management of mild to moderate types of malocclusions.
- Interactive Multimedia Presentations are used extensively for theory classes. It helps stimulate the inquisitive mind of students and makes learning a pleasant experience.
- Periodic feedbacks are obtained from students regarding teaching and training methods for continuous improvement.
Post Graduate Training Programme:
- Post graduate students, being a tertiary care centre, are fortunate to diagnose and treat a wide variety of complex dento-facial disorders.
- Various 2D and 3D diagnostic methods and treatment planning softwares are employed for the learning process.
- Clinical training program comprises of the very basic to most advanced Orthodontic Techniques and Mechanics (Preadjusted Edgewise, Myofunctional therapy, Dentofacial Orthodpedics, Pure Begg and Refined Begg, Removable Appliance therapy, Surgical Orthodontics, Cleft lip and palate rehabilitation, Temporary anchorage devices, Lingual Orthodontics and Adult Orthodontics).
- Broad and exhaustive seminar sessions, followed by interactive discussions help the students dive deep into the topics.
- Regular Journal clubs and case presentations with critical evaluation.
- A department log book for each student is mandatory.
- Personal attention and supervision by experienced and qualified faculty
- Dr CT Mathew - 1981 to 30-04-1988
- Dr M Harindranathan - 05-04-1990 to 07-10-2001
- Dr M Jayarama - 15-10-2001 to 30-04-2010
- Dr Shobha Sundareswaran - 26-05-2010 to 30-04-2022
2013: First Rank - Dr Nipun C A
2014: First Rank - Dr Praveen K
2015: First Rank - Dr Jean James
2016: Third Rank - Dr Vineetha Krishnan
2017: Second Rank - Dr Arun Joseph
2018: First Rank - Dr Nivethitha Bhaskar
2019: First Rank - Dr Sandhya Srinivas
2020: Third Rank - Dr Niveditha Prakash
2021: Third Rank - Dr Sathya Reshmi
