CHRISTIAN DENTAL COLLEGE, LUDHIANA,
PUNJAB
The Christian Dental College, Ludhiana is an
educational institution of an all India character established and run by
the minority Christian Community. Its primary aim is to educate and train
Christian men and women as health professionals, in the spirit of Jesus
Christ for the healing ministry of the Church in India. However, like many
other Christian educational institutions this college also offers
educational facilities to other young men and women irrespective of
religion, caste and community.
In 1968 a missionary – Dr. J.J.Fason, Dental Surgeon – came from U.S.A. to join the faculty of Christian Medical College with a vision to start a modern dental clinic in this part of North India. Dr. Fason took the dental department to its new heights for four years. In January 1972 he left India after giving the responsibility of the Dental Department to Dr. J.L.Joshi who joined Christian Medical College in January 1971.
The Dental Department has been providing dental health care services in the hospital and the community at large since 1968. Besides providing high quality tertiary care in the hospital, the dental department launched its unique community dental health services in 1984 to rural areas reaching out primarily to the vulnerable population of the children which is one of few innovative community dental health services in India. The mobile health van, donated by the Government of India, was converted into a mobile dental van and was equipped fully to deliver necessary dental health care at the door-step of the village, schools and community.
The Christian Dental College came up in 1992 as the most prestigious off shoot of Christian Medical College Ludhiana. Dr. Charles Reynolds, Executive Director, Ludhiana CMC – Board, U.S.A Inc., was instrumental in raising funds from his friends and from ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad) for renovations of the existing building of the Christian Dental College, dental equipments, instruments, etc.
The Christian Dental College, Ludhiana, admitted the pioneer batch of 20 students to the BDS Course in August 1992, who have completed their BDS Course in 1996. The number of admissions to B.D.S. course has been raised to 40, with effect from 1998. Since July 1999 the Christian Dental College is affiliated with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Kotkapura Road, Faridkot - 151203, (Punjab), India.