Dr. David Preble, Director, Commission on Dental Accreditation (CoDA), American Dental Association (ADA) and Dr. Morris Robbins, Chair of Commission on Dental Education, American Dental Association visited Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, Chennai, India. Their visit was a preliminary part of the collaborative peer review accreditation process to evaluate the quality of overall Indian Dental Education system as well as programs nationwide. The objective of the mission was for mutual recognition of the professional degrees in both the nations - India and USA. During their visit, they made an in-depth analysis of the functioning of the Indian Dental Education system, course evaluation as well as to understand the functioning of Dental Council of India. This was also a part of the on-site review conducted by CoDA team members selected by the ADA. They conducted interviews with administrators, instructors, staff and students to verify information in the self-assessment report study and ensure that the program meets minimum accreditation standards. As follow up of this visit, Dr. S. M. Balaji was invited to visit the American Dental Association headquarters to meet the members of the Commission on Dental Accreditation and he had a series of bilateral discussions with the American Dental Association with the sole aim of mutual recognition of Indian and American dental degrees.
Dr. S.M. Balaji discussing cleft and craniofacial surgical procedures with Hon’ble Saumyamoorthi Thondaman, then Minister of Lifestock Development and Estate Infrastructure, Government of Sri Lanka
Dr. Preble and Dr. Robbins being welcomed by Dr. Prashanti, Senior Dental Surgeon, Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital
The guests touring the Dental Department
The guests touring the Dental Department
Dr. Balaji introducing the hospital infrastructure and facilities
Ward rounds
