Indian dental education in the new millennium: challenges and opportunities

India is poised to be a leader in the global economy in this century. Its population of more than 1.1 billion, however, will challenge both the medical and oral health care systems. The current status of dental education in India has some serious challenges that will need to be modified to be able to produce leaders in the field of dentistry to address these burgeoning needs. Dental students in India are trained to excel theoretically, but there seems to be a disconnect between what is learned and what is applied in the clinics. In the real world, when dealing with patients, problem-solving skills and practical knowledge are necessary. Some of the changes that might bring dental education to the next level in India could include selecting highly motivated students for dentistry, modifying the teaching methodology with some importance given to treatment planning, and introducing research into the curriculum. Changing the current attitude of the faculty, students, and the general population towards dental education is another factor important in the successful transformation. The aim of this article is to discuss these issues in preparing the Indian dental workforce for the challenges of India's growing economy and population.