Dr. Arpana Bansal is a highly qualified dentist specializing in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. She holds degrees of B.D.S. and M.D.S. in the same field. Currently, she serves as a Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry at RCDS and RC.

Dr. Bansal has organized and conducted several workshops and webinars in her area of expertise. In January 2019, she organized a Continuing Dental Education (CDE) workshop on Inhalation Sedation in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. In February 2020, she conducted a CDE workshop on SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride) and zirconia crowns. Additionally, in June 2020, she organized a CDE webinar on "Tips for Writing Research Articles" in collaboration with the Department of Periodontology.

She has made significant contributions to the field through her publications in renowned international and national journals. Dr. Bansal has also presented papers at various specialty conferences and chaired scientific sessions at such conferences. Her expertise has led her to be the keynote speaker at the hands-on workshop on Inhalation Sedation in January 2019. Furthermore, she serves as a reviewer for a national specialty journal.

Rishiraj College Of Dental Sciences And Research Centre

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What keeps you connected with the Education Sector and how has your experience been so far with the institute? 

Teachers play a crucial role in the lives of students. They inspire dreams, push the limits of human potential, impart knowledge, and guide them in their career path. Today, the teacher’s role has gone beyond teaching. Their role now involves counseling students, mentoring them, and teaching them how, when, and where to apply their theoretical knowledge of the curriculum to their clinical practice.

Not only students, but the Education sector provides multifold benefits like skill development, career advancement, personality development, and development of communication and social skills to the faculty as well.

RCDS & RC has committed itself to becoming a center for excellence in Dental Education. My experience with the management of the Institute is good. The management is approachable and provides help and support to the faculties.

Being the HoD – (Dept. Name) of RCDS, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

As the HOD of the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, my role and responsibilities towards the student are threefold:

1) Providing adequate knowledge

2) Necessary skills and

3) Develop a positive attitude.

Being the head of the department, it is my responsibility to impart knowledge and share achievements and experiences with students to facilitate high-quality education and practice. A holistic approach to teaching, along with the latest dental concepts and practical skills, will provide the skills to confidently face the future and excel in their career paths.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real-world challenges?

Yes, we do have extracurricular activities or programs to enhance the skills of the students.

  • Regular demonstration or Discussion to enhance clinical skills
  • CDE is conducted on the most advanced concepts, methods, and technologies. So the students are updated with the latest in the field of Pediatric Dentistry.

How does the curriculum of RCDS ensure that the students are being prepared for the future? 

The curriculum is designed keeping in mind three essential aspects of professional learning:

  1. Academics
  2. Clinical skills
  3. Research 

RCDS provides adequate counseling, training, and guidance to the students about career paths. Learning efficiency is improved with the help of innovative teaching methods.

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How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented? 

Advanced methods of learning or teaching are incorporated into the schedule to have practical knowledge. Apart from that, continuing Dental education programs, an evidence-based approach, Interdisciplinary management, and using multimedia in Dental education to develop practice management and communication skills Not only for the students but also for the regular conduct of faculty development programs to enhance skills and knowledge.

What are the interventions and approaches you bring in apart from curriculum to train/teach the students? 

Utilizing audio-visual aids, models, videos, E-learning, case-based study discussion, demonstrations on typodonts, and preclinical work Regular assessment of students with the help of MCQ questionnaires, tests, identification of slow learners, programs, and classes to uplift the understanding of the subject, and mentor-mentee programs to help students with curriculum

What would you like people to know about your institute they may not know? 

RCDS is well equipped with the latest instruments in clinics to provide real-life training for the students. The institution has adopted an electronic patient information system, the use of magnification loupes and a dental operating microscope, small group teaching and newer scientific educational practices, an association (MOU) with international universities, an advanced dental implantology unit, the treatment of pediatric patients under Nitrous oxide inhalation sedation, and a profound staff extensively dedicated to the field of research in dentistry.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of RCDS? 

Advanced treatment modalities like Nitrous oxide inhalation sedation, Lasers, Oral implantology, Oral health camps, and community services Practice management seminars, workshops, CDE, the Center for Advanced Research, the digitization of patient data, and the continuing professional development program for faculty