Transformation Learning- Oral Medicine & Radiology

During the 6th Edition of Edify, we the department of Oral Medicine and Radiology shared our initiative and approach in Transformative Learning. We identified a student who lacked in self confidence, motivation, memory power and hence we chose him to bring about his journey of transformation. The initial step which we took forward was a Counselling session with our senior faculty members to identify his strength and weakness. We developed new ideas and approaches to critically engage him in activity based learning using scrabble words, picture puzzles and pnemonics that increased his focus, attention and memory retention. Counselling and activities in turn triggered him to frame his own pnemonics to remember and recollect,  overcoming his lack of memory power.He was also self motivated and interested to share his ideas with his fellow mates. We also encouraged him to do short term research projects. Wherein , he himself came up with a research topic.  He presented 2 posters in Star summit and also won best poster award in his session.  As a department we are very happy to see his transformation from a boy who lacked self confidence, into a person who could defend himself for his own research to  the judges and also received their appreciation.

Thus our journey continues with the motto……

“Learning That Changes Lives”

Congenital Anamolies of Head and Neck- CDE Programme

Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College has organized a CDE program on the topic “Congenital Anomalies of Head & Neck” for the first year BDS students on             12th February, 2019 at 12.00pm, in Decennial Hall, Saveetha Dental College. The speaker of the event was Dr. M. Haripriya, MBBS., MD., Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai. 

The program commenced with the warm welcome address by Mrs. M.S. Thenmozhi, Professor & Head, Department of Anatomy. Dr. M. Karthik Ganesh, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, introduced the speaker to the august gathering. The speaker took the stage and grabbed the attention of the audience completely for the next forty five minutes. The speaker categorized the topic, “Congenital Anomalies of Head & Neck” on three sub-headings, such as the developmental anatomy of head and neck, structures derived from each pharyngeal arches and pouches and the associated congenital deformities. She also briefed on various teratogens and related genetic factors. Since, the topic was interesting, the students listened and observed keenly about the various concepts explained by the guest speaker. She also showed various images on deformed fetuses with developmental defects/syndromes and described about the related genes involved in it. To sum up the lecture was very informative and useful for the students.

At the end, the Guest Speaker distributed the prizes to the toppers in the subjects, for the Weekly Test conducted. The speaker was felicitated by Mrs. M.S. Thenmozhi, HOD and other faculty members of the department. Dr. Dinesh Premavathy, Lecturer, Department of Anatomy delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Transformation Learning- Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics

Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics had its 6th Edify on 14th February 2019. The theme was reforming students skills towards academics and clinical aptitude. Procrastination - to keep delaying something or not doing something that must be done, often because it’s unpleasant or boring. Students know that they should do proper tray set up and to keep the work place clean for any type of treatment, but they were not following for all the patients because of time constrains. So to manage Procrastination and time inconsistency we followed a method called “2 Mins Rule”. 2 Mins Rule - in that we teach the students to organize the work place with all instruments and equipments in 2 Mins. The end result is better time management, ease of work and attending to patients on time and completing the procedure. This method had brought a change in an undergraduate student. 

Transformative learning is about how a change is brought in a student both academically and as a whole person. A post graduate student had difficulty in managing his patients on time. Counseling was given to him and trained him extensively in pre-clinical work. These changes his whole mind set and helped him manage his cases well and time management was exemplary. These motivations also lead the way for him to get the best post graduate Endodontics award in 2018.  The whole thing was done as a video and was showcase for the Edify meet. 

Finish Line 2019- Regenerative Endodontics

It was conducted on 11,12 and 13 th of February 2019 in Sri Ramachandra Dental College, Chennai. Three days program which gave a complete revision for the exam going batch on recent advances. Regenerative Endodontics being the most upcoming topic and procedure in maintaining or rather reinitiating the vitality of the pulp. The whole topic from case discussion to treatment protocol were discussed in detail.

GENETICS OF SEX DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENTAL SEXUAL DISORDERS

Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College has organized CDE entitled “GENETICS OF SEX DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENTAL SEXUAL DISORDERS” for I year BDS students on 08 th February 2019 at 11.00 am, the speaker was Dr. Dinesh Kumar. K, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public health, Central University of Tamil nadu, Thiruvarur. The speaker was felicitated by Mrs. Thenmozhi. M.S HOD and faculties of the department. Dr. Dinesh Premavathy, Lecturer, Department of anatomy, gave the welcome address and introduced the speaker to the audiences. As the CDE program lecture started, the speaker discussed and briefed about the topics on embryological aspects, genes involved in determination of the sex by adding scientific features and historical characters. His lucid way of presentation was explained how sex of an individual is determined by genes, hormones, brain, etc. It was very interesting that the speaker discussed about brain sex and mechanism behind it. Finally the speaker discussed about case reports pertaining to the topic, the session ends with an interaction. Overall the session was very informative and new to the audience.Dr. Ganesh Lakshmanan, Senior Lecturer from Department of Anatomy gave the Vote of thanks.

NOO-A no to Anxiety

The department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals organized a CDE & Hands on Program   "NOO-A no to anxiety" Edition II on 8th February 2019. The highlights of the CDE program included hands on experience for the participants in intranasal sedation using midazolam & inhalational sedation using nitrous oxide oxygen. The e-poster presentation competition for bachelor of dental surgery students added color to the event. It attracted a crowd of 114 participants from various colleges across the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.  Dr EMG Subramanian Professor & Head, Dept. of Pedodontics extended warm welcome to the delegates. Dr Navaneetha Krishnan, an eminent Anesthesiologist enlightened the gathering with his lecture on "Emergency drugs needed for dental clinic & protocol to be followed in conscious sedation procedures".  Dr Deepa Gurunathan, Dr Geo Mani & Dr Mebin George Mathew shared their knowledge on topics in intravenous, intranasal & inhalational sedation in pediatric patients to an exuberant assembly. Workshop on intranasal and inhalational  sedation followed the lectures. Undergraduates  from various colleges presented their e-posters on topics pharmacological and non pharmacological behavior management in pediatric dentistry. The flamboyant event concluded with Dr Sheeja S Varghese, Dean Saveetha Dental  College & Hospitals presenting certificates and awards to  participants and winners during the valedictory function.

M.Orth Orientation Course

The Department of orthodontics in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgowconducted a two day orientation program on February 7 th and 8 th of 2019, for the aspirants of M Ortho examinations. The department is also the centre for the upcoming M Ortho examinations which is scheduled in June.The chief guest Dr Deepak Nallaswamy, Director of Academics, SIMATS inaugurated the functionalongside with Advisor - Dr Rajagopal, Dean of faculties - Dr ND Jayakumar and Dean - Dr Sheeja Varghese.The program coordinator Dr S Aravind Kumar (Academic head of the department) orchestrated the entire two days alongside the speakers- Dr Stephen Chadwick and Dr Badri Chari. Dr Stephen Chadwick is the Vice Dean of Royal college of Surgeons, England and a lead examiner for the M Ortho examination. Dr Badri is the adjunct faculty at Saveetha Dental College and is also an examiner for the M Ortho examinations. The program had delegates widespread far across the globe and a mixed group of young fresh graduates and experienced and renowned orthodontists. The lectures were well appreciated by the delegates and the mock exam conducted was one of a kind and the delegates were overwhelmed. The program also provided them the platform to interact with th e examiners and also to discuss their cases directly with them. The department also conducted a one day hands on workshop on Occlusal indices by the same speakers on February 6 th 2019, prior to the two day program. This novice effort was applauded by all the participants. The overall response from all the delegates was stupendous and the participants confirmed that they can’t wait for the next edition.

Treatment Planning for Periodontally Mutiliated Dentition-Guest lecture

The department of periodontics was honoured to host Dr. Professor Thomas Kocher , Head of the department of Periodontology, University of Greiswald, a 100 year old state run dental school in  Germany.  He is also part of the Word Workshop( Periodontics) II on classification of periodontal diseases and conditions. He is an ardent researcher with a credit of 250 publications.He has been practising for the last 3 decades and has seen a plethora of cases which were managed  comprehensively. The students and faculties were fortunate to have an active discussion  about the treatment plan for each of the challenging cases he put before us. A long term follow up of the patients with clinical and radiographic picture was presented to the audience which emphasised the  importance of  treating the periodontal disease and saving the  strategic teeth.Later results from the literature  were also showcased and he summed up with a decision making table  for retaining or extracting the periodontally mutilated teeth.

Trigeminal Neuralgia & Radiofrequency Ablation- Seminar on Concepts of TN

Trigeminal Neuralgia also known as suicidal disease is a disease which often challenges the physicians in its diagnosis and treatment plan. Not only neurosurgeon but also dentist and ENT do gets in its claws. Dr. Mohinish Bhatjiwale, founder, Secretary and Functional Neurosurgeon, Kem Hospital(Mumbai) enlightened us on various aspects of it and also the newer yet economical and easier way to treat trigeminal neuralgia on 7th February 2019. He discussed on the indications and treatment protocol of radio frequency ablation. It was a session with active interaction and informations for the faculty and students of Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine & Radiology.

SALSI: International Summit of Saliva Symposium India

The First International Summit of SALIVA SYMPOSIUM held in India. An educational extravaganza with 15 keynote speakers from across the globe. There were a total  of 480 Registrations. A 3 days packed lectures that were a treat to the mind which stimulated the brain cells to think beyond the horizon. Scientific presentations both poster and paper where conducted for all 3 days. Total of 14 awards were given and an overall best poster and best paper trophies were given. Quiz was conducted among different colleges and the best team were awarded. Investigate the crime scene was also conducted were clues and the crime scene was narrated and students were asked to identify the samples to be collected and in what way it could be useful to identify the culprit. 

Hands on Workshop on Referencing and Citation managers for Beginners

Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College organized a Hands-on Workshop on Referencing and Citation Managers for Beginners” on 02nd February 2019 from 9am to 12.00 noon. Mrs Thenmozhi, Head, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental college  welcomed the gathering. The First session was conducted by Dr.Silambarasan Moskomani, NUS Med post-doctoral fellow, Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore. He introduced the basics of referencing and different citation styles and its components. Dr.Durairaj, associate professor, Dental Research cell, updated on the latest version of ENDNOTE® and enumerated the different functionalities and options in it. 

Dr Ganesh Lakshmanan, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental college compared the pros and cons and practical applicability of Mendeley® and zotero® softwares for referencing. Dr. M. Karthik Ganesh, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental college explained the suitability of paperpile® and how to work in tandem with google docs. The students were also given hands-on training on the same.   

The speakers were felicitated and presented with gifts by Mrs. M. S. Thenmozhi, Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy. Dr. Dinesh Premavathy, Lecturer, from the Department of Anatomy, delivered the vote of thanks.

Day 3: Saveetha Transdisciplinary Annual Research Summit

Day 3 STAR SUMMIt with the valedictory function was a treat to ourselves. Third day star summit again had 625 posters from 5 departments with 50 judges and 150 peer judges. The proof of the pudding is in eating and here we see our students getting awards for their research work. The chief guest Shri. Rakesh Rajan, IPS

Adviser and DDG (Evaluation),NITI Aayog, Govt. of India was amazed at our students work and was happy to be in on e of the premier institutions in the country. There were 372 awards for undergraduates and post graduates. It was a visual treat.

Day 2: Saveetha Transdisciplinary Annual Research Summit- 2019

No less to day 1. 5 departments, 600 papers , 45 judges and 135 peer judges. The judges were just not impressed but dump stuck as well. The chief guest Dr. Sabyasachi Saha, was very appreciative of the students and their work. He also made a mention of the faculties hard work and management support. He spoke about various avenues after BDS and encouraged the students to work with passion. Awaiting the third day it was pleasure and cherish able day for all students, faculty and management of Saveetha Dental College.

Saveetha Transdisciplinary Annual Research Summit- 2019

The most awaited STAR SUMMIt 2019 by the students to display their research was a great success. The chief guest Mr. Rajendran Dhandapani, Director, ZOHA CORP, was impressed with the software systems and the infographics by the students.Department of Anatomy, Orthodontics, Pedodontics, Surgery and Oral Pathology presented over 600 research posters, 40 judges and 120 peer reviewers. Yet another laurel to our crown. Waiting for more, the next two days.

"3D Endodontics - Miss no details"- Guest Lecture

Dr Abarajithan Mohan , Dentsply speaker, has conducted a lecture and workshop on 3D Endodontics - Miss no details, on 21st January 2019.A reasonable and prudent clinician must keep current with available advances that are generally accepted and embraced by the Endodontist through research and evidence. Microsurgical endodontics is an example of improved endodontic technology. Use of magnifying loupes or similar devices may prove inadequate for apical surgery, accessing difficult canals while preserving tooth structure or fractured instrument retrieval, when compared with microscopes. It is incumbent upon the clinician to adopt proven technologies that improve the quality of endodontic care rendered and meet current accepted standard. The aim of this  clinical lecture and hands on program was to highlight the importance of looking into finer details in every step of clinical endodontics to improve the overall treatment outcome.

Saveetha Transdisciplinary Annual Research Summit- 2019

Field Visit IIT

A Field visit was conducted for 1 st year PG’s of the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics to IIT Chennai. The different testing machines such as universal testing machine ,Digital spectrophotometer, UV spectrophotometer ,etc . were shown to the students and explained in details what are the different tests that can be conducted for research purpose. Getting a first hand experience on the different equipment’s allows the students to plan well for their future research projects.

DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN HUMAN MOUTH

Department of Physiology conducted a CDE Programme on 19 th January 2019 entitled as “DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN HUMAN MOUTH” by Dr. Ramesh Kumar. He is currently working as a National Post Doctoral Fellow in the Department of science and Technology, YRG Center of AIDS Research Foundation, VHS Hospitals, Chennai. He shared a wide knowledge on drug resistance bacterial infections in oral cavity among the students . He emphasized more on the current research activities which are trending now a days which makes the students more interesting. The Participants were first year BDS and BSC students. We trust that his experience on research have provided our students to do more and more original research activities in the future. The programme was wrecked with an excellent interactive session.