More women need to enter dental profession

Bhubaneswar: More women have been entering the field of dentistry in recent years but most practitioners of dental science continued to be men, Prof. Sabita Acharya, vice-chancellor of Utkal University here said on Saturday.

Speaking at the 7th annual conference of the Women’s Dental Council, a wing of the Odisha state unit of Indian Dental Association, Prof. Acharya said every woman was an entrepreneur as they shouldered many responsibilities at the same time.

Prof. Acharya was felicitated on the occasion by Prof. Neeta Mohanty, dean of the Institute of Dental Sciences (IDS), faculty of dental science of SOA.

Dr. Sujata Das, a dental surgeon who has been in the field for 24 years, was honoured on the occasion for her long service to the people.

Dr. Gatha Mohanty, associate professor of IDS and chairperson of the Council, Dr. Jagyaseni Biswal, convenor and Dr. Sudeshna Harichandan, co-convenor addressed the gathering. Dr. Chandrasekhar Basak, president of IDA, Odisha, and its secretary Dr. Sangram Patra also spoke.

Among others, Prof. Sumita Mishra, Prof. Mirna Gadnayak, Prof. Swagatika Panda, Prof. Lora Mishra, all professors in IDS and Dr. Ipsita Mohanty, Dr. Smita Priyadarshini, both associate professors, Dr. Alakananda Sahu and Dr. Debasruti Nayak, both assistant professors and Nikita Sahu and Utkalika Das, both tutors were present.