Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Wednesday inaugurated a Dental Technology Innovation Hub (DTIH) at the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi. The facility aims to boost indigenous development of dental devices and technologies, reducing India’s dependence on costly imports.
Supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the hub has been envisioned as a cost-effective facility for research, diagnostics and therapy. It will also serve as an inclusive platform for innovators, start-ups, MSMEs and academia to collaborate in the field of dental sciences and technology.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Singh emphasized that the initiative is aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, ensuring awareness, affordability and accessibility in healthcare. He noted that dentistry should collaborate more closely with other medical disciplines, as oral health is often linked with systemic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
The Minister also highlighted government reforms, including the National Medical Devices Policy 2023 and Medical Devices Rules 2017, which provide an enabling ecosystem for the growth of India’s medical device sector. The inaugural ceremony was attended by senior officials including Dr. Abhay Karandikar (Secretary, DST), Dr. Rajiv Bahl (Secretary, Department of Health Research & DG-ICMR), and Dr. Arundeep Kaur Lamba (Director-Principal, MAIDS).
Dr. Singh further announced an expansion in medical education with 1,000 additional undergraduate and 5,000 postgraduate seats, including in dental sciences, to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce. The hub is expected to accelerate the transition of dental research into market-ready innovations, making India a global hub for affordable and indigenous medical technology.