The Department of Public Health Dentistry adopts a Holistic Approach in rendering services to both the Urban and Rural Population. It strives to enhance the Oral Health of the Community by training the budding Dentists to render Preventive and Treatment Oral Health Care services especially in the rural areas. Since the inception of the Department in 1988, several health programs have been conducted, such as Oral Health and General Health awareness programs, Oral screening and Treatment camps comprising of Diagnosis, Oral Prophylaxis, Restorations, Extractions and Prosthodontic Rehabilitations on a regular basis to facilitate Oral Health Promotion.
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Faculty
Dr. AUDREY M DCRUZ
- DesignationProfessor & Head
- Email audreydcruz@nitte.edu.in
BDS, MDS
Oral Cancer, Tobacco Control, Oral Health Promotion
- Recipient of Scholarship from the Japanese Science and Technology (JST) for the Sakura Science Exchange Program in 2018
- Recipient of the Scholarship award for the Global Tobacco Control Certificate Program from the Institute of Global Tobacco Control, Baltimore, USA in 2017
- Member of the International Forum of Teachers (IFT) of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics - Haifa.
Public Health Dentistry
- Arjuna S, Venkataram R, Dechamma PN, Chakraborty G, Babu N, D'Cruz A, Hosmane GB, Chakraborty A. Non-invasive detection of EGFR mutations by cell-free loop-mediated isothermal amplification (CF-LAMP). Sci Rep. 2020; 10(1):17559
- Benny A, D'Cruz, A. Salivary thiocyanate levels among tobacco users, non-users, and passive smokers: A biochemical study. Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology 2020; 9(4): 168-172.
- D'Cruz AM, Shetty P, Shetty UA. Targeted Screening Programme For Early Detection Of Oral Malignant And Potentially Malignant Lesions Using The Oral Rub And Rinse Technique Among Truck Drivers in Dakshina Kannada District − A Cross-Sectional Study. J Orofac Sci 2019; 11:89-92
- Pathiyil V, D'Cruz AM. Salivary lactate dehydrogenase as a prognostic marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients following surgical therapy. J Exp Ther Oncol. 2017; 11(2):133-137
- D'Cruz AM, Pathiyil V. Histopathological differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma and salivary lactate dehydrogenase: A biochemical study. South Asian J Cancer 2015; 4(2):58-60
Ongoing Projects
- Detection of TP53 mutations in salivary cell-free circulating tumor DNA using droplet digital PCR - Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz, Dr. Anirban Chakraborty (Intramural)
- Evaluation of the anticancer and antioxidant activity of Alpinia malaccensis rhizome extract in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line - Dr. Sahana Maben, Dr. Anirban Chakraborty, Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz (Intramural)
- Assessment of Salivary glucose levels among individuals with and without COVID-19- A Case-Control study - Dr. Deesha Kumari, Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz, Dr. Suchetha Kumari. (Intramural)
- Undiagnosed Type II Diabetes Mellitus and its association with oral health among rural adults in Dakshina Kannada _ A cross sectional study - Dr. Thara Chandran, Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz, Dr. Pushparaja Shetty (Intramural)
- Salivary cotinine as an indicator for second-hand smoke exposure among 13-15-year-old school children in Mangalore - An exploratory study. Ms. Anjana Teresa, Dr. Audrey Madonna D'Cruz (Intramural student project)
- Diagnostic implications of USP9X and DDX3X mutations in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz, Dr. Anirban Chakraborty, Dr. Pushparaja Shetty (Intramural)
- Plastination: A new method for Preservation of Oral hard and soft tissue biopsy specimens in comparison with the conventional method of preservation with formalin - Dr. Urvashi Shetty, Dr. Chethana, Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz, Dr. Pushparaja Shetty. (ICMR-DHR)
- Estimation of salivary thiocyanate levels among tobacco users, non-users and passive smokers. Ms. Anitta Benny, Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz (ICMR-STS)
- Salivary Lactate Dehydrogenase as a Prognostic Marker in Oral Squamous cell carcinoma Patients following surgical therapy - Ms. Varsha Pathiyil, Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz. (ICMR-STS)
- Effect of Consumption of Different Beverages on Salivary pH - Ms. Ngangbam Geethanjali, Dr. Audrey M. D'Cruz (Intramural Student project)
- Plaque pH and Dental retention after consumption of different types of chocolates - Ms. Jyoti Sharan, Dr. Audrey Madonna D'Cruz (Intramural Student project)
Dr. SHILPA. M
- DesignationLecturer
- Email shilpa@nitte.edu.in
MDS
Oral microbiology, Preventive dentistry, Public health dentistry, Forensic odontology, Innovative dental materials, Personality development
- Awarded 6th Rank by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences for the specialty of Public Health Dentistry in the post-graduation (MDS) exams held in April 2015.
- Awarded "The Best Postgraduate Student For The Academic Year 2015-2016" at the Guidant - 3rd National Academic Excellence Awards, Held in Navi Mumbai on 1st December 2016.
- Won the 3rd prize for Paper Presentation titled "Antifungal activity of Origanum and Peppermint essential oils against Candida albicans - an In vitro study" at the 4th International World Dental and Oral Health Congress 2019 held on 31st August - 1st September 2019 at the ITC Grand Chola Chennai; organized by Graviton International in partnership with World Dental Council.
Public health dentistry, Personality development
- Shilpa M, Naik SP, Potdar S, Reddy SG, Patwardhan PK, Shree SS. Sense of Coherence and Oral Health Status among 16 to 17-year-old Preuniversity Students of VirajpetTaluk: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2016;17(5):388-393
- M Shilpa, Jain J, Shahid F, Gufran K, Sam G, Khan MS. Efficacy of three types of plaque control methods during fixed orthodontic treatment: A randomized controlled trial. J Pharm Bioall Sci. 2019; 11:S246-51
- T Chandran, NS Ravindranath, D Kumari, N Tirupati, K Mithun, M Shilpa, Philip BA. Oral Health Education Intervention among Preschoolers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. IJPHRD. Sept 2019; 10(9): 363-368
- Shilpa M, Bhat V, Shetty AV, et al. Antifungal Activity of Aloe Vera Leaf and Gel Extracts Against Candida albicans: An In Vitro Study. World J Dent. 2020;11(1):36-40
- Jalaluddin M, Mailankote S, Sam G, et al. Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Subgingival Irrigating Solutions in Chronic Periodontitis: A Comparative Study. World J Dent. 2020;11(3):221-225.
Effectiveness of Microencapsulated Essential Oils As Antifungal Additives To Denture Base Resins - An In Vitro Study
Dr. DEESHA KUMARI
- DesignationLecturer
- Email deeshakumari@nitte.edu.in
BDS, MDS
Dental education, Epidemiology of oral diseases, School dental health, Preventive dentistry, Public health dentistry
Public Health Dentistry
- Kumari D, Chandran T, Philip BA, Mithun K, Shilpa M. Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Undergraduate Dental Students towards Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Descriptive Study. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 2020; 14(3), 215-221
- Kumari D, Philip BA, Chandran T. Dental undergraduate student perceptions on formative and summative assessment- a cross sectional study. J Evolution Med Dent Sci 2020;9(33):2367-2371
- Kumari D, Mithun K., Shilpa M., Pereira VA. Do Social Determinants Influence Parents Health Behaviour and Oral Health Status in Children: A Descriptive Study. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development (2019); 10(12): 1629-1633
- Chandran DT, Ravindranath DNS, Kumari DD, Philip DBA, T DN, R DR. Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Knowledge Regarding Oral Diseases in Diabetic Adult Patients Visiting a Teaching Hospital, Bengaluru. JCR. (2020); 7(13): 2026-2032
- Jadhav M, Nagmode S, Mithun K, Kumari D, Bangera R, Ashith MV. Relation Between Sella Turcica Bridging and Canine Impaction- A Retrospective Cephalometric Study Running Title: Sella turcica bridging and Canine Impaction association. European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine 2020; 7(6): 2811-2818
Assessment of Salivary Glucose Levels among individuals with and without COVID-19- A Case Control Study.
Dr. THARA CHANDRAN
- DesignationLecturer
- Email drthara@nitte.edu.in
Public Health Dentistry, Biostatistics
- Diabetes and oral health
- Miroplastics in dentistry
- Oral health education
- Biostatistics and research methodology
- Epidemiology of oral diseases
- Received research assistantship grant during the period of Post graduation study
- Received NITTE University grant worth 1 lakh for research work in 2019
Public Health Dentistry, Biostatistics
- Chandran Tet al. Oral health-related quality of life and knowledge regarding oral diseases in diabetic adult patients visiting a teaching hospital, Bengaluru. JCR. 2020; 7(13): 2026-2032
- Kumari D et al.Is e-learning a boon or a bane? A Cross-Sectional Study among Undergraduate students in a Private Dental institution in Mangalore.Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology
- Kumari D et al. Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Undergraduate Dental Students towards Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Descriptive Study.Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 2020
- Chandran T.et al.Oral health education intervention among preschoolers:a randomized controlled trial.Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development 2019;10(9):363 -368
- Chandran T, Ravindranath NS, Raju R, Gubbihal R, Kousalya PS, Kadanakuppe S. Psychological Determinants of Oral Health- A Review. Int J Oral Health Med Res 2016;3(1):189-194.
- Knowledge, attitude, and practices about Microplastics among dental practitioners in Karnataka
- Undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its association with oral health among rural adults in Dakshina Kannada- A cross sectional study
- Oral health education among pre-schoolers- A randomized controlled trial
- Association of self-concept with oral health status among children residing in orphanages in Bengaluru
- Knowledge and perception of dental students about the novel Corona virus outbreak
Dr. SAHANA MABEN
- DesignationTutor & Clinical Coordinator
BDS, MHA
Dr. JAYASHREE. K
- DesignationDeputy Dental Surgeon, Chittoor Manjayya Health Centre, Maranakatte
- Email drjayashreek@nitte.edu.in
BDS
Dr. DIANA LAVINA MARTIS
- DesignationTutor
BDS
Public health dentistry
Dr. NISHA. P. SHETTY
- DesignationTutor
BDS
Public Health Dentistry
Dr. SHEETHAL. J
- DesignationTutor & Staff Incharge, Thalipadyguthu JanakalyanaSamithi Health Centre, Thalipady
BDS
Dr. NIVEDITHA MURTHY
- DesignationTutor & Staff Incharge
- Email drniveditha@nitte.edu.in
BDS
Dr. VANDANA SJ
- DesignationTutor
BDS
Dr. CHETHANA SHASHIKANTH
- DesignationTutor (Staff Incharge : Justice K S Hegde Dental Clinic, Nitte)
- Email drchethanashashikanth@nitte.edu.in
BDS
Ongoing project title: Oral Health Awareness and Oral Health Status of Adult Patients Visiting the Nitte Medical Health Centre, Karkala Taluk Udupi District.
Public Health Dentistry
Dr. REENA JANET DSOUZA
- DesignationTutor & Staff Incharge
- Email drreena@nitte.edu.in
BDS
Esthetic Dentistry
Public Health Dentistry
Dr. CHARAN SHETTY
- DesignationTutor
BDS
Public Health Dentistry
Dr. DEEKSHA
- DesignationTutor & Staff Incharge
BDS
Dr. SHONITH NAIK
- DesignationTutor & Staff Incharge
BDS
Public Health Dentistry
Dr. SHREYAS ALVA
- DesignationTutor & Staff Incharge
BDS
Dr. RESHMA KUMARI
- DesignationTutor & Staff Incharge
BDS
Public Health Dentistry
RAHUL SHETTIGAR
- DesignationTutor
- Email drrahul@nitte.edu.in
- Contact No..
BDS
Public Health Dentistry
Dr. Advithi Shetty
- DesignationTutor
Dr. Himali K Shetty
- DesignationTutor
Dr. Megha H
- DesignationTutor
Dr. Padmaraj Hegde
- Designation Professor & Head
- Email jkshim@nitte.edu.in
- Joining date 1996-12-19
- Graduation:B.E in E&C from NIE, Mysore, India, 1986 -(FCD)
- Post-Graduation:M.Tech in CSE from MIT, Manipal, India, 1990-(FCD)
- Ph.D in CSE from University of Mysore, India, 2002
- Area of Research:CAD for VLSI - Topic: Design of Algorithms for optimum area utilization in VLSI ASICS
- Lecturer In Manipal Institute Of Technology for 6 Years
- Reader In Manipal Institute Of Technology for 3 Years
- Professor In NMAMIT for 7 Years
- Professor & Head Of Department of CSE and Dean(Academics) for 9 Years
- Professor From 2012-Till Date In NMAMIT
- Algorithm design for VLSI CAD, Multi core architecture and Program
- Optimization, Ad-hoc Networks, E-learning, Advanced Microprocessors
- Management responsibilities as Head of the Department of CSE
- Examiner for V.T.University Belagavi, Mangalore, Bangalore, Kuvempu, Kannur and Goa Universities
- Life Member of ISTE (LM816 )
- Senior Member of IEEE (01492834)
- Senior Member of CSI (F8000642)
- Fellow of IE(India)
- Logic Design
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- Finite Automata & formal Languages
- Computer Organization & Architecture
- Systems Programming
- RDBMS
- Microprocessors & Peripherals
- Principles of Programming Languages
- Compiler Design,
- Computer Graphics
- VLSI Design
- C# Programming & .NET Concepts
- Embedded and Real Time Systems
- Cryptography and Network Security
- MIS
- CAD for VLSI
- System simulation and Modelling.
Conference/Journal publications
- Developed "Computer Graphics Laboratory" at Manipal Institute Technology, Manipal, India in March 1988
- Reviewer for the Proceedings of IEEE Conference on "VLSI Design" since 2002.
- Chair of Programme Committee, National Conference on "Distributed Computing" , NMAMIT, Nitte India, 2004
- Coordinator for FIVE ISTE sponsored Short Term Training Programs
- Set up "Data Mining Laboratory" at NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte during January 2006
- Chair of Organizing Committee , National Conference on "Ubiquitous & Pervasive Computing" , NMAMIT, Nitte, India, 24-25 January 2007
- So far, guided 42 BE level projects and 17 M.Tech. level projects
- President of Rotary Club of Nitte during 2006-07
- Consultant for a Patent Search organization :EntellectLLP.com
- Applied for an Indian Patent, based on research work (application no.: 428/CHE/2008)
- Applied for US Provisional Patent in April 2010 for the research work on "New Architecture for Network on chip (NoC) systems" (Application Number:61/395,480 dated 14/5/2010)
- Received AICTE travel grant for attending the conference at Shanghai, China
- Was Chairman of BOE (Board of Examination)-Computer Science at Mangalore University during 1997-98. Was member of BOE-Computer Science of Visvesvaraya Technological University ,Belgaum during 2004-05.
- BOS and BOE Chairman of NMAMIT Nitte for Computer Science UG and PG programs under Autonomous Scheme.
- Board of Studies member of Computer Science at MIT, ManipalUniversity, NMIT Bangalore, SDMCE Dharwad, BVBCE Hubli, Bangalore, Dr.AIT Bangalore and St.Aloysius College Mangalore during 2007-08
- Governing Council Member of St.John Engg. College Bangalore, Academic Council Member of Dr.AIT Bangalore from 2013.
- President of Hockey India Udupi from July 2014
- Program Chair of 2016 IEEE Distributed Computing, VLSI, Electrical Circuits and Robotics (DISCOVER) Conference, 13-14 August 2016, NITK, Surathkal
Research Thrust Areas
The following are the Research thrust areas of the Department
- Tobacco Control
- Oral Cancer
- School Oral Health education
- Oral Microbiology
- Preventive Dentistry
Services
The Department takes pride in managing 17 of the 21 Rural Satellite Dental Centres of Nitte (Deemed to be University) which are located in districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chickmagalur and Kodagu. These centres provide a complete spectrum of treatment from Diagnosis to Complete Prosthodontic Rehabilitation with specialty treatment provided at free of cost/ nominal cost.
In addition, the Department organizes and conducts various community oral health programs such as oral screening and dental treatment camps on regular basis in collaboration with NGOs in rural/ semi-urban areas, schools, orphanages, tribal areas and old age homes. As a part of School oral health program, schools are adopted and incremental and comprehensive dental care is provided which includes preventive oral health care services. Oral health care services provided at the dental camps include oral diagnosis, oral health education, tobacco cessation counselling, pit &fissure sealant application, topical fluoride application, oral prophylaxis, extractions and atraumatic restorative treatment. Patients are referred to the Dental College or Rural Health Centres for follow-up or further specialized treatment. The Department also conducts House to House Survey and Assessment of Oral health status of the community. As of October 2022, about 15,01,340 individuals have benefitted from the Oral Health Services provided through the Rural Satellite centres and 4,56,693 have benefitted from the Outreach Programs.
Besides this, the Department also observes days of International or National importance such as World Cancer Day, World Oral Health Day, World Health Day, World No Tobacco Day, National Public Health Dentistry Day, World Environment Day, National Tooth brushing Day, World AIDS day etc. where the faculty and students organize and actively participate in programs to create awareness among the general public regarding maintenance of health and oral health.
Achievements
- U Sumithra Ramanath Bhat Award for the Best Community Outreach Program 2014 and 2016. This is an annual award conferred by the Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry to recognize Institutions excelling in community outreach activities.
- Dr. D N Kapoor Award for the “Best Community Dentistry Project” by the International College of Dentistry (2015).
- Dr. Kedar N Rustagi Award for Best Contribution in Promoting Oral Health in the Public and Providing Dental Treatment to the Rural and Underprivileged people in the Society by the International College of Dentistry (2016).
- Dr. DN Kapoor Award for the “Best Community Dentistry Project” by the International College of Dentistry (2017).
- Sushruta Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Institution in Providing Rural Service Activities Awarded by Indian Dental Association 2017
- ‘Best Department of Year 2017’ by Guident Awards.
- ‘Most Proactive Department of Public Health Dentistry 2018’ by Guident Awards.
