DTIH launch at MAIDS to boost indigenous dental technology and reduce imports; Details here

New Delhi: India's first Dental Technology Innovation Hub (DTIH) was inaugurated at the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi. This hub is India's first center dedicated to the innovation and development of dental instruments and materials. This initiative was established as a joint effort by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India. The main objective of this hub is to reduce import dependence, reduce costs, and enhance the competitiveness of India's dental healthcare services. [caption id="attachment_159581" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Dental Technology Innovation Hub Inaugurated[/caption] Views From Chief Guest and Experts On this occasion, Chief Guest Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology, said, 'DTIH is a testament to India's indigenous innovation capabilities in healthcare. It is fully aligned with the Central Government's vision of proactive and inclusive innovation.' Dr Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, stated that DTIH will become a hub for dental technology innovation in the country. Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR, emphasized the collaborative role of DST and ICMR. Dental Product Needs in India and Hub's Contribution Dr Sangeeta Talwar, Principal Investigator, DTIH, stated. 'India has long relied on imports for approximately 85% of its dental products. This has made treatment expensive and unaffordable for our population. This hub has been created to bridge this gap and develop innovations tailored to Indian needs.' Dr Ruchika R Naval, Principal Investigator, DTIH, stated that this is India's first pre-clinical and clinical validation dental center. So far, 16 technological innovations have been incubated and are being transformed into commercially viable products. Dr Arundeep Kaur Lamba, Director-Principal, MAIDS, stated that MAIDS is the best dental institute among 300+ colleges and sees over 1,500 patients daily. Innovations through this hub will directly translate into improved patient care. [caption id="attachment_159582" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] DTIH to strengthen India’s healthcare sector[/caption] Inaugural Ceremony and Exhibition During the inauguration, the official website of DTIH and a compendium of DTIH's activities reports were released. Additionally, an exhibition of dental technologies developed at the hub and the Tech-ID 2025 conference were held, attended by experts from DST, ICMR, CDSCO, MeitY, IITs, AMTZ, and industry. Future Direction The launch of DTIH marks a significant milestone in India's healthcare innovation journey. This hub will contribute to the creation of indigenous, affordable, and globally competitive dental technologies by connecting clinicians, researchers, and industry partners.