03/06/2026
Satellite Dental Centre Established at GMC Handwara Through Collaboration Between Department of Public Health Dentistry Government Dental College Srinagar and Department of Dentistry GMC Handwara
Handwara, June 03, 2026:
In a significant step towards strengthening oral healthcare services and expanding access to quality dental care in North Kashmir, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar, established a Satellite Dental Centre at Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara in collaboration with the Department of Dentistry, GMC Handwara.
The initiative was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kaur Bali, Principal/Dean, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar, and Prof. (Dr.) Khursheed Ahmad Wani, Principal, Government Medical College, Handwara. The MoU signing ceremony was held in the office of the Principal, GMC Handwara, on June 03, 2026.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Aasim Farooq Shah, Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar; Dr. Muneeb, Head, Department of Dentistry, GMC Handwara; and Prof. (Dr.) Rafi Ahmad Togoo, Professor, Department of Dentistry, GMC Handwara; Dr. Shazana Qazi, Associate Professor, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar, Dr. Tasneem Sakinatul Ain, Associate Professor, Department of Dentistry, GMC Handwara; Dr. Ajaz, Medical Superintendent, GMC Handwara; Dr. Owais Gowhar, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar; and other faculty members from both institutions.
The establishment of the Satellite Dental Centre marks an important milestone in promoting equitable oral healthcare delivery and enhancing collaborative academic and clinical activities between the two institutions. The centre is expected to provide comprehensive dental services to the local population while also serving as a platform for community outreach programmes, preventive oral health initiatives, training, and research activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kaur Bali highlighted the commitment of Government Dental College Srinagar towards extending quality oral healthcare services to underserved regions and fostering institutional collaborations aimed at improving public health outcomes. Prof. (Dr.) Khursheed Ahmad Wani Principal GMC Handwara welcomed the initiative and emphasized that the collaboration would significantly strengthen dental healthcare facilities available to the people of Handwara and adjoining areas while promoting academic excellence and professional development.
Dr. Aasim Farooq Shah, Head of the Department of Public Health Dentistry, noted that the establishment of the Satellite Dental Centre reflects the department’s commitment to community-oriented oral healthcare and will facilitate preventive, promotive, and curative dental services for the population of Handwara and surrounding areas. He also emphasized the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in addressing oral health challenges and improving access to quality dental care. Faculty members from the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College Srinagar, and the Department of Dentistry, GMC Handwara, expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to working collectively for the advancement of oral health services and community welfare.
The newly established Satellite Dental Centre is expected to play a pivotal role in improving accessibility to preventive, promotive, and curative dental services, thereby contributing to the overall health and well-being of the population in the region.
