Department

Overview

Since its establishment in 2005, the Department of Orthodontics at Santosh Dental College has been a beacon of excellence in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. Home to a prestigious Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) program admitting five students annually, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of orthodontic leaders through a personalized and innovative approach. 

Our department is distinguished by its state-of-the-art Aligner Fabrication Lab, launched in January 2023, and the integration of aligner treatment planning into the postgraduate curriculum. Equipped with cutting-edge digital imaging technologies, including intraoral scanning, students gain unparalleled hands-on experience, aligning with global orthodontic advancements. 

With 40 graduates excelling nationally and internationally, our department emphasizes the perfect blend of theoretical rigour and clinical expertise. Located in the vibrant city of Ghaziabad, our facilities include specialized clinics, seminar rooms, and research spaces designed to inspire excellence. 

Vision Mission

Vision:

  • Making the department ‘Most Preferred CHOICE’ for BEST orthodontic grooming
  • To impart the highest calibre of education and clinical skills training to students with strong ETHICAL values
  • COMMUNITY enriching RESEARCH enabling to fulfil SOCIAL responsibility

Mission:

  • To be among the Top 5 Departments Internationally
  • To set benchmarks in quality education and promote the use of digital technology

HOD

Qualifications: 

  • B.D.S. & M.D.S.
  • Fellow of the International College of Dentists (F.I.C.D.)

Dr. Rajiv Ahluwalia, a distinguished academician with over 26 years of expertise, serves as the Dean of Student Welfare at Santosh Deemed to be University, NCR Delhi. A renowned orthodontist and educator, he has been the Head of the Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics at Santosh University since 2007. He also leads the National Dental Bioethics Program under the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and is a member of the International Advisory Council for the International Chair in Bioethics. His leadership roles include serving as Vice President of the Indian Orthodontic Society (2014-2015) and being elected Chairman of the 60th Indian Orthodontic Conference, Delhi (2026). 

Dr. Ahluwalia's academic contributions are extensive, with qualifications from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and specialized training in bioethics from UNESCO and the University of Porto. His commitment to research and innovation is evident in over 100 publications, multiple patents, and copyrights in dental sciences. He has authored books on bioethics in dentistry and has been a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences. His accolades include the Outstanding Professor Award by the Indian Orthodontic Society (2023), the Best Researcher Award by Santosh University (2022), and the Innovation in Teaching and Research Methodology Award (2021). 

As a mentor and thought leader, Dr. Ahluwalia has contributed significantly to education, research, and professional ethics in dentistry. He has been featured in media discussions on medical ethics, including appearances on Sansad TV and NDTV. His dedication to academic excellence, student welfare, and ethical healthcare practices continues to inspire the next generation of dental professionals. 

Achievements:

  • Head, National Dental Bioethics Program, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa
  • Chief Convener, OsGOD (Orthodontic Study Group of Delhi), Delhi (2011-2014)
  • Orthodontic Section Editor, I.J.D.R. (PubMed Journal)
  • Section Editor, Journal of Indian Orthodontics
  • Editor, Orthodontic Supplement, Dental Practice, October 2012
  • Chief Editor, IOS Times (Indian Orthodontic Society), Official Newsletter of the Indian Orthodontic Society (2010-2014)
  • External Examiner at several prestigious universities, including Army Dental Centre (R&R) Delhi, R.G.U.H.S., Bangalore
  • Letter of Appreciation for Community Dental Health from a Member of Parliament
  • Vice President, Indian Orthodontic Society (2014-2015)
  • Executive Member, Indian Orthodontic Society (5 years)
  • Best Research Paper Award, 1st International Orthodontic Conference, 1997
  • Third Rank in All India Entrance Examination held in August 1994 (M.A.H.E. Entrance Exam) for M.D.S.
  • D.C.I. Inspector

Positions Held:

  • Executive Committee Member, Indian Orthodontic Society (2009-2012)
  • Secretary, OsGOD (Orthodontic Study Group of Dentists) – A Unit of Indian Orthodontic Society, since 2010
  • Chief Editor, IOS Times (Indian Orthodontic Society Times), 2010-2012 (Official Newsletter of IOS)
  • Elected Editor, IOS Times (2012-2014)
  • Editor, Ortho Supplement, Dental Practice Journal
  • MDS Examiner at several prestigious universities, including RGUHS, Bangalore
  • Co-Chairman, Scientific Community, APOC (Asia Pacific Orthodontic Conference)
  • Scientific Chairman, 1st International Dental Student Conference, Radisson, Dwarka, 2011
  • Dental Council of India Inspector
  • Head, National Dental Bioethics Program, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa

Guest Speakers:

  • Webinar at Sharda Dental College, 22 May 2020
  • Webinar at Rajasthan Dental College, 31 May 2020
  • Webinar at AIIMS, 24 April 2020
  • Webinar at IOS, 12 April 2020
  • BIOETHICON, November 2019, Chennai
  • North Zone PG Convention, September 2019, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
  • 23rd IOS PG Convention, ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, 21-24 February 2019
  • 53rd Indian Orthodontic Conference, Kochi, 7-9 December 2018
  • Podium Presentation at PG Convention, IOS, Chennai, 2010
  • Moderator, "Reality Check: Clinical Interactions Programme for Postgraduates," October 2012, AIIMS
  • Panellist Debate at PG Convention, Madras Orthodontic Study Group (MOsG), 2012
  • OsGOD, Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 2010
  • MYC Istanbul (International Conference IOS with Turkish Orthodontic Society)
  • 47th IOC & APOC, 2012
  • Podium Presentation at 46th IOC, Khajuraho, September 2011
  • Podium Presentation at 45th IOC, Mangalore, November 2010

Conferences/Webinars:

  • Webinar: "BIOPSY - An Integral Component of Diagnosis, Treatment & Prognosis of Oral Pre-cancer & Cancer," DCI, 22 Nov 2020
  • Webinar: "Orthodontic Diagnosis and Analysis of Diagnostic Records," DCI, 8 Nov 2020
  • Webinar: "The Renaissance Era in Dentistry," DCI, 1 Nov 2020
  • Webinar: "Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy," DCI, 18 Oct 2020
  • Webinar: "Re-treatment Strategies in Prosthodontics in General Dental Practice," DCI, 11 Oct 2020
  • Webinar: "Role of Magnification in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics," DCI, 27 Sep 2020
  • Webinar: "Ethics of Re-Emergence Strategies in the Wake of Covid-19," Department of Education, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa, 24 May 2020
  • Webinar: "Bridging the Ethical Gap," Rajasthan Dental College, Jaipur, 31 May 2020
  • Webinar: "The Ethical Gap," Sharda University, 22 May 2020
  • Webinar: "Basic Research Methodology in Orthodontics," AIIMS Delhi, 24 April 2020
  • 24th IOS PG Convention, Hyderabad, 2020
  • BIOETHICON, Nov 2019, Chennai
  • North Zone PG Convention, Sep 2019, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi
  • 23rd IOS PG Convention, ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, 21-24 Feb 2019
  • Official Launch of Indo-Cleft Tool at ICMR Headquarters, New Delhi, 14 Feb 2019
  • Insight Into Orthodontic Postgraduate Examination, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 25 Jan 2019
  • 53rd Indian Orthodontic Conference, Kochi, 7-9 Dec 2018
  • Comprehensive Workshop on Advanced Orthodontic Appliances: Self-Ligating and Aligner Systems, Santosh Dental College, 11 Nov 2018
  • 11th International Dental Students and 5th Dental Surgeons Conference, Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi, 12-13 Oct 2018
  • A-Z Hands-on Orthodontic National Typodont Skill Workshop 2018, AIIMS New Delhi, 5-7 Oct 2018
  • Comprehensive Program on Basic TMJ/TMD, OFP, Sleep Medicine, Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnea by SMILE USA® Centre for Educational Excellence, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 6 Feb 2018
  • 52nd Indian Orthodontic Conference, Jaipur, India, 17-19 Nov 2017
  • 30th Annual Conference of Indian Society for Dental Research by IADR – Indian Division, New Delhi, 30 Sep - 2 Oct 2017
  • 6th Indian Lingual Orthodontic Conference by IOS & Lingual Orthodontic Society in association with Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS, New Delhi, 30-31 Aug 2017
  • National Dental Bioethics Seminar, Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS, New Delhi, 13 Feb 2017
  • SGTC IBO Awareness Program, 19 Jan 2015
  • Smile Contest, Santosh Dental College, Dec 2015
  • 49th IOS Conference, Kolkata, Nov 2014
  • Lingual Summit, New Delhi, May 2014
  • Management of Cleft Lip and Palate, 13 Feb 2014
  • 18th IOS Convention, Meerut, Feb 2014
  • 3rd Insight of Orthodontics PG Examination, Jamia, 9 Feb 2014
  • 48th Indian Orthodontic Conference, Gujarat, Nov 2013
  • 1st Indian Lingual Orthodontic Convention, New Delhi, Sep 2013

If you want to know about department: Click here

Dr. Rajiv Ahluwalia

Professor & HOD

Thrust Areas

  • State-of-the-Art Aligner Fabrication Lab 
    • Established in January 2023, offering complete in-house aligner production. 
    • Integrated Clear Aligner Module launched on 12-12-2023 in the MDS curriculum.  
    • Hands-on training with cutting-edge digital imaging technologies, including intraoral scanning. 
  • Integration of Bioethics in Teaching & Patient Care 
    • Incorporation of bioethics components into all aspects of education and clinical practice. 
    • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa, and the Indian Orthodontic Society.  
    • Integrated Bioethics Module introduced to the BDS curriculum on 12-12-2023. 
  • Research in Aligners – Biocompatibility, Mechanical properties 
  • Affordable Treatment & Advanced Training 
    • Development of strategies to provide cost-effective orthodontic care. 
    • Introduction of fellowships in Lingual Orthodontics and Micro Implants. 
  • Accelerated Orthodontics 
    • Focus on reducing overall treatment time with advanced orthodontic techniques. 
  • Super-Specialized Training 
    • Advanced education in lingual orthodontics, aesthetic orthodontics, aligners, and micro-implants. 
  • Community-Oriented Research & Preventive Actions 
    • Identification of prevalent malocclusions in the Ghaziabad population. 
    • Implementation of preventive measures to enhance oral health and fulfil societal commitments. 
  • PhD Program: Pioneering a Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS)/Elective Course System since 2018. 
  • Interdisciplinary MDS Program: Emphasizing collaboration across dental specialties for holistic learning. 

Team

Facilities

  • Aligner Training & Digital Orthodontics 
    • Hands-on training in aligner fabrication and treatment planning. 
    • Integration of cutting-edge digital imaging and intraoral scanning technologies. 
  • Headgear & Functional Appliance Treatments 
    • Comprehensive management of orthodontic cases using headgear for growth modification. 
    • Expertise in functional appliances for early intervention and skeletal corrections. 
  • Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment 
    • Full-spectrum orthodontic care, including fixed and removable appliances. 
    • Personalized treatment planning for diverse malocclusions. 
  • Advanced Lingual Orthodontics 
    • Training in aesthetic and invisible orthodontic techniques. 
    • Specialized lingual orthodontics for complex cases. 
  • Cleft Lip & Palate Cases 
    • Multidisciplinary approach to managing cleft and craniofacial anomalies. 
    • Coordination with surgical and prosthodontic teams for holistic patient care. 
  • Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder Management 
    • Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders and associated functional disturbances. 
    • Integration of splint therapy, occlusal adjustments, and advanced imaging for comprehensive TMJ care. 
  • State-of-the-Art Aligner Fabrication Lab 
  • Intraoral Scanning of Patient
  • Software Treatment Planning
  • 3D printing
  • Aligner Fabrication
  • Aligner Lab

Research

  • Extensive Department Publications 
    • Over 100 research papers published in indexed journals. 
  • Intellectual Property & Innovations 
    • More than 20 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), including patents and copyrights. 
  • Collaborative Research Initiatives 
    • Multiple department research collaborations with leading institutions, laboratories, and industries. 
    • Nine Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed with research labs and academic institutions. 
  • Academic & Faculty Development 
    • Active faculty exchange programs to enhance academic and research exposure. 
  • Doctoral Research & Advanced Studies 
    • Established PhD program in Orthodontics, fostering high-level research and innovation. 

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