The Government of India formally constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC) on March 19, 2026, replacing the decades-old Dental Council of India (DCI). The NDC is the new apex regulatory body for dental education and profession in India, established to align oral healthcare standards with global benchmarks. Unlike the elected DCI, the NDC comprises appointed professionals with expertise in dental education, public health and administration. The commission will regulate dental education quality, registration of dentists, and ethical standards across India's dental colleges and practitioners, addressing longstanding concerns about declining standards in dental education.