DGDS Lt Gen Balakrishnan Jayan Reviews Readiness, Dental Care at 16 Corps Unit
Lieutenant General Balakrishnan Jayan, Director General Dental Services and Colonel Commandant of the Army Dental Corps, carried out his maiden visit to the 16 Corps Dental Unit, where he reviewed the formation’s operational preparedness, infrastructure and ability to deliver dental healthcare support to troops.
During the inspection, Lt Gen Jayan examined the unit’s Key Location Plan and noted its strategic positioning, while also appreciating its suitability for future expansion. His review focused on whether the unit’s physical infrastructure and support systems were aligned with the demands of military healthcare in operational settings.
He stressed that strong dental support infrastructure remains essential for meeting the healthcare needs of personnel serving in difficult operational environments, where timely access to specialised care can directly affect troops’ well-being and readiness.
The Director General Dental Services also praised the 16 Corps Dental Unit for its discipline, teamwork and commitment to providing quality dental care to serving personnel. He commended the dental team for ensuring timely and effective treatment while maintaining high professional standards.
In his interaction with personnel, Lt Gen Jayan called for greater emphasis on evidence-based treatment protocols and said military dental healthcare must continue to uphold excellence in both clinical practice and field support. He urged continuous professional development within the service, alongside structured mentorship and regular knowledge-sharing, to further strengthen the capabilities of dental personnel.
A key theme of the visit was the need to extend dental care as close as possible to troops deployed in forward areas. Lt Gen Jayan highlighted the importance of doorstep delivery of dental services for soldiers operating in remote and challenging locations, describing accessible and timely healthcare support as an important priority for the Army Dental Corps.
He underlined the link between the health of soldiers and operational effectiveness, telling the unit that maintaining troop readiness depends in part on reliable and comprehensive dental support. He encouraged the formation to continue improving service delivery while sustaining optimum operational readiness.
The visit served as a review of both immediate capabilities and longer-term preparedness at the 16 Corps Dental Unit. It also reflected the Army Dental Corps’ continuing focus on strengthening military healthcare support, improving patient care standards and ensuring that troops receive specialised medical assistance wherever they are deployed.
