IDA-West Bengal History ( Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed )


Dr. Raifuddin Ahmed, the pioneer of dentistry in the Indian terrain and one of the revered names in the history of Indian dentistry. Attributed to the most pronounced ground­breaking work Dr. Ahmed IDA initiated R. Ahmed CDE programmes. Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed was born on December 24, 1890, in Bardhanpara, East Bengal, India. He graduated from Aligarh University in 1908 & in the next year, left for the United States. He enrolled in the University of IOWA School of Dentistry, earning his dental degree in 1915. Dr Ahmed then worked in the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children in Boston, Massachusetts, until 1918. In 1919 he returned to India to open a dental practice in Calcutta. Dr Ahmed's philosophy was, "Education is the responsibility of the State; but if no one is willing to carry thecrbss, I will, for as long as I can." With the aim to keep his efforts for the development of the profession, on the 60th year of formation started Accredited Continuing Dental Education programmes on its 60th year of formation.

In 1920, Dr Ahmed founded the First Dental College of India, which was financed by starting the New York Soda Fountain in Calcutta. Dr Ahmed published the First Student's Handbook on Operative Dentistry in 1928. The First Dental College of India was affiliated to the State Medical Facility in 1936, and then with the University of Calcutta in 1949. In that same year, Dr Ahmed donated his First Dental College of India to the West Bengal government. Dr Ahmed served as principal of the college from 1920 to 1950.