Al-Azhar Dental College, Perumpillichira P.O, Thodupuzha- 685 605

Al-Azhar Dental College, established in 2007, is a premier dental institution located in the scenic town of Thodupuzha, Idukki district. Managed by the Noorul Islam Trust, the college is a significant part of the Al-Azhar Group of Institutions. For the 2026 academic year, the college continues to be a hub for dental excellence in Central Kerala.

• Affiliation: Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS), Thrissur.
• Recognition: Dental Council of India (DCI) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
• Campus: Sprawling campus in Perumpillichira with modern amenities.
• Intake: 100 seats for BDS and various seats for MDS specializations.
• Location Context: Situated in Thodupuzha, the gateway to the high ranges of Idukki, providing a peaceful environment conducive to study while being well-connected to Kochi and Kottayam.

The college is renowned for its clinical-centric approach to dental education. The most sought-after programmes for 2026 include:

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS): A 5-year comprehensive program including a 1-year mandatory rotating internship.
• Master of Dental Surgery (MDS): Post-graduate specializations in:
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
  • Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
  • Periodontology
  • Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
  • Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry

The BDS program is particularly popular due to the high patient inflow in the attached dental hospital, ensuring students get ample hands-on experience.

Admission for the 2026 session is strictly based on national-level entrance examinations and the subsequent centralized counseling process conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala.

Candidates must qualify for NEET-UG/MDS and register on the CEE Kerala portal for the state quota and management quota seats. NRI seat admissions also follow CEE guidelines.

Note: Check exact dates on the official exam and college websites.

Note: These are approximate figures based on past trends, not official cutoffs. Check the latest official counselling cutoff before applying.

The cutoff for 2026 will depend on the difficulty of NEET and the number of applicants. Based on previous trends, the expected NEET-UG Kerala State Rank cutoffs are:

• General Category: 5,500 - 8,000 (State Merit)
• OBC Category: 8,000 - 12,000
• SC/ST Category: 25,000+
• Management Quota: Usually requires qualifying NEET marks with a rank under 25,000 in the state list.

Note: These are estimates. Final cutoffs will be published by CEE Kerala after the final round of allotment.

Note: Placement figures are indicative and not taken from the official placement report of the college. Please confirm with the college.

Placement in dentistry primarily involves hospital attachments, private practice, or higher studies. For the 2025 batch:

• Internships: 100% of BDS students completed their mandatory internship at the Al-Azhar Dental Hospital, receiving a monthly stipend as per KUHS norms.
• Clinical Skills: Graduates from Al-Azhar are highly preferred in private clinics across Kerala and the Middle East due to their strong clinical training.
• Higher Studies: Approximately 30% of the 2025 batch successfully cleared NEET-MDS for post-graduation.
• Healthcare Ecosystem: Many alumni find employment in the expanding healthcare sector of Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha.

Financial assistance is available through various government and institutional schemes for the 2026 academic year:

• E-Grantz: Comprehensive fee concession for students belonging to SC, ST, and OEC categories.
• Minority Welfare Scholarships: Available for students from Muslim and Christian communities through the Kerala State Minority Welfare Department.
• Central Sector Scholarship: For meritorious students from low-income families.
• Institutional Merit Awards: Al-Azhar Group provides fee waivers or awards for top performers in university exams.

The institution is focused on specialized dental care. Its most popular offerings are:

• BDS: The flagship undergraduate program.
• MDS in Orthodontics: Highly competitive due to the increasing demand for cosmetic dental procedures in Kerala.
• MDS in Pedodontics: Known for its specialized pediatric dental wing and community outreach programs.
• Certificate Courses: Short-term courses in Implantology and Rotary Endodontics are often organized for interns.

The fee structure is determined by the Fee Regulatory Committee for Medical Education in Kerala. Expected fees for 2026 are:

Note: Hostel, mess, and material fees are extra. Fees are subject to government revision.

To apply for the 2026 session, follow these steps:

1. NEET Entry: Appear and qualify for the NEET-UG or NEET-MDS exam.
2. CEE Kerala Registration: Apply online at cee.kerala.gov.in when the notifications for KEAM/Medical admissions are released.
3. Option Entry: During the Centralized Allotment Process (CAP), select Al-Azhar Dental College, Thodupuzha as your preferred choice.
4. Verification: Upload necessary documents including NEET scorecards, 10th/12th certificates, and nativity proof.
5. Reporting: Once allotted, report to the college in Perumpillichira with original documents and the prescribed fee.

The college boasts state-of-the-art facilities designed for modern dental education:

• Dental Clinics: Over 200 high-end dental chairs across various departments.
• Laboratories: Specialized labs for Pre-clinical Prosthodontics and Conservative Dentistry.
• Library: A vast collection of national and international journals, with digital library access.
• Auditorium: A large indoor auditorium for academic seminars and cultural events.
• Hostels: Separate, secure hostels for boys and girls with mess facilities serving Kerala cuisine.
• Transport: A fleet of buses connecting the college to nearby towns like Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha.

The college is divided into several specialized departments, each focused on a specific branch of dentistry:

• Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology
• Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
• Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
• Department of Periodontics
• Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
• Department of Pedodontics
• Department of Public Health Dentistry
• Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology