Govt. Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram, the alma mater to hundreds of dental health professionals was started in the year 1959. Dr. A.R. Menon and Dr. M. Thangavelu, the then Minister of Health and the Principal of Medical College respectively, were instrumental in the initiation of the second oldest Dental College in South India. Dr. A.M. Clement was its first director and it had a humble beginning as a small block of the Medical College. The old block in the present building was commissioned in 1962 and the first batch of BDS students passed out in the following year. Initially twenty students were admitted yearly and later it was increased to 40. 2010 onwards 50 students are being admitted with 10 seats reserved for economically weaker section. Postgraduate courses were started in 1966. Paradental courses -Diploma in Dental Hygienist Courses, Diploma in Dental Mechanic course were started in 1962 and 1964 respectively. The new block of Dental College was commissioned in 1995. In 1996, independent status for Dental College headed by a Principal was sanctioned.
