Dr. Padma K Bhat is a distinguished academician, researcher, clinician, and mentor in the field of Public Health Dentistry with over 28 years of teaching experience and more than three decades of involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate dental education. She is currently serving as Professor and Ph.D. Guide in the Department of Public Health Dentistry at Rajarajeshwari Dental College & Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

With extensive experience in academic leadership, Dr. Bhat has successfully headed the Department of Public Health Dentistry for 17 years, contributing significantly towards curriculum development, academic excellence, student mentoring, and strengthening preventive dental healthcare practices.

She is a recognized Ph.D. guide under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bengaluru, and has guided numerous postgraduate scholars in Public Health Dentistry. She has also served as an Academic Council Member of RGUHS, contributing to higher education and academic policy initiatives.

Clinical & Healthcare Contributions

Along with her academic responsibilities, Dr. Padma K Bhat has maintained active clinical engagement at Sharan Dental Specialities, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru. Her professional practice reflects her commitment towards patient-centred care, preventive dentistry, and community oral health promotion.

She has played a key role in improving oral health awareness among underserved communities through numerous outreach initiatives, including:

• Free dental screening and oral health check-up programs for government school children and rural populations across various taluks of Bengaluru.
• Preventive school health programs and oral health education sessions for students, parents, and teachers.
• Establishment of tobacco cessation counselling initiatives and organization of anti-tobacco awareness campaigns.
• COVID-19 awareness initiatives including vaccination drives, mask distribution programs, and community support activities.

Research & Academic Achievements

Dr. Bhat is an active researcher with significant contributions to Public Health Dentistry and related healthcare fields. Her research interests include oral epidemiology, preventive dentistry, periodontal health, infectious diseases, and community-based interventions.

Her notable research projects include:

• ICMR-funded research project related to blood grouping and periodontal disease.
• Assessment of knowledge, attitude, perception, and preparedness among registered dentists in Karnataka during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Studies on the antimicrobial efficacy of Acacia nilotica against oral microorganisms including Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
• Phytochemical evaluation of Acacia nilotica extract.

She has contributed extensively to scientific literature with 85 publications in reputed national and international indexed journals, reflecting her strong commitment to research and innovation. Her scholarly impact includes an h-index of 11, i10-index of 16, and more than 400 citations.

Conferences, Invited Lectures & Professional Engagements

Dr. Padma K Bhat has been invited as a speaker and session chair at various international and national conferences for her expertise in Public Health Dentistry. She has delivered lectures on important topics such as:

• Public health dentistry
• Oral cancer prevention
• Fluoride mapping
• Tobacco cessation strategies
• Scientific publication skills

She was invited by Andhra University to deliver a lecture on the “Art of Scientific Publication”, highlighting her expertise in academic writing and research dissemination.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Bhat is a life member of several prestigious professional organizations, including:

• Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry (IAPHD)
• Indian Dental Association (IDA)
• International Medical Sciences Academy (IMSA)

Eligibility for Best Academician of the Year Award

Dr. Padma K Bhat is highly eligible for the Best Academician of the Year Award – Scientific Laurels owing to her outstanding contributions in dental education, research, community service, and academic leadership. Her 28+ years of teaching experience, long-standing role as a postgraduate and Ph.D. mentor, significant research publications, international and national academic participation, and impactful public health initiatives demonstrate excellence in academics and scientific advancement.

Her dedication towards preventive oral healthcare, mentorship of young dental professionals, research innovation, and service to society establishes her as a distinguished academic leader and a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition.