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Financial constraints can often exclude talented students from marginalised communities to drop out before completing their dental education. To empower future dental professionals, Haleon India, makers of Sensodyne, as a part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility initiative, partnered with Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Buddy4Study (B4S) to offer Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarship. The programme has opened for 57 students pan India, in addition to the 143 meritorious students previously awarded in March 2023. The registrations for this year’s additional 57 students are open till October 31, 2023 (link).

Guidelines for Eligibility Criteria of the Scholarship:

• Open for students from pan India pursuing their first year in BDS programme from government and government-funded colleges only.
• Applicants must have scored a minimum of 60% in their Higher Secondary Education to qualify the first round of criteria.
• Annual family income of the applicants should not be more than INR 8,00,000/- from all sources.
• After selection, the Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholars will be continuously evaluated and must maintain a minimum 60% score in each semester/year to continue availing the Scholarship renewal.

Selection Process:

• First round of shortlisting of applicants will be done based on their academic merit (60%) and financial background details provided during the application process.
• After verification of the shortlisted candidates, IDA and B4S will conduct telephonic interview.
• The final list of selected candidates will be prepared by Buddy4study and IDA.

The scholarship is designed to empower meritorious underprivileged students nationwide who are pursuing a 4-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course in government colleges. To support these deserving students' academic pursuits, NGO partner- Buddy4Study along with Knowledge Partner, IDA will undertake the meticulous evaluation process of the candidates. The selected students will be granted a financial assistance totalling INR 4,20,000 (equivalent to INR 1,05,000 per year) for the duration of their 4-year BDS program. This financial aid is intended to support the academic and living expenses of the students throughout their educational journey. The scholarship was launched via an informative session on the Shining Star Scholarship Programme for 1^st year BDS students, in the presence of Ms. Shanu Saksena, CSR Head, Haleon India (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare), Dr. Ashok Dhoble. Honourable Secretary General, Indian Dental Association, and Dr. Rajiv Chugh, President, Indian Dental Association, HO.

This scholarship programme for BDS students is a CSR initiative by Haleon India (erstwhile GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) in line with the company’s purpose “to deliver better everyday health with humanity”.

With a dedicated mission to empower underprivileged yet exceptional dental students to bring forth their aspirations, Haleon India inaugurated this initiative in collaboration with IDA and B4S, a prominent NGO, in July 2022. This endeavour represents a significant stride towards addressing the prevailing disparities in the dentist-to-population ratio which stands at 1:10,000 (below WHO standard of 1:7500). The programme garnered an overwhelming response of 2000+ applicant registration last year. Subsequently, IDA and B4S boarded on a thorough selection process to shortlist 143 deserving students. As this selection process reaches its conclusion at the year's end, the Sensodyne IDA Shining Star scholarship program will proudly boast a total cohort of 200 scholars.

Speaking on the announcement, Ms. Shanu Saksena, CSR Head, Haleon India (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) said, “Education is the gateway to uplift a family’s economic status; it is an answer to most problems that can be solved monetarily for a long term, resulting in better living. We are proud to open 57 additional slots under this programme and underpin our commitment to advancing oral healthcare and education in India. IDA's involvement as the official Knowledge Partner further reinforces the credibility and value of this scholarship program. We further look forward to witnessing the positive transformation these scholars will bring to the field of oral healthcare in India."

Dr. Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, Indian Dental Association said, “Adding 57 slots to the previously awarded 143 scholars is a great milestone, many congratulations to Haleon India on strengthening this initiative. As a flag bearer of oral health, IDA believes in supporting bright and deserving students to graduate and excel as dental professionals. Education is a cornerstone of progress, and collaborating as the Knowledge Partner to this initiative is aligned with our vision of improving oral health and quality of life. We believe it will play a significant role in shaping the future of dentistry and empowering deserving students."

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