Organized by the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, MCODS Mangalore, in association with the IOS Academic Council, the Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS), and the Mangalore Orthodontic Study Group (MOSG).

The IOS National Postgraduate Exam Orientation Program titled “Orthodontic Finish Line – MDS Exam Orientation: The Final Culmination” was conducted on the 16th and 17th of September 2025 at the Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. The program was meticulously curated to guide final-year MDS postgraduate students with a structured, exam-oriented approach. With more than 800 participants registering from across the country, the event marked itself as a resounding success, reflecting its value and relevance in preparing students for their final MDS examinations.

Day 1 commenced with the Inaugural Ceremony at 9:00 AM. The Guest of Honour was Dr. Ashith Uppoor, Dean, MCODS Mangalore, who lauded the initiative and stressed the importance of structured preparation. The Welcome Address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ashith MV, Professor and Head, Department of Orthodontics, MCODS Mangalore, who emphasized examiner-oriented training and the collaborative spirit of the program. The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. Shravan Shetty, who acknowledged the contributions of the organizers, faculty, and participants.

Following this, the keynote introduction was delivered by Prof. Dr. Puneeth Batra, who elaborated on the concept and vision of the Orthodontic Finish Line. He emphasized the importance of aligning preparation with examiner expectations, conceptual clarity, and confident presentation. The academic orientation sessions then unfolded with paper-specific guidance. Prof. Dr. Priyanka Kapoor addressed Paper I, Prof. Dr. Haritha focused on Paper II, and Prof. Dr. Kiran Kumar explained Papers III and IV, along with concluding remarks. Each of these sessions detailed content distribution, writing strategies, and critical focus areas, offering students precise direction in their theory preparation. This was followed by Prof. Dr. P. P. Biswas, who discussed the biomechanics of headgear in detail.

Further, Prof. Dr. Praveen Nair delivered an insightful session on functional case examination, covering diagnosis, appliance selection, and bite registration—essential aspects of the MDS practical evaluation. Complementing this, Prof. Dr. Dilip Patel provided practical guidance on Twin Block appliance fabrication and viva preparation. Post-lunch, Prof. Dr. Sumitra Reddy and Prof. Dr. Swati Acharya showcased finished clinical cases, elaborating on case selection, finishing protocols, and examiner marking schemes. Their sessions provided students with a clear blueprint for approaching the clinical component of the final examination.

Day 2 continued with sessions aimed at strengthening technical and communication skills, both vital for clinical and viva performance. Prof. Dr. Roopak Naik opened the day with a demonstration on wire bending using the finishing wire, while Prof. Dr. Sanjay Labh followed with an in-depth discussion on the biomechanics of space closure. These sessions offered essential insights into finishing mechanics and biomechanical efficiency. Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Shobha Sundareswaran addressed bonding basics and viva preparation, and Prof. Dr. Vignesh Kailasam led an extensive long case discussion. Both sessions were widely appreciated for their practicality in addressing challenges typically faced during the clinical examination.

Pre-lunch, Prof. Dr. Sunanda Roychoudhury delivered an engaging session titled “Pedagogy – The Art to Speak, Enterprise, and Audience Engagement,” highlighting strategies to improve communication and presentation skills, which are critical in both academic and professional spheres. After lunch, Prof. Dr. Siddarth Shetty led an interactive panel session covering short case discussions, role plays, common errors and their remedies, and grand viva preparation. The simulated scenarios and real-time Q&A created an engaging environment, motivating students to refine their exam strategies.

A highlight of the program was the quiz competition designed to reinforce learning and encourage active participation. Winners were presented with academic books as prizes. The first prize was secured by Dr. Simarpreet Bhamra from MCODS, Manipal, who received “Cleft Orthodontics” by Om P. Kharbanda. The second prize was awarded to Dr. Avani Jha from Sardar Patel Post Graduate Institute of Dental and Medical Sciences, Lucknow, who also received “Cleft Orthodontics” by Om P. Kharbanda. The third prize went to Dr. Sonia Vaswani from Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, who was presented with “Essentials of Orthodontics” by Rohan Mascarenhas.

The program concluded with the Valedictory Function, where Prof. Dr. Manjunath Hegde, Chairman of the IOS Academic Council, delivered the concluding remarks. His address highlighted the collaborative effort of the organizers, IOS, Academic Council, and faculty in shaping this academic initiative and commended the enthusiastic participation of students nationwide.

The Orthodontic Finish Line – MDS Exam Orientation: The Final Culmination established itself as a landmark academic initiative, thanks to the invaluable contributions of eminent faculty members and the support of the IOS Academic Council and the Indian Orthodontic Society. It not only guided students in their immediate exam preparations but also instilled confidence and clarity in their academic journey