Chennai, Sep 21 (IANS): Tamil Nadu Governor K.Rosaiah Saturday called upon dentists to get acquainted with dental laser procedures which are painless and bloodless.

Inaugurating the 7th Annual International Conference on New Age Dentistry here, Rosaiah said "The working dentists should get acquainted with dental laser procedures and its impact on clinical dentistry. Acquiring knowledge and updating skills to adapt is imperative to move from a traditional clinic to a laser clinic."

Dentists should develop a long vision and a well prepared plan. Each dental clinic and hospital should re-invent itself in this modern high-tech era, he added.

Laser dentistry has eliminated the need for the drill in dental treatment, with no pain or discomfort involved in dental treatment.

Rosaiah said dentistry was practised way back in 7,000 BC during the Indus Valley civilisation. The Mahabharata mentions the defective teeth of Karna which were restored with gold.

"This indicates the existence of dentistry even around 2,500 BC. It is also said that Sushruta, the great surgeon of India, taught dentistry," he said.