Bachelor of Dental Surgery

The BDS Course, or Bachelor of Dental Surgery, is overseen by the Dental Council of India (DCI) to train students to become dental surgeons. Admission to the BDS program is through the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), which is the only way to enter this course. To be eligible for BDS, students must complete Class 12 with at least 50% in the Science stream and pass the NEET UG exam. While the BDS syllabus can differ between institutions, it generally covers key subjects like Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Public Health Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, and Pedodontics in all dental colleges. The average fee for the BDS course ranges from INR 80,000 to INR 5 lakh per annum.

Students interested in the BDS course must attend in-person classes, as online or distance learning is not available. The BDS program lasts 4 years, followed by a 1-year mandatory internship. There are 313 recognized government and private institutes in India offering a total of 26,949 BDS seats. Some of the top colleges include IMS BHU, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, and King George's Medical University. Common job roles for BDS graduates include Dentists, lecturers, Researchers, and Dental officers in the Indian Railways and Defense Services, with salaries typically ranging from INR 2 lakh to INR 12 lakh per annum.

Here are the highlights for the BDS course for reference:

Candidates can opt for a BDS course to learn about Dental Surgery, a field with a wide range of opportunities in medical sciences and promising career options. Graduates of the BDS program can earn a salary of up to INR 50,000 per month, based on their skills, experience, job type, and knowledge. Here are the main reasons to choose a BDS course:

• Decent Course Fee: The BDS course fee, as compared to other medical courses, is much less expensive and more accessible to candidates from all walks of life. A BDS degree is undoubtedly very affordable for all candidates to build a successful career in the field of dental surgery. 
• Course Duration: BDS Course duration is 5 years, and therefore, students pursuing the degree are awarded their graduation significantly earlier than MBBS degrees. This enables the BDS graduates to explore job opportunities rather quickly than other medical graduates and build up an impressive work experience over the years.
• Easy Admission: Several accredited dental institutes with connected teaching hospitals offer BDS admissions to students wishing to pursue a career in dental surgery. The admissions process for the same is rather straightforward. Students need to qualify for the entrance examination to be eligible for BDS course admission. 
• Availability of Seats: The availability of seats for a BDS course admission is usually higher than other medical courses due to the low level of competition. Therefore, for students who secure the minimum required cut-off scores for admission, candidates easily grab a seat for pursuing a BDS course.
• Abundant Career Opportunities: Students pursuing a BDS course are offered a good number of employment opportunities towards the end of their course duration at a number of reputed organizations. Therefore, the scope for career prospects after completing a BDS course is vast and fulfilling. 

Candidates often find themselves at a crossroads on whether to choose MBBS as a career or to pursue a BDS course. Here is the difference between MBBS and BDS for aspirants’ reference.

The eligibility criteria for the BDS course have been mentioned below:

• All candidates must have completed their 10+2 or its equivalent from a recognized board.
• All candidates must have the following as their core subjects in their 10+2: Chemistry, Biology & Physics.
• All candidates must secure a minimum of 50% aggregate (for general category students) and 40% (for reserved category students) in their qualifying examination.
• The lower age limit for candidates to be eligible for BDS course admission is 17 years, whereas the upper age limit for the same is 25 years.

Required Skill Set for BDS Courses

BDS professionals are directly responsible for taking care of an individual’s dental issues. It is a challenging profession, and therefore one must be ready to tackle challenges head-on. Here are some of the skills a BDS graduate must possess:

Admission to the BDS Course is only through the NEET UG entrance exam. Each year, many candidates take the NEET exam to get into various medical courses. The National Testing Agency (NTA) organizes the NEET UG exam and shares important information with candidates through notifications on their official website. Below is a table with key details about the NEET Exam for reference.

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery is an undergraduate program regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI). This course covers important theories and topics related to dental surgery and includes a one-year rotating internship for hands-on experience. After finishing the bachelor's program, students can choose to continue their studies or start their careers.

All the necessary information regarding the BDS course admission process is mentioned in the infographic below and explained further:

• Entrance Exam: BDS course admission is conducted through the NEET UG entrance exam, which is held every year for medical course admissions across the country.
• Application Process: The application process for the NEET examination is held in online mode only. Candidates are required to visit the official website of the NTA and fill out the application form, along with uploading all the necessary documents. Once the application form is submitted, candidates are required to pay the requisite amount to confirm their registration. 
• Seat Matrix: All applicants can opt for their desired institution for admission to BDS courses at the time of registration. The seat allotment process of BDS admission is conducted NEET, based on the All-India Quota and State-Level Quota divisions.
• Counselling Process: Finally, all shortlisted candidates will be eligible to participate in counselling, followed by final admission to their respective allotted institutions.

The fee for a BDS course in India typically depends on the type of college and its location. While fees can differ between government and private colleges, the average cost is generally comparable. On average, BDS course fees range from around INR 80,000 to several lakhs per annum. Below is a list of BDS colleges, both public and private, along with their average fees for students to consider.

Mentioned below is a semester-wise in-depth curriculum of the BDS Course Syllabus, for students’ reference:

The Dental Council of India states that the BDS program takes four years to complete. This includes 240 teaching days each year and a one-year paid internship at a licensed dental school. The subjects and lecture times may vary by institution. Below is a general overview of typical BDS course topics and estimated lecture hours. Keep in mind that these are just estimates and can vary based on the college's specific program. In the fifth year, students must complete their theoretical studies in four subjects over six months, totaling 160 lecture hours.

BDS Rotatory Internship

After finishing the last BDS exam, every candidate must undertake a one-year paid rotating internship. The BDS degree is granted after passing the exams and completing this internship. It's crucial to note that students will be removed from the program if they do not earn the BDS in all subjects within nine years of starting, which includes the mandatory one-year paid internship. Candidates can check the table below for details on the BDS internships department and the duration of postings.

There are about 119 private BDS colleges in India. Some of the top private BDS colleges have been mentioned below in the table, along with their NIRF Rankings 2023:

There are a total of about 15 top government BDS colleges in India. Some of them have been mentioned below in the table, along with their NIRF Rankings 2023:

Direct admission to top BDS colleges in India is possible through management quota after a student has qualified for the NEET UG entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The following is a list of popular colleges offering direct admission to BDS courses:

• Sri Hasanamba Dental College & Hospital, Hassan
• Sharavathi Dental College & Hospital, Shimoga
• Sharad Pawar Dental College & Hospital, Wardha
• SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Dharwad
• School of Dental Sciences, KIMS, Karad
• Saraswati Danwantri Dental College & Hospital, Parbhani
• S J M Dental College & Hospital, Chitradurga
• Mahatma Gandhi Vidya Mandir’s Dental College & Hospital, Nashik
• Mahatma Gandhi Missions Dental College & Hospital, Navi Mumbai
• Maharashtra Institute of Dental Sciences & Research, Latur
• M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences, Pune
• Dayanand Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore
• D A Pandu Memorial R V Dental College, Bangalore
• Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpat
• College of Dental Sciences, Davangere

The medical field in India is growing, leading to more career options for students in various medical areas. From a young age, the significance of professional dentistry and oral health is emphasized to encourage good oral hygiene and overall health. As lifestyles change with modernization, the demand for BDS course graduates has also risen.

Many reputable colleges and universities provide placement opportunities in private hospitals and dental clinics. Additionally, there are numerous job prospects for dentists in government hospitals and departments. These opportunities also extend to those who complete an MDS course. Below is a discussion of the main employment areas and job roles that students can consider.

BDS Employment Areas 

Some common areas of employment for BDS Course graduates are mentioned below:

• Private Practice 
• Hospitals
• Dental Products Manufacturers
• Dental Clinics
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Dental Equipment Manufacturers
• Educational Institutes
• Research Institutes 

Top Job Profiles for BDS Course Graduates

BDS job opportunities are abundant in India and overseas. Dentistry is one of the highest-paying careers globally. After finishing a BDS course, students can discover many good job options in both the private and public sectors. Moreover, graduates of the BDS program receive attractive salary packages. Here are some of the top job profiles for BDS graduates:

• Private Practitioner
• Dental Lab Technician/Ceramist
• Medical Representative/Sales Representative
• Dental Surgeon
• Professor
• Oral Pathologist
• Public Health Specialist
• Dental Assistant
• Consultant
• Dental Hygienist

Salary After BDS

Graduates can choose to open their own dental clinic to provide patient care. With sufficient funds and thorough research, running a dental clinic can be a good way to make money. After completing an MDS, the potential for a higher salary increases, typically ranging from 4-6 LPA. Salaries may differ based on location, as dental fees and medical costs are generally higher in big cities compared to smaller towns. The table below shows BDS salaries for various job roles.

Top BDS Recruiters in India

The growing demand for quality and accessible medical services has led to changes in the healthcare system, driven by an increase in illnesses. There is a constant need for skilled professionals in the medical field. Graduates with a BDS degree can pursue careers in both the public and private sectors.

BDS holders can find jobs with state governments, the Indian Railway, or the Defence Service. In the private sector, dental clinics, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and dental product manufacturers actively seek BDS graduates. Here are some leading BDS employers in India.

• ACE Surgical
• Straumann
• Dentsply Sirona
• Envista

Some of the popular courses to pursue post completing BDS are mentioned below in the table: