BDS is one of the most popular and designated degrees of dentists (doctors). BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is the only educational and professional program of Dental Surgery in India. It is equivalent to MBBS and owes the “Dr” domain. It is the second choice of students after MBBS course in the field of medical education.
In this course, students are taught about Dentures, Dental Problems and Surgery. It is also a good job oriented degree program and various opportunities are available in the hospital, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries.
The BDS degree is awarded upon successful completion of four years of academic education and a one-year compulsory internship program in dental education, leading to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree programme. After completing your BDS, you are eligible to practice as a dentist.
BDS is a degree awarded to a person who plays a vital role in the treatment of problems related to teeth. Dentists prevent, diagnose and treat all dental and related diseases.
It is very challenging to pursue BDS course and one must have enthusiasm in study, hard working attitude and a focused mind to do BDS course.
Dental Council of India is the only accrediting body for dental programme. After 12th in the medical field, now there is a huge demand of students for this course.
Eligibility and Duration
Duration:
BDS is a 5 years (4 years academic education + 1 year compulsory internship) UG degree programme. This course can be done through full time and part time courses.
BDS is one of the most sought after 12th courses in the medical field. There are many reputed universities in India which are offering BDS course.
The BDS curriculum includes basic subjects such as human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, dental materials, prosthodontics, microbiology, embryology and histology, general and dental pharmacology and pathology, periodontics, pedodontics, orthodontics and dentistry .
Eligibility:
Those students, who have passed 10+2 examination from Science stream and have passed 12th stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and English can go for BDS course.
This is the course in which training in the field of dentistry will be given for a period of five years. Students will get a chance to interact with the patient and gain practical knowledge of diseases.
Students have to obtain minimum 50% marks (40% in case of reserved category) in Plus Two and appear in the entrance test conducted by the concerned authorities.
Admission
How to get admission in BDS course?
Admission to BDS programs will be done through entrance test. Students can appear in the entrance test conducted in national or university level examinations. NEET 2021 (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is mostly considered for providing admission in BDS courses.
After clearing the entrance exam, students have to participate in the counseling process conducted by the concerned authority. The seats will be allotted to the candidates on the basis of rank, choices filled and availability of seats.
In India, there are many dental colleges providing quality education. There are at least 292 colleges offering BDS courses across India. Some dental colleges are listed below:
Dental College and Hospital, Aurangabad
Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai
Dental College, Gujarat
Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore
Amrita College of Dentistry, Kerala
Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
Faculty of Dental Science, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram
Government Dental College and Hospital, Andhra Pradesh
Careers & Jobs
After completion of BDS course, Dental graduates are entitled to use the word Doctor as prefix “Dr” in front of their name.
There are a lot of good job and higher study opportunities available after getting a degree in dentistry as a doctor. It is a professional sector with 100% job placement.
A BDS graduate can go for a PG degree program leading to the domain MDS (Master of Dental Surgery). MDS is an advanced degree in dentistry and allows candidates to specialize in any of its disciplines. Interested candidates can also go for research program by studying Doctor of Philosophy.
Teaching career is also open for BDS graduates. Those interested in teaching can get teaching jobs in any of the top dental colleges. They are eligible to hold positions as Professors or HODs and even get promoted as Deans.
Salary
How much will you earn after doing BDS course?
The starting salary of a dentist can be Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. Having experience and good work in this field, candidate can get salary as good as 4 to 6 lakhs per year.
“Dental Field offers rewarding job opportunities to BDS candidates.”
There are more opportunities to work in the medical field with good pay in the US and UK. You can set up your own clinic and spend around Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per month.