Dental Course: Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Exams, Top Colleges, Career Scope
Dental Course Details
BDS, which means a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, and MDS that stands for Master of Dental Surgery, are also courses of dental. These are focused courses which have the aim to enhance the conceptual knowledge of dental and oral health. BDS is for five years that includes one year of internship and only this course in India is accredited to practice dentistry. There is MDS, which is a three-year postgraduate course with streams like Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, and Oral Surgery.
The BDS course has, so far, been taken through NEET-UG for the 2024 academic year, while the PG course is offered by NEET-MDS. The programs are administered by the Dental Council of India. Most the dental colleges in India operate as per the curriculum laid down by DCI.
| Course |
Duration |
Eligibility |
Entrance Exam |
| BDS |
5 years (including 1-year internship) |
10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
NEET-UG |
| MDS |
3 Years |
BDS |
NEET-MDS |
Why Study the Dental Course?
The dental course is an excellent training opportunity that guarantees a bright career in the health care industry. Dental and oral care are issues that require a great deal of attention. There is always a high demand for such professionals who are trained to professionally diagnose or treat various diseases affecting the mouth and teeth. With increased awareness about oral health, the demand for qualified dentists is increasing at both private practices and in hospitals.
Another good point is that the profession is financially very rewarding and satisfying. It allows various options, either to open a personal clinic or to join the health care institutions or even further specializations.
Dental Courses: Eligibility Criteria
For admission in BDS, one needs to pass 10+2 with subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and acquire a minimum cutoff in NEET-UG. NEET-MDS is also required for MDS after BDS from an accepted institution.
The applicant should be minimum 17 years of age in the BDS programme and at least 50 per cent aggregate in 12th grade. The aggregate percentage is about 45 per cent for reserved categories. Applicants seeking admission in MDS programme must have completed an intern one year after BDS.
| Course |
Minimum Qualification |
Age Requirement |
Other Criteria |
| BDS |
10+2 with PCB |
17 years minimum |
NEET-UG score |
| MDS |
BDS |
No age limit |
NEET-MDS score + Internship |
Dental Course Entrance Exams 2024
The nationwide entrance examinations to a dental course in India are NEET-UG for BDS and for postgraduate courses, NEET-MDS. The latter is conducted by National Board of Examinations, while NEET-UG is conducted by NTA, which primarily consists of the tests of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
NEET-UG is likely to be held during May 2024 whereas NEET-MDS every January. Generally, it will begin the registration and application process usually two to three months before the exam date.
NEET MDS Cutoff for Dental Courses
The NEET MDS cutoff differs with every subsequent year since the toughness level of the exam and the strength of the candidates appearing for the same is unique to each year. The NBE will announce the cutoff scores for the General, OBC, SC/ST categories for 2024 after announcing the results. Usually, the minimum qualifying percentile is deemed to be around the 50th percentile of the General category and 40th percentile of OBC/SC/ST.
NEET MDS 2024 Cutoff Scores (Revised)
| Category |
Original Cutoff Percentile |
Revised Cutoff Percentile |
Cutoff Marks |
| General/EWS |
50th |
28.308 |
263 |
| SC/ST/OBC |
40th |
18.308 |
230 |
| General/EWS - PwD |
40th |
23.308 |
246 |
| SC/ST/OBC - PwD |
40th |
18.308 |
230 |
NEET MDS 2023 Cutoff Scores (Previous Year)
| Category |
Cutoff Percentile |
Cutoff Marks |
| General/EWS |
50th |
272 |
| SC/ST/OBC |
40th |
238 |
| General/EWS - PwD |
45th |
255 |
| SC/ST/OBC - PwD |
40th |
238 |
NEET MDS 2022 Cutoff Scores
| Category |
Cutoff Percentile |
Cutoff Marks |
| General/EWS |
50th |
263 |
| SC/ST/OBC |
40th |
227 |
| General/EWS - PwD |
45th |
245 |
| SC/ST/OBC - PwD |
40th |
227 |
The cutoff scores vary each year based on factors like the number of candidates, exam difficulty, and seat availability. The recent reduction in the NEET MDS 2024 cutoff percentile by approximately 21.692 points for each category aims to address seat vacancies post-counselling?
Dental Course Syllabus
Subjects under the BDS syllabus are Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Dental Materials, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. MDS has an especially specialized syllabus, concentrating on the field selected during the post-graduation period, such as Orthodontics, Periodontology, or Oral Surgery.
| BDS Syllabus (Year-wise) |
| 1st Year: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry |
| 2nd Year: Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology |
| 3rd Year: General Medicine, General Surgery |
| 4th Year: Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics |
| Internship: Clinical training and practice |
Dental Specialisations
These specializations include areas that include Orthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Oral Surgery. These specializations allow the dentists to specialize in a given area and therefore focus strictly on the treatment of braces, root canal therapy, gum diseases, or reconstructive surgery.
| Specialization |
Focus Area |
| Orthodontics |
Alignment of teeth and jaw issues |
| Endodontics |
Root canal treatments and dental pulp issues |
| Periodontics |
Gum diseases and implant placements |
| Prosthodontics |
Dental prosthetics like crowns and bridges |
| Oral Surgery |
Surgical procedures for mouth and jaw issues |
Dental Course Fees
The charges for courses in dental colleges may vary considering the colleges. However, the fees in government colleges are quite lesser compared to private colleges. For BDS, the annual charges of government colleges would range from INR 20,000 to 1 lakh while for private colleges, it would be between INR 3 lakh to 10 lakhs per year.
| Type of College |
BDS Fees (Per Annum) |
| Government |
INR 20,000 – 1 lakh |
| Private |
INR 3 lakh – 10 lakh |
Dental Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
A dentist may practice as a general practitioner or a specialist like dental surgeons. The salary may vary from INR 3 lakh to 6 lakh per year for fresh graduates, and for experienced specialists it can go up to INR 12-15 lakhs or more.
Major recruiters are government and private hospitals, dental clinics, academic institutions, and health care companies
| Job Profile |
Average Salary (INR/Annum) |
| General Dentist |
3-6 lakh |
| Orthodontist |
8-12 lakh |
| Oral Surgeon |
10-15 lakh |
PlanEdu offers guidance and counseling services for students aspiring to pursue dental courses. Their experts provide support in navigating the application process, exam preparation, and choosing the right colleges, ensuring a smooth transition into a dental career.
Dental Course FAQs
- What are the different types of dental courses available in India?
The main courses in India are BDS and MDS. The UG course is BDS, and the PG course is MDS. There are also other diploma courses, such as a Dental Hygienist and a Dental Mechanic program. Specializations in MDS include Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Oral Surgery.
2.Is NEET mandatory for admission into BDS and MDS courses?
Yes, NEET-UG is mandatory for admission into BDS programs across all government and private dental colleges in India. For MDS, candidates must qualify for NEET-MDS, which is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).
3.What is the duration of the BDS and MDS programs?
The BDS course is a 5-year program, which includes 4 years of academic education and 1 year of mandatory internship. The MDS course is a 3-year postgraduate program focusing on specialized fields of dentistry.
4.What is the average fee structure for dental courses in India?
The fees for BDS in government colleges range from INR 20,000 to INR 1 lakh per annum, while in private institutions, it varies from INR 3 lakh to INR 10 lakh per annum. MDS fees in government colleges can go up to INR 3-4 lakh per annum, while in private institutions, it may exceed INR 10 lakh per annum.
5.What are the career opportunities after completing a dental course?
Graduates can work as general dentists, join hospitals, set up private clinics, or pursue specialization. There are opportunities in research, teaching, and in companies specializing in dental products. Positions include Dental Surgeon, Orthodontist, Oral Pathologist, and more.
6.What are the top dental colleges in India?
Some of the top dental colleges include Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (New Delhi), Manipal College of Dental Sciences (Manipal), and Government Dental College & Hospital (Mumbai). These colleges are known for their excellent faculty, infrastructure, and clinical exposure.
7.What is the minimum NEET cutoff score for BDS admissions in 2024?
The NEET cutoff varies annually, but typically, a minimum of 50th percentile is required for the General category and 40th percentile for OBC/SC/ST categories. Specific cutoff scores will be released by the respective counseling authorities post the NEET-UG results.
8.How is the MDS course structured, and what specializations are available?
The MDS course includes a combination of theoretical classes, practical training, and research work. Specializations include Orthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, and Pedodontics.
9.What are the eligibility criteria for pursuing a dental course abroad?
For undergraduate programs, candidates usually need to complete 12 years of schooling with science subjects and appear for entrance exams like the DAT (Dental Admission Test) in the USA or UCAT in the UK. For postgraduate courses, a BDS degree and sometimes a qualifying exam like NBDE (National Board Dental Examination) are required.
10.Can a dentist work in hospitals, or is it limited to private practice?
Dentists can work in both public and private hospitals, join specialized dental clinics, or set up their own practice. Additionally, they can work in research institutions, academic positions, or in the dental departments of government healthcare setups.
