BDS is an undergraduate course and one of the most sought-after courses after MBBS. There is a growing demand for Dental surgeons in India as there is increasing awareness of Oral health & hygiene. The BDS course is administered by the Dental Council of India (DCI). The BDS degree is suitable for candidates who are strong-willed mentally and physically, patient, and have the ability to tolerate gruesome sights. BDS programs emphasize the importance of effective communication with patients. Students learn to interact with patients, educate them about oral health, and build rapport to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Course Duration - BDS degree is for a total duration of 5 years, the first 4 years are for theory and the last year is for a rotatory internship. The four years are split into 8 semesters. The dental course is taught by way of lectures, group discussions, clinical work, seminars, and conferences.
Salient Features -
- The program covers various aspects of dental-related problems, dentures, and surgery in the same fields.
- The syllabus of BDS aims to provide students with a comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience, catering to both foundational knowledge and the opportunity for in-depth exploration within their chosen field of interest.
- BDS programs emphasize hands-on clinical training, allowing students to gain practical experience in diagnosing and treating dental conditions.
- During the course period, Students learn about dental radiography techniques and interpretation of dental X-rays.
- The program instills a holistic understanding of oral health's impact on overall well-being, encouraging preventive care and patient-centered approaches.
BDS specializations
- Orthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Endodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Public Health Dentistry
- Oral Pathology
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
- Implantology
- Aesthetic Dentistry
- Forensic Odontology
- Geriatric Dentistry
- Community Dentistry
- Hospital Dentistry
Syllabus
The curriculum structure of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program is designed with a deliberate division of subjects into two distinct categories, namely core subjects and elective courses tailored to accommodate specialization. This strategic approach ensures that students not only gain a comprehensive foundational understanding of dentistry but also have the opportunity to delve into specific areas of interest and expertise within the field.
The mandatory internship in the last year of BDS is to give students practical and hands-on exposure to deal with patients and deal with their concerns.
| BDS Curriculum |
| Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
| General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology |
Dental Materials |
| Human Physiology Biochemistry, Nutrition, Dietetics |
Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge |
| Dental Anatomy, embryology, and oral histology |
|
| Semester 3 |
Semester 4 |
| General Pathology and Microbiology |
Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown & bridge |
| General dental pharmacology and Therapeutics |
Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology |
| Preclinical conservative dentistry |
|
| Semester 5 |
Semester 6 |
| General Medicine |
Oral and maxillofacial Surgery |
| General Surgery |
Oral medicine and radiology |
| Oral Pathology & Microbiology |
Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics |
| Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics |
Pediatric & preventive dentistry |
| Semester 7 |
Semester 8 |
| Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
| Oral medicine and radiology |
Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
| Pediatric and preventive dentistry |
Conservative dentistry and Endodontics |
| Periodontology |
- |
Eligibility for BDS:
- The students must have passed the 10+2/PUC/equivalent examination from a recognized board or university with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as mandatory subjects and secured 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC).
- The student should be 17 years of age by December 2023.
- The candidates to qualify for Admission should have scored the minimum percentile in NEET UG, which is 50% for the General quota and 40% for SC/ST/OBC, and 45% for PwD candidates
- Admission into the college depends on the State level Merit list which will be announced by the respective state just before the admission
- Candidates who have secured the cut-off score are the ones qualified to appear for counseling
- There are some exceptions to private colleges that have their own entrance exams
Admission Process:
Prospective applicants aiming to secure admission into the BDS program in India are required to fulfill specific eligibility criteria and successfully navigate the annual National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) conducted by the National Medical Commission (NMC). This standardized examination serves as a fundamental prerequisite for enrollment in BDS programs offered by a diverse array of institutions, encompassing Deemed, Government, and Private colleges.
For instance, in Karnataka, the admissions process for both private and government medical colleges is overseen by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). Aspiring candidates interested in these institutions are obligated to actively engage in the state counseling procedure orchestrated by their respective state's medical education council or committee.
Regarding Deemed colleges across the nation, aspiring students must duly complete the registration process with the Medical Council Committee (MCC) to attain eligibility for admission. The allocation of available seats is meticulously governed by vigilant scrutiny of NEET qualifying scores and the distinctive cutoff scores established by individual colleges.
Entrance Exams for Admission to BDS Colleges
Admission to Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) colleges primarily relies on qualifying through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG, a national-level examination conducted by the NTA. NEET UG assesses candidates' knowledge in biology, chemistry, and physics. Some prestigious institutions like AIIMS and JIPMER also conduct their respective entrance exams for BDS admissions. Additionally, various states in India hold their own state-level entrance exams for BDS programs.
1. Employment Opportunities -
After completing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, graduates have a range of employment opportunities in the field of dentistry and related sectors, Many BDS graduates choose to set up their own private dental clinics, offering a wide range of dental services to patients. Private practice allows for autonomy, flexible working hours, and the potential for substantial earnings
Employment Areas
- Public Health
- Research Institutes
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Dental Products Manufacturers
- Private Dental Clinic Chains
- Government services.
Trending Career Profiles
- Private dental practitioner
- Public Health Specialist
- Dental Hygienist
- Consultant
- Dental Professor
- Dental Surgeon
- Medical/Dental Representative
- Oral Pathologist
2. Venture into Self-Employment -
After obtaining a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree, there are numerous self-employment opportunities that dental professionals can explore. These avenues allow dentists to leverage their skills, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit to create their own business ventures. Here are some self-employment opportunities after BDS:
1. Private Dental Practice:
2. Dental Aesthetics Clinic:
3. Mobile Dental Services:
4. Dental Implant Center:
5. Dental Spa or Wellness Center:
6. Dental Hygiene Clinic:
7. Orthodontic Practice:
8. Pediatric Dentistry Center:
9. Geriatric Dentistry Services:
10. Dental Education and Workshops:
11. Dental Product Sales and Distribution:
12. Teledentistry Services:
13. Dental Consulting
3. Higher Studies - BDS graduates who wish to pursue higher studies can opt for MDS, Doctor of Philosophy, MBA, Master of Science, and Postgraduate diplomas and Certifications. Some of the popular Master's programs after BDS are:
- MDS in Oral Pathology
- MDS in Oral Medicine
- MDS in Pediatric Dentistry
- MDS in Orthotics
- MDS in Prosthetics and Orthotics
- MDS in Preventive Community Dentistry
- Doctor of Philosophy in Orthodontics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Periodontics
- Master of Science in Oral Biology
- MBA in Hospital Management
- MBA in Public health
Top BDS Colleges PAN-INDIA
- Ramaiah Univ. of Applied Sciences (RUAS), Faculty of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru
- Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre is in Whitefield, Bengaluru
- JSS Detal College & Hospital, Mysuru
- KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru
- Dayananda sagar college of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru
- KIMS Dental College, Andhra
- RajaRajeswari Dental College & Hospital, Bengaluru
- Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences (KCDS) and Hospital, Bengaluru
- Sri Siddhartha Dental College, Tumkur, Karnataka
- Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru
