Building a Successful Dental Career: Roadmap for a BDS Course

If you are here and are reading this article on BDS course, it’s most probably because you are considering choosing dentistry as your career or have already decided to choose it and want to know more about BDS course details. Whichever is the case, you will get all information about the course here.

Bachelor’s in dental surgery (BDS) is India’s most popular course to pursue dental medicine and surgery.

It is also the only recognised university degree offered in the field by over 300 colleges of India.

BDS is a comprehensive degree programme. It offers career prospects in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors and plenty of other top-notch career opportunities.

BDS Course Highlights

Let’s take a look at all the BDS course highlights:

Particulars	Details
BDS full form	Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Abbreviated Form	BDS
Course type	Degree programme
Course Level	Undergraduate
BDS Course Duration	5 years
BDS Admission process	Entrance Exam (NEET)
Minimum qualification	Intermediate in Science (Biology)
BDS Course fee	INR 1–INR 6 lakh
Top recruiters	Hospitals, Educational Institutes, Dental Clinics, and Dental Product Manufacturers
Average Salary	INR 4–INR 6 lakh

What is BDS Course?

• BDS or Bachelor of dental surgery is an undergraduate programme for students who want to make career in the field of dentistry.

• This is a 5 year of comprehensive course split into four years of academic studies and one year of internship.

• During the BDS course duration students are given hands-on training of various dental procedures like filling cavity, root canal treatment, extractions, dental surgery and all about oral hygiene.

• In the four year of academic study the students are taught topics like oral medicine, anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, orthodontics, periodontology and much more. And in the fifth-year students are required to finish their internship training of one year to gain practical experience. 

BDS Admission Process

There is only one way to get admission to a BDS course and that is to clear the NEET exam. Based on the marks obtained in NEET students can get admission in their preferred college or university. But before you get admission you need to follow the process.

Fulfil the Eligibility Criteria

• You must complete 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects.
• Secure 50% marks in the 10+2 education.
• Candidate must be of 17 years of age as of December of the year of admission.

Fill BDS Course Application

• After meeting the eligibility criteria, you need to apply in your preferred college and universities.
• BDS admission application form can be obtained offline or online from the respective institutes.
• You need to fill the application form with all your personal details, educational and other details which are asked in the form.

Enter in Entrance Exam

• To get admission in any college or university you need to clear their entrance exam.
• NEET entrance exam is one major exam conducted for the admission in BDS course, the better you rank in this exam the greater your chances of getting selected in top-notch institute.

Clear the Counselling Session

•  After you have cleared entrance exam with flying colours the final step is clearing counselling session.
• During the counselling session for BDS course admission you will be asked to present all your documents like results and certificates.
• After verification of documents and a one-o-one interaction between counsellor and candidate the admission process is finished.

Related Read:
Comprehensive Guide to Entrance Exams after Graduation
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BDS Course Subjects and Syllabus

To teach students the theoretical part and give them knowledge of the human body and its relation to dentistry different subjects are taught during the BDS course duration. Although the sequence or the name of the subject can differ depending on the university or college, the content remains the same. These are the subjects which are taught during the BDS course.

Academic Year	Subjects
1st Year	1. Anatomy 2. Physiology 3. Biochemistry 4. Dental Anatomy and Embryology 5. General and Dental Histology 6. English and Communication Skills
2nd Year	1. General Pathology and Microbiology 2. Pharmacology and Therapeutics 3. Dental Materials 4. General Medicine 5. General Surgery 6. Oral Pathology and Microbiology
3rd Year	1. Oral Diagnosis and Radiology 2. Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics 3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4. Periodontology 5. Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry 6. Orthodontics
4th Year	1. Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge 2. Oral Medicine and Radiology 3. Community and Preventive Dentistry 4. Implantology 5. Geriatric Dentistry 6. Forensic Odontology
5th Year	1. Public Health Dentistry 2. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 3. Ethics and Jurisprudence 4. Practice Management 5. Hospital Training 6. Electives

Top Colleges for the BDS Course

Here is a list of the top colleges offering the BDS Course. The approximate BDS course fees are also listed.

Colleges	Estimated Fees
Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU, Varanasi	INR 1 lakh
Maulana Azad Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Fees	INR 1 lakh–1.5 lakh
Faculty of Dental Sciences King George’s Medical University, Lucknow	INR 1.5 lakh–INR 2 lakh
Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai	INR 2 lakh–INR 2.5 lakh
Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata	INR 1 lakh
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore	INR 25 lakh–INR 30 lakh

Jobs After BDS Course in India

Dental clinics and hospitals hire BDS graduates because BDS graduates understand dentistry-related issues optimally. Earning a Master’s in Dental Surgery (MDS) allows one to become a lecturer in the future.

Various career options for BDS graduates and BDS salary are listed below.

Jobs	Average Salary (in INR)
Dental Surgeon	3 LPA
Dental Assistant	1.2 LPA
Oral Pathologist	5.7 LPA
Dental Hygienist	2.2 LPA
Dental Scientist	3 LPA

Source: Ambition Box

Dental Surgeon

Dental surgeons are highly trained professionals focusing on the medical sciences. They perform various operations, from simple routine cleaning to complex cosmetic and corrective surgery. Oral surgeons must complete their training before they can work independently.

To become dental surgeon after doing BDS course you must also pass tough exams and evaluations to prove they have the skills to do their jobs successfully.

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants are young BDS graduates. They work to provide additional help to surgeons by doing tasks like scheduling appointments and allowing patients to be treated swiftly. They sterilise, disinfect, and arrange dental tools and help with dental procedures and maintain patient records.

As a dental assistant you will be in charge of regular administrative and upkeep duties at the clinic. You will also perform lab work as instructed by the dentist. Your primary task is to prepare patient rooms for visits and ensure that the dentist has access to all necessary equipment.

Oral Pathologist

An oral pathologist manages illnesses of the teeth, gums, jaw, mouth, neck, and head. They also recommend surgical treatments for issues found during examinations. This includes the removal of tumours or tumour cells. They examine medical records to identify patients’ risk factors for particular cancers or diseases. And frequently collaborate with dentists to find and address problems with oral health. They may also involve in research of oral pathology or dental medicine.

Dental Hygienist

Another path to choose after completing your BDS course is becoming dental hygienist. Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who work alongside dentists to help patients maintain good oral hygiene and prevent dental problems. They are experts in performing routine dental cleanings, taking x-rays, applying fluoride treatments, and educating patients on proper dental care practices.

As dental hygienist you may assist dentists in more complex procedures such as filling cavities or applying sealants. Dental hygienists play a crucial role in preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues by promoting good dental hygiene habits and providing preventive care to patients.

Dental Scientist

Curious to know more about the importance of oral hygiene and its role in human’s life, then you should consider becoming dental scientist after completing your BDS course. Dental scientists are professionals who specialize in the study and research of oral health. They conduct experiments and clinical trials to discover new techniques and treatments for dental problems. Dental scientists may also work to improve existing dental procedures, materials, and technologies.

As scientist you get to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as dentists and dental hygienists, to develop effective solutions for dental patients. Your work can help to advance the field of dentistry and improve the overall oral health of the population. Dental scientists require extensive education and training in both scientific and dental principles to excel in their field.

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Create Career in Dentistry with BDS Course

Dentists and oral hygiene are one of the most reputed careers and important aspects of everyone’s life. If you want to make a career in this field of medicine, then the BDS course is your path. This five year of course teaches and trains you in every way a practitioner BDS graduate needs to be.

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.

Frequently Asked Questions