‘Kya aapke toothpaste me namak hai?’ I am sure everyone has heard this marketing line once. This was from an advertisement from a toothpaste brand. You might have heard from your grandparents complaining about the pain in their teeth, don’t you? This is where the wizard of teeth comes into play – dentists! A BDS course is a gateway to becoming a dentist in India. These courses are among the most popular medical courses in India after MBBS.
The BDS abbreviation stands for Bachelor in Dental Surgery. A dentist is a doctor that helps you keep your teeth healthy. Increasing unhealthy eating habits among the new generation is triggering the consciousness of one’s health towards teeth. This blog will cover everything that you need to know about the BDS course. We will talk about the highlights of the course, eligibility, syllabus, colleges, fees, and scope.
So, make sure you read till the last and know everything that you’ve been searching for. This will help you make an informed decision regarding your career.Â
Topics covered
What is a BDS Course?
Students who aim to become dentists pursue the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course. It is a professional undergraduate degree in dentistry regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI). This 5-year course provides thorough knowledge of oral health care, dental procedures, and patient management. It covers dental sciences, surgeries, oral anatomy, physiology, and pathology through 4 years of classroom education followed by a compulsory 1-year rotating internship.
Admission to the BDS course is through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET), a national-level exam conducted annually. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to practice dentistry in government or private hospitals and can also pursue careers as dental research scientists.
You can also read about the Career in Dentistry here!
Highlights of the BDS Course
This section will enable you to go through the important highlights of the BDS course. We will cover the basic information related to the introduction to the course. The table below contains the highlights of the BDS course:
| Highlight | Details |
| Course Name | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) |
| Duration | 5 years (4 years of classroom education and 1 year of compulsory rotating internship) |
| Regulated By | Dental Council of India (DCI) |
| Admission Process | National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET) |
| Eligibility | 10+2 exam or an equivalent degree with at least 85% from a recognized institute |
| Course Fees | INR 1-8 lacs |
| Internship Stipend | INR 15,000 – 40,000 (approx.) |
| Job Opportunities | Dentists, lecturers, Dental Research Scientists |
| Initial Salary | INR 4-10 lacs per annum |
The NEET Exam is the gateway for the BDS courses. Know about the exam here!
Eligibility Required for BDS Courses in India
You are now familiar with the BDS courses. Now, you must be thinking about whether you can pursue this course. So, in this section, we will talk about the eligibility requirements for a BDS course in India. Some of the general requirements for a Bachelor in Dental Surgery course include:
- Candidates should have passed 10+2 or an equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as core subjects.
- General category candidates should have a minimum aggregate score of 50% in the above subjects. For reserved categories, the minimum aggregate score is 40%.
- Candidates must qualify the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which is a national-level exam conducted once a year.
- The minimum age for applying for the BDS course is 17 years.
Please note that these are the general eligibility criteria and may vary slightly depending on the specific college or university. Students are requested to verify the same from official sources.
Students also read: Top 15 Career Options in Medicine
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Syllabus for BDS Courses in India
Well, you need to understand the BDS syllabus if you are considering it. It is different from the normal MBBS syllabus. This section will give you an overview of BDS syllabus. The table below contains year-wise BDS syllabus subjects.
| 1st Year Syllabus | ||
| General Anatomy | Embryology and Histology | General Human Physiology |
| Oral Histology | General Biochemistry | Dental Anatomy and Embryology |
| 2nd Year Syllabus | ||
| Dental Materials | General Pathology and Microbiology | General Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
| Pre-Clinical Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge | Preclinical Conservative Dentistry | Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
| 3rd Year Syllabus | ||
| Oral Pathology | General Medicine | Oral Microbiology |
| General Surgery | ||
| 4th Year Syllabus | ||
| Oral Medicine | Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics | Radiology |
| Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge | Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics | Public Health Dentistry |
| Periodontology | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
The 5th year in the BDS course requires a mandatory internship to be followed. These were some of the important topics for the BDS course syllabus.
Top 10 Colleges for BDS Courses in India
Now that you have seen the syllabus, you should also know about the top colleges offering dental courses in India. In this section, we will be listing the top 10 colleges for BDS courses in India. These colleges are equipped with the updated curriculum and have modern infrastructure.
The list of the top BDS colleges in India includes:
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
- Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences
- A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
- SRM Dental College
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore
- Siksha `O` Anusandhan
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
These colleges feature in the top 10 NIRF Rankings in the dental category. You can learn more about these colleges at the Best Dental Colleges in India.
BDS Course Fees in Government and Private Colleges
Government dental colleges charge lower fees, generally between INR 80,000 to INR 1 lakh per year, as they receive funding from the government. In contrast, private dental colleges charge higher fees ranging from INR 6 lakhs to INR 9 lakhs per year because they lack government funding.
Keep in mind that these fees can vary based on factors like college reputation, location, and facilities. Always check the college’s official website for accurate information.
Also, read Top 20 Medical Courses Without NEET
BDS Course: Scope and Job Opportunities
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree provides many career options for graduates. Due to increased awareness of oral health, there is a high demand for dental professionals in India and abroad. Graduates can work as dentists, dental surgeons, dental hygienists, or in other roles in dental clinics, hospitals, research institutions, and more. They can also find opportunities in the health department, insurance, armed forces, and state services.
Salaries for BDS graduates range from INR 3 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs per year for entry-level positions and can go up to INR 6.5 lakhs to INR 12 lakhs per year with experience. The BDS course offers a promising career path due to the growing need for qualified dentists to address increasing dental issues.
Summing It Up!
The BDS course brings you an enticing pathway for students aspiring to join the field of dentistry in India. This guide sheds light on various aspects of BDS course, including eligibility criteria, syllabus breakdown, top colleges, and fee differentials between government and private institutions. With a focus on providing holistic oral healthcare knowledge, BDS graduates emerge equipped to tackle the growing demand for dental professionals both domestically and internationally.
The scope for BDS aspirants extends beyond clinical practice to encompass research, teaching, and administrative roles in diverse settings. As the awareness of oral health continues to rise, BDS graduates stand poised to make significant contributions while enjoying promising career prospects and competitive salaries in this dynamic field.
That’s all for today! If you still have questions, why don’t you connect with our experts?
iDreamCareer is here to assist you in making an informed decision about your future in this thriving field. Take advantage of iDreamCareer’s College & Course Selection Program today and embark on the path toward a successful career. Avoid any hesitation and seize the opportunity to confidently discover and pursue your dream career.
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FAQs
Yes, admission to the BDS course in India requires candidates to qualify the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which is a national level exam conducted once a year.
Yes, graduates of the BDS course are considered dental surgeons and can use the title of a doctor in front of their names. However, they specialize in dental health, unlike MBBS doctors.
The BDS is a 5-year undergraduate course, including a one-year compulsory internship, that prepares students to become dentists and dental surgeons. It focuses on dental sciences, including oral anatomy, physiology, pathology, and surgery.
Yes, you can pursue a BDS course after completing your 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as core subjects. Admission is based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) score.
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Sushant, an accomplished content writer at iDreamCareer, has dedicated his life to the pursuit of writing since childhood. Having earned his education at the prestigious University of Delhi, he possesses a profound understanding of both arts and science in the field of education. Leveraging his professional experience, Sushant brings a fresh perspective to analyzing emerging trends in the realms of writing and education. His youthful mindset, coupled with a positive outlook, is geared towards enlightening students through the impactful delivery of wisdom and knowledge.
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