BDS is the second most popular course among medical students after MBBS. Candidates who aspire to become and work as a dentist in private or government hospitals have to undergo this course. Candidates having PCB subjects combination in 10+2 are eligible to pursue this course. After completing the course one can practice as a licensed dentist in both the private and public sectors. In this article we will help you understand everything you need to know about the BDS Course in 2023.
Course Details
Bachelor of Dental Surgery commonly abbreviated as BDS is one of the 5 years undergraduate degree courses after 12th for dental education in India. The degree is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and it is the only approved professional dental course in India.
The 5-year program of BDS includes 4-years of classroom education and 1-year of compulsory rotating internship, where candidates are provided with training on dental sciences & surgeries.
In the classroom program, candidates are taught subjects like Dental Histology, Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology, etc.
Admission Process
After completing 10+2 (PCB) candidates have to appear & qualify for the NEET entrance exam. The counseling is organized by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) for admission to all central quota seats in the institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, etc.
A state NEET counseling is also organized by every state/UT for admission to their 85% state quota seats. Candidates have to fill a counseling registration form which is usually released after a few weeks of the NEET result.
Eligibility Criteria
For admission to the BDS program one has to fulfill the eligibility criteria given below:
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 with PCB subjects from a recognised board.
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 with a minimum 50% marks.
- The candidates have to qualify the NEET entrance exam for admission in private or government dental colleges across the country.
Entrance Exams
In India, admission to medical courses like BDS, MBBS is based on the NEET UG entrance exam. The NEET-UG exam is conducted by NTA every year, for admission to all state & central MBBS, BDS seats across the country. Below we have mentioned some highlights of the NEET exam:
- NEET is a national level exam mandatory for admission to BDS, MBBS, BAMS & BUMS courses.
- NEET is conducted by NTA every year, the application forms are accepted through online mode in the month of December every year.
- NEET exam is held in the month of May, though pen & paper based mode.
Top Colleges
Some of the prestigious colleges for studying BDS program are:
- Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU
- Faculty of Dental Sciences King George’s Medical University
- Government Dental College and Hospital
- Government Dental College And Research Institute
- Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Science
Career Prospects & Job Profile
BDS is one of the highly in-demand professional degree courses and its on the top in the list of high-salary courses after 12th. After completing the course successfully one can work as a dentist in government or private hospitals. You can also find employment in PSUs as a dental officer.
You can even practice independently in your clinic. Candidates can even practice their skills in countries like the US, Australia, and Canada to earn an increased income & international exposure to the latest dental education across the globe.
For practicing in the USA, students have to qualify for the NBDE and NDEB for practicing in Canada.
After completing the course one can work as the following job profiles:
- Dentist
- Lecturer
- Dental Officer
- Researcher
- Dentist Officer in Defence, Railways & PSU’s
Salary & PayScale
Freshly graduates in this field can expect the initial salary somewhere around 4-5 LPA. After 4-5 years of practice and having a PG degree one can expect a salary of 8-13 LPA.
For dentists practicing independently, there are no limits on the salary as it totally depends on the experience and expertise of a dental professional.
What After BDS?
If you are not interested in doing the job, you can definitely go for higher studies which is always a great option.
Candidates can pursue MDS ( Masters of Dental Surgery). This will enhance their knowledge of the dentistry field and will provide better career opportunities in the future.
Candidates can also pursue other PG programs after completing BDS, some of the PG courses are listed below:
- MBA in Healthcare Management
- Master of Public Health
- Master in Health Administration
- MBA in Hospital Management
BDS 2023 FAQ’s
Both of them hold equal importance in the Medical field. Even though MBBS is the most sought-after medical course, BDS is equally challenging and offers a bright career.
The candidates have to qualify the NEET entrance exam for admission in private or government dental colleges across the country.
No, just like in almost every medical course, candidate must have Bio in his or her 12th in order to be eligible to apply for the course.
