Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
BDS is one of the most popular and designated degrees for dentists (doctors). The BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is the only educational and professional program in dental surgery in India. It is equivalent to the MBBS and owes the “Dr” domain. In the medical educational field, it is the second choice of students after the MBBS course.
In this course, the students are taught about dentures, dental problems, and surgery. It is also a good job-oriented degree program and various opportunities are available in the hospital, pharmaceutical, and medical device manufacturing industries. The BDS degree is awarded on the successful completion of the four-year academic education and the one-year mandatory internship program in dentistry education leading to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree program. After completing your BDS, you are qualified to practice as a dentist.
BDS is the degree given to a person who plays a vital role in the treatment of problems related to teeth. The dentist prevents diagnoses and cures all dental and related diseases.
It is very challenging to pursue the BDS course and you should have enthusiasm, a hard-working attitude in the study, and a focused mind for doing the BDS course. The Dental Council of India is the only accredited body for dental programs. This course is now in heavy demand by the students after 12th in the medical field.
Course Duration:
The BDS is a 5 year (4 years academic education + 1 year mandatory internship) UG degree program. This course can be pursued through full time and part-time courses.
The BDS is one of the most sought courses after 12th in the medical field. There are many reputed universities in India that are offering the BDS course.
The BDS course contains basic subjects like human anatomy, physiology & biochemistry, dental material, prosthodontics, microbiology, embryology & histology, general & dental pharmacology and pathology, periodontics, pedodontics, orthodontics, and dentistry.
Eligibility Criteria:
The students, who have passed the 10+2 examination with science stream and have Physics, Chemistry and Biology and English in 12th stream, may go for the BDS course.
It is the course which will be having hands-on training in the field of dentistry for the duration of five years. The students will get the chance to interact with the patient and will get practical knowledge of the diseases.
The students have to score minimum 50% marks (40% in the case of reserved category) in addition to two and have to appear for an entrance examination conducted by the respective authorities.
Admission:
Admissions into BDS programmes will be done through entrance tests. Students can appear in entrance exams organised at national or university level examinations. NEET 2020 (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is mostly considered for providing admission to BDS courses.
After clearing the entrance exam, students have to participate in the counselling process organised by the respective authority. Seats will be allotted to candidates on the basis of rank, filled choices and availability of seats.
In India, there are many dental colleges imparting quality education. At least 292 colleges offer BDS courses across India. Some of the dental colleges are listed below: Dental College & Hospital, Aurangabad.
- Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai
- Dental College, Gujarat
- Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bengaluru
- Amrita College of Dentistry, Kerala
- Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
- Faculty of Dental Science, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
- Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram
- Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Andhra Pradesh
Career & Jobs
After the completion of the BDS course, the dental graduates are entitled to use the term Doctor before his or her name as the prefix “Dr.”. There are plenty of good jobs & higher study opportunities available after getting the degree in dentistry as a doctor. It is a professional field with 100% job placement.
A BDS graduate may go for the PG degree programmes leading to the Domain MDS (Master of Dental Surgery). MDS is the advanced degree in dentistry and allows the candidates to specialise in any of its disciplines. Interested candidates can also go for a research programme by pursuing Doctor of Philosophy.
Teaching career is also open for BDS graduates. Those interested in teaching can acquire teaching jobs in any of the top Dental Colleges. They are eligible to hold positions as professors or even HOD and even get promoted to Dean.
This profession includes imaging, tissue graft, implants, laser surgery and trauma. After completing this course you will be hired by the medical college, hospitals, nursing home, health corporations, health ministry, and back office medical consultancy.
One can also open his/her own dental clinic or work as a dentist in government and private hospitals.
SCOPE
The Job Profiles of the BDS may be the following:
- Dentist Dental Surgeon
- Endodontic
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist
- Oral Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Pedodontics
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
Some employment areas for BDS aspirants are:
- Dental Clinics
- Hospitals
- Educational Institutions
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Dental Products Manufactures
- Private Practice
Academic Options after BDS Course Students can go for further studies enhancing their CV by pursuing post-graduation in dentistry. Dental surgery graduates can pursue a Master of Dental Surgery to gain specialisations such as operative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral medicine and radiology, periodontology and oral implantology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, conservative, endodontics and aesthetic dentistry. Bachelor of Dental Surgery [BDS] graduates can take lateral entry into the third year of MBBS.
