BDS
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is a five-year undergraduate degree with a mandatory year-long rotational internship, essential for graduation. The primary BDS subjects focus on areas such as Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, and General and Dental Pharmacology.
This degree is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI). The curriculum covers various subjects, including Dental Histology, Oral Pathology, and Oral Surgery. To practice professionally after completing the degree, students must register with the Dental Council of India, which regulates the BDS program.
Table of Content
BDS Course: Highlights
Candidates can refer to the table below for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course highlights.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Degree | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
| Level | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Duration | 5 years (4 years + 1 year of compulsory paid internship) |
| Examination Type | Semester-Based |
| Admission Process | Entrance-Based (NEET & KEAM) followed by Counselling |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% in PCB |
| Minimum Age | 17 years |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% in Higher Secondary Examination |
| Course Fee | INR 50,000 to INR 4 LPA (annually), INR 16,500 42.5 Lakh (total) |
| Average Salary | INR 3.05 LPA (Source: Payscale) |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 4-10 LPA |
| Employment Roles | General Dentist, Associate Dentist, Pediatric Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Dental Surgeon, Dentistry Researcher, Dental Research Scientist, Lecturer |
| Top Colleges | KGMU, SRIHER, SRM Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Educational Institutes, Dental Product Manufacturers, Government hospitals, Dental Institutions, Pharmaceutical Companies, Private Practice |
| Similar Options of Study | MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, BUMS |
About BDS Course
The BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) program focuses on both practical and theoretical aspects of dentures, dental issues, and surgery. The BDS degree is a 5-year undergraduate program designed to train students as dental surgeons or dentists.
The curriculum covers various dental subjects including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, oral pathology, microbiology, dental materials, and clinical dentistry. Students receive both theoretical knowledge and practical training in dental clinics and laboratories, learning about dental procedures, oral healthcare, diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management.
This course includes practical training through internships at top hospitals and organizations like SGT Dental College, Clove Dental, Apollo Hospitals, and the National Health Mission, with stipends ranging from INR 5,000 to 20,000 per month.
Comparison Between MBBS and BDS
Refer to the table below for the comparison between BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) vs. MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) program in India.
| Criteria | BDS | MBBS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Bachelor of Dental Surgery | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery |
| Course Duration | 5 years (4 years + 1 year of rotational internship) | 5.5 years (4.5 years + 1 year of rotational internship) |
| Course Overview | Focuses on dental diseases, their diagnosis, prevention, and treatment | Focuses on subjects like anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, etc. |
| Average Fee | INR 1 – 6 LPA | INR 25,000 – 1.15 crore |
| Entrance Exams | NEET UG, KCET, KEAM, etc. | NEET UG, AIIMS MBBS Entrance Test, etc. |
| Top Colleges | All India Institute of Medical Sciences, JIPMER Puducherry, King George’s Medical University, Banaras Hindu University, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences | AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College Vellore, Banaras Hindu University, JIPMER Puducherry, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 3.05 LPA | INR 5 LPA |
| Job Roles | Dental Surgeon, Dental Consultant, Orthodontist, Dental Officer in Defense Services, Dentist in Indian Railways, Lecturer, Researcher, etc. | General Surgeon, Medical Officer, Resident Medical Officer, Anaesthesiologist, Paediatrician, General Physician, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Clove Dental, Toothsi, Smile India, Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Educational Institutes, Dental Product Manufacturers, etc. | Medanta Hospitals, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Fortis Healthcare Ltd, Wockhardt Ltd, AIIMS, etc. |
BDS 2024 Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality and Age:
- The candidate applying must be an Indian National.
- Students must have completed 17 years of age on or before 31st December of the admission year.
- Educational Qualifications:
- Candidates must have passed the 10+2 qualifying exam or an equivalent from a recognized institute.
- Aspirants must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English individually.
- Minimum Marks:
- Candidates must have obtained a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- For SC/ST/OBC candidates, the minimum aggregate mark required is 40%.
- NEET Requirement:
- Qualifying NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is mandatory.
- Candidates should clear the NEET cut-off to be eligible for admission.
- Foreign Nationals/Non-resident Indians/Persons of Indian Origin must also qualify for NEET for eligibility.
BDS 2024 Admission Process
- Appear for the NEET entrance exam.
- Clear the entrance exam cut-off for the respective college.
- Fill out the college application form, available online or offline.
- Complete the counseling session process once the merit list is published.
- Pay the fees and complete the document verification process.
To be eligible, students must score at least 50% in their 10+2 qualifying examination. Only candidates meeting the eligibility criteria can participate in the college admission process.
Top Colleges for BDS Program
Candidates can refer to the table below for the list of top colleges as per the NIRF rankings 2023 along with their fee structure for the BDS programs.
| Name of the Institute | NIRF Rank | NEET 2023 Cutoff | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 1 | 877204 | INR 42.5 Lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | 2 | 488048 | INR 16.6 Lakh |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | 3 | 596198 | INR 25 Lakh |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | 4 | 23578 | INR 16,500 |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | 5 | 1208898 | INR 20 Lakh |
| SRM Dental College | 6 | 1188686 | INR 17.6 Lakh |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 7 | 1205726 | INR 24 Lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore | 8 | 960284 | INR 14.8 Lakh |
| Siksha O Anusandhan | 9 | 1178971 | INR 22 Lakh |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi | 10 | 23578 | INR 1.2 Lakh |
Top Government and Private BDS Colleges in India
The table below has some of the top private and government colleges for BDS programs in India along with their fees structure.
| Government BDS Colleges | |
|---|---|
| BDS Colleges | BDS Course Fees |
| Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences | INR 80,000 |
| KGMU | INR 46,400 |
| Srinivas Group of Colleges | INR 3.8 Lakh |
| Institute of Medical Sciences | INR 1.7 Lakh |
| Indira Gandhi Government Dental College and Hospital | INR 25,000 |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research | INR 16 Lakh |
| SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital University | INR 15.6 Lakh |
| Private BDS Colleges | |
| BDS Colleges | BDS Course Fees |
| Teerthanker Mahaveer University | INR 7.9 Lakh |
| Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (KVV) | INR 25 Lakh |
| NIMS Dental College and Hospital | INR 7 Lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | INR 16.6 Lakh |
| MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences | INR 38.1 Lakh |
| Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai | INR 4.04 Lakh |
| Maharishi Markandeshwar University | INR 15 Lakh |
| Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) | INR 21.3 Lakh |
| School of Dental Sciences (SDS), Sharda University | INR 14.6 Lakh |
BDS 2024 Syllabus
Candidates can refer to the table below for the complete syllabus for the BDS program.
| First Year | General Human Anatomy including Embryology & Histology
General Human Physiology & Biochemistry, Nutrition & Dietetics Dental Anatomy, Embryology & Oral Histology Dental Materials Pre-clinical Prosthodontics & Crown |
| Second Year | General Pathology & Microbiology
General & Dental Pharmacology & Therapeutics Dental Materials Pre – Clinical Conservative Dentistry Pre-clinical Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology |
| Third Year | General Medicine
General Surgery Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Oral Medicine & Radiology Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry Periodontology & Oral Implantology Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge |
| Fourth Year | Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
Oral Medicine & Radiology Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry Periodontology Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics Public Health Dentistry |
BDS 2024 Courses Offered
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Paedodontics & Preventive Dentistry
- Oral Medicine & Radiology
- Oral Pathology & Microbiology
- General Pathology
- Microbiology
- General and Dental Pharmacology
- Dental Therapeutics
- Preclinical Conservative Dentistry
- Periodontology
- Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
- Prosthodontics, Crown & Bridge
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Public Health Dentistry
- Oral Pathology
- Oral Microbiology
Why Choose a BDS Course?
- Licensed Dentists: BDS graduates can become licensed dentists, practicing in private clinics, hospitals, community health centers, research, and academia.
- Healthcare Profession: Dentistry is crucial in the healthcare industry, with dentists maintaining oral health, preventing dental diseases, and enhancing overall patient well-being.
- Variety of Specializations: Specializations include orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and prosthodontics, allowing graduates to focus on their interests and strengths.
- Continuous Learning: The field constantly evolves with technological advancements, new techniques, and ongoing research, ensuring continuous learning and intellectual stimulation.
- Financial Reward: Dentists typically enjoy competitive salaries that improve with experience and specialization, providing financial stability and a comfortable lifestyle.
- Job Flexibility: Dentists can work as sole practitioners, join group practices, or work in public health settings, offering flexibility to find a suitable work environment and maintain a work-life balance.
- Rising Awareness: Increased awareness about oral hygiene in India has led to more dental patients.
- Mandatory Degree: Obtaining a BDS degree is compulsory to practice dentistry in India.
- Employment Growth: Employment opportunities for BDS graduates are expected to rise with the increasing number of dental patients and practitioners. The government aims to enhance job opportunities for dentists.
- Internship Earnings: During paid internships, students can earn between INR 15,000 and 40,000, with the potential for higher earnings as they gain expertise and experience.
- International Practice: BDS graduates can practice in countries like the US and Canada for higher incomes, provided they pass qualifying exams such as the NBDE or NDEB.
