BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery): BDS (Bachelor of dental surgery) is an undergraduate-level course which allows students to study the art of dental care. It is a five-year-long course in which students learn about various dental topics and concepts for four years and in the 5th year (final year), they finish their rotatory internship. 

Students aspiring to become dental surgeons are required to have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). In India, various colleges offer BDS programmes. It is also offered in many private colleges and universities worldwide. 

Once students complete their graduation in Dental surgery, they can use the little Dr after their name and practice dentistry. In the U.S. and many other countries, there are different types of BDS degrees available for students to pursue. The content and requirements vary from each other but most importantly students get to learn about dentures and dental problems.

There are currently more than 300 dental colleges in India which means there are 26000 seats in both government as well as private colleges.

What are the BDS Eligibility criteria?

Students who are planning to do graduation in dental surgery should carefully look at the eligibility criteria before admission. The basic eligibility criteria for admissions to BDS courses have been given below. 

1. The student should have passed the 10+2 examination or its equivalent degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized institute. 
2. Candidates should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology mandatorily in their 10+2.
3. Candidates should appear for the NEET examination and must clear the cut-off of the examination to be eligible for admission.
4. If the student manages to clear the entrance exam, he/she needs to appear for the counselling sessions organized by the colleges.
5. Generally, there are three rounds of counselling sessions.

Subjects in BDS course:

Bachelor of Dental surgery (BDS) is a 5-year long undergraduate course for students aspiring to become dental experts. Every year comprises a vast syllabus. Each year has a specified syllabus so that students can focus on each topic and give it proper time and effort. The subjects in the BDS course are given below. The below-mentioned syllabus is subject to vary among various dental colleges.

For the first year: 

Biochemistry, Dental histology, Dental materials, Law for the dental profession, Anatomy, Physiology, Preclin, Prosthodontics

For the second year:

Preclin, Conservative, Pharmacology, Dental Materials, Pharmacology, Oral Pathology, Microbiology, Pathology

For the third year:

Gen surgery, Gen medicine, Pedodontics, Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Public Health, Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Patient Safety Curriculum, Community orientation program group project/ research

For the fourth year: 

Pedodontics, Public health, dentistry, orthodontics, oral medicine, oral surgery, prosthodontics, periodontics, practice observership, conservative dentistry

For the fifth year:

Pedodontics and preventive dentistry, period ontology, oral medicine, diagnosis and radiology public health dentistry conservative dentistry and endodontics oral and maxillofacial surgery oral pathology and microbiology accident and emergency medicine comprehensive oral health care

Career opportunities after finishing the BDS degree:

The scope of BDS is very vast as nowadays people are going to the dentist for routine oral checkups in a month or two. Currently, oral health is one of the primary concerns for everyone. The scope of BDS is increasing day by day. BDS graduates can get a good amount of salary by working in both government and private organizations. The salary will increase with time as per the candidate’s skills, knowledge and calibre. BDS graduates can work at the following institutes for employment.

1. Dental Clinics
2. Government Hospitals
3. Dental Institutes
4. Pharmaceutical companies
5. Dental products manufacturers
6. Private practice

There are many more choices available for students after BDS. The most common is to practice as a dentist. Other than that he/she can also work as a consultant with established hospitals or he/she can also work as a dental professor in various colleges. 

 

Top universities offering BDS courses in India (Government and private):

There are more than 300 dental colleges including government and non-government colleges. Some of the top BDS institutes are given below. 

1. Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU (Varanasi)
2. Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi
3. King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
4. Government Dental college and hospital, Mumbai
5. Dr R Ahmed Dental College and hospital, Nagpur
6. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru
7. Mansarovar Dental college, hospital and research centre, Bhopal
8. Christian Dental College, Ludhiana (Punjab)
9. Sri Ramachandra Dental College, Chennai and many more.