What is Dentistry
Dentistry is a course which is studied by students to follow a career in the branch of health care which focuses on the maintenance of the health of the teeth, gums and other tissues in and around the mouth. It is a branch in the medical field and is considered a vital field of study and many students are opting for this course in the present times. Dentistry usually encompasses practices related to oral cavity and is carried out to prevent oral diseases.
Dentists are important and act as a key role in the society to help people detect medical conditions such as oral cancer and other infectious diseases. Dentists also help the people keep their oral conditions better and identify any types of abnormalities and treat it.
Role of a dentist
Dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating dental problems and helping people develop better oral hygiene regimes. Overall the role of a dentist are listed below:
Performing general dentistry or practices.
Performing clinical procedures such as extractions, surgeries, fillings, implants and more.
Evaluating overall health of patients
Advising oral health and prevention of disease strategies to patients.
To identify, diagnose and treat oral conditions.
There are various types of dentistry courses that the students can pursue to make a career in this field.
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) - 4 Years
The first step to become a dentist is to complete Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), which is a four year programme. It is the most popular medical course after MBBS. Students who have completed their 10+2 in Science from a recognized institute will be eligible for admissions into BDS. Entrance examination will be conducted for admissions. A one year rotational internship also has to be completed by the students after completing their graduation.
Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)
After graduation, students who wish to complete a specialization in order to stabilize their career can opt for a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS). It is a two year programme and various specializations are offered to students as per their choice.Only those candidates who have completed BDS can opt for MDS.
Specializations offered through MDS
Periodontology
Radiology
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
Orthodontics and Oral Medicine
Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Course Highlights
Course name | Dentistry |
Duration | BDS - 4 years (excluding one year internship) MDS - 2 years |
Eligibility | BDS - Should have qualified 10+2th examination from a recognized board MDS - Should have graduated BDS and completed their internship. |
Course level | Bachelor’s and Master’s |
Course type | Medicine |
Admission process | Through entrance exam |
Course fees | BDS - Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 12 lakh MDS - Rs. 1 lakh to 10 lakh |
Course Entrance exam | BDS - NEET MDS - NEET PG, AIIMS PG, JIPMER PG, PGIMER |
Jobs after the course | Dentist, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Dental Lab Technician, Private Practitioner, Lecturer/Professor, Researcher, Indian Defence Medical Representative |
Expected starting salary | Around 2 lakhs per annum |
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Dentistry
To make dentistry as a profession, the students will have to complete the required studies. The undergraduate and postgraduate eligibility criteria for admissions is different. To be eligible for the admissions process, the students need to satisfy the following criteria.
Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Students should have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) examinations with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects.
Should have scored at least 50% in 10+2 (or equivalent) examination
Students should have qualified entrance examination (NEET)
Eligibility Criteria for Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)
Should have obtained a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from a recognized institutes in India with a minimum score of 50%.
Students should have completed their one year internship.
If the candidates possess a PG diploma of 2 years recognized by Dental Council of India, then they will also be eligible for MDS.
Should have qualified the required entrance examination (NEET MDS, AIIMS PG, JIPMER PG, PGIMER).
Entrance Examinations for BDS
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) - National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts NEET which is a national level entrance examination for BDS admissions. For admissions into BDS courses, the students will have to qualify NEET which will be held in pen and paper mode.
Entrance Examinations for MDS
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test MDS - National Board of Examination (NBE) will conduct NEET MDS to provide admissions to eligible candidates. Students who meet the eligibility criteria will have to attempt the entrance examination. Allotment of seats will be done as per the merit of the candidate. Students should have qualified Bachelor of Dental Surgery to be eligible for NEET MDS.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) PG - The entrance examination of AIIMS PG is conducted in online mode for admissions into MDS courses. Students should possess a BDS degree from an institution recognized by the Dental Council of India. Admissions will be given on the basis of performance in the entrance examination and fulfilment of eligibility criteria.
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) PG - Students can also attempt JIPMER PG for admissions into the MDS courses offered by the institute. The entrance examination will be held in computer based mode. Along with a valid score in the entrance exam, the candidates will also have to meet the required eligibility criteria.
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) - For admissions into PGI, Chandigarh, the students will have to attempt and qualify the entrance examination. Around 18 seats will be available for admission through PGIMER and the students will have to attempt the one and a half hour long examination which will consist of 100 multiple choice questions.
College Predictors VIEW ALL
Scope of Dentistry in India and Abroad
Dentistry is one of the most popularly pursued medical courses after MBBS. The employment scope of Dentistry in India and abroad is high and students will be able to divulge into various career opportunities. After completing BDS, students can also opt to pursue MDS and take up a specialization which will allow them to stream themselves into a particular field of profession. After completing their studies, students can get employed in hospitals or they can also open their own clinics. Students can also opt to join the research field or join government jobs in Indian Army/Navy/Airforce. MDS students can opt to open their specialization clinics or also go for higher studies. Dentists are also in demand in foreign countries especially in the Gulf. The salary package and career opportunities are on a higher scale there.
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Course Fees Dentistry
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| UG |
1.50 Lakhs
B.Sc. in Dentistry at Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai
|
26.59 K
B.D.S. in Dentistry at Government Dental College and Hospital, Nalanda
|
42.50 Lakhs
B.D.S. in Dentistry at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai
|
14.01 Lakhs
B.D.S. in Dentistry at Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar
|
| PG |
50.00 K
P.G.D in Dentistry at Singhania University, Jhunjhunu
|
24.00 K
B.D.S. in Dentistry at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi
|
51.39 Lakhs
M.D.S. in Dentistry at SMBT Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Nashik
|
1.11 Lakhs
B.D.S. in Dentistry at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
|
| DOCTORAL |
60.00 K
Ph.D in Dentistry at SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital, Kattankulathur
|
50.00 K
Ph.D in Dentistry at Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik
|
6.64 Lakhs
Ph.D in Dentistry at Karnavati University, Gandhinagar
|
50.00 K
Ph.D in Dentistry at Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik
|
| DIPLOMA |
10.00 K
Diploma in Dentistry at CMJ University, Shillong
|
20.00 K
Diploma in Dentistry at Himachal Pradesh Government Dental College and Hospital, Shimla
|
4.00 Lakhs
Diploma in Dentistry at Santosh Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Ghaziabad
|
40.00 K
Diploma in Dentistry at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
|
Course Subjects
Students have to study various subjects under Dentistry in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. While BDS will consist of general subjects, more focus on specialization will be given in MDS. The various subjects which have to be studied by the students will allow them to be experienced with the field of Dentistry. The syllabus listed below are the general topics and may vary from institute to institute.
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Syllabus
YEAR I |
Anatomy |
Biochemistry |
Dental Materials |
Dental Histology |
Law for Dental Profession |
Preclin Prosthodontics |
Physiology |
YEAR II |
Dental Materials |
Microbiology |
Oral Pathology |
Pharmacology |
Pathology |
Preclin Prosthodontics |
Preclin Conservative |
YEAR III |
Conservative Dentistry |
Community orientation Program |
General Medicine |
General Surgery |
Group Project/Research |
Oral Surgery |
Orthodontics |
Oral Medicine |
Oral Pathology |
Pedodontics |
Public Health |
Periodontics |
Prosthodontics |
Patient Safety Curriculum |
YEAR IV |
Conservative and Endodontics |
Human Physiology |
Human Oral Anatomy, Physiology, Histology and Tooth Morphology |
Materials used in Dentistry |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology |
Orthodontics |
Oral Medicine and Radiology |
Pedodontics |
Prosthodontics |
Public health and Community Dentistry |
Practice Observership |
Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) Syllabus
Branch | Subjects |
Conservative Dentistry |
|
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
|
Oral Pathology |
|
Orthodontics |
|
Periodontics |
|
Others |
|
Careers in Dentistry
After completing an academic course in dentistry, the students will be open to various career opportunities. The selection of the type of career will depend on the students as per their preference.
Dentist: Also known as Dental Surgeons. Dentists will diagnose, prevent and treat diseases related to oral health. Will also perform surgeries to treat the patients. Usually dentists are employed in government and private hospitals.
Dental Assistant: Works as a member of the dental team. Provides support to the dentists during treatment and surgeries. They are almost equally trained as dentists. Graduate students can usually start out as dental assistants.
Dental Hygienist: Primary healthcare professionals who work independently of or alongside dentists and other dental professionals to provide full oral health care to patients.
Dental Lab Technician: Also a member of the dental team, a dental lab technician takes on the job to create custom made dental appliances based upon the prescription of the dentists. Dentures, prosthesis, implants and all are constructed by dental lab technicians.
Private Practitioner: Many graduates also end up opening their own dental practice. While this may cost some investment, the income may be steady if the dentist is experienced and good.
Lecturer/Professor: After opting for higher studies such as MDS and Ph.D, lecturers and professors for the next generation is also a great career choice. Here, the lecturers/professors teach the students all the basics to becoming a dentist in the near future.
Researcher: Dental researchers investigate on the ways to improve the oral health of the public. They also research on methods to provide safe, high-quality professional care.
Indian Defence Medical Representative: Another career opportunity is to work in the defence lines. Being a dentist in the medical team of the Indian defence such as Army/Navy/Air Force will give them a bright future since it is a government job.
Indian Railways Medical Representative: Dentists and dental health team are also greatly required by Indian Railways.
Popular Online Medicine Courses and Certifications
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Graduation or post graduation in dentistry offers various job profiles to students in private or government fields. After completing their studies, the students can apply for jobs in hospitals or can even open their own clinics. Government also recruits BDS/MDS graduates for government hospitals, defence, railways and more. The demand of dentists in the present society is ever growing since more people are now aware about the need for oral health. If the students are well educated and have some practice due to their internship, recruitment will not be much of a problem. A few of the job profiles that the students can opt for are listed below:
Dentist - The most common job profile in the field of dentistry. Dentists are responsible primarily for the oral healthcare of the people. They help in maintaining the health of the teeth and gums while removing cavities and repairing decays. The job can be in private or government hospitals. Students can also open up their own clinics after getting registered in Dental Council of India.
Researcher - Students can also opt for dental research after their graduation. MDS students can plan to pursue Ph.D and work as a researcher.
Dental Assistant - In this job profile, dental assistants work to assist the dentists in various treatment procedures and also perform various office management work.
Lecturer - Qualified students can also opt for the field of academics and become a professor or lecturer to teach the new generations about the course of dentistry.
Government HealthCare - Students can also pursue government jobs by applying for Air Force/Navy/Indian Army medical teams.
Top Recruiters for Dentistry
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Fortis Healthcare Ltd
Medanta Hospitals
Apollo Munich Health Industries Co. Ltd.
Sri Ganga Ram Hospital
Religare Health Insurance Company Ltd.
Indian Armed Forces
State Services
Indian Railways
Average Salary
The salary after completing dentistry will completely depend on the job profile as well as the type of organization that they students will join. Self employed dentists usually earn better salaries as they charge for consultation and so on. Those who are recruited in government jobs are also well paid. The salary range may vary as per the experience and academic accomplishments of the students too.
Average Salary Range after Dentistry
Job Profile | Estimated Average Salary (per annum) |
Dentist (Employed) | INR 3 lakhs |
Dentist (Self Employed) | INR 4 lakhs |
Dental Assistant | INR 2 lakhs |
Lecturer | INR 5 lakhs |
Researcher | INR 3 lakhs |
Dentist in Indian Defense | INR 9 lakhs |
Dentist in Indian Railways | INR 7 lakhs |
Required Skillset for Dentistry
Since dentists are required to interact with patients, assess their health conditions, handle complex procedures and more, the following skill sets should be present in an aspiring dentist:
Should have good communication skills
Have a caring attitude towards patients
Good management skills
Willingness to learn and adapt
Popular Dentistry Entrance Exams in India
Popular Dentistry Colleges in India VIEW ALL
SGT University
- Fees: ₹ 1802500
- Exams: NEET
Sharda University
- Fees: ₹ 1825000
AIIMS Rishikesh
- Exams: NEET SS
Singhania University, Jhunjhunu
- Fees: ₹ 50000
Questions related to Dentistry
Showing 161 out of 161 Questions
5 Views
Im a final year bds student...i dont feel like doing masters in dentistry as i chose it cause of my parents pressure...is it a good option to choose llb after bds?
29th Sep, 2024
Hello aspirant,
I understand the feeling of conflicted when your career paths doesn't align with your personal interest.
Pursuing an LLB after BDS can be a strategic move for several reasons:
- Legal Expertise in Dental Practice: Having both dental and legal knowledge can be advantageous in areas like medical malpractice, dental ethics, and insurance claims.
- Diverse Career Paths: An LLB can open doors to various legal careers, such as medical law, intellectual property law, or corporate law.
- Personal Satisfaction: If you genuinely enjoy legal studies and find them stimulating, pursuing an LLB can be personally fulfilling.
Before making a decision, consider these factors:
- Interest and Passion: Do you have a genuine interest in law and legal studies?
- Career Goals: Are you clear about your career aspirations after completing the LLB?
- Financial Implications: Assess the financial implications of pursuing an LLB, including tuition fees, living expenses, and potential loss of income.
- Time Commitment: An LLB typically requires significant time and effort. Are you prepared for the commitment?
If you're unsure about your career path, consider seeking guidance from a career counselor or a mentor in the legal field. They can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions.
Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your personal goals, interests, and values. It's important to prioritize your own happiness and satisfaction in your career.
For more information about Law colleges in India, you can go through the link attached below.
https://law.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-law-colleges-in-india
Answer later 4 Views
master in paediatric and preventive dentistry colleges?
8th Aug, 2024
Hello student
Here are some of the top colleges that offer MDS in Pediatric Dentistry :
- *Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences*: Located in New Delhi, this is the top dental college in the country.
- *Manipal College of Dental Sciences*: With locations in Udupi and Mangalore, this is the second top dental college in India.
- *Dr. DY Patil Dental College and Hospital*: Located in Pune, this is a top private dental college in Maharashtra.
- *Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences*: Located in Chennai, this is another top college for MDS in Pediatric Dentistry.
- *ABSM Institute of Dental Sciences*: Located in Karnataka, this is another top college for MDS in Pediatric Dentistry.
These colleges offer a 3-year postgraduate degree course in Pediatric Dentistry, which deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of all aspects of dental diseases related to deciduous and permanent teeth.
8 Views
What is my chance in getting admission to Amrita dental school, Kochi for MDS conservative dentistry and endodontics?
3rd May, 2024
Hello Arvind
Your chances for getting mds in conservative dentistry and Endodontics at Amrita school of dentistry depends upon neet cut off 2024.
Cut off changes every year and depends upon many factors like Number of candidates appeared in exam Toughness level of exam, normalisation process and previous year's cut off, your category etc .
Now looking at previous year's trends neet mds cut off 2022 and 2021 for conservative dentistry and Endodontics was 5848 and 5303 respectively by rank at Amrita dentistry school .
So to get a mds seat in 2024 you must get rank within 5000 .
For college prediction you may follow the link given below
https://medicine.careers360.com/neet-mds-college-predictor
7 Views
Hello sir/mam, Im a post graduate in dentistry (MDS) and practicing my dental profession.... I have an intrest in law so I would like to know whether it is possible for me to pursue LLB in distance
3rd Oct, 2023
All Game online refund CUSTOMER. CARE HELPLINE NUMBER**8264483536***8354870917*call me 24 toll free number
5 Views
How many departments are there in Amrita School of Dentistry?
19th Apr, 2023
There are nine departments in Amrita School of Dentistry. They are: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Periodontics, Conservative and Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Microbiology, Prosthodontics and Implantology and Public Health Dentistry.
