BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) Course, Duration, Fees, Salary, Top Colleges 2021
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is a five-year undergraduate program and the only approved dental course in India. It is a compulsory course for students who wish to work as dentists in public or private hospitals. BDS is one of the most popular subjects after MBBS in India. BDS focuses on training and enrolling students in dental science and surgery. The 5-year program includes 4 years of classroom education and 1 year of compulsory internship.
After MBBS, one of the most sought after subjects by students these days in the health field is BDS. The standard is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI). The different subjects taught in this program include Dental Histology, Oral Pathology, Oral Surgery, etc. Students are required to register with the Indian Dental Council which oversees the BDS course so that they can pursue their careers after graduation.
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In India, for getting admission to BDS courses it is compulsory for students to qualify 10 + 2 exams or equivalent degrees with at least 85% from a recognized institution. There is usually one entrance test performed throughout India. The entrance test is called the National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET) and is held as a national examination once a year. According to current data, there are approximately more than 300 dental colleges in India which means a total of 26,000 seats in both government and private colleges. In India, the average course fee is between INR 1-8 lacs. .
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During the internship period, students can receive a monthly stipend of INR 15,000 - 40,000 (approx.) Which is entirely is based on the college. After graduation, students often practice their skills in the field of dentistry in public or private hospitals. Experts in this field can find valuable employment opportunities such as Dentists, Lecturers, Dentists, well-known hospitals and academia. The initial income of these experts is between INR 4-10 lacs per year.
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BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) Course: highlights
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
| Duration | 5 years ( 4 years + 1 year of compulsory paid internship). |
| Examination Type | Semester Based |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% Compulsory subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam (NEET) |
| Average Course Fee | INR 1-6 lacs per annum |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 4-10 lacs (approx.) |
| Top Recruiters | Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Educational Institutes, etc. |
| Job Positions | Dental Research Scientist, Dentist, Lecturer, etc. |
Why opt for BDS?
There are many reasons why students choose this subject to build their career. Some of the merits of the course are listed below:
⇒ With the increase in oral hygiene awareness, the number of dental patients has increased in the country and abroad as well. To treat these patients, a person must have qualified and attained the BDS degree as it is compulsory in India because dentistry could only be performed after clearing and getting the BDS undergraduate degree.⇒Students expect an increase in job opportunities in this field in the near future. The reason for this is the rapid increase in the number of dental patients and doctors and the government which aims to provide better job opportunities for dentists by increasing job opportunities.
⇒ During the time of paid internship, students can earn up to INR 15,000 - 40,000 (approx.) with growing technology and expanded experience.
⇒Students can even practice their skills in countries like the US and Canada to earn more income compared to what they earn in India. However, for this, they need to qualify the tests such as NBDE or NDEB.
⇒It is an unique and incredible course for students who wish to choose dentistry as their profession.
BDS Admission Procedure
Here's everything you need to know about BDS including BDS tuition fees, entrance exams, etc.
⇒ Admission to BDS is done through a common entrance exam conducted at the national levele that is NEET.
⇒ It has been compulsory since 2016 that admission to medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, etc. requires students to appear in NEET.
⇒ To be eligible for the course, a student must obtain at least 50% in a valid 10 + 2 exam.
⇒ Candidates are allowed to enter the college admission process only if they meet the eligibility conditions.
⇒ Once students have qualified the set cutoff range in the NEET exam they can continue with counseling sessions for admission to college.
BDS Top Colleges in India 2021
| Name of the College | College Location | Average Course Fee | Average Initial Salary |
| Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU | Varanasi | Below 1 lacs | INR 4-6 lacs (approx.) |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | New Delhi | INR 1 - 1.5 lacs | INR 6-7 lacs (approx.) |
| Faculty of Dental Sciences King George's Medical University td> | Lucknow | INR 1.5 - 2 lacs | INR 8-9 lacs (approx.) |
| Government Dental College and Hospita | Mumbai | INR 2 - 2.5 lacs | INR 3-8 lacs (approx.) |
| Government Dental College and Hospital | Nagpur | INR 2 - 2.5 lacs | INR 3-8 lacs (approx.) |
| Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital | Kolkata | Below 1 lacs | INR 3-6 lacs (approx.) |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | Mangaluru | INR 25-30 lacs (approx.) | INR 4-8 lacs (approx.) |
BDS eligibility criteria
Eligibility for a course is a requirement for admission to a particular college and course. The basic criteria for admission to BDS courses are set out as follows:
⇒ The applicant must pass a 10 + 2 qualifying test or equivalent qualification with a minimum value of 50% combined from a recognized institution.⇒ They should have been studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology forcibly in their 10 + 2.
⇒In almost all colleges offering this course, admission is based on the NEET result. The student must remove the test mark in order to be eligible for admission.
⇒ it is mandatory for the students to qualify the NEET entrance exam to acquire admission in the BDS course
⇒ There are usually three counseling sessions conducted for the same purpose.
Preparation tips for the NEET exams
As NEET is the only entrance exam designed for admission to BDS courses in India, it requires candidates to work hard to qualify it. Every year, more than 10 lac students appear in a test that makes it one of the most competitive tests performed in India. Here are some tips to help students prepare for the exam:
⇒Get the complete information about the latest pattern and syllabus test in a test usually found on the official website. This will help you not to get confused and stay on the right track.⇒ Make a study plan and include all the topics mentioned in the syllabus. This will help you to know how much to cover and how much to do.
⇒ Create an appropriate timetable and follow it closely. This will help you to complete your syllabus on time.
⇒ Buy the best NEET study material that covers all the important topics. Also, check your NCERT books as questions may appear from there as well.
⇒ Read the newspapers daily to stay up-to-date on what is happening around you.
⇒ Edit notes for what you read. This will help you to update at the last minute.
⇒ Take regular tests and follow and manage the time limits strictly. This will give you an idea of the actual state of the
BDS JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
BDS graduates have many different opportunities ahead of them in terms of job opportunities. They can choose to be dentists, researchers, educators, etc. In public or private hospitals they can even open their own dental clinic. However, not all graduates are working and earning a living. Some of them are pursuing higher education in the field of dental science. As in India, BDS is the only and mandatory dental practice, many students usually get a job within one year of graduation. Some even pursue higher education, such as MDS.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary |
| Dentist | The job of a dentist involves checking patients of oral health, removing tooth decay, filling cavities, etc. However, it is totally the will of the doctor if they want to serve in a hospital or open their own clinic | INR 3.5 - 4.5 lacs |
| Researcher | BDS graduate students who are willing to do research work can perform research work in advanced dental research. | INR 3 lacs |
| Lecturer | Students with high skills, expertise and experience can work as lecturers at reputed government or private dental institutions. | INR 5 lacs |
| Dental Officer at Indian Defense Services ( Army, Navy, Air Force) | Students who want to practice their skills in the defence services need to be a Registered Dental Practitioner within India to be eligible for the job. | INR 9 lacs |
| Dentist in Indian Railways | Candidates can join the Indian Railways as a dentist when they post a vacancy for the same | INR 7.2 lacs |
| Territorial Army Officer | One of the government jobs which can be pursued by students at the completion of BDS. | INR 10 lacs |
⇒ Private Sector: Students can get suitable jobs in private hospitals or dental centers, etc. Those who do not want to do these jobs can open their own clinics to use their skills in this profession.
⇒ Dental Research: Students who feel like they are improving their educational background by pursuing higher education can even choose research in the field of dental science.
⇒Dentist in Gulf countries: Students who are dissatisfied with their jobs in India try to go abroad where there is a greater need for dentists and they also more money.
Not only this, students who are willing to opt for higher studies can easily go for the following:
⇒ Master of Dental Surgery ( MDS)⇒ Master of Public Health (MPH)
⇒ Master in Health Administration
⇒ MBA in Healthcare Management
⇒ MBA in Hospitality Management