Bachelor of Dental Surgery or BDS course is a four-year bachelor's degree course with a year-long rotational internship that deals with the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the oral cavity's diseases, disorders, and conditions. After BDS, the job scope is vast in the private and public sectors of various reputed organizations in India and abroad, along with excellent perks.
Degree | Bachelors |
Full Form | Bachelor of Dental Science |
Duration | Course Duration of Bachelor of Dental Science [BDS] is 5 Years. |
Age | Minimum age limit is 17 years |
Minimum Percentage | It is open for students who have qualified Higher Secondary Examination with a minimum of 50% marks |
Average Fees Incurred | INR 50K - 4 LPA |
Similar Options of Study | MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, BUMS |
Average Salary Offered | INR 3.05 LPA (Source: Payscale) |
Employment Roles | General Dentist, Associate Dentist, Pediatric Dentist, Dentistry Researcher, Assistant Researcher, Dental Hygienist, Dental Surgeon |
BDS Latest Notifications:
Wikipedia defines BDS or Bachelor of Dental Surgery as the "branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, and other structures of the mouth. It is that branch of the healing arts concerned with the teeth and associated structures of the oral cavity, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and restoration of defective or missing teeth."
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Admission for BDS in India requires the aspirants to complete their 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks with physics, chemistry, and biology as main subjects from any recognized board of education. Also, along with the basic essential BDS eligibility criteria, the students pursuing the course must have scored good marks in the entrance exams from any institute to get admission. The minimum age for applying for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course is 17 years.
The admission process for the BDS course in India can be done in two distinct ways. It can either be done from the college or the university premises directly by approaching the admission office or online from the college or university admission portal. Listed below are the various procedures to get BDS admission:
The aspirants eager to study BDS can either apply for the course online or offline. Most colleges or universities offering BDS degree courses accept online applications, while some colleges prefer offline mode.
After the university or college conducts the written test, personal interview, counselling, and group discussion, the aspirants are allocated seats based on various BDS essential criteria fulfilled by the aspirants which the college/university officials have proposed.
BDS is a four-year undergraduate medical degree programme for students interested in a career in dentistry. In addition, students interested in a career in medical science, specifical dentistry, should take this course.
Usually, after completing 10+2 graduation, aspirants prepare for NEET or state-level standard entrance examination to be eligible for the course in some of the top universities.
National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) is the only entrance examination conducted for students who want to enter any medical field. NEET is conducted every year, with over 10 lakhs of students participating in this examination, making it one of the toughest exams in India.
Read More: NEET Exam
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is a 5 year-long undergraduate course. BDS is the only approved professional Dental course in India. There are a lot of colleges providing BDS, but to get into top colleges, one must clear all the guidelines issued by colleges. Some essential eligibility criteria that every college looks for are given below:
BDS is a five-year course focusing on imparting students with the knowledge and practical skills in dental care and hygiene. Since there is no specialization in the BDS course, the students have to study all the given subjects. Below are some of the core course lists:
There are many entrance exams for the BDS course students should attend. Therefore, attending the entrance exams is an essential criterion in some colleges or universities. A good merit score from the 10+2 classes with physics, chemistry, and biology as essential subjects to ensure admission for the course. Some of the very best and mandatory BDS entrance exams are as follows:
Generally, for admission to medical courses, NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test) is widely accepted across all states. However, some states conduct their state entrance exam for medical. Some of them are listed below:
Sl.No. | Entrance Exams | State |
1 | KCET | Karnataka |
2 | KEAM | Kerala |
3 | AP EAMCET | Andhra Pradesh |
The BDS course eligibility for the entrance exams depends entirely on the conducting body which conducts the exam. The BDS degree course entrance exams include questions related to reasoning and knowledge, chemistry, physics, and biology questions and quantitative reasoning, general knowledge and current affairs to analyze the aspirants' knowledge abilities. The test includes:
BDS is one of the most pursued medical courses in India. As a result, the country is a host to some of the premier medical colleges offering the BDS course. Below is a list of some of India's top dental science colleges.
Top BDS colleges in India and abroad offer a BDS degree course to students interested in learning medicine and dental science. Some of the very best BDS colleges in India are as follows:
Sl.No. | Name of the Institute |
1 | Manipal College of Dental Sciences |
2 | Sri Ramachandra University |
3 | Maharashtra University of Health Sciences |
4 | Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences |
5 | Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences |
6 | Mar Baselios Dental College |
7 | SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital Sattur |
8 | Gujarat University |
9 | KIIT University |
10 | Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences |
Mumbai is a host to many BDS colleges. Below is the table with the top colleges offering BDS in Mumbai:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | Padmashree Dr D.Y.Patil Vidyapeeth |
2 | Dental College and Hospital |
3 | Nair Hospital Dental College |
4 | Government Dental College and Hospital |
5 | Mahatma Gandhi Mission’s Dental College and Hospital |
Read More: Top BDS Colleges in Mumbai
Many dental schools are located in Delhi. The table below lists the top BDS colleges in Delhi:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | SDS |
2 | PDM University |
3 | SGT University |
4 | SVSU |
5 | Manav Rachna Dental College |
Read More: Top BDS Colleges in Delhi
Bangalore is home to several dental schools. The top BDS colleges in Bangalore are listed in the table below:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | D.A.Pandu Memorial R.V. Dental College |
2 | The Oxford Dental College and Hospital |
3 | Government Dental College and Research Institute |
4 | MSRUAS |
5 | Dayanand Sagar Insitutions |
Read More: Top BDS Colleges in Bangalore
Several BDS colleges are located in Hyderabad. The following is a list of the best BDS colleges in Hyderabad:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery |
2 | Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre |
3 | MNR Dental College and Hospital |
4 | Sri Balaji Dental College |
5 | Malla Reddy Dental College for Women |
Read More: Top BDS Colleges in Hyderabad
Pune is home to BDS colleges. The following is a list of the best BDS colleges in Pune:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | Dr D.Y.Patil Dental College and Hospital |
2 | Dental College and Hospital |
3 | Sinhgad Dental College and Hosptial |
4 | D.Y.Patil Dental School |
Read More: Top BDS Colleges in Pune
Several BDS colleges can be found in Kolkata. The following are the top BDS colleges in Kolkata:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Science |
2 | Dr R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital |
3 | Kusum Devi Sndarlal Durga Jain Dental College and Hospital |
Read More: Top BDS Colleges in Kolkata
In India, there are approximately 300 government colleges that offer BDS programmes. These colleges are accessible to those with limited financial resources. A list of some of the best government colleges is provided below:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | IMS BHU, Banaras |
2 | King George Medical University, Lucknow |
3 | GDCH, Ahemdabad |
4 | Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai |
5 | CSJMU, Kanpur |
6 | JMI, Delhi |
7 | RIMS, Ranchi |
8 | KUHS, Thrissur |
9 | Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada |
10 | MAIDS, Delhi |
There are many premier private institutions in India offering BDS courses. Below is a list of the colleges offering BDS:
Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
1 | KIMS, Maharastra |
2 | ACDS, Telangana |
3 | ABSMIDS, Karnataka |
4 | Mansarovar Dental College, Madhya Pradesh |
5 | SGT University, Haryana |
6 | Rajasthan Dental College and Hospital, Jaipur |
7 | MS Ramiah Dental College and Hospital, Karnataka |
8 | JSS Dental College and Hospital, Karnataka |
9 | Shardha University, Uttar Pradesh |
10 | CIDS Coorg, Karnataka |
If they can afford it, students have the option of pursuing BDS abroad. Studying BDS abroad can be very beneficial because students will have more exposure and practical knowledge than their peers studying BDS at home.
Top BDS Colleges abroad are:
Sl.No. | College Name | Location | Average Fee |
1 | University of Alberta | Canada | CAD 97,075.95 |
2 | Teesside University | UK | GBP 14, 247.39 |
3 | McGill University | Canada | CAD 84,592.41 |
4 | Texas A & M University | USA | USD 21,936.74 |
5 | The University of Melbourne | Australia | AUD 59,565.37 |
6 | New York University | USA | USD 43,479.40 |
7 | Dalhousie University | Canada | CAD 27,759.45 |
8 | The University of Sydney | Australia | AUD 47,126.72 |
9 | University of Manchester | `UK | GBP 27,491.44 |
10 | University of Dayton | USA | USD 43,893.08 |
There are numerous options when it comes to attending college in another country. When it comes to studying, Canada is one of the most popular destinations; students can apply to various top universities for BDS programmes. The following is a list:
Sl.No. | College Name |
1 | Dalhousie University, Halifax |
2 | McGill University, Montreal |
3 | University of Alberta, Edmonton |
4 | Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops |
5 | Cambrian College, Greater Sudbury |
Israel is one of the popular destinations for pursuing medical science subjects such as Nursing, Dentistry and many more.
Sl.No. | College Name |
1 | School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem |
2 | Maurice and Gabriela Goldschelger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv |
3 | IDS- Center for Continuing Education in Dentistry |
The United States is one of the most sought after countries to pursue higher education. This is because it offers some of the best medical practices in the world. Here is a list of colleges in the USA that offer BDS:
Sl.No. | College Name |
1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Dentistry, Michigan |
2 | The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, North Carolina |
3 | Harvard University, Massachusetts |
4 | University of California, San Francisco |
5 | University of California, Los Angeles |
BDS course fees in India range from INR 50 K - to 4 LPA. It may even vary depending upon the facilities and amenities provided at the college/university and the level of education offered to the students. The BDS fees structure in India for some of the reputed colleges is as follows:
College Name | Fees Per Annum |
Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai | INR 2.5 LPA |
Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata | INR 1 LPA |
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru | INR 5 LPA |
Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Calicut | INR 3 LPA |
Sri Sankara DentalCollege, Trivandrum | INR 3 LPA |
The BDS to MBBS bridge course allows dental graduates to work as general practitioners in India's hospitals, clinics, and organizations. Graduates must spend at least three years in rural areas after completing their studies. The three-year program recommended by the Indian Dental Council has two primary purposes.
To enrol in a BDS-to-MBBS bridge course, candidates must have above average grades in their degree program, as cumulative grades prioritize admission.
Many colleges in India provide the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course. But before choosing any college for your degree, you should look at different aspects of the college. The comparison of top BDS colleges is given below for better understanding:
Comparison Parameters | Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU | Manipal College of Dental Sciences |
Overview | Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences is affiliated with the University of Delhi, it is one of the oldest and most reputed dental and medical institutions in India. It is also the first medical college to receive the FICCI award of excellence. | The Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU was established in 1972. The medical department was established in 1960, however, it advanced into the Institute of Medical Sciences in the year 1971. | Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), offers dental courses such as BDS and MDS. |
Average Course Fee | INR 1 - 1.5 LPA | Below 1 LPA | INR 25 - 30 LPA |
Average Initial Salary | INR 6 - 7 LPA [Source: Payscale] | INR 5 - 6 LPA [Source: Payscale] | INR 4 - 8 LPA [Source: Payscale] |
Top Recruiters | Endolite, Ottobock, etc. | Government Hospitals and health care centres (Internship) | Government Hospitals and health care centres (Internship) |
The syllabus and subjects for the BDS course are structured in such a way so that the students get various theoretical and practical medical and dental aspects regarding the course as a whole.
Some of the essential subjects of the BDS course are:
Read More: BDS Syllabus and Subjects
The answer to "Why choose a BDS course?" can be explained and interpreted by the following points:
Regarding BDS, Bachelor of Dental Surgery is a 4-year bachelor's degree course that mainly focuses on specific theoretical and practical skills the students should possess in certain areas, such as medical and dental science sectors.
The essential subjects of the course are General Human Anatomy, including Embryology and Histology, General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, and many more.
Oral Checkups: A Dentist performs many vital duties in maintaining oral health and preventing various oral-related issues such as gums bleeding. Checkups are a significant part of the job for a dental scientist and are essential for patients to keep on top of their oral care.
There is a high demand for BDS graduates in India and abroad. There are several hospitals and private and public institutes where there is a scope for the graduates, so this is an enriching career.
Decent Salary and Job Growth: Bachelor of Dental Surgery's scope and salary in India are around INR 3.05 LPA, which may vary depending on specific criteria such as the skills and talent possessed by the graduates. Hence, there is a high potential for growth for the graduates in this field as the work environment is also good.
Read More: BDS Jobs and Scope
BDS stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery and falls in the medical field. Another popular course in the medical field is MBBS which stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. BAMS is another popular course that medical aspirants opt for, and it stands for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Sciences. The section below is a comparison between BDS, MBBS and BAMS.
There are a lot of courses that the medical field offers, but the two most popular courses among people are MBBS and BDS. These are the most closely related medical programs but have some differences. By referring to the following table, one can decide which field is of their interest and can choose accordingly:
Course | BDS Course | MBBS Course |
Overview | BDS is the only certified and recognized dental course in India students take up this course to practice dentistry as their profession. | MBBS is done by students who want to be future doctors, it teaches and provides knowledge of fields such as anatomy, paediatrics, biochemistry, etc. |
Duration | 5 years (4 years + 1 year of rational internship). | 5.5 years (4.5 years + 1 year of rational internship) |
Average Course Fee | INR 1 - 6 LPA | INR 1 - 8 LPA |
Job Opportunities | Dental Research Scientist, Dentist, Lecturer, etc. | Surgeon, Physician, etc. |
Top Recruiters | Dental Clinics, Hospitals, Educational Institutes, etc. | Clinics, Hospitals, etc. |
Average Initial Salary | INR 4-10 LPA [Source: Glassdoor] | INR 4 - 10 LPA [Source: Glassdoor] |
Read More: MBBS
Both the courses are very different specializations in the field of medical sciences. While one focuses on Ayurvedic medicines and treatment, the other studies dental and oral problems. Below is a comparison of the course.
Course | BDS Course | BAMS Course |
Overview | BDS is the only certified and recognized dental course in India students take up this course to practice dentistry as their profession. | BAMS is a degree that combines traditional Ayurveda and modern medicine into one integrated system. |
Duration | 5 years (4 years + 1 year of rational internship). | 5.5 years (4.5 years + 1 year of rational internship) |
Average Course Fee | INR 1 - 6 LPA | INR 10,000-50,000 P.A. |
Job Opportunities | Dental Research Scientist, Dentist, Lecturer, etc. | Ayurvedic Specialist, Researcher, Consultant, etc. |
Top Recruiters | Dental Clinics, Hospitals, Educational Institutes, etc. | Clinics, Pharmacy stores, etc. |
Average Initial Salary | INR 4-10 LPA [Source: Glassdoor] | INR 20,000 - 8 LPA [Source: Glassdoor] |
Read More: BAMS
There are many specialized fields one can opt for after completing their Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). some of the top fields that students usually go for are:
Develop the Focus Points: While revising the syllabus, the students should understand their weak points and emphasize the same while preparing. In addition, maintaining composure and study ethics are also mandatory.
Adhering to a Set Routine: Building a self-made timetable and adhering to it is another mandatory step as it sets the students a target to attain each day or week.
Go through Previous Year's Question Papers: Going through previous years' question papers gives the aspirant an idea of the paper pattern and difficulty while allowing the aspirant hands-on practice and experience. It may also provide a sense of confidence to the aspirant students.
The BDSs course has a broad scope of jobs in India and a decent salary in almost all private and public sectors of various reputed organizations in India and abroad. Graduates willing to enhance their medical and dental science knowledge can opt for an MDS degree course after completing the BDS course. Some of the courses after BDS are as follows:
The BDS salary in India ranges from INR 3.05 LPA and some additional benefits such as bonuses and incentives. However, the salary and the additional benefits provided to the graduates may vary depending on the graduates' skills, talent, and experience.
Read More: BDS Salary and Placements
After completing the BDS course in India and abroad, many job opportunities are opened for the graduates with a decent salary figure and additional benefits like incentives and bonuses in the public and private sectors of various reputed organizations operating in India and abroad.
Some of the very best career options for the graduates after the course of BDS in the government sector are as follows:
Some of the very best BDS careers in the private sector are:
BDS graduates must possess specific skills in their course curriculum, which is essential for performing better in the interview and grabbing a better job with a decent salary package. Some of the skills required for the BDS graduates are as follows:
⭐Is BDS course eligible to become a doctor?
Yes, a graduate of the BDS course is eligible to practise dentistry as a certified doctor
⭐Is BDS equivalent to MBBS?
The BDS course is focussed on the dental aspect of human anatomy along with the rehabilitation and treatment of the same. It confers on the graduate the title of Doctor just like MBBS. While it doesn't have the same respect or job opportunities as an MBBS, BDS is better than an MBBS without specializations.
⭐Is BDS a good career option?
Yes, BDS is a very prospective career option with a large number of potential job opportunities in a large number of hospitals, dental clinics and nursing homes
I got admission here through COMED K. Now, the admission procedure is exclusive under the basis of the NEET examination. Also, management and NRI seats are available for students who qualify for NEET. Eligibility criteria also include an aggregate of 50% in plus two board exams.
The basic eligibility is 10+2 with 50% or above marks.
The admission is based on NEET entrance exam scores.
The cutoff for our college is 300 out of 720.