What is BDS?
One of the most desirable courses in health sector after MBBS is Bachelor of Dental Surgery, also known as, BDS. Candidates who wish to groom their career in dental surgery can know all about BDS from this page. B.D.S. is an undergraduate course for five and half years duration, of which four and a half years will be for theory, while one year will be for rotatory internship after passing the final BDS examination. The internship is compulsory and BDS Degree shall be granted after completion of one year paid Internship and passing of BDS examination. The curriculum of BDS is being regulated by Dental Council of India. In order to get BDS course, it is mandatory for students to appear and qualify in National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), for admission to a total of 26,949 seats offered in 313 governments, private and deemed institutes of the nation. (Note: Data is as per the website of Dentist council of India, it may differ after time.)
In this course, the students are taught about the denture, dental problems and surgery. It is also a good job oriented degree programmes and various opportunities are available in the hospital, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries. After completing your BDS, you are qualified to practice as a dentist.
BDS Highlights:
| 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 |
| Subjects Required |
Physics, Chemistry and Biology |
| Similar Options of Study |
MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, BUMS, BNYS |
| Employment Roles |
General Dentist, Associate Dentist, Pediatric Dentist, Dentistry Researcher, Assistant Researcher etc. |
| Placement Opportunities |
Private and Government Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Dental Research Centers, Private Practice etc. |
Syllabus and Subjects for Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS)
BDS Bachelor of Dental Surgery is divided into 5 years.
Break up:4 years of academics + 1 year of internship
1st year
- Anatomy
- Physiology + Biochemistry
- Dental Anatomy + Dental Histology
2nd year
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology + Pathology
- Dental material
Total 4 subject. But 3 papers of 70 marks each.
3rd year
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Oral Pathology
Final year (4th year)
- Oral Medicine and radiology
- Oral and maxillofacial Surgery
- Prosthodontics
- Periodontics
- Public health and community dentistry
- Conservative and endodontics
- Pedodontics
- Orthodontics
- Human Physiology
- Materials used in Dentistry
- Human Oral Anatomy, Physiology, Histology and Tooth Morphology
- Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
- Orthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Courses you may be Interested in
B.O.Th (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy)
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma)
BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)
B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Science)
BMLT (Bachelor in Medical Laboratory Technology)
BMRIT (Bachelor of Medical Radio Diagnosis and Imaging Technology)
BOPTM (Bachelor in Optometry)
BPH (Bachelor of Public Health)
BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
BDS Course Suitability:
Candidates who have passion for serving humanity are the most suitable for pursuing the course B.D.S. is meant for strong minded people who can bear ghastly sights and smells
To diagnose trainees will have to conduct physical examination which will expose one to obnoxious smell from both medicine and patient’s mouth.
One should be mentally prepared to keep this fact in mind before opting for this course. Surgery requires patience and a calm mind. Certain surgeries require physical stamina too.
How is Bachelor of Dental Surgery Course Beneficial?
Dentistry Schools enables one to work as a Dentist in government or Private Hospitals or open up his/her own dental clinic, to serve the society.
Apart from being a service to humanity, a career in the field of dental science is one of the most lucrative options in the present time.
B.D.S. produces a Dentist who is socially and is able to work safely and effectively on patients in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and oral disease.
BDS Seats through NEET Counseling (15%)
| Types of colleges |
Total Colleges |
Total Seats |
| Government Colleges |
35 |
339 |
| Deemed Universities |
62 |
3000 |
| Central Universities |
4 |
174 |
| Total |
101 |
3513 |
(* As per the official NEET counseling website)
Career & Jobs
After the completion of the BDS course, the dental graduates are entitled to use the term Doctor before his or her name as the prefix “Dr.”.
There are plenty of good jobs & higher study opportunities available after getting the degree in dentistry as a doctor. It is the professional field with 100% job placement.
A BDS graduate may go for the PG degree programmes leading to the Domain MDS (Master of Dental Surgery). MDS is the advanced degree in dentistry field and allows the candidates to specialize in any of its discipline. Interested candidates can also go for research programme by pursuing Doctor of Philosophy.
Teaching career is also open for BDS graduates. Those interested in teaching can acquire teaching jobs in any of the top Dental Colleges. They are eligible to hold positions as professors or even HOD and even get promoted to Dean.
This profession includes the imaging, tissue graft, implants, laser surgery and trauma. After completing this course you will be hired by the medical college, hospitals, nursing home, health corporations, health ministry, and back office medical consultancy.
One can also open his/her own dental clinic or work as dentist in government and private hospitals.
