BDS Course: BDS, or Bachelor of Dental Surgery, is a highly sought-after program in the medical field, just like MBBS. Because of various dental problems and a shortage of expert dentists, BDS is very popular. In India, BDS is the only recognized undergraduate degree that provides thorough training in dental surgery. It’s a five-year program, including one year of internship and four years of theory.
The students are trained in dentures, dental problems and surgery. It is also a good job-oriented degree programme and various opportunities are available in the hospital, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries. Through this article, readers can learn about BDS courses like admission, course, college, eligibility, jobs, salary etc.
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Quick Facts
The BDS curriculum is governed by the Dental Council of India (DCI). For one of the 26,949 BDS places offered at the country’s 313 government, private, and recognised institutions, applicants must take and pass the National Eligibility Completion Entrance Test (NEET). To learn more about eligibility requirements, the admissions process, examinations, colleges, and other details, interested candidates should read the article since no other exam will be taken into consideration when granting BDS admission.
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| BDS Full-Form | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
| Duration | 5 years ( 4 years + 1 year of compulsory paid internship). |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with a minimum of 50%. Compulsory subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Examination Type | Semester-Based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 1-6 LPA |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam (NEET) |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4-10 lacs (approx.) |
What is a BDS Course?
The BDS course, which stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery, is a five-year undergraduate program that includes a compulsory one-year internship. This course trains candidates to become future dentists and dental surgeons, focusing on the mouth, teeth, and gums. It is the second most popular course after the MBBS course. Those aspiring to become dentists or dental surgeons should choose this course as it serves as the first step in their journey. Graduates of the BDS course can work in government hospitals, or private hospitals, or start their own clinics.
How to get admission to the BDS course?
- To be eligible for the BDS course, candidates should have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the science stream.
- Candidates should have a NEET scorecard.
- After qualifying NEET examination, candidates must participate in counselling conducted by the MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) for 15% AIQ and the remaining 85% State quota.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates, who want to study BDS in India must pass NTA’s eligibility requirements; uncertain of these requirements’ exact details? The table below will answer your questions about age restrictions, requirements, and more.
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | The minimum age limit is of 17 years. |
| Education Qualification | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% with Science subjects, i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Zoology/Botany and English as the main subject criterion for qualifying for the examination. |
| Qualifying Entrance Exam | The 10+2 percentage required for the NEET UG exam is separate for every category and can be listed as under. NEET eligibility marks in class 12 to be considered are aggregate marks only for PCB subjects UR – 50%, OBC/SC/ST – 40%, PWD – 45% |
BDS Syllabus
Below we have mentioned the syllabus for the BDS course. Let’s have a look.
| Semester | Subjects |
|---|---|
| One Year | General Anatomy, including Embryology and Histology General Human Physiology and Biochemistry Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral Histology |
| Two years | General Pathology and Microbiology General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics Dental Materials Pre-Clinical Conservative Dentistry Pre-Clinical Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge |
| Three years | General Medicine General Surgery Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology |
| Four years | Oral Medicine and Radiology Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics Periodontology Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Public Health Dentistry |
BDS Internship (Main aims of the Dental Internship)
- Improve dental knowledge of intern.
- Improve clinical skills.
- Develop confidence in their skills and abilities. Improve communication skills.
- Develop professionalism skills.
- Develop scientific research skills.
- Enhance community and volunteer dental projects.
Top BDS Colleges in India
This section contains a list of the top dental universities in India according to the NIRF 2022 rankings, along with information on average yearly tuition. These schools will provide you with the best BDS programmes with the highest quality education, infrastructure, and facilities based on your NEET score.
Career Opportunities
Dental graduates who have earned a BDS degree may prefix their names with the word Dr. After completing the BDS course, a lot of great jobs with excellent salaries are available. 100% of graduates in this professional field find employment. The area of dentistry also offers educational opportunities. Those who want to educate themselves can find positions in prestigious dental colleges.
The organisation will determine the dentist’s starting pay after completing the programme. However, the most typical range will begin between 15 and 35 thousand. The individual may receive a high pay of 5 to 6 LPA after obtaining expertise and having good hands-on in this profession.
| Job Profile | Job Description |
|---|---|
| Dentist | A dentist’s responsibilities include examining patients’ oral health, repairing tooth decay, treating cavities, etc. However, a doctor’s decision to work in a hospital or open a clinic is entirely their own. |
| Researcher | Advanced dental research is available to BDS graduate students eager to conduct research. |
| Lecturer | Students with advanced training, experience, and qualifications may serve as lecturers at reputable public or private dental institutes. |
| Dental Officer at Indian Defense Services ( Army, Navy, Air Force) | To be qualified for the position, students who desire to practise their capabilities in the defence services must be Registered Dental practitioners in India. |
| Dental cosmetology | People’s increased awareness of oral aesthetics due to higher living standards has expanded the field of cosmetic dentistry. These healthcare experts focus on enhancing a person’s teeth, gums, and bite. You can pursue an additional course in prosthodontics or orthodontics following your B.D.S. programme or follow an M.D.S. with an emphasis on these two fields if you want to become a cosmetic dentist. |
| Forensic dentistry | After earning your B.D.S., forensic dentistry or forensic odontology may be an attractive career choice if you are interested in forensic science because you can assist in investigating crimes. You can enrol at some of the nation’s most prestigious forensic science institutes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 55% in your B.D.S. course. |
Roles of a Dentist
- A dentist’s main job is to examine, diagnose and treat oral disease.
- Evaluate patient’s oral health and prescribe medications.
- They perform oral treatments like root canals, extractions, and fixing and removing prosthetics.
- Work with clinical staff to provide quality patient treatments.
- Enlighten patients on preventive dental care and oral health care.
- Design and fix prosthodontic appliances including bridges, dentures and space maintainers.
Skills of a Dentist
BDS Average Salary
Below we have mentioned the salary for the BDS course. Let’s have a look.
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentist | INR 3.5 – 4.5 Lakhs |
| Researcher | INR 3.5 – 4.5 Lakhs |
| Lecturer | INR 5 lakhs |
| Dental Officer at Indian Defense Services ( Army, Navy, Air Force) | INR 3.3 – 10 Lakhs |
| Dental cosmetology | INR 4.3 Lakhs |
| Forensic dentistry | INR 2.5 – 4 Lakhs |
Recruiting Sectors
BDS course graduates can work in the given sectors. There are ample job opportunities for BDS candidates.
| Dental Clinics | Educational Institutes |
| Dental Products Manufacturers | Dental Equipment Manufacturers |
| Private Practice | Hospitals |
| NEET UG Counselling Guide 2025 | |
|---|---|
| State-wise MBBS/BDS Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| MCC NEET UG Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| AACCC AYUSH NEET Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
