BDS is one of the most popular and designated degree of dentists (doctors). The BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is the only educational and professional programme of dental surgery in India. It is equivalent to the MBBS and owes the “Dr” domain. In the medical educational field, it is the second choice of the students after the MBBS course.
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.
The BDS degree is awarded on the successful completion of the four-year academic education and the one year mandatory internship programme in dentistry education leading to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree programme. After completing your BDS, you are qualified to practice as a dentist.
The BDS is the degree given to a person who plays the vital role in the treatment of problems related to teeth . The dentist prevents, diagnoses and cures to all dental and related diseases.
It is very challenging to pursue the BDS course and you should have the enthusiasm, hard-working attitude in the study and have a focused mind for doing the BDS course.
The Dental Council of India is the only accredited body for the dental programmes. This course is now in heavy demand by the students after 12th in medical field.
Particulars |
Description |
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 lacs per annum |
Admission Process |
Entrance Exam (NEET) |
Average Initial Salary |
INR 4-10 lacs (approx.) |
BDS Syllabus
This selection will let you know about the Syllabus of the BDS Course. Let’s have a look.
Semester | Subject Covered |
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)
BDS Fees Structure
BDS fees vary depending on the medical college or university in which students take admission. Before enrolling in any particular BDS college, students should check the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) fees structure. BDS fee in both the private and government colleges is Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,200,000 lakhs.
Skills Required for BDS Degree
Candidates who want to pursue a BDS degree programme must possess certain skills. After earning BDS degree programme, student need the following skill sets to advance in the career:
Communication Skills |
Physical Strength |
Patience |
Empathy |
Critical Thinking |
Attention to Detail |
BDS Cut off
Bachelor of Dental Surgery or BDS cut-off is required to determine the student's merit for admission in the BDS degree programme in various medical colleges in India. For BDS degree programmes, NEET cut off is the main criteria that every medical college accepts for the BDS admission process. BDS cutoff is based on the number of students appearing for the NEET examination, previous year’s cutoff, NEET question paper.
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) Syllabus/Subjects
Candidates can go through the below-mentioned syllabus of BDS degree, which an aspirant has to go through while completing the degree. In the table below, we have mentioned BDS subjects year-wise.
1st year |
2nd year |
General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology |
General Pathology and Microbiology |
General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics |
General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
Dental Anatomy Embryology and Oral Histology |
Dental Materials |
Dental Materials |
Preclinical Conservative Dentistry |
Pre-clinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
Pre-clinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
- |
Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology |
3rd year |
4th year |
General Medicine |
Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics |
General Surgery |
Oral Medicine & Radiology |
Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology |
Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry |
Conservative dentistry and Endodontics | Periodontology |
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery |
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery |
Oral Medicine and Radiology |
Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics |
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics |
Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry Periodontology |
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics |
Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
Public Health Dentistry |
After passing the examination, all candidates are required to do a one-year mandatory rotating internship programme in all the departments for the duration indicated against each department as given below:
BDS internships department and period of posting:
Department |
Period of Posting |
Oral Medicine & Radiology |
1 month |
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery |
1 and a half month |
Prosthodontics |
1 and a half month |
Periodontics |
1 month |
Conservative Dentist |
1 month |
Pedodontics |
1 month |
Oral Pathology & Microbiology |
15 days |
Orthodontics |
1 month |
Community Dentist/Rural Service |
3 months |
Elective |
15 days |
Total |
12 months |
Note: Any student who does not clear the BDS course in all the subjects within a period of nine years, including a year mandatory rotatory paid internship from the date of admission shall be disquallified from BDS course.
Also Read:
BDS Specialisations
BDS specialisations available for the dentists to choose the area in which they would like to mark their career. They have a choice of nine specialisations to choose from while pursuing their masters as given below.
Oral Medicine, Diagnosis, and Radiology |
Prosthodontics |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
Periodontal Surgery and Oral Implantology |
Oral Pathology and Microbiology | Pedodontics |
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics |
Public Health Dentistry |
What after BDS?
In today's world, where oral health is one of the primary concerns for everyone, the scope of BDS in India and abroad is very high. People like to visit the dentist for their oral checkup in a month or two. The scope of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in India is very vast and increasing at a rapid speed day by day. It depends on the respective aspirant’s skills, knowledge, calibers, and the place they are practicing.
MDS is not just the only option that is open for students. Dentists can also pursue a management course like MHA (Masters in Hospital Administration) or MPH (Masters in Public Health). This will allow them to step into the management side of health organisations or hospital chains. BDS course is very career-oriented and serves society with its application. BDS graduates can easily earn a handsome salary by working in both private or government organisations.
Other Popular Medical Degrees
Careers Opportunities after BDS
A plethora of career options are available after the BDS degree programme. Career as a dentist is the most sought after career option available after BDS course. However, that in itself has choices of where for whom, and as what. An important point is that students must register with the Dental Council of India to be able to practice as a dentist. Some of the career options are mentioned below:
Dentist: Dentists are doctors who diagnose and treat teeth diseases and oral cavities. Dentists recognise and then treat the diseases of teeth, gum, other oral diseases and make dentures. They guide the patients by providing information on how to maintain healthy teeth and gums and how to take care of oral hygiene.
Lecturer: Lecturers in the medicl colleges are senior doctors who have completed their MD degree and have work experience. Mostly the doctors attached to the Govt hospitals also work as consulting professors to the students at the attached colleges. However, teaching is an option for dentists who have an inclination for it, after gaining some experience working as a dentist.
Top Recruiters
Some of the top recruiters that hire BDS graduates are mentioned below:
Salary after BDS Degree
The salary of dental graduates depends upon their caliber and experience. Aspirants can earn a handsome salary both in the private and government sector. Below, we have mentioned the salary after BDS degree:
Job Profiles |
Average Salary |
Dentist |
Rs. 3 LPA |
Lecturer |
Rs. 6 LPA |
Employment Areas
BDS graduates can join hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and universities. Students who have pursued BDS or Bachelor of Dental Surgery, can also practise individually. Some of the employment areas after graduating from BDS are mentioned below
Top Private BDS Colleges in India
In India there are a number of private BDS colleges. Private university education is significantly more expensive than public university education. Some of the greatest private BDS colleges and also BDS fees are discussed below:
Colleges |
Fees |
ABSMIDS Mangalore |
Rs. 20.07 Lakhs |
ACDS Secunderabad |
- |
ADC Ahmedabad |
Rs. 12.56 Lakhs |
BDCH Davangere |
- |
BIDSH Patna |
- |
CDCRI Rajnandgaon |
Rs. 9.30 Lakhs |
CDSRC Ahmedabad |
- |
CIDS Coorg |
Rs. 3.83 Lakhs |
HCDSH Hazaribagh |
- |
IDS Jammu |
Rs. 13.80 Lakhs |
Top Government BDS Colleges in India
Attending a government-run college is less expensive than attending a private college. These colleges are well-known for their high academic standards throughout India. The following are some of the best government BDS colleges and also BDS fees:
Colleges |
Fees |
AKU Patna |
- |
GDC Raipur |
Rs. 1.04 Lakhs |
GDCH Ahmedabad |
Rs. 1.00 Lakhs |
GDCH Jamnagar |
Rs. 1.02 Lakhs |
GDCH Nagpur |
Rs. 3.70 Lakhs |
Government Dental College Kozhikode |
Rs. 1.65 Lakhs |
HNGU Patan |
- |
IMS BHU |
Rs. 1.49 Lakhs |
JMI New Delhi |
Rs. 1.55 Lakhs |
KGMU Lucknow |
Rs. 3.00 Lakhs |
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Being Eligible For A Course Is A Prerequisite For Admission To A Particular College And Course. The Basic Eligibility Criteria For Admissions To BDS Courses Have Been Mentioned As Follows:
Here are some tips on how to prepare for a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course:
Here are some additional tips that may help you prepare for a BDS course:
Why Study BDS?
Since NEET Is The Only Entrance Conducted For Admission To BDS Courses In India, It Requires The Candidates To Put In A Lot Of Hard Work To Crack It Off. Every Year, More Than 10 Lac Students Appear For The Exam Which Makes It One Of The Most Competitive Examinations Conducted In India. Given Below Are Certain Tips Which Might Help The Students To Prepare Well For The Exam:
What Is The BDS Future Scope?
Students Expect A Rise In Employment Opportunities In The Near Future. The Reason Being That There Has Been A Fast Increase In The Number Of Dental Patients As Well As Doctors And The Government Aims At Providing Better Job Opportunities To Dentists By Increasing The Employment Opportunities.
Students Who Are Willing To Opt For Higher Studies Can Go For The Following :
Admission Process.
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:
A Quick Glance At The Bachelor Of Dental Surgery Entrance Exams:-
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: