B.D.S. Overview

BDS full form in medical is Bachelor of Dental Surgery. BDS course is a 5-year UG course that prepares students to become dental surgeons or dentists. Students in a BDS course learn about oral health care, dental procedures, and patient management, and often gain hands-on clinical experience through internships or practical training.

For BDS course admission, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) subjects with at least 85% from a recognised institute. The BDS course curriculum consists of four years of classroom instruction and one year of mandatory rotating internship.

B.D.S. Highlights

BDS is a four-year undergraduate program that deals with the study of teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures.

The program is designed to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of dental sciences to the students.

Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree.

After completing BDS, students can either opt for further studies or start practicing as a dentist. 

B.D.S. Entrance Exam

There are various entrance exams for admission to BDS programs in India, such as NEET, AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.

NEET is the most popular entrance exam for BDS admission in India.

B.D.S. Admission Process 

To get admission to BDS programs in India, students need to appear for the entrance exam and qualify for it.

Students who have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as mandatory subjects are eligible to appear for the entrance exam.

The admission process may also include a counseling round where students are allotted seats in various dental colleges based on their rank in the entrance exam. 

Admissions to BDS usually take place through the national level NEET exam conducted across the country.

It has been made mandatory since 2016 that admissions to medical courses like MBBS, BDS, etc. require students to appear for NEET.

In order to be eligible for the course, the student must attain a minimum of 50% in the 10+2 qualifying examination.

The candidates are allowed to enter the admission process of the college only if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Once the students clear the cut-off set for the exam, they can proceed with the counseling sessions for admission to the college.

B.D.S. Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for BDS admission in India are as follows:

The candidate should have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as mandatory subjects.

The candidate should have obtained at least 50% marks in PCB (40% for reserved categories).

Candidates who are appearing for their 10+2 exams are also eligible to apply.

The aspiring candidate must have passed the 10+2 qualifying exam or an equivalent degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate from a recognized institute.

They must have studied the subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology compulsorily in their 10+2.

In almost every college offering this course, the admissions are based on the result of NEET. The student must clear the cut-off of the exam to be eligible for admission.

If the students manage to qualify for the entrance, they need to appear for the counseling sessions organized by the colleges.

There are generally three rounds of counseling sessions held.

B.D.S. Duration

The duration of the BDS program is four years, followed by one year of internship.

B.D.S. Selection Criteria

The selection criteria for BDS admission in India are based on the candidate's performance in the entrance exam and counseling round.

Not many entrances are conducted for admission to BDS. The national level exam NEET is the only exam conducted for admission to BDS courses.

NEET is a national-level exam conducted for admissions to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSc Nursing etc.

Aspiring candidates need to register themselves on the official website and fill in their personal details.

They must then fill out the online application form available over there. Learn More: NEET Physics Syllabus

The admit cards will be sent to the students via email. The applicants are requested to appear for the exam on the prescribed date only.

How to Apply B.D.S.

Students can apply for BDS admission online by visiting the official website of the respective entrance exam conducting body.

Beware of the latest exam pattern and syllabus for the exam which is usually available on the official website. This will help you not get confused and stay on the right track.

Make a study plan and include all the topics that are mentioned in the syllabus. This will help you in knowing how much you have covered and how much more you have to.

Make a proper time table and follow it strictly. This will help you to finish your syllabus well on time.

Buy the best study material for NEET which covers all important topics. Also, be thorough with your NCERT books as questions might come from there as well.

Read newspapers daily to stay updated about the happenings around you.

Prepare notes of what you have studied. This will help you to revise well at the last minute.

Sit for mock tests and follow the time limits strictly. This will give you an idea of the actual exam situation.

B.D.S. Application Form

The application form for BDS admission is available online on the official website of the respective entrance exam conducting body.

B.D.S. Application Process

The application process for BDS admission usually involves the following steps:

Online registration

Filling of application form

Uploading of documents

Payment of application fee

Submission of application form

B.D.S. Fee

The fee for BDS admission varies from college to college and can range from Rs. 1-5 lakh per year.

B.D.S. Syllabus

The syllabus for BDS includes subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Oral Anatomy, Oral Histology, Dental Materials, Dental Anatomy, Dental Histology, Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Conservative Dentistry, and Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, etc.

B.D.S. Salary and Jobs

After completing BDS, students can either opt for further studies or start practicing as a dentist.

The starting salary of a dentist in India is around Rs. 20,000-25,000 per month. However, with experience and specialization, the salary can go up to Rs. 1-2 lakh per month.

Dentist

Researcher

Lecturer

Dental Officer at Indian Defense Services ( Army, Navy, Air Force)

Dentist in Indian Railways

Territorial Army Officer

B.D.S. Career Opportunities

Some of the career opportunities available for BDS graduates are:

Dentist in private or government hospitals/clinics

Researcher in dental sciences

Lecturer in dental colleges

Dental product sales and marketing

Dental health educator

B.D.S. or Bachelor of Dental Surgery is an bachelor level Dentistry course. There are many Dental Schools and Dental Colleges which convey the education of bachelor in dentistry. Candidates learn about various forms of treatment including Surgical Procedures, Dental materials, Dental anatomy & Oral histology, Oral Pathology, Community Dentistry, Pedodontics, Oral Medicine & Radiology in this course. The course can be follow either as a Full Time Graduate Course or Part Time Graduate Course i.e. through correlation or Distance Education depending upon one’s choice. The time of Bachelor of Dental Surgery course is 4-5 years of study with internship and without internship. The B.D.S. course is divided into two or more semesters. which are some of the topics that are mainly taught. Dental Courses embrace didactic lectures, group discussions, demonstrations, seminars, clinical work and conferences.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery Employment Zone:

• Educational Institutes
• Hospitals
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Private Practice 
• Research Institutes
• Dental Clinics
• Dental Equipment Manufacturers
• Dental Products Manufacturers

Bachelor of Dental Surgery Job Scopes:

• Oral Pathologist
• Professor
• Dental Surgeon
• Medical Representative/Sales Representative
• Dental Lab Technician/Ceramist
• Private Practitioner
• Dental Hygienist
• Consultant
• Dental Assistant
• Public Health Specialist