BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
Overview of BDS
BDS is a 5-year undergraduate program, including a 1-year mandatory internship, designed to train students in dental science and oral healthcare. It is the only recognized professional dental course in India that qualifies graduates to practice as dentists. The curriculum includes subjects such as Dental Anatomy, Oral Pathology, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, and General Medical Sciences like Pharmacology and Microbiology. Admission is granted through the NEET-UG exam, and candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. BDS offers a rewarding career path in dental clinics, hospitals, academic institutions, or higher studies such as MDS (Master of Dental Surgery). Fees typically range from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakhs per year in government colleges and ₹3 lakhs to ₹8+ lakhs per year in private institutions.
BDS Course Highlights
| Full Form | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 5 years (4 years academic + 1 year compulsory internship) |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology + NEET-UG qualification |
| Admission Process | Based on NEET-UG score and counseling |
| Regulatory Body | Dental Council of India (DCI) |
| Course Focus | Dental and oral health, diagnostics, surgery, and clinical dental care |
| Key Subjects | Dental Anatomy, Oral Pathology, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery |
| Career Options | Dentist, dental surgeon, academician, researcher, or MDS specialization |
| Top Recruiters | Dental clinics, hospitals, government health departments, dental colleges |
| Average Salary | ₹3–6 LPA (can increase with specialization and experience) |
