BDS – Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Professional degree program that trains students to become dental surgeons, specializing in diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral diseases while promoting overall oral health management.

Download Brochure Explore Courses

Course Overview

A Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is a professional degree program that trains individuals to become dental surgeons and oral healthcare professionals. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum, covering dental sciences, clinical practices, and oral health management. It prepares students to diagnose, prevent, and treat oral diseases. Dentists are skilled and licensed to treat injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws, and mouth, while also advising on oral care and diet choices that impact dental health.

Duration & Eligibility

5 years (4 years academics + 1 year internship)

Completion of Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects, achieving a minimum aggregate score of 50%.

BDS entrance exams include: NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) in India, and AIPGDEE (All India Post Graduate Dental Entrance Examination) for post-graduate studies in India.

Course Fees

India: Government colleges: ₹20,000 - ₹5,00,000 per year, Private colleges: ₹4,00,000 - ₹15,00,000 per year

International: Public universities for in-state students: $20,000 - $50,000 per year, Private universities: $60,000 - $100,000+ per year

Career Prospects

Salary Insights

Entry Level (India) ₹30K–70K /-Month
Experienced (India) ₹1.5L–4L /-Month

Top Dental Colleges

Tamil Nadu
  • Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai
  • Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai
  • CSI College of Dental Sciences & Research, Madurai
  • Priyadarshini Dental College and Hospital (PDCH), Thiruvallur
  • Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital (SRDCH), Coimbatore
  • Government Theni Medical College (GTMC), Theni
  • Government Erode Medical College and Hospital, Erode
  • Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (MAPIMS), Kanchipuram
  • Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER), Chennai
  • Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
India
  • Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi
  • King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
  • Pt Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak
  • Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS BHU), Varanasi
  • Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal
  • Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai
  • Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai
  • Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
  • Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Mangalore
  • Govt. Dental College & Hospital (GDCH), Nagpur
International
  • National University of Singapore
  • King’s College, London
  • University of Manchester, United Kingdom
  • Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
  • University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
  • The University of Sydney, Australia
  • Midwestern State University, USA
  • McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • The University of Queensland, Australia
  • University College Cork, Ireland

Curriculum & Specializations

Core Subjects
  • Animal Anatomy & Physiology
  • Veterinary Medicine & Surgery
  • Biochemistry
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Veterinary Parasitology & Pathology
Key Skills Acquired
  • Clinical Diagnosis
  • Surgical Procedures
  • Animal Handling
  • Disease Prevention
  • Research Methodologies
Specializations
  • Veterinary Surgery
  • Animal Reproduction
  • Veterinary Pathology
  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Dairy Technology

International Exposure in BDS

Exchange Programs

Various exchange programs include clinical observerships, semester exchanges, summer programs, and research collaborations in foreign dental settings.

International Electives

Gain specialized training in unique techniques, work in global health rotations, improve cultural competency by treating diverse patients, and participate in humanitarian missions in developing countries.

Professional Development Benefits

Explore diverse practice models and healthcare systems, cutting-edge technology, alternative treatment approaches, and networking with global dental professionals.

Benefits of Choosing BDS Program

Diverse Career Opportunities

Various career paths for dentists include clinical practice, government roles, academia, corporate positions, entrepreneurship, and international opportunities post-licensure exams.

High Demand

Growing demand for dentists due to increased awareness of dental health and rising interest in aesthetics like cosmetic dentistry, aligners, and smile design, driven by urbanization and improving healthcare infrastructure.

Better Work-Life Balance

Dentists have flexible hours, no night shifts or emergency duties, and can set up their own practice to control their schedule.

Pathway to Global Practice

BDS holders can practice abroad with licenses such as NBDE, ADC, ORE, leading to global opportunities in countries with high demand for dental professionals like the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Making a Positive Impact

Dentists have the opportunity to improve the overall health and well-being of their patients, especially through preventive care and oral health education.

Continuous Learning and Specialization

BDS allows for continuous professional development, with opportunities to specialize in areas like orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and more.

Pros and Cons of BDS

Pros

Career stability with dental services in demand, offering a recession-proof profession and stable income.

Professional autonomy with self-employment, flexible hours, and the ability to choose practice location and specialty.

High earning potential with various revenue streams, and growing value through expertise and specialization.

Balanced lifestyle with predictable working hours, flexibility in scheduling, and fewer emergency calls than in medicine.

Direct patient impact with quick results and the ability to build lasting connections that improve patient confidence and quality of life.

Skill diversity, combining art, science, and technical expertise with ongoing learning and manual dexterity in clinical judgment.

Cons

High educational investment with course fees, lengthy training, and costly equipment as significant barriers.

Physical demands, including potential musculoskeletal issues, eye strain, and health risks from prolonged fixed postures.

Business challenges like managing staff, marketing, and competition are critical to dental practice management.

Stress factors due to patients' anxiety and high expectations for precise, aesthetic work.

Ongoing expenses for education, licensing fees, insurance, and technology equipment upgrades for practice.

Market saturation and corporatization affecting dental fees in urban areas due to insurance companies' influence.

Pursue a Career in Dental Surgery with BDS

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is a professional degree program that trains individuals to become dental surgeons and oral healthcare professionals. With a comprehensive curriculum, students gain education in dental sciences, clinical practices, and oral health management, equipping them with the necessary skills to diagnose, prevent, and treat oral diseases. Dentists are skilled and licensed to diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws, and mouth. They also advise and instruct on oral hygiene, diet choices, and overall oral health care.

Apply Now Download Syllabus