The only professional dentistry curriculum recognized in India is the 5-year undergraduate BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree. Students wishing to become dentists in public or private hospitals must take this course as a requirement.
Instructing and introducing students to dental sciences and procedures are the fundamental objectives of the BDS program. The five-year curriculum comprises one year of required rotating internship and four years of classroom instruction.
The Dental Council of India controls the degree (DCI). Dental Histology, Oral Pathology, Oral Surgery, and other BDS courses are taught in the curriculum. To practice their profession after receiving their degree, students must register with the Dental Council of India, which oversees the BDS program.
In India, passing the 10+2 exam or earning an equivalent degree from an accredited institution with at least 85% is a requirement for admission to BDS programs.
In India, there is often just one admission exam held. Once a year, a national-level entrance test named National Eligibility Cum Entrance Exam (NEET) is held.
According to the most recent statistics, there are more than 300 dental colleges in India, totalling 26,000 seats among public and private institutions. The typical course fee in India is between INR 1 and 8 lacs.
Students might be paid a monthly stipend of INR 15,000 to 40,000 (approximately) throughout the internship, depending on the college.
The course's graduates can pursue profitable careers as dentists, professors, and dental research scientists, in reputable hospitals and even in education. These experts often start off earning between INR 4 and 10 lacs annually.
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Why study BDS in India?
The students choose this course to further their professions for various reasons. A few benefits of studying this course in India have been listed:
- India's dental patient population has grown due to more oral hygiene awareness. One needs a BDS degree to treat these patients since, in India, earning a BDS degree is a requirement for practising dentistry.
- In the foreseeable future, more work prospects are anticipated by students. The government wants to give dentists more excellent career prospects through improving employment options, which is why there has been a rapid growth in the number of dental patients and physicians.
- The student's potential earnings during a paid internship range from around INR 15,000 to 40,000 and rise with their knowledge and experience.
- Students can even practice their abilities in nations like the US and Canada to earn more than they would outside India. However, they must pass tests like the NBDE or NDEB to do this.
List of Top BDS Colleges in India
Top BDS colleges in India according to 2022 ranking:
Name of the College |
Location |
Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU |
Varanasi |
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences |
New Delhi |
Faculty of Dental Sciences King George's Medical University |
Lucknow |
Government Dental College and Hospital |
Mumbai |
Government Dental College and Hospital |
Nagpur |
Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital |
Kolkata |
Manipal College of Dental Sciences |
Mangaluru |
Top BDS Colleges in India: Program and Course Duration
Here is a list of Top BDS colleges in India with program and course duration:
Name of the College |
Program |
Course Duration |
Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
5 years |
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
5 years |
Faculty of Dental Sciences King George's Medical University |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
5 years |
Government Dental College and Hospital |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
5 years |
Government Dental College and Hospital |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
5 years |
Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
5 years |
Manipal College of Dental Sciences |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
5 years |
Top BDS Colleges in India: Tuition Fees
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Here is a list of Top BDS colleges in India with Tuition Fees:
Name of the College |
Average Tuition Fees |
Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU |
Below 1 lacs INR |
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences |
INR 1 - 1.5 lacs |
Faculty of Dental Sciences King George's Medical University |
INR 1.5 - 2 lacs |
Government Dental College and Hospital |
INR 2 - 2.5 lacs |
Government Dental College and Hospital |
INR 2 - 2.5 lacs |
Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital |
Below 1 lacs |
Manipal College of Dental Sciences |
INR 25-30 lacs (approx.) |
Top BDS Colleges in India: Admission Process
Here is all the information you need to know about BDS requirements for admission:
- The national-level NEET test, administered nationwide, is often the means of admission to BDS programs.
- Since 2016, students must take the NEET exam to be admitted to medical programs, including MBBS, BDS, etc.
- The student's performance on the qualifying 10+2 exam must be at least 50% to qualify for the programme.
- Only applicants who satisfy the requirements can participate in the college's admissions process.
- The counselling sessions for college admission can begin if the pupils pass the exam's cut-off score.
Top BDS Colleges in India: Admission Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
Admission to a particular college and course requires meeting the requirements for that course. The following are the primary qualifications for admission to BDS programs:
- The prospective applicant must have earned a 50% overall grade point average in their 10+2 qualifying exam or an equivalent degree from a recognized institution.
- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology must have been required coursework for their 10+2 grade.
- The admissions process for practically every college that offers this programme depends on the NEET score. To get admitted, the applicant must pass the exam's cut-off score.
- Students who successfully pass the admission exam must attend college-organized counselling sessions. Typically, three therapy sessions are done in a row.
Bachelor of Dental Science: Entrance Examinations
In India, only the NEET test at the national level determines admission to BDS programs. Here is some more exam-related material not previously presented:
- There aren't many entrance exams for BDS admission. The sole test used to determine admission to BDS programs is the NEET exam at the national level.
- For admission to undergraduate medical programs, including MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BSc Nursing, among others, NEET is a nationwide test.
- Prospective applicants must register and enter their personal information on the official website.
- Then, they must complete the online application form provided there.
- Students will get their admit cards through email. The candidates are only asked to appear for the exam on the designated day.
- If the student succeeds in passing the exam and meets the established cut-off, they can go on to the counselling sessions offered for college admissions.
- Admissions to programs like MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and any other medical programme must now only be made through the national test NEET as of 2016.
- A nationwide test called the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) is required for admission to undergraduate medical programs, including MBBS and BDS.
- All BDS admissions, whether to a government or private college, are handled through NEET.
- NEET, one of the most challenging tests offered in India, is a requirement for enrollment in the nation's accredited dentistry institutions.
Top BDS Colleges in India: Preparation Guide
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Since NEET is the single entrance test for enrollment in BDS programs in India, students must work extremely hard to succeed. The exam attracts more than 10 lac candidates each year, making it one of the most competitive tests held in India. The following advice can assist students in getting ready for the test:
- Watch out for the most recent exam curriculum and pattern published on the official website. This will assist you in maintaining focus and preventing confusion.
- Make a study schedule that covers every subject listed in the curriculum. Knowing how much you have already covered and how much more you need to do will be made more accessible by this.
- Establish a rigid schedule and stick to it. This will enable you to complete your coursework on schedule.
- Purchase the most excellent NEET study guide that covers all crucial subjects. Additionally, read your NCERT textbooks carefully because questions may also be drawn from them.
- To keep up with local events, read the newspaper every day.
- Make notes on the material you have read. This will enable you to make effective last-minute revisions.
- Attend practice exams and rigorously adhere to the time constraints. You will get a sense of the exam environment from this.
Top BDS Colleges in India: Syllabus
The five-year program has a broad curriculum. Each year has a set curriculum, so students may devote enough time and attention to each topic. The following is a list of the BDS course syllabus.
1st year
- Biochemistry
- Dental Histology
- Dental Materials
- Law for Dental Profession
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Preclin
- Prosthodontics
2nd year
- Preclin
- Conservative
- Pharmacology
- Dental Materials
- Pharmacology
- Oral Pathology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
3rd year
- Gen Surgery
- Gen Medicine
- Pedodontics
- Oral Pathology
- Oral Medicine
- Oral Surgery
- Public Health
- Orthodontics
- Conservative Dentistry
- Prosthodontics
- Patient Safety Curriculum
- Community Orientation Program Group Project/Research
4th year
- Pedodontics
- Public Health
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Oral Medicine
- Oral Surgery
- Prosthodontics
- Periodontics
- Practice Observership
- Conservative Dentistry
5th year
- Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
- Period ontology
- Oral Medicine
- Diagnosis and Radiology
- Public Health Dentistry
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral Pathology and Microbiology
- Accident and Emergency
- Medicine Comprehensive Oral Health Care
Top BDS Colleges in India: Career and Job Scope
Dentistry has been a prominent field, and oral health is becoming more significant. Without a doubt, the area of dentistry promotes career growth and provides a stable income in addition to the title "Dr." It is safe to expect that any dental office will consider BDS.
Graduates with a BDS degree have many career and employment choices. They can opt to work in government or private hospitals as dentists, researchers, lecturers, etc., or even start their dental practice. But not every graduate immediately starts working and making money. Some of them choose to pursue advanced degrees in the dentistry sciences.
Since BDS is the solely required course in India to practice dentistry, most graduates get jobs within a year after graduation. Some even pursue graduate degrees, like the MDS.
Job Position
Here is a list of job positions for BDS graduates with an average annual salary.
Job Position |
Annual Average Salary in INR |
Dentist |
3.5-4.5 lakhs |
Administrative Coordinator |
4-5 lakhs |
Drug Safety Associate |
5 lakhs |
Dental Assistant |
3 lakhs |
Dental Laboratory Technicians |
3 lakhs |
Oral Surgeon |
4-5 lakhs |
Maxillofacial Surgeon |
8 lakhs |
Research Scientist, |
5 lakhs |
Lecturer/Professor |
6 lakhs |
It is incredible how jobs in dental science can advance your professional standing while promoting community health. Candidates can work at research centres, apply for essential positions in the government service, start their own private or public dentistry practice, or pursue a career in their favourite industry, such as IT, medicine, business, education, or another.
Students can choose from various jobs after earning their BDS in India. However, employment chances may differ depending on the specialisation and extent of the career. In India, the average dentist receives INR 80,000 per month.
Employment Sectors
Following are the employment sectors for BDS graduates in India:
- Dental Hospitals
- Healthcare Units
- Dental Research Centres/Institutes
- Clinics/Pharmacies
- Nursing Homes
- Medical Insurance Firms
- Civil Services, etc.
Top Recruiters
The following list includes the various renowned recruiters looking for BDS candidates.
- Endolite
- Ottobock
- AIIMS
- PGI Chandigarh
- RML Delhi
- MAMC
- HCG Hospitals
- Apollo Munich
- JIPMER, and so on.