BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

BDS is a five-year undergraduate dental program that prepares students for a professional career in dental and oral healthcare. Recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI), the course includes four years of academic training followed by a one-year compulsory rotatory internship. It equips students with clinical, theoretical, and practical knowledge of dentistry.

BDS stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery. It is the only professional dental course in India that enables students to practice dentistry and become registered dental surgeons. The degree focuses on oral anatomy, dental procedures, diagnostics, prosthetics, oral pathology, and preventive oral care.

The program is governed by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and is offered by over 300 dental colleges in India. It combines academic coursework with hands-on training through clinical postings and community dental health programs.

Details Information
Course Name
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Type
Degree
Level
Undergrade
Field
Healthcare
Eligibility
10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Course Duration
Course Duration
Average Fee
Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 6 Lakhs
Average Salary
Rs. 3L to 15L per Year
Career Opportunities
Dental Surgeon, Orthodontist, Consultant, Dental Officer, Public Health Dentist
Top Recruiters
Apollo Dental, Clove Dental, Army Dental Corps, Fortis, Govt Hospitals
  • Government Colleges: ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 1.5 Lakhs (entire course)

  • Private Colleges: ₹ 2.5 to ₹ 12 Lakhs (entire course)

  • NRI Quota Seats: ₹ 15 to ₹ 25 Lakhs approx.

Reasons to Pursue BDS

  • High Demand for Dental Professionals:
    Oral healthcare is an essential component of overall health, and the demand for qualified dental professionals continues to grow in both urban and rural settings. With increasing awareness about dental hygiene and aesthetics, the need for skilled dentists is steadily rising.

  • Blend of Science, Art, and Care:
    Dentistry is one of the few medical fields that blends scientific knowledge with artistic skills. Whether it’s crafting crowns or shaping smiles, BDS allows you to use both clinical precision and creativity, making it a fulfilling profession.

  • Early Entry into Clinical Practice:
    After completing the BDS course and internship, graduates can immediately register with the Dental Council of India and begin their practice—either independently or in clinics/hospitals—without the need for a postgraduate degree.

  • Opportunities for Private Practice:
    Dentistry offers significant entrepreneurial potential. BDS graduates can set up their own clinics with relatively lower investment compared to other medical fields, and enjoy autonomy over their work.

  • Financially Rewarding Career:
    A BDS degree offers a good return on investment. While the initial years may require effort in building clientele, private practice, consultations, or joining multispeciality setups can lead to consistent income and financial stability.

  • Pathway to MDS and Global Recognition:
    After BDS, students can specialize through MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) in areas like Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, or Endodontics. BDS also serves as the foundation for clearing international licensing exams like NBDE (USA), ADC (Australia), or ORE (UK), enabling global practice.

  • Career Diversity Beyond Clinics:
    BDS graduates are not limited to clinical work. Opportunities abound in public health programs, research, forensic odontology, hospital administration, dental product companies, and academic teaching roles.

  • Contributing to Preventive Health:
    Dentists play a vital role in detecting early signs of systemic diseases (like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular issues) through oral symptoms. This enhances their relevance in both preventive and diagnostic medicine.

  • Respected Healthcare Profession:
    As a dentist, you become an essential part of a community’s healthcare system. The profession commands respect, trust, and offers the satisfaction of improving lives through both pain relief and cosmetic transformation.

  • Flexible Work-Life Balance:
    Unlike many other medical fields, dentistry often allows for a more predictable schedule, making it suitable for those who seek professional fulfillment along with personal life balance.

  • 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

  • Minimum 50% marks (General); 40% (Reserved Categories)

  • Must qualify NEET UG

  • Minimum age: 17 years as on 31st December of the admission year

  • DCI guidelines must be met

The course duration is 5 years including:

  • 4 years of academic education

  • 1-year compulsory rotatory internship in departments such as Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, Periodontology, and Community Dentistry.

  • Good hand-eye coordination and dexterity

  • Precision and attention to detail

  • Strong knowledge of biology and anatomy

  • Good communication and patient management skills

  • Artistic and spatial perception

Admission is strictly through NEET-UG, conducted by the NTA. No other entrance exams are valid for BDS admission in India.

NEET BDS cut-off varies every year based on:

  • Total candidates appearing

  • Difficulty level of the paper

  • Category reservation

  • Number of available seats

Students engage in both research-based and clinical projects that foster real-world application of dental sciences.

Popular BDS Project Topics:

  • Laser dentistry in periodontal treatments

  • Effect of soft drinks on dental erosion

  • Dental caries prevalence among school children

  • Role of fluoride in caries prevention

  • Innovations in implantology

  • Comparative study of composite vs amalgam fillings

Name of the Books Authors
Essentials of Oral Histology and Embryology
Orban
Textbook of Prosthodontics
Deepak Nallaswamy
Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
Harsh Mohan, Rajeev Bansal
Essentials of Preventive and Community Dentistry
Soben Peter

Admission to the BDS program in India is exclusively based on performance in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). No other entrance exams are valid for admission into BDS courses across any dental college in India.

Step-by-Step BDS Admission Process:

  • Registration for NEET:
    Aspirants must register on the official NTA NEET portal by filling in personal details such as name, date of birth, contact number, and email ID.

  • Form Filling and Document Upload:
    Applicants must complete the NEET form by providing academic details and uploading scanned documents like photographs, signature, and mark sheets.

  • Payment of Application Fee:
    Pay the applicable NEET exam fee through online payment options.

  • Download Confirmation Page:
    Once the form is submitted and payment is successful, download and save the confirmation page for future reference.

  • Admit Card:
    NTA releases the admit card for eligible candidates, which must be carried on the exam day.

  • NEET Exam & Results:
    Candidates appear for NEET-UG. Based on their scores, a merit list is prepared.

  • Counselling:
    Based on NEET rank, students participate in counselling conducted by MCC for All India Quota seats and state counselling authorities for respective states. Seats are allotted in government or private dental colleges based on choices and merit.

The BAMS degree program offers diverse specializations to students. Some of these options include:

  1. Maruthuvam
  2. Gunapadam
  3. Kuzhandhai Maruthuvam
  4. Noi Naadal
  5. Nanju Maruthuvam
  6. Pura Maruthuvam
  7. Varma Maruthuvam
  8. Siddhar Yoga Maruthuvam

After successfully completing the BDS program, candidates are awarded the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree and are eligible to register with the Dental Council of India (DCI) as practicing dentists.

Post-BDS Career Paths:

  • Start private dental practice or join a dental clinic

  • Appear for MDS entrance exams (NEET-MDS) to specialize in fields like Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, or Oral Surgery

  • Work as a Dental Officer in government sectors like the Indian Army, Navy, Railways, or public hospitals

  • Enroll in postgraduate diplomas in areas such as Aesthetic Dentistry, Laser Dentistry, or Implantology

  • Pursue Master’s degrees like MPH (Public Health) or MBA (Hospital/Healthcare Management)

  • Enter the academic field as a Lecturer or Research Associate in dental colleges

BDS Doctors Salary: What to Expect

Salaries after BDS vary widely based on location, experience, specialization, and work setup (clinic/hospital/private chain).

Job Role Average Annual Salary
General Dentist
₹3.0 – ₹6.0 LPA
Clinical Research Associate
₹3.5 – ₹5.5 LPA
Dental Consultant
₹6.0 – ₹10.0 LPA
Dental Assistant/Lecturer
₹4.0 – ₹7.0 LPA
Oral Surgeon (MDS)
₹8.0 – ₹20.0 LPA

BDS graduates are eligible for various central and state government roles after qualifying written tests or interviews conducted by organizations like UPSC, SSC, or State Health Departments.

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Dental Surgeon (Govt Hospital)
INR 4.6 LPA
Community Health Dentist
INR 7.2 LPA
Army/Navy Dental Officer
INR 3.5 LPA
Public Health Program Officer
INR 2.3 LPA

The private dental industry in India is vast, with opportunities in corporate hospitals, dental chains, diagnostics, and even content creation (health blogs, dental startups).

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Associate Dentist
INR 7.2 LPA
Medical Assistant
INR 3.5 LPA
Clinical Manager (Dental Chain)
INR 3.4 LPA
Cosmetic Dentist
INR 10 LPA
    • Clove Dental

    • Fortis Healthcare

    • Indian Army Dental Corps

    • Government Dental Colleges & Hospitals

    • Practo

    • MyDentalPlan

    • Star Dental Centre

This list is based on student priority in AACCC counselling from recent years.

Rank College Name Established Year
1
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi
1938
2
Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai
1983
3
Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai
1951
4
Government Dental College, Bangalore
1958
5
Government Dental College, Ahmedabad
1963
6
Government Dental College, Nagpur
1968
7
PG Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak
1981
8
Government Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram
1959
9
Government Dental College, Indore
1961
10
Government Dental College, Patiala
1956

Need More Information?

You can download the official BDS course guidelines as a pdf.

📄 Download BDS PDF Guide