Planning to make a career as a Dentist? Deciding between BDS or MDS? Looking for differences between BDS or MDS? Here is the answer to all these questions.

The BDS program is a 5-year undergraduate program, and India's only approved professional dental course. At the same time, MDS is a master's degree that graduates with in Dental Science can get after finishing their undergraduate education. 

This article will take us through a detailed view of the two courses, one can opt for as a dental aspirant.

BDS vs MDS - Key Highlights

Pursuing a career in dental is challenging yet is recognised widely. With society and its citizen being more aware of dental hygiene, more dentist is demanded by various clinics and hospitals. In such scenarios planning to do a course in BDS or MDS is profitable. Below is a highlight of the two courses:

BDS vs MDS - Overview

BDS or Bachelors of Dental Surgery is one of the most famous undergraduate course in the medical field after MBBS in India. The course is designed exclusively to train and educate students in the field of dental surgery who aspire to pursue a career as a dentist in India and abroad.

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MDS or Masters of Dental Surgery is a postgraduate program to earn specialised knowledge in the field of dental care in India. One can sign up for this course, after completing an undergraduate degree in healthcare or dental care, as may be the case.

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BDS vs MDS - Eligibility And Admission Process

Admissions into dental institutes are tough as one requires shire dedication to this field and commitment to the curriculum and definitely a passion to serve the people of the society as a dentist. Some of the criteria to enter BDS and MDS colleges are-

BDS - Eligibility

• One has to be of not less than 17 years of age and not more than 25 years.
• Must have completed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% (compulsory subjects: Physics, Chemistry & Biology).
• One has to sit for entrance examinations taken by the central govt. NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is conducted all across India for MBBS and BDS aspirants.
• After clearing the cutoff of the respective private and public one desires to join, they have to sit for a compulsory round of counselling done for each of the candidates.

MDS - Eligibility

• One should at least be of 21 years of age.
• Entrance examination for MDS conducted by the central govt. across the country like NEET- MDS and AICET, is necessary.
• A student must also, have a graduation degree in Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) or an equivalent course like MBBS which is governed by the Dental Council of India.

BDS vs MDS - Curriculum

During the tenure of education, the curriculum is divided into semesters as per the structure of the syllabus and the course of subjects the students need to learn and understand. For BDS, the course during the 4 years takes the students through the different paradigm of dental care. As for MDS, there are broadly four specialisations or branches a dental surgery may opt for in their master’s degree program. Some of the subjects under both the courses are given below:

BDS Key Subjects

• Dental Anatomy
• Oral Pathology
• Oral Microbiology
• Radiology
• Oral Medicine
• Periodontology
• Public Health Dentistry

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MDS Key Subjects

• Endodontics
• Dentistry Material
• Applied basic Science
• Advances in Periodontics
• Minor Oral Surgery and Trauma
• Orthodontics, Diagnosis and radiology
• Implantology

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BDS vs MDS - Scope and Opportunities

With the rise in demand for healthcare departments in the country, the demand for dental surgery is also increasing. The government is steadily bringing awareness towards dental care among the citizens of India not only in urban areas but also among the remote and rural population of our country. After pursuing courses in BDS and MDS, one is exposed to a plethora of opportunities in both private and public sector hospitals and clinic. Although, more importance is given to MDS graduate- due to the academic hierarchy and specialisation acquired by an MDS graduate. Top recruiting companies for BDS and MDS graduates are- Fortis Healthcare Centre, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Colgate, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and the Indian govt. Services like in the army or navy.  Some of the top roles offered to a BDS and MDS graduate are:

BDS - Job Profiles

• Dental Assistant
• Private Practioner
• Professor
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Lab Technician

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MDS - Job Profiles

• Dental Surgeon
• Periodontist
• Researcher
• Orthodontist
• Private Practioner

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BDS vs MDS - Salary

Pursuing courses in dental surgery can be expensive and may not be affordable for some aspirants. Due to this, some aspirants take up education loan to take admissions in the top universities and colleges for dental surgery. It is essential for them to have an understanding of the job profiles and compensation offered to them after graduation. Some of the compensation are listed below:

BDS Salary

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MDS Salary

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BDS vs MDS - Top Colleges

On one hand, BDS is a suitable kickstart to give to one’s career in the field of dental care, on the other hand, MDS is a postgraduate degree in dental care that allows a student to earn a specialised knowledge through experiential learning and research about one particular subject of choice. Some of the topmost colleges are responsible for offering world-class dental education and training to aspirants. Some of the famously private and govt. Colleges in India for BDS and MDS are:

BDS Top Colleges

• Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Services
• Government Dental College & Hospital Mumbai
• Manipal College of Dental Services
• Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospitals Kolkata

MDS Top Colleges

• King George’s University
• Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Services
• Manipal College of Dental Services
• Christian Dental College, Ludhiana
• Saveetha Dental College & Hospital

BDS vs MDS - Which One To Choose?

Increased Awareness: With the advancement of healthcare, there has been a rise in awareness of dental care. This has brought a high demand in the market for the dentist and expert professional in the dental care sector. For practising as a dentist one should have pursued a course in BDS or MDS.

Evergrowing Demand: The evolution of technology and the evolution of food has increased dental problems by a substantial margin, creating a constant demand for dentists in the current job market. The development of technology has also aided dentists to offer better services in a shorter time.

Being a Professional: By earning a deep-dive knowledge in the field of dental care allows a BDS graduate to bring awareness and cure people. However, with an MDS degree, one earns a specialised knowledge in dental care and is allowed to practice as a surgeon and research about the fundamentals of this subject and bring in the advancement of this department of healthcare.

All in all, it is the decision of the student what they want to pursue and build their career path. This article has allowed us to bring insight into the multiple facets of the two courses, which may help the aspirants to choose the best for themselves.