BDS to MBBS Bridge Course: Eligibility, Admission

The BDS to MBBS bridge course is a specialized program designed for students who have completed their BDS degree and want to expand their professional horizons and work as a dentist, general physician, and surgeon.

The bridge course comprises all the important subjects and topics taught in the MBBS degree to make a dentist competent enough in performing his duties as an allopathy practitioner.

What Is A Bridge Course?

A bridge course is a form of supplemental knowledge that gives students a foundational understanding of more complex topics into simpler topics that will be covered in future classes. It acts as a foundation for admissions to the main programme. It is typically a university preparation course designed to prepare students for their chosen degree program. Some universities also provide bridge courses in addition to their conventional short-term, degree, and certificate programs.

BDS to MBBS bridge course can help dentists to practise as general physicians at different PHCs, hospitals and speciality centres. 

• The BDS to MBBS bridge course has the advantage of quickly imparting knowledge, assisting students in developing their skills, and directly enhancing overall performance.
• Graduates can pursue full-time jobs and dental science students can switch to alternate career options after earning their degrees. 
• Through bridge courses, BDS graduates can discover and learn about various surgery and medicine, becoming knowledgeable medical experts.

What Is BDS To MBBS Bridge Course?

A BDS to MBBS bridge course is a specialized program created for candidates who have completed their BDS degree and want to move into the field of allopathic medicine and surgery, represented by the MBBS degree.

• The bridge course's curriculum comprises important aspects of the MBBS curriculum, like Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathology are among the topics covered in this course.
• A BDS to MBBS Bridge program, which has a unique approach, enables Dental Science graduates to work as general physicians in numerous hospitals, clinics, and organizations throughout India. Graduates must spend at least three years in rural regions after completing this degree.
• By allowing dental science graduates to explore the enormous field of medicine and surgery, the BDS to MBBS Bridge course can close the gap left by the shortage of trained medical personnel.

BDS Course

MBBS Course

Eligibility Criteria For BDS To MBBS Bridge Course

The Indian Dental Council has put forward the eligibility criteria for BDS to MBBS bridge course admission requirements for graduates who wish to enrol in this bridge program.

• Completion of BDS Degree: Typically, candidates must have completed their BDS degree from a recognized dental college or university.
• Valid Dental License: Candidates may need to hold a valid dental license or registration with their country's dental council or regulatory body to prove their dental qualifications.
• Entrance Exam: To be admitted to the MBBS bridge course, BDS applicants must either take the entrance exam or have their BDS scores taken into consideration and must clear the entrance exam in their 3rd year of BDS and must have an excellent score in the BDS program. In case if two students have scored equal marks then combined marks will be considered as criteria of selection.

Subjects In the BDS Bridge Course

The full list of the BDS to MBBS bridge course is listed below:

• Histology, Bio-Chemistry, Physiology, and Anatomy.
• Physiology, Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Neurology
• Paediatrics
• General Surgery
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
• Cardiology
• Emergency Medicine

Top Universities For BDS To MBBS Bridge Course

The top Universities providing BDS to MBBS bridge course are listed below for candidates reference:

• Christian Medical College, Vellore
• King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
• Madras Medical College, Chennai
• JIPMER, Puducherry
• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
• Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Also Check: Top Medical Colleges in India 2023

How To Switch From BDS To MBBS?

There are a few important tips that can be effective in securing a safe switch from BDS to MBBS bridge course :

• While completing the dental course, try to achieve excellent grades every semester. A perfect scorecard is crucial because the admission is based on a total score.
• Start preparing for the entrance exam in advance and get guidance from experts so that access to the college becomes easier without any gap year.
• Conduct extensive research on the major subjects and topics the MBBS course covers.

Job Opportunities After The BDS To MBBS Bridge Course

There are multiple job opportunities after pursuing the BDS to MBBS bridge course and few of them are listed below:

• General Physician: Students can work as general physicians and treat multiple medical conditions in hospitals, clinics and private practices.
• Medical Officer: They can work as medical officers in government or private hospitals.
• Resident Medical Officer (RMO): Students can work as RMOs in hospitals and can assist in managing and supervising medical staff.
• Emergency Medicine Practitioner: Can work in emergency medicine and work in emergency departments, handling critical cases and trauma patients.
• Primary Healthcare Practitioners: They can work in primary healthcare centres, focusing on preventive care, health promotion and providing essential medical services to communities.
• Medical Research: Candidates can pursue research opportunities in the medical field, contributing to advancements in healthcare and medical knowledge.
• Teaching Roles At Academic Institutes: Graduates can opt for teaching positions at medical colleges or universities.
• Telemedicine: Telemedicine is a growing profession where graduates can provide remote medical consultations and advice to patients through online platforms.

What Is The Difference Between BDS And MBBS?

The basic difference between BDS and MBBS is tabulated below for candidates reference.

Difference Between BDS And MBBS

Parameters	BDS	MBBS
Full Form	Bachelor of Dental Surgery	Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Objective of Course	BDS degree focuses on dental and oral health.	MBBS degree focuses on general medicine, surgery, and healthcare systems.
Duration	4.5 years	5.5 years
Profession	After successful completion of graduation, become a dentist and dental surgeon.	After successful completion of graduation graduation, they become medical doctors and physicians.
License	Requires dental licensing and registration with the Dental Council Of India	Requires medical licensing and registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC)