BDS: Full Form, Course Details, Eligibility, Fees, Duration, Admission
Latest Updates for BDS
- 18 December 2024 :
NEET MDS 2025 exam will be conducted on Jan 31, 2025. The application forms are expected to be released in the first week of Dec 2024.
BDS or Bachelor of Dental Surgery is a five year bachelor's degree course with a year-long rotational internship that is compulsory for students to complete to be able to graduate with distinct marks. The core BDS Subjects are focused on developing an understanding of general Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, General and Dental Pharmacology, etc.
BDS Job Scope is vast and offers opportunities in various specializations from general dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, oral pathology, dental public policy, administration, etc. The average entry-level BDS graduate salary is INR 3.05 LPA.
Table of Contents
- What is BDS Course?
- BDS Eligibility Criteria
- Why Choose BDS Course?
- BDS Admission Process 2024
- BDS Entrance Exams
- BDS Course List
- Top BDS Colleges in India With Fee Details
- Bridge Courses in BDS
- BDS Syllabus and Subjects
- BDS College Comparison
- MBBS vs BDS
- BDS Salary in India
- Courses After BDS
- Career Options After Bachelor of Dental Surgery
- BDS Scholarship
- Skills to Excel as a BDS Graduate
BDS Course Details
| Degree | Bachelors |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Dental Science |
| Duration | 5 Years |
| Age | Minimum age limit is 17 years |
| Minimum Percentage | It is open for students who have qualified Higher Secondary Examination with a minimum of 50% marks |
| Average Fees | ₹50K - 4 LPA |
| Similar Options of Study | MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, BUMS |
| Average Salary | INR 3.05 LPA (Source: Payscale) |
| Employment Roles | General Dentist, Associate Dentist, Pediatric Dentist, Dentistry Researcher, Assistant Researcher, Dental Hygienist, Dental Surgeon |
What is BDS Course?
BDS full form stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery, which focuses on learning practical as well as theoretical study of a denture, dental problems, and surgery. The average BDS fees is in the range of INR 2,000-10 LPA. The fee for government colleges like Jammu University have an average BDS fee of INR 2,040 PA, and Jammu University's BDS fee is INR 13,200 PA. Whereas, BDS fee in the top private medical college Manipal College of Dental Sciences is INR 4.15 LPA.
Bachelor of Dental Surgery course helps students to gain practical understanding through internship opportunities in top private and public hospitals/organizations like SGT Dental College, Hospital & Research Institute, Clove Dental, Apollo Hospitals, National Health Mission, etc., with an average stipend between INR 5,000-20,000 per month.
BDS Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for BDS consists of various parameters like entrance exam score, percentage in 10+2 exams, number of seats, etc. Below listed is the common requirements for BDS admission in India:
- The candidate should have passed 10+2 with physics, chemistry, and biology as the main subjects with a minimum of 50% marks for the general category and 45% marks for reserved category students. Also, student should clear the entrance exams such as NEET-UG, KEAM, etc.
- The minimum age for applying for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course is 17 years.
Why Choose BDS Course?
Bachelor of Dental Surgery course have diverse career options such as as general dentists or specializing in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, etc. Below are a few points regarding why one should choose BDS course:
- As per BLS report, the employment projection of dentists is expected to grow at a rate of 4% between the years 2022-2032.
- Students who want to pursue their career as orthodontists are expected to witness a growth rate of 9% between the years 2020-2030.
- The career advancement prospects after BDS course are vast as students can pursue advanced courses like PhD in Dentistry, a Master in Medical Writing, MDS, etc.
| Compare BDS with MBBS, BAMS, BHMS Courses |
BDS Admission Process 2024
The BDS admission is done on the basis of merit score and entrance score in top colleges like MS Ramiah Institute of Applied Science, Dr. MGR Medical University, etc. Below listed is the general BDS admission process:
- Step 1: The candidate should clear the entrance exam cut-off as per the respective college.
- Step 2: The student further needs to fill out the college application form available online or offline.
- Step 3: Once the merit list is published students need to complete the counseling session process.
- Step 4: Further the student needs to pay the fees and complete the document verification process.
BDS Entrance Exams
The BDS entrance exams are conducted at both national and state levels to check the basic aptitude of students and their subject knowledge. The commonly accepted entrance exam for BDS courses is most colleges is NEET-UG. Below listed are a few entrance exams for BDS along with registration dates and colleges accepting the score.
| BDS Entrance Exams | Registration Dates | Accepting Colleges |
| NEET | January 2024- February 2024 (Tentative) | Dr. MGR Medical University, Jamia Milia Islamia University, Coorg Institute of Dental Science, etc. |
| KEAM | March 2024- April 2024 (Tentative) | PSM Dental College, Kerala University, etc. |
| AP EAMCET | March 2024- April 2024 (Tentative) | CSK Teja Institute of Dental Science and Research, MNR Dental College, etc. |
BDS Course List
BDS is a five-year course focusing on imparting students with knowledge and practical skills in dental care and hygiene. Since there is no specialization in the BDS course, the students have to study all the given subjects. Below are some of the core course lists:
- General Pathology
- Microbiology
- General and Dental Pharmacology
- Dental Therapeutics
- Preclinical Conservative Dentistry
- Oral Pathology
- Oral Microbiology
- Periodontology
- Oral Pathology & Microbiology
- Paedodontics & Preventive Dentistry
- Oral Medicine & Radiology
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Prosthodontics, Crown & Bridge
- Public health Dentistry
Top BDS Colleges in India With Fee Details
In India, there are a number of BDS colleges, constituting both private and public universities. The top private colleges offering BDS course are Sharda University, Manipal College of Dental Science, PDM University, etc., with average fees ranging between INR 1-10 LPA. Some of the top government colleges offering BDS course are Jamia Milia Islamia University, Jammu University, and Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences, with an average fee between INR 2,000-50,000 PA.
Below listed are some of the best BDS colleges in India with fee breakdown:
| Name of the Institute | Average Tuition Fees | Admission Fees | Miscellaneous Fees |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | INR 4.15 LPA | INR 10,000 | INR 1.35 LPA |
| MS Ramiah University of Applied Sciences | INR 6.30 LPA | - | INR 2.60 LPA |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | INR 13,200 PA | INR 100 | INR 16,000 PA |
| Dr. MGR Medical University | INR 10 LPA | INR 10,000 | - |
| Sharda University | INR 3.65 LPA | - | INR 1.60 LPA |
| Sri Ramachandra University | INR 4 LPA | - | INR 2 LPA |
| Mar Baselios Dental College | INR 3.21 LPA | INR 5,000 | - |
| Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences | INR 95,8000 PA | - | INR 1.20 LPA |
| Siksha 'O' Anusandhan | INR 5.50 LPA | - | INR 50,000 PA |
| Saraswati Dental College | INR 2.93 LPA | - | INR 40,000 PA |
| PDM University | INR 1.63 LPA | INR 4,200 | INR 32,000 PA |
| Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences | INR 50,000 PA | INR 10,000 | - |
| Jammu University | INR 2,040 PA | - | INR 3,000 PA |
| Panjab University | INR 1.44 LPA | - | INR 25,000 PA |
Top City Wise BDS Colleges in India
Below listed are location-wise Bachelor of Dental Surgery colleges in India with the average annual fees:
| Location | AverageAnnual Fees |
| BDS Colleges in Chennai | INR 1-3.50 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Lucknow | INR 2-3.50 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Chandigarh | INR 85,000-3 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Jaipur | INR 50,000-3 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Bangalore | INR 1-7 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Mumbai | INR 1.50-4.50 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Indore | INR 1-3.50 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Hyderabad | INR 80,000-4 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Delhi | INR 1.50-5.50 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Pune | INR 75,000-3.50 LPA |
| BDS Colleges in Kolkata | INR 2-4.50 LPA |
Bridge Courses in BDS
The BDS to MBBS bridge course allows dental graduates to work as general practitioners in India's hospitals, clinics, and organizations. Graduates must spend at least three years in rural areas after completing their studies. The three-year program recommended by the Indian Dental Council has two primary purposes.
- First, the bridging course helps BDS graduates who are still looking for full-time jobs.
- Second, this innovative program allows dentistry students to transition into their careers after obtaining a degree.
- To enrol in a BDS-to-MBBS bridge course, candidates must have above-average grades in their degree program, as cumulative grades prioritize admission.
Read More: BDS to MBBS Bridge Course
BDS Syllabus and Subjects
The syllabus and subjects for the BDS course cover basic and advanced topics like dental anatomy, general and dental pharmacology, public health dentistry, general medicine, oral pathology, etc. Some of the essential subjects of the BDS course are:
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery Subjects | Topics Covered |
| Oral Medicine and Radiology | Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Radiographic Interpretation and Imaging Techniques, Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases, etc. |
| Public Health Dentistry | Community Dentistry and Preventive Dentistry, Dental Public Health Programs and Policies, Epidemiology in Dentistry, etc. |
| Oral Microbiology | Microbial Pathogenesis in Oral Diseases, Immunology in Oral Health, Infection Control in Dental Practice, etc. |
| Orthodontics | Classification of Malocclusions and Orthodontic Diagnosis, Biomechanics in Orthodontics, Types of Orthodontic Appliances and Techniques, etc. |
Read More: BDS Syllabus and Subjects
BDS College Comparison
Many colleges in India provide the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course. But before choosing any college for your degree, you should look at different aspects of the college. The comparison of top BDS colleges is given below for a better understanding:
| Comparison Parameters | Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU | Manipal College of Dental Sciences |
| Average Course Fee | INR 1 - 1.5 LPA | Below 1 LPA | INR 25 - 30 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 6 - 7 LPA [Source: Payscale] | INR 5 - 6 LPA [Source: Payscale] | INR 4 - 8 LPA [Source: Payscale] |
| Top Recruiters | Endolite, Ottobock, etc. | Government Hospitals and Health Care Centres (Internship) | Government Hospitals and Health Care Centres (Internship) |
MBBS vs BDS
BDS is a course that primarily focuses on dental health and oral hygiene, whereas, MBBS is a course that focuses on general medicine and surgery. Below listed are the key differences between MBBS and BDS course.
| Course | BDS | MBBS |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Dental Surgery | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery |
| Duration | 5 years (4 years + 1 year of rational internship). | 5.5 years (4.5 years + 1 year of rational internship) |
| Course Overview | The course curriculum focuses on various dental diseases, their diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. | The course curriculum focuses on subjects like anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, etc. |
| Average Course Fee | INR 1 - 6 LPA | INR 10,000-15 LPA |
| Top Colleges | FMS Dental College, Adesh University, PDM University, etc. | AIIMS Delhi, |
| Entrance Exams | NEET UG, KCET, KEAM, etc. | NEET UG, AIIMS MBBS Entrance Test, etc. |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 3.05 LPA | INR 5 LPA |
| Job Roles | Dental Surgeon, Dental Consultant, Orthodontist, etc. | General Surgeon, Medical Officer, Resident Medical Officer, Anaesthesiologist, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Clove Dental, Toothsi, Smile India, etc. | Medanta Hospital, Fortis Healthcare, AIIMS, etc. |
Read More: MBBS vs BDS
BDS Salary in India
The average entry-level BDS salary in India is INR 3.05 LPA, after having 5+ years of experience the salary can be up to INR 7-8 LPA with some additional benefits such as bonuses and incentives. However, the salary and the additional benefits provided to the graduates may vary depending on the graduates' skills, talent, and experience.
Below listed are a few BDS jobs with average entry-level and experienced salary range:
|
BDS Jobs |
Entry Level Average Salary |
Salary After 5 Years of Experience |
| Healthcare Administrator | INR 3.10 LPA | INR 4-6.70 LPA |
| Telemedicine Dentist | INR 4 LPA | INR 5.80-6.30 LPA |
| Dental Consultant | INR 3 LPA | INR 5.40-6.50 LPA |
| Endodontist | INR 3-3.50 LPA | INR 5-7.50 LPA |
Read More: BDS Salary and Placements
Courses After BDS
The BDSs course has a broad scope of jobs in India and a decent salary in almost all private and public sectors of various reputed organizations in India and abroad. Graduates willing to enhance their medical and dental science knowledge can opt for an MDS degree course after completing the BDS course. Some of the courses after BDS are as follows:
- MBA in Hospital Management
- MDS in Community Dentistry
- MDS in Pedodontics
- MBA in Public Health
- PhD in Dental Surgery
Career Options After Bachelor of Dental Surgery
After completing the BDS course in India and abroad, many job opportunities are opened for the graduates with a decent salary figure and additional benefits like incentives and bonuses in the public and private sectors of various reputed organizations operating in India and abroad.
|
Job Designations |
Hiring Companies |
Average Salary |
| Dental Surgeon | Vcare Trichology, Smile Dental Clinic, National Health Mission, etc. | INR 4 LPA |
| Orthodontist | Toothsi, Clove Dental, Apollo Dental Care, etc. | INR 4-5 LPA |
| Pediatric Dentist | Star Dental Center, St. Stephen Hospital, Medicity, etc. | INR 3.65-4.50 LPA |
| Dental Researcher | FMS Dental Hospitals, Saveetha University, Apollo Hospitals, etc. | INR 4.20 LPA |
Top Recruiters for BDS
The BDS scope is vast for graduates in fields like research and academia, public health, healthcare management, forensic odontology, etc. Below listed are a few top recruiters for graduates:
|
Top Recruiter |
Average Entry-Level Salary |
| Toothsi | INR 3-5 LPA |
| Apollo Hospitals | INR 4-6 LPA |
| Clove Dental | INR 3.50-5.50 LPA |
| ICMR | INR 3-6 LPA |
| Max Healthcare | INR 4-6.10 LPA |
[Sources: Payscale & Ambition Box]
Read More: Courses and Career Options After BDS
BDS Scholarship
The students who want to study Bachelor of Dental Surgery can get scholarships from private and government colleges or schemes based on merit scores, annual income, and other related factors. Below listed are a few scholarships for BDS course:
|
BDS Scholarship |
Eligibility Criteria |
Amount |
| IDA Colgate Merit Scholarship | Student members of IDA and are in the top 3 rank holders | Medals and Certificates |
| Ajit Singh Jassar Scholarship for Academic and Co-Curricular Excellence |
|
Upto INR 1 Lakh |
| Index Institute of Dental Science, Indore Scholarship | Students belonging to economically weaker sections and have secured a minimum of 85% in 10+2 examinations | Upto INR 75,000 |
Skills to Excel as a BDS Graduate
BDS graduates must possess specific skills in their course curriculum, which is essential for performing better in the interview and grabbing a better job with a decent salary package. Some of the skills required for BDS graduates are as follows:
- Clinical Skills: The graduate should be proficient in diagnostic, treatment, and surgical skills to treat patients.
- Research Skills: The students who want to build their career in dental research should have an understanding of research design, research methodology, data collection methods, etc.
- Dental Technology Integration Skills: The graduate should have knowledge of technology trends in dental care like digital radiography and systems for CAD/CAM, etc.
- Patient Education: The graduates should have the skills to convey to patients the importance of dental health education and preventive measures, and how they can contribute.
Top BDS [Bachelor of Dental Science] Colleges
Top Dental Entrance Exams
BDS Fee Structure
FAQs on BDS
Q: Is a BDS course graduate eligible to become a doctor?
A: Yes, a graduate of the BDS course is eligible to practise dentistry as a certified doctor
Q: Is BDS equivalent to MBBS?
A: The BDS course is focussed on the dental aspect of human anatomy along with the rehabilitation and treatment of the same. It confers on the graduate the title of Doctor just like MBBS. While it doesn't have the same respect or job opportunities as an MBBS, BDS is better than an MBBS without specializations.
Q: Is BDS a good career option?
A: Yes, BDS is a very prospective career option with a large number of potential job opportunities in a large number of hospitals, dental clinics and nursing homes
Q: What is the entrance exam required for BDS?
A: For admission to BDS courses, you must compulsorily appear for the NEET exam. Other exams include KCET, KEAM and AP EAMCET.
Q: What would be the average course fee for BDS?
A: The average course fee for BDS courses is around INR 50,000 to 2 LPA.
Q: What would be the average initial salary after BDS?
A: The BDS salary in India ranges from INR 3.05 LPA and some additional benefits such as bonuses and incentives.
Q: What are the eligibility criteria for BDS?
A: The prospective candidate must have earned a minimum of a 50 percent aggregate in the 10+2 qualifying exam or an equivalent degree from a recognised institution. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology must have been required coursework for their 10+2 grade.
Q: What is BDS all about?
A: The study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity are covered in the four-year BDS course, which also has a one-year rotational internship. The primary objectives of the course are to instruct and familiarise the students with the dental sciences and procedures.
Q: How many years is the BDS course?
A: The course duration of Bachelor of Dental Science [BDS] is 5 years.
Q: Is NEET required for BDS?
A: Yes, for admission to BDS courses, one must compulsorily appear for the NEET exam.
Q: Which is better: BDS or BAMS?
A: Compared to BAMS, BDS has a wider range of applications. When you first start working in dentistry, you may be paid between INR 15,000 to 25,000 PA, but with time and experience, you may be paid between INR 45,000 to INR 65,000 PA. Unlike BAMS, it boasts a 100% job placement rate.
