MDS (Master of Dental Surgery): Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
Latest Updates for MDS
- 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.
MDS or Master of Dental Surgery is a three-year postgraduate degree course that deals with teeth development, anatomy, physiology, diseases, diagnosis and treatment. The core subjects under MDS course syllabus include topics such as Etiopathogenesis Of Periodontal Diseases, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Diagnosis, Treatment, Preventive Periodontology and Implantology, etc.
MDS eligibility criteria are that the candidate must have graduated with a BDS degree with at least 50% aggregate marks from any institution recognized by the Dental Council of India. Additionally, the students must also appear for entrance examinations such as NEET MDS and INI CET to be eligible for admission into the MDS courses.
The average MDS fees in India range from INR 1,50,000 - 7,00,000 per year based on the type of Institution and specialization. The MDS fees in private colleges range from INR 3,00,000 - 7,00,000 per year whereas the fees in government colleges range from INR 1,50,000 - 4,00,000 per year.
Table of Contents
- What is MDS Course?
- MDS Eligibility Criteria
- Why Choose a Master of Dental Surgery Course?
- MDS Admission Process 2024
- MDS Entrance Exams
- Top MDS Colleges in India with Fees
- MDS Course Syllabus and Subjects
- MDS vs DDS
- Courses After Master of Dental Surgery
- Career Options After MDS Course
- Salary of an MDS Graduate
- Top 5 Cities to Pursue MDS Course in India
- MDS Scholarships
- Skills Required for Master of Dental Surgery Postgraduates
MDS Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Dental Sciences |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | Minimum age limit is 20 years. |
| Minimum Percentage | 55% aggregate marks in BDS. |
| Average Fees | INR 1,50,000-7,00,000 Per Year |
| Similar Options of Study | MS, MD, DDS |
| Average Salary | INR 3 - 8 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Periodontist, Orthodontist |
| Top Recruiters | Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, Sascan Meditech, Cipla, Pfizer |
What is MDS Course?
MDS Full Form stands for Master of Dental Surgery, which is a postgraduate dental degree designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required for diagnosing and treating dental problems and diseases. There is a huge demand for dentists in India due to the increase in the elderly population, changes in lifestyles, awareness about dental health, etc.
India's dental market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% between 2021 and 2028, according to a report by Grand View Research. MDS graduates are employed in various job roles such as Assistant Dentist, Periodontist, Orthodontist, Maxillofacial Surgeon, etc based on their area of specialization. The MDS salary ranges from INR 3-8 LPA.
MDS Eligibility Criteria
The candidates seeking MDS admission must fulfill certain eligibility criteria such as merit score, undergraduate requirements, age limit, etc. Listed below are the MDS eligibility criteria:
- Candidates must have graduated from BDS with at least 55% aggregate marks from any institution recognized by the Dental Council of India. The candidate must also appear for entrance examinations such as NEET MDS and INI CET to be eligible for the MDS admission
- The candidate must have completed their internship after completion of the BDS course at least for 6 months.
- The minimum age limit for admission into the MDS course is 20 years.
Why Choose a Master of Dental Surgery Course?
MDS Course graduates are in huge demand across the country due to factors like increasing awareness about dental health, changes in lifestyle, growth of the industry in the global market, etc. Given below are the important pointers on why choosing an MDS course can be the right choice,
- As per the report by Research and Markets, the dental education market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% between 2020 and 2025
- According to the Insights 10 survey, India's dental care market was valued at $653 Mn in 2022 and is estimated to expand at the rate (CAGR) of 9.40% from 2022 to 2030 and will reach $1339 Mn in 2030.
- The employment outlook for MDS course graduates or Dentists is projected to grow at the rate of 4% between the year 2022-2032 as per the report by the Bureau of Labour Statistics.
MDS Admission Process 2024
The MDS course admission process is mainly done through the merit score obtained in the undergraduate program and based on the entrance examination score. Listed below is the step-by-step MDS admission process:
- Step 1: The candidate must fulfill the eligibility criteria as mentioned above to be eligible for MDS admission.
- Step 2: They should appear for the entrance examination as per the requirements of the college of their choice
- Step 3: The candidate can submit the application form either in online or offline mode
- Step 4: Once the merit list is out, the candidate must appear for a counselling session in the college
- Step 5: The candidate must submit their documents such as mark sheets, certificates, registration with DCI, etc for the verification process
- Step 6: Upon successful document verification, the candidate can proceed with fee payment to confirm their MDS admission
MDS Entrance Exams
The MDS admission is done based on the entrance examination score in colleges such as AIIMS, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, etc.
Listed below is the MDS course entrance examination and their registration details:
|
MDS Entrance Exam |
Registration Details |
Accepting Colleges |
|
Jan 30 - Feb 19, 2024 (Closed) |
SRM Dental College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences |
|
| Mar 18-Apr 12,2024 (Closed) |
AIIMS, NIMHANS, JIPMER, PGIMER |
Top MDS Colleges in India with Fees
The MDS course fees in India range from INR 1,50,000 - 7,00,000 Per Year based on the type of institution, infrastructure, placement opportunities, clinical exposure, etc. Top private colleges such as Saveetha Dental College, Christian Dental College, and Manipal College of Dental Science offer the MDS course. Government colleges such as AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, etc also offer MDS courses in India.
Listed below are the top dental colleges offering MDS courses in India as per NIRF Ranking 2023 and their fee details:
|
NIRF Ranking 2023 |
Name of the College |
Admission Fees |
MDS Tuition Fees Per Year |
Miscellaneous Fees |
|
1 |
INR 1,50,000 |
INR 6,00,000 |
INR 3,70,000 |
|
|
2 |
INR 1,400 |
INR 3,60,000 |
INR 2,00,000 |
|
|
3 |
INR 25,000 |
INR 6,00,000 |
INR 3,05,000 |
|
|
4 |
INR 1,500 |
INR 30,000 |
- |
|
|
5 |
INR 1,00,000 |
INR 5,75,000 |
- |
|
|
6 |
INR 1,60,000 |
INR 4,50,000 |
INR 75,000 |
|
|
7 |
INR 5,000 |
INR 8,00,000 |
INR 2,50,000 |
|
|
8 |
INR 45,000 |
INR 2,10,000 |
- |
|
|
9 |
INR 20,000 |
INR 12,00,000 |
INR 2,00,000 |
|
|
10 |
INR 100 |
INR 31,100 |
INR 3,500 |
Top City-Wise MDS Colleges in India
Listed below are the city-wise colleges in India offering MDS course and their average fees details:
|
Cities |
Average Fees Per Year |
|
INR 6,20,000 |
|
|
INR 4,80,000 |
|
|
INR 1,50,000 |
|
|
INR 6,50,000 |
|
|
INR 7,00,000 |
|
|
INR 3,40,000 |
|
|
INR 6,67,000 |
|
|
INR 5,90,000 |
|
|
INR 1,25,000 |
MDS Course Syllabus and Subjects
MDS syllabus is divided into six semesters with an extensive focus on providing students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the various disease conditions, diagnoses, and treatments. The syllabus differs as per the specialization chosen by the student.
MDS subjects focus on topics such as Oral Pathology, Oral Microbiology & Forensic Odontology, Laboratory and Histopathological technique, Growth and Development, Basics in orthodontics, Diagnosis & Radiology, etc.
Listed below is the common first year MDS syllabus:
|
First Year Syllabus |
|
|
Dental Anatomy |
Oral Pathology |
|
Dental Materials |
Microbiology |
|
Pharmacology |
General Medicine |
|
Applied General and Oral Physiology and Biochemistry |
Research Methodology and Biostatistics |
|
Ethical and Dental Jurisprudence |
- |
Read More: MDS Course Syllabus and Subjects
MDS vs DDS
MDS is a three-year postgraduate program aiming at equipping students with knowledge related to dental science through various topics such as Orthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, etc whereas DDS is a two-year doctoral program enabling students to work in countries like the US, UK, and Canada, etc.
Listed below is the comparison between DDS and MDS based on various parameters:
|
Course |
MDS |
DDS |
|
Full Form |
Master of Dental Surgery |
Doctor of Dental Surgery |
|
Course Duration |
3 Years |
2 Years |
|
Course Overview |
MDS course covers subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Applied Oral anatomy, etc |
DDS course focuses on topics such as Basic Mechanism of Disease, Dental Morphology, Gross Anatomy of the Head, Neck and Trunk |
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Minimum of 55% aggregate marks in BDS |
Minimum of 50% marks in MDS |
|
Course Fees Per Year |
INR 1,50,000 - 7,00,000 |
INR 7,00,000 - 13,00,000 |
|
Entrance Exam |
NEET MDS, INI CET |
Merit-Based |
|
Top Colleges |
AIIMS, Saveetha Dental College, JIPMER, PGIMER |
Saveetha Dental College, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Manipal College of Dental Science |
|
Job Roles |
Assistant Dentist, Orthodontist, Dental Specialist |
Prosthodontist, pediatric Dentist, Oral and maxillofacial surgeon |
|
Average Salary |
INR 3-8 LPA |
INR 6-15 LPA |
Courses After Master of Dental Surgery
Master of Dental Science is one of the most in-demand professions on the job market. Those aspirants who have completed a Master of Dental Science have a wide range of job opportunities.
Higher education will allow pupils to advance in their careers and earn more money. Master of Dental Science aspirants can work in various medical fields, and industries as most careers have become health-conscious. Listed below are some of the courses that students can opt for after MDS:
- MASLP
- MPhil Dentistry
- MPhil Audiology
- MPhil Dental Hygiene
- MPhil Dental Technology
- Diploma in Radiology and Maxillofacial
- Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Master of Science in Forensic Dentistry
Also, Check: PhD After MDS
Career Options After MDS Course
MDS graduates are employed in various job roles such as Assistant Dentist, Orthodontist, Dental Specialist, General Dentist, etc in top healthcare firms in India like Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, Cipla, Pfizer, etc.
Listed below are some of the career options after MDS course and their details:
|
Job Designation |
Job Description |
Hiring Companies |
|
General Dentist |
Responsible for examining the patients and finding dental problems through various diagnostic tests, designing and fitting the dental prosthetics, and educating patients on oral hygiene. |
Tattva Home Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Dr.Kamakshi Memorial Hospital |
|
Pediatric Dentist |
Responsible for examining newborns and infants for their oral health and developmental milestones and treating any diseases that have been diagnosed in infants and children. |
GC Dental World, Wesa Healthcare, Clove Dental |
|
Dental Hygienist |
Responsible for assisting the patients with conducting initial patient screenings, cleaning teeth, and advising patients on the importance of oral health. |
Phillips, Apollo Hospital, Max Healthcare, Abbott |
Top Recruiters for MDS Graduates in India
Listed below are top recruiters hiring MDS graduates in India:
|
Max Healthcare |
Apollo Hospitals |
Phillips |
|
Abbott |
Cipla |
Pfizer |
|
Clove Dental |
Fortis |
Manipal Hospitals |
|
Paras Healthcare |
Narayana Health |
Dr Lal Pathlabs |
Salary of an MDS Graduate
The MDS salary in India ranges from INR 3-8 LPA based on experience and skill set. MDS graduates with 0-1 years of experience earn around INR 3-5.5 LPA and the salary range can go up to INR 12 LPA with 3+ years of experience.
Listed below are the MDS salary details based on the experience:
|
MDS Jobs |
Entry Level Average Salary |
Salary After 3 Years of Experience |
|
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon |
INR 5.2 LPA |
INR 7.6 LPA |
|
Periodontist |
INR 4.2 LPA |
INR 10.0 LPA |
|
Orthodontist |
INR 6.3 LPA |
INR 11.0 LPA |
|
Dental Hygienist |
INR 3.6 LPA |
INR 9.3 LPA |
|
Prosthodontist |
INR 5.0 LPA |
INR 10.5 LPA |
|
Pediatric Dentist |
INR 4.0 LPA |
INR 8.2 LPA |
Read More: Salary of an MDS Graduate
Top 5 Cities to Pursue MDS Course in India
Students can opt to pursue MDS courses in top cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, etc as it has the most renowned institutions such as SRM Dental College, AIIMS, Saveetha Dental College, etc.
Below listed are the top 5 cities to pursue an MDS course based on industry exposure, reputation, infrastructure, placement opportunities, affordability, cost of living in the city, etc.
|
City |
Top Colleges Offering MDS Course |
Average Living Expense (INR) |
Average Starting Salary (INR) |
Top Recruiters |
|
Bangalore |
The Oxford Dental College and Hospital |
40,000 - 45,000 Per Month |
20,000-22,000 Per Month |
Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Clove Dental |
|
Mumbai |
Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai |
30,000 - 60,000 Per Month |
20,000-35,000 Per Month |
Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Ceramco Dental Clinic, Ceramco |
|
Hyderabad |
Government Dental College- Hyderabad |
INR 15,000 - 25,000 Per Month |
INR 15,000 - 25,000 Per Month |
Galaxy Dental Care, Vista Dental Studio, Apollo hospitals |
|
Chennai |
Sri Ramachandra Dental College |
INR 20,000 - 25,000 Per Month |
16,000-25,000 Per Month |
MIOT International Hospital, Apollo Speciality Hospital, SIMS Hospital |
|
Delhi |
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences |
INR 70,000 - 75,000 Per Month |
INR 12,000 - 20,000 Per Month |
Max Super Speciality Hospital, SCI International Hospital |
MDS Scholarships
MDS graduates can avail of scholarships from various government organizations, educational institutions, and NGOs. etc based on various criteria such as the merit score, quota, etc. Listed below are the MDS Scholarships offered by organizations to students and their eligibility criteria and benefits:
|
MDS Scholarship |
Eligibility Criteria |
Amount |
|
Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Fee Reimbursement Scholarship Scheme |
The candidate must belong to Maharashtra’s Economically Backward Class with at least 50% marks in BDS. Family Income should be less than 8LPA |
50% of the total course fees. |
|
Indian Dental Association Scholarship |
The student must be amongst the first three rank holders in the respective BDS academic years and also a member of IDA |
Full Tuition Fee Waiver |
|
Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship |
Interest-free loan to all graduates pursuing the postgraduate and undergraduate program and must be under the age of 30. |
Up to INR 75,000 |
Skills Required for Master of Dental Surgery Postgraduates
A Master of Dental Science aspirant should possess problem-solving, leadership, and technical skills. In addition, at its foundation, dental science necessitates applied dexterity, a hands-on understanding of the work and strong interpersonal skills such as networking, leadership, and conflict resolution.
Listed below are the skills required for MDS graduates:
- Compassion: The job role of a dentist involves working with people from diverse backgrounds, hence candidates need to demonstrate compassion and empathy while on the job.
- Attention to Detail: Right from history collection to treatment, it is essential for MDS graduates to have active listening and observation skills in order to deliver care properly.
- Dexterity: Dental procedure often involves working with tiny tools and objects and the candidate must show utmost care and attention in performing the procedures.
Top MDS [Master of Dental Sciences] Colleges
Top Dental Entrance Exams
MDS Fee Structure
FAQs on MDS
Q: Can I do MDS after MBBS?
A: No, MDS is a postgraduate dental course that requires a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. Graduates of MBBS programs cannot enroll directly to MDS course.
Q: Can I specialize in MDS course?
A: Yes, graduates can specialize in Orthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, and more.
Q: Do I need to clear NEET to pursue MDS course?
A: Yes, to get admission in the MDS course it is mandatory to clear the NEET exam.
Q: What are some emerging trends that MDS graduates can focus on?
A: Students can focus on learning about digital dentistry, implantology, regenerative dentistry, and more.
Q: What technical skills are required by MDS graduates?
A: Graduates need to be proficient in clinical techniques, CAD/CAM technology, digital radiography, implant procedures, and more.
Q: Can I pursue MDS from IGNOU?
A: No, MDS course cannot be pursued in distance education mode.
