Dentistry is turning into one of the potential career grounds for science stream students as dental care demands are rising globally. As per statistics, around 85% to 90% of adults and 60% to 80% of children in India possess dental ailments thus elevating the demand for dental care in India. On the global level, almost half of the global population, i.e., 45% has dental ailments.
Dental ailments at such a level are advocating a great demand for skilled dental professionals from renowned BDS colleges in India with strong field knowledge.
Read this article to know more about what fundamental knowledge you need to acquire from the BDS course for a better career.
Know about the course – Bachelor of Dental Surgery:
Bachelor of Dental Surgery is the fundamental level course that is recognised by the Dental Council of India (DCI) as the undergraduate course to practice dentistry. This course is offered in multiple top colleges such as Mansarovar Dental College, one of the best dental colleges in Madhya Pradesh.
Here are the course details for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).
| Course Name | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) |
| Course Description | BDS is a dental degree course that focuses on educating dental medical practices, procedures, techniques, and much more which are to be applied in treating dental ailments and maintaining dental hygiene. |
| Level | Undergraduate level |
| Duration | 5 years
4 years + 1 year of compulsory rotatory internship. |
| Mode | Semester mode |
| Eligibility Criteria | The basic eligibility criteria to pursue BDS at the best dental colleges in India are as follows:
● Candidates’ age should be a minimum of 17 years of age. ● Candidates should have completed 10+2 with physics, chemistry, and biology as compulsory subjects. ● Candidates should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in 10+2 |
| Admission Procedure | Admission to the BDS course is based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) score. |
| Average Course Fee | INR 1-6 Lakhs per annum |
Top colleges to pursue BDS courses in India:
India has more than 400 dental colleges offering BDS degrees and some of the top BDS colleges in India that extend top-notch dental education to students are as follows.
| Top BDS colleges in India | Average Course Fee |
| Mansarovar Dental College | INR 1.98 LPA |
| Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU | Below INR 1 LPA |
| Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai | INR 2-2.5 LPA |
| Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur | INR 2-2.5 LPA |
| Maharashtra University of Health Sciences | INR 3.2 LPA |
| Gujarat University | INR 40,000 PA |
Having got a better idea about the BDS degree and the best colleges to pursue it, it is time for you to understand the fundamentals that are required to acquire from BDS degree at the best dental college and hospital in India.
Fundamental Concepts that are to be learned in the BDS program:
Dental care is a part of the healthcare system and so to establish your career in the dental industry it is essential to acquire all the fundamental knowledge by pursuing a BDS degree at top colleges such as Mansarovar Dental College, one of the best dental colleges in Bhopal and others.
Here are the foundational knowledge aspects that you need to cover in your BDS programme.
| Concepts to be equipped in the BDS programme | Description |
| Oral Anatomy and Physiology | Oral Anatomy and Physiology is the major subject that focuses on the head and neck regions that involve the functionality of oral and facial tissues. |
| Oral Pathology | Dental pathology covers the various diseases and conditions that can affect the oral cavity, such as dental caries (cavities), periodontal diseases (gum diseases), oral cancers, and oral infections. |
| Oral Histology and Embryology | This concept covers the developmental agenda of oral facets from the embryo level. It provides a clear understanding of the oral tissues at the microscopic level and this knowledge is essential for efficient diagnosis. |
| Radiology | Radiology is an essential part of dentistry to visualise dental structures and diagnose and plan treatments. |
| Dental Materials | Dental materials knowledge is essential to choosing the right material for various dental procedures such as restorative and prosthetic dentistry. |
| Oral Medicine | Oral Medicine deals with prescribing the relevant medicines and drugs for dental ailments. |
| Periodontics | Periodontics deals with supporting and investing structures of the teeth such as gums, cementum, periodontal membrane, and alveolar bone. |
| Endodontics | Endodontics deals with the prevention and treatment of pulp and periauricular diseases. |
| Conservative Dentistry | Conservative dentistry deals with the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries originating in the teeth. |
| Orthodontics | Orthodontics deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malocclusion in the oral jaws: mandible, and maxilla. |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery provides knowledge of minor oral surgeries, extractions, and the management of oral and facial trauma. |
| Prosthodontics | Prosthodontics deals with the maintenance and restoration of oral structures. |
| Pediatric Dentistry | Pediatric Dentistry involves understanding the unique dental needs of children and providing dental care to pediatric patients. |
| Public Health Dentistry | Public Health Dentistry concentrates on oral health promotion, and community outreach and emphasises the role of dentists in improving the oral health of populations. |
| Infection Control Protocol | Infection Control Protocol knowledge is highly essential for maintaining patient and practitioner safety. |
| Emergency Handling Protocol | Emergency Handling Protocol knowledge is crucial to provide immediate relevant dental care to the patients. |
These are the fundamental concepts that have to be learned in the BDS programme while pursuing the best dental colleges in MP and others.
Beyond these, BDS graduates should also constantly upgrade themselves with the latest trends and technology for clinical expertise.
Conclusion:
The field of dentistry is raising standards for dental professionals to provide remarkable dental services to patients. So it is highly essential for BDS graduates from the leading BDS colleges in India to equip themselves with all the foundational knowledge in the field of dentistry to have a well-established career in the healthcare arena.
FAQs:
1) What is the average fee for a BDS course?
Average fees for a BDS degree will be between INR 50,000 to INR 4 LPA.
2) Is a BDS degree enough to become a dentist?
Yes, a BDS degree is enough to become a dentist according to the Dental Council of India (DCI). One can improve dental career by pursuing further higher dental education courses such as MDS.
3) What is the qualification for BDS in NEET?
The basic qualification required to appear in NEET for BDS is that the candidate should have passed the 10+2 examination in any board with physics, chemistry, and biology as compulsory subjects with an aggregate of 45% in compulsory subjects.
4) What is the average salary scale of BDS doctors?
The average salary scale of BDS doctors ranges from INR 3 LPA to INR 5 LPA at the entry-level. The average pay increases with increasing years of experience.
