BDS — Bachelor of Dental Surgery
The primary undergraduate degree to become a licensed dentist in India.
BDS at a glance
Duration
5 years (4 years academics + 1 year paid rotatory internship)
Eligibility
Class 12 with PCB, minimum 50% aggregate (40% for reserved). Minimum age 17 years.
Entrance exam
NEET UG — mandatory for all BDS admissions in India.
Fees range
Government: ₹15,000 – ₹1 lakh/yr · Private: ₹3 – 8 lakh/yr · Deemed: ₹8 – 15 lakh/yr
About the BDS programme
BDS is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and is the only recognised route to dental practice.
Students study medical foundations alongside dedicated dental subjects, culminating in supervised clinical practice.
After BDS and internship, graduates register with a State Dental Council to practise as a Registered Dental Surgeon.
Highlights of BDS
~27,000 BDS seats across 315+ dental colleges in India
Combines science of medicine with hands-on surgical practice
Faster path to independent practice than MBBS
Strong scope in cosmetic dentistry, implantology and orthodontics
How to get admission to BDS
- 1Qualify NEET UG
- 2Register with MCC (AIQ / Deemed) and state counselling
- 3Choose BDS preferences within the same choice-filling window as MBBS
- 4Confirm admission and complete college formalities
BDS subjects & syllabus
General Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Dental Anatomy
Dental Materials, Pre-clinical Prosthodontics, Pre-clinical Conservative Dentistry
Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine & Radiology
Periodontics, Orthodontics, Paedodontics, Public Health Dentistry
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
Career opportunities after BDS
Private dental practice or clinic ownership
Dental Surgeon in hospitals and corporate chains
MDS specialisation via NEET MDS
Public health dentistry, insurance, research or academics
Overseas practice after clearing licensure exams
Average salary
₹4 – 8 LPA for fresh graduates; significantly higher with MDS or established practice
Leading BDS colleges in India
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi
Government Dental College, Mumbai
Manipal College of Dental Sciences
SRM Dental College, Chennai
Dr D Y Patil Dental College, Pune
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