About Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
BDS is one of the most popular and designated degree of dentists (doctors). The BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is the only educational and professional programme of dental surgery in India. It is equivalent to the MBBS and owes the “Dr” domain. In the medical educational field, it is the second choice of the students after the MBBS course.
In this course, the students are taught about the denture, dental problems and surgery. It is also a good job oriented degree programmes and various opportunities are available in the hospital, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries.
The BDS degree is awarded on the successful completion of the four-year academic education and the one year mandatory internship programme in dentistry education leading to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree programme. After completing your BDS, you are qualified to practice as a dentist.
The BDS is the degree given to a person who plays the vital role in the treatment of problems related to teeth . The dentist prevents, diagnoses and cures to all dental and related diseases.
It is very challenging to pursue the BDS course and you should have the enthusiasm, hard-working attitude in the study and have a focused mind for doing the BDS course.
The Dental Council of India is the only accredited body for the dental programmes. This course is now in heavy demand by the students after 12th in medical field.
Course Duration:
The BDS is a 5 year (4 years academic education + 1 year mandatory internship) UG degree programme. This course can be pursued through full time and part time courses.
The BDS is one of the most sought courses after 12th in medical field. There are many reputed universities in India which are offering the BDS course.
The BDS course contains the basic subjects like human anatomy, physiology & biochemistry, dental material, prosthodontics, microbiology, embryology & histology, general & dental pharmacology and pathology, periodontics, pedodontics, orthodontics and dentistry.
Eligibility Criteria:
The students, who have passed the 10+2 examination with science stream and have had Physics, Chemistry and Biology and English in 12th stream, may go for the BDS course.
It is the course which will be having hands on training in the field of dentistry for the duration of five years. The students will get the chance to interact with the patient and will get the practical knowledge of the diseases.
The students have to score minimum 50% marks (40% in the case of reserved category) in plus two and have to appear for an entrance examination conducted by the respective authorities.
Admission
How to get admission in BDS course?
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As of 2025, admission to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program in India primarily requires candidates to qualify the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). NEET serves as the sole entrance examination for BDS admissions across the country.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed their Class 12 education with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects, securing a minimum of 50% marks.
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Age Limit: Applicants should be at least 17 years old at the time of admission.
Admission Process:
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NEET Examination: Aspiring students must register for and appear in the NEET exam, which is typically conducted once a year.
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Counseling: Post-examination, successful candidates participate in a centralized counseling process managed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for central universities and respective state authorities for state quota seats. Seat allocation is based on NEET ranks, preferences, and seat availability.
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Career & Jobs
After the completion of the BDS course, the dental graduates are entitled to use the term Doctor before his or her name as the prefix “Dr.”.
There are plenty of good jobs & higher study opportunities available after getting the degree in dentistry as a doctor. It is the professional field with 100% job placement.
A BDS graduate may go for the PG degree programmes leading to the Domain MDS (Master of Dental Surgery). MDS is the advanced degree in dentistry field and allows the candidates to specialize in any of its discipline. Interested candidates can also go for research programme by pursuing Doctor of Philosophy.
Teaching career is also open for BDS graduates. Those interested in teaching can acquire teaching jobs in any of the top Dental Colleges. They are eligible to hold positions as professors or even HOD and even get promoted to Dean.
This profession includes the imaging, tissue graft, implants, laser surgery and trauma. After completing this course you will be hired by the medical college, hospitals, nursing home, health corporations, health ministry, and back office medical consultancy.
One can also open his/her own dental clinic or work as dentist in government and private hospitals.
The Job Profiles of the BDS may be the following:
Some employment areas for BDS aspirants are:
Academic Options after BDS Course
Students can go for further studies enhancing their CV by pursuing post graduation in dentistry. Dental surgery graduates can pursue Master of Dental Surgery to gain specializations such as operative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral medicine and radiology, periodontology and oral implantology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, conservative, endodontics and aesthetic dentistry.
Bachelor of Dental Surgery [BDS] graduates can take lateral entry into third year of MBBS.
BDS Entrance Exams 2025
Candidates who want to get admission to the BDS course have to qualify for the BDS entrance test.
The National Testing Agency releases an online application form. Candidates have to fill out the form by the given deadline and appear for the NEET for admission to the undergraduate dental programme. The exam is held once a year in computer-based mode. Scoring the minimum cutoff is one of the criteria to participate in NEET Counselling. Seats are allocated on the basis of rank, choice filled by the candidate, availability of seats, and reservation criteria.
| Exam Name | Exam Date | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| NEET | 4 May 2025 | NEET Schedule |