

Complete Guide to BDS
BDS refers to Bachelor of Dental Surgery, a five-year undergraduate program that includes:
four years of academic study and one year of internship covering theoretical and practical aspects of dental science.
One year of mandatory rotating internship to gain hands-on clinical experience across various dental departments.
BDS Syllabus and Curriculum
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery Curriculum which covers a wide range of dental sciences over five years of full-time study. Following is a breakdown of the structure and some key subject areas:
Some of the Subject Areas includes
- Foundational Sciences: Oral Anatomy & Physiology, Dental Materials;
- Clinical Dentistry: General Dentistry, Oral Pathology, Periodontology, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Endodontics,
- Oral Surgery; Public Health Dentistry: Dental Public Health
Eligibility Criteria For BDS
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery program, candidates are supposed to fulfill the following criteria:
- Completion of higher secondary education (12th grade) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects.
- A minimum aggregate score of 50% in the qualifying exams
- Must qualify for a dental entrance examination, such as the National Eligibility and Entrance Test.
- Applicants must be at minimum of 17 years old at the time of admission

BDS Admission Process
The admission process for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programs typically involves the following steps:
- Eligible candidates should appear for entrance exams like NEET (National Eligibility and Entrance Test) for conducting at the national level or state-level entrance exams specific to certain states.
- To be eligible for BDS admission, candidates are supposed to meet the educational requirements and pass the entrance exam with a minimum score.
- After the announcements of the results of the entrance exam, eligible candidates need to register for counseling conducted by the respective authorities.
- During the counseling process, candidates are required to fill in their preferences for dental colleges and courses on the basis of their rank in the entrance exam.
- Candidates must do all the document verification to confirm their eligibility for admission. Required documents may include mark sheets, certificates, identity proof, and others.
- On the basis of the candidate’s rank in the entrance exam and their choices filled during counseling, seats are allotted in dental colleges.
- Once seats are allotted, candidates are required to report to the allotted dental college within the given time period to complete the admission formalities.
- Candidates need to pay the prescribed fees for admission, which may include tuition fees, caution deposits, and other charges.
Fee structure of BDS
The fee structure for BDS depends on the type of institution and the country or state where the college is located. Following information shows down a general breakdown of the BDS fee structure in India:
Government Colleges
Annual Fees is ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 per year
Total Course Fees for 5 years is ₹50,000 – ₹5,00,000
Private Colleges
Annual Fees is ₹2,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 per year
Total Course Fees for 5 years is ₹10,00,000 to ₹40,00,000
Deemed Universities
Annual Fees is ₹3,00,000 to ₹12,00,000 per year
Total Course Fees for 5 years is ₹15,00,000 to ₹60,00,000
Higher fees than government colleges, but better infrastructure and facilities

Best Dental Colleges in India
Some of the best dental colleges in India that are popular for their quality education, infrastructure, faculty, and research facilities are as follows:
- Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences in Delhi
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences in Manipal
- Government Dental College & Hospital in Mumbai
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research In Chennai
- Christian Dental College
After completing the admission process and payment of fees, candidates can attend classes according to the schedule of the dental college.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course can lead to a variety of career paths in dentistry, including working in hospitals, starting a practice, or pursuing further education. Someone with this degree can choose to work in more areas of dental care, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, colleges, NGOs, defence services, railways, etc.
FAQ Related To BDS
Que: Is BDS equivalent to MBBS?
Ans: BDS and MBBS are both professional medical degrees, but MBBS focuses on general medicine, while BDS specializes in dental sciences.
Que: What is the duration of the BDS course?
A: The BDS course duration is 5 years, including a 1-year compulsory internship
Que. Is NEET required for BDS admission?
Ans: Yes, NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is mandatory for BDS admission in India.
Que: What is the minimum NEET cutoff for BDS?
Ans: The cutoff varies each year, but typically, a score of 300-400+ is required for admission to government colleges. Private colleges may have a lower cutoff