Bachelor of Dental Studies- BDS course is the single most important program that enables you to pursue dentistry in India. After completion of the BDS course, you would have ample career opportunities in different fields. As a BDS graduate, you are equipped with the necessary theoretical knowledge and clinical skills which requires implementation.
In this blog, we shall identify various career paths after BDS which can be lucrative and fulfil your career interests.
About BDS Course:
BDS is a 5-year-long basic UG-level course offered in India for dentistry aspirants. After the completion of the course, students secure registration with the Dental Council of India to be eligible to practice. Let us look into the course highlights.
Course Highlights
| Course type | Under-Graduation |
| BDS Course Duration | 5 years = 4 years (Academics) + 1 year (Internship) |
| Eligibility | Valid NEET ScoreMin 50% in 12th with PCB from any national or state board |
| Mode of Admission | Merit-Based |
| Course mode | Year wise |
Dentist Course Information
The BDS course curriculum is designed as per industry standards to keep you well-versed in theory as well as the practical aspects of dentistry. Let us have a brief outline of the curriculum.
| Year | Major subjects |
| 1st | Human Anatomy, Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral Histology |
| 2nd | Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Pre-clinical Conservative Dentistry, Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology |
| 3rd | Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics; Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery; Oral Medicine and Radiology |
| 4th | Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology. |
| 5th | Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge; Public Health Dentistry + INTERNSHIP |
Top 6 Career Options after BDS
After BDS career options are multiple for medicos. Major routes to develop your BDS future scope are listed below-
Pursue MDS
You can pursue higher education in dental sciences like Master of Dental Surgery (MDS). You need to have a valid NEET-MDS score, to enrol yourself for MDS. Various specialisations include-
| Orthodontics: This deals with correcting dental irregularities. |
| Maxillofacial Surgery: Emphasis on surgical procedures of mouth, jaw, and face. E.g.- Dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, and corrective jawline surgery. |
| Endodontics: Study and treatment of dental pulp and tissues around the roots of the teeth, often performing root canal procedures. |
| Pediatric Dentistry: Deals comprehensively with dental care for children and adolescents. Concerns with early intervention and preventive measures. |
| Prosthodontics: Restoration and replacement of missing teeth through dental implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures. |
A PhD in Dental Science is the highest qualification in dentistry, wherein you get an opportunity to pursue research in your field of interest and present a thesis.
Opening your own clinic
You can open your clinic, either with collaboration or standalone. However, remember to gain min. 3 years of clinical experience post BDS which focuses on RCT, Crown-cutting, Impactions, etc.
- Dental Cosmetology: As influencers and digital personalities seek cosmetic surgery, the demands are on the rise. Seek career advancements in such fields through certification courses.
Pursue jobs in Govt. Sector-
You can join the government. Services like defense and armed forces via-
- Combined Medical Services for PSUs and hospitals affiliated with the Health ministry.
- Army Dental Corps- You need to mandatorily complete your rotatory internship. MDS candidates can also apply.
- To join CRPF as Assistant Commandant, you can apply for MOSB (Medical Officer Selection Board). As MDS, you can directly join as Deputy Commandant.
- Other services include- Railways, the Territorial Army and state govt. vacancies.
Clinical Research
If you are passionate about finding solutions to unresolved dental problems, clinical research is your career pathway. You can also pursue it as a parallel career along with your practice.
- Job roles in the field include- Medical Advisor, Drug Developer, Regulatory Affairs Manager or Physician.
Academician (Lecturer in Dental College)
With clinical experience of preferably 3 to 5 years, you can secure guest lecture opportunities in BDS colleges. As a professor/ lecturer, you shall be responsible for conducting practical sessions with the students.
Overseas Career in Dentistry
Pursue your Masters or even private practice in a country of your choice. Keep in mind that every country has its specific eligibility criteria. For instance, you might need to appear for National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part 1 and Part 2 if you are thinking of practising in the US/Canada. Conduct thorough research on the specific demands, and pursue your overseas profession dreams.
Conclusion:
After the completion of the BDS course from Divya Jyoti College Of Dental Sciences & Research, many of the students are intrigued by the question- After BDS what can we do? As you are now aware, the scope of the BDS course curriculum is designed to impart theoretical as well as practical experience. With the skills you develop, you have diverse opportunities to develop your career after BDS. Public health professionals have a high scope in a developing country like India. With a limited doctor-to-patient ratio, dentistry turns out to be one of the most lucrative fields.
FAQs
- After BDS what are the career opportunities?
The BDS career options are wide. You can-
- Pursue MDS
- Gain Clinical Experience in a private clinic/ Hospital
- Secure a Govt job in a Public hospital, Armed forces, Military facility, State govt. Hospitals.
- Dental Researcher
- Is BDS a highly-paid job?
Yes, the average salary of a fresh BDS graduate is 4.7 LPA. Depending on your experience, you can get lucrative incentives.
- Is BDS a doctor?
Yes, a candidate with a BDS degree holder is a doctor. You can specialize in various areas like Orthodontics, Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry and Prosthodontics.
- Which field in BDS is the best?
In terms of salary, Orthodontist is the top-ranking field followed by Prosthodontists and Maxillofacial Surgeon. However, remember that BDS is a general dental course without any field. If you want to pursue a certain field, you need to enrol in an MDS program
- How to secure career guidance after BDS?
It is important to consult your mentors, college faculties, senior dentists and career experts who can guide you regarding the demand for a particular field in dentistry. Research on demand for each field in the region of your choice to get better insights.
