Are you currently enrolled in a BDS course? Given the competitive professional market, you need more than your degree to be a top-notch dentist. The BDS course program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to become a dental professional, but often you need to move beyond the course books.
Through this blog, you will understand ways to upskill yourself in the field of dentistry.
BDS Course Program
Bachelor of Dental Surgery is a 5-year long program that places you on a career path to become a dentist. It is the only degree program that can enable you to pursue dentistry in India.
BDS Course Details
| Course type | Under-graduation |
| Duration | 5 years |
| BDS Course Eligibility criteria | Class 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, BiologyValid score of NEET |
| Average Course Fees | Rs. 3,00,000 – Rs. 3,75,000 PA |
Curriculum Design
Throughout your program, you would devote approximately 70% of your time to practicals and clinical visits. The course has been broken down into the number of hours.
| Theoretical hours | 1590 hrs |
| Practical hours | 1540 hrs |
| Clinical hours | 2550 hrs |
| Total | 5680 hrs |
The major subjects you would go through in your 5-year tenure are-
| Year | BDS Course Subjects |
| 1st | General Human Anatomy- Embryology and HistologyGeneral Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and DieteticsDental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral HistologyDental MaterialsPre-clinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
| 2nd | General Pathology & MicrobiologyGeneral and Dental Pharmacology and TherapeuticsPre-clinical Conservative DentistryOral Pathology & Oral Microbiology |
| 3rd | General Medicine and General SurgeryConservative Dentistry and EndodonticsOral & Maxillofacial SurgeryOral Medicine and Radiology |
| 4th | Orthodontics & Dentofacial OrthopaedicsPaediatric & Preventive DentistryPeriodontologyProsthodontics and Crown & BridgePublic Health Dentistry |
| 5th | Advanced topics on the above subjects and internship. |
7 ways to take advantage of the BDS program
To meet your career goals, you often need to do more than clear examinations and clock in clinical hours. Here are the top 7 ways through which you can secure the benefits of the BDS course-
Engage in active learning:
Your BDS program curriculum includes multiple theoretical sessions and lab visits. You get to work in dental clinics under the supervision of your teachers and qualified dentists. Engage actively by attending lectures, participating in discussions, and asking questions. It will enhance comprehension and retention ability, enabling you to build a solid foundation for your future dental practice.Master Practical Skills:
You shall be exposed to multiple surgical procedures, advanced technology like radiographic techniques, etc. Utilize the hands-on training opportunities to master essential clinical skills. Such procedures are important to improve your basic motor skills, which becomes crucial in handling complex operations.Keep up with Technological Advancements:
Be proactive in learning about multiple technological advancements. Certification in digital imaging, CAD/CAM systems, electronic health records, and other emerging technologies would help you immensely if prosthodontics is your field of interest.Embrace Multidisciplinary Learning:
Dentistry encompasses a diverse range of subjects like oral pathology and microbiology, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and more. You shall also interact with doctors from other fields in complex cases. Understanding interdisciplinary concepts equips you with a holistic perspective on dental care.Research Opportunities:
BDS programs also offer extensive research avenues. You can participate in research under your faculty or experienced dentist guidance. Engaging in research would help you identify your interest, it also broadens your knowledge, critical reasoning and problem-solving skills.Effective Communication:
Strong professional communication is essential for building trust with patients and collaborating with colleagues. Lab visits and dental clinical duties enable you to interact with patients, hospital staff and other doctors. It shall help you in building empathetic patient interactions, and team collaboration.Foster Professional Relationships:
During your BDS program, you would get ample opportunities to interact with the diverse network of faculty, peers, and mentors. The community can help you identify your niche areas and gradually specialisation in MDS. You can also collaborate with your peers to open a clinic.
Career Options after BDS
The BDS future scope is immense given the numerous career options.
Pursue PG after BDS-
You can pursue BDS higher studies with a specialisation of interest via MD/MDS. It is the most sought degree after BDS. For this, you would need a valid NEET-MDS score. Major specialisations include-
● Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
● Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
● Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
● Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry
● Prosthodontics- Crown & Bridge
● Public health dentistry
Opening your own clinic
You can open your clinic or collaborate with peers after being registered under the Dental Council of India. It is essential to gain min. 3 years of clinical experience before you open your venture. The focus must be on RCT, Crown-cutting, Impactions, etc. Collaborate with senior dentists in a health facility to gain exposure.Pursue jobs in Govt. Sector-
You can join govt. Medical facilities like-
● Secure opportunities in hospitals under the Health Ministry via Combined Medical Examination.
● Army Dental Corps- You need to mandatorily complete your rotatory internship.
● To join CRPF as Assistant Commandant, you can apply for MOSB (Medical Officer Selection Board)
● Other services include- Railways, the Territorial Army and state govt. vacancies.Clinical Research
If you are passionate about finding solutions to complex dental problems, clinical research is your way to go. Certain projects undertaken by research institutes offer junior research fellowships courses for bds graduates.Seek overseas opportunities
You can pursue MDS or even practice privately in a country of your choice. You should note that every country has its own eligibility criteria. For instance, you might need to appear for National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part 1 and Part 2 if you wish to practice in the US/Canada.
Conclusion:
The basic course of BDS gives you a platform wherein you are on a path to develop a career in dentistry. The course curriculum is designed as per the career requirements. A mix of theoretical and hands-on practical skills ensures that you are equipped to serve as a dentist in a medical facility. At Terna Dental College, you would spend the initial 4 years with rigorous training in the field while in the final year, your skills shall be tested during your internship. The BDS program shall be fulfilling your career aspirations if you are on a constant lookout to upskill yourself not only during the program but also in the career span.
FAQs:
- What are the advantages of doing BDS?
If you want to develop a career in the field of medicine, BDS is one of the most sought routes for medical aspirants. High job prospects and an average salary of 4.5 LPA are the major advantages of BDS.
2. What is the future of BDS students?
As a BDS graduate, you can develop your career in the following ways-
●Clinical internship or mentored practice under a senior dentist.
●Pursue MDS in a specialisation of choice.
●Join Medical Services in the Armed Forces
●Appear for Combined Medical services for direct entry into govt. Departments as dentists.
3. Which field in BDS is best?
BDS is a basic dental degree common to all BDS graduates. You need to pursue MDS if you wish to pursue a field of interest.
4. Does BDS have scope in future?
BDS holds immense scope in future. You can practice privately and gain experience. With MDS your professional profile can gain legitimacy. BDS also gives you the option to identify your interest and delve into research.