Dental Courses in India

Dentistry is a sought-after specialization of Medical Science that deals with the analysis, treatment as well as prevention of oral diseases. Amongst the choicest medical science courses other than MBBS, there is a wide range of dental courses offered at diploma, certificate, bachelor’s and master’s level. Generally, students opt for a bachelor’s and master’s degree in this field to become a Dentist and begin independent practice or work at healthcare centres and hospitals. This blog brings you the complete list of dental courses in India, colleges, admissions and career scope.

About Dental Courses

Dental courses can be pursued after completing 10+2 in the Science stream with BiPC subjects and students commonly opt for courses like Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) after the 12th. BDS is a 5-year undergraduate degree program and is among the accredited dental courses after 12th in India. It mainly comprises 4 years of academic training and one year of clinical experience during which students get practical training at health centres under senior medical practitioners. After completing BDS, you can either opt for an MDS degree to further specialize in this field or you can opt for short-term certification courses in related specialization and gain a license from the Dental Council of India to practice as a certified dentist.

Must Read: Courses after BDS

Dental Courses in India

Here is a complete list of dental courses in India after the 12th as well as after BDS or bachelor’s degree in Dental Science:

Dental Courses after the 12th:

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Bachelor of Dentistry
• Bachelor of Dental Science
• Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry
• Bachelor of Oral Health
• BDS Honors Dentistry
• BSc Hons Advanced Dental Nursing

Dental Courses after Bachelor in Dentistry or BDS:

• Master of Dentistry
• MSc Clinical Dentistry
• Master of Dental Science
• MSc in Dental Technology
• Masters in Dental Surgery
• Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
• MDS Endodontics

Diploma and Certificate-Level Dental Courses

• Diploma in Dental Assistant
• Diploma in Dental Mechanics
• Diploma in Dental Technician
• Diploma in Dental Hygiene
• Diploma in Dental Operating Room Assistant
• PG Diploma in Dental Technology
• Advanced Diploma in Dental Hygiene

Must Read: BDS to MBBS Bridge Course

Eligibility Criteria for Dental Courses in India

The eligibility criteria for dental courses vary depending on the course level as well as the universities. Here are the general admission requirements you need to fulfil to apply for dentistry programs in India:

Dental Courses after 12th

• Candidates must have completed 10+2 from the science stream with biology from a recognized board.
• Minimum aggregate of 50% in the board examinations.
• Qualify NEET  UG Exam

Master’s Level Dental Courses

• Bachelor’s degree in BDS from a dental college recognized by the Dental Council of India.
• Qualification for the NEET PG exam
• 1-year compulsory internship

For Diploma and Certificate Courses in Dentistry

The eligibility for diploma and certificate-level dental courses differs as per the university and education level. If you are opting for an undergraduate-level diploma, you will require a 10+2 qualification with Science Stream while for PG-level certificates and diplomas, you must have completed your bachelor’s degree in Dental Science.

Check Out: Medical Science Courses

Check the following sections to know about the course duration and details of the major dental courses in India:

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

BDS is an undergraduate dentistry course for the duration of 5 years including 1 year of internship. It is one of the sought-after dental courses in India and equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for the diagnosis and treatment of dental and oral diseases.

Master of Dental Science (MDS)

MDS is a 3-year long program and one of the preferred master’s degree courses after BDS. There is a 2-year program alternative for MDS for those who have pursued a post-graduate affiliated with DCI. Graduates can choose from different specializations for MDS such as Orthodontics, Periodontics, Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, etc.

Diploma Courses

There are numerous diploma-level dental courses available across various specialisations of Dental Science to help students furnish their expertise in dental hygiene, dental mechanics etc. These diploma courses are usually 2-year long and can be opted for after the completion of BDS.

Short-term Certificate Courses

Certificate courses are usually for 6-12 months and are available in areas like oral implants, aesthetic dentistry etc. Students can opt for these certificate courses after the completion of a BDS degree in order to gain a specialization in a specific field. These are mostly opted for by students who don’t want to spend 2 years on a diploma course.

Top Colleges for Dental Courses in India

Take a look at the top colleges and universities offering Dental courses in India:

• Maulana Azad Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
• Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Udupi
• Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai
• Dr. D.Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
• A.B.S.M. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru
• SRM Dental College, Chennai
• JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysuru
• Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
• Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai
• Jamia Millia Islamia

Job Opportunities

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery, graduates have to get licensed by the State Dental Council. Further, it is important that you complete your undergraduate program from a college recognized by the Dental Council of India and have completed the full 1-year internship period as well. After the Licensing stage, you can start your practice as a dentist and you will be eligible to apply for jobs as well. Here are the popular job opportunities after Dental Courses in India:

• Dentist
• Pediatric Dentist
• Endodontist
• Orthodontist

Thus, we hope that this blog is familiarized you with the key details regarding dental courses in India. If you want to pursue dentistry abroad, connect with our experts at Leverage Edu and we will assist in you in selecting the right course and university as per your interests and preferences. Sign up for a free session with us now!