BDS -

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is the only professional undergraduate degree recognized in India for students aspiring to become dentists and oral healthcare professionals. It is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI).

BDS provides training in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental & oral diseases including surgical training, dental radiology, orthodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, and community dental care.

Admissions to BDS in India are compulsory through NEET-UG, making it one of the most competitive healthcare courses after MBBS.

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Types of Dental Colleges & Seat Intake in India

Type of Institute	No. of Colleges	BDS Seats (Approx.)
Government Dental Colleges	50+	6,000+
Private Dental Colleges	260+	23,000+
Deemed Universities	15+	2,000+
Total	~325+	~31,000+

Introduction

A BDS degree in India equips students with essential clinical and theoretical knowledge in dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, and patient care.

Top dental colleges in India include:

Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (Delhi)
Government Dental College & Hospital (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, etc.)
Nair Dental College & Hospital (Mumbai)
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal
Sri Ramachandra Dental College, Chennai
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (Deemed University), Chennai

After BDS, graduates can practice as dentists, pursue postgraduate specialization (MDS), work in hospitals/clinics, or start their own dental practice.

Why Choose BDS in India?

Respected Healthcare Profession: Dentists play a vital role in preventive and curative oral healthcare.
Strong Career Demand: Rising demand for dental surgeons, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics services worldwide.
Government Recognition: Practitioners are registered with the Dental Council of India.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Many dentists establish private clinics with high earning potential.
High ROI in Abroad Markets: Dentists from India are in demand in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Gulf nations (after licensing exams).
Specializations Available: Option to pursue MDS in Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, etc.
Affordable Compared to MBBS: For many government colleges, BDS tuition fees are lower compared to MBBS.

BDS Course Details

Particulars	Details
Name of the Course	Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Popularly Known as	BDS
Level of Course	Undergraduate
Duration	5 years (4 years academic + 1-year compulsory rotatory internship)
Internship	1-year internship in dental & clinical departments
Eligibility	Class 12 with PCB and minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories)
Entrance Exam	NEET-UG (mandatory)
Minimum Age	17 years
Regulating Body	Dental Council of India (DCI)
Number of Colleges	325+
Number of Seats	~31,000 annually

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Entrance Exams for BDS in India

NEET-UG is compulsory for admission to all government, deemed, and private dental colleges in India.

1
All India Quota (15%) – Counselling by MCC (Medical Counselling Committee)

2
State Quota (85%) – Counselling by respective state medical authorities

BDS Cutoff Trends

Since NEET-UG is the only gateway, BDS cutoffs depend on MBBS demand, exam difficulty, and seats left after MBBS counselling. Understanding the cutoff trends helps students gauge their chances for different colleges.

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Top Govt. Dental Colleges

Require NEET scores ~480–550 (General category)

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State Govt. Colleges

Around 420–480 NEET score

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Private Colleges

Cutoff can drop to 250–400 scores, depending on demand

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Reserved Category

Reduced by ~40–80 marks compared to General

Key Takeaway

Pursuing BDS in India is the right choice for those passionate about dentistry, oral surgery, and aesthetic medicine. With global demand, opportunities for private practice, entrepreneurship, and government recognition, BDS graduates enjoy stable and rewarding careers.