What is BDS?
BDS trains you to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases of the teeth, gums, jaws and mouth. Dental education is now regulated by the National Dental Commission (NDC), which replaced the Dental Council of India (DCI) on 19 March 2026 under the National Dental Commission Act, 2023.
The first two years cover medical basics such as anatomy, physiology and pathology alongside dental materials and tooth morphology. In later years you treat patients in the college's dental hospital: fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns, dentures, braces planning and gum treatment. The final year is a rotatory internship across all dental departments and community outreach camps.
BDS is shorter than MBBS and focuses only on oral and dental health, so it does not lead to general MD/MS specialisation. It leads instead to MDS in nine dental specialties. Many graduates set up their own clinics, which makes it attractive for students who want to run a practice.
Who is this course for?
- Students who want a NEET-based clinical career with a focus on one area of the body
- People with steady hands and good fine-motor skills
- Those interested in eventually running their own clinic
- Students who like a mix of science, craft and aesthetics
- People who enjoy talking to and reassuring patients
- Those who want regular working hours more often than hospital medicine allows
What you study
- Year 1
- General Human Anatomy (with Embryology and Histology)
- General Human Physiology and Biochemistry
- Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral Histology
- Dental Materials (pre-clinical)
- Pre-clinical Prosthodontics
- Year 2
- General Pathology and Microbiology
- General and Dental Pharmacology
- Dental Materials
- Pre-clinical Conservative Dentistry
- Pre-clinical Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge
- Year 3
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
- Clinical postings in all dental departments
- Year 4
- Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
- Periodontology
- Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Public Health Dentistry
- Internship (1 year)
- Rotations in all dental departments
- Community dental camps and rural postings
- Independent case handling under supervision
Specialisations and electives
Orthodontics and Dentofacial OrthopaedicsConservative Dentistry and EndodonticsOral and Maxillofacial SurgeryProsthodontics and Crown and BridgePeriodontologyPaediatric and Preventive DentistryOral Medicine and RadiologyOral and Maxillofacial PathologyPublic Health DentistryImplantology and cosmetic dentistry (certificate/fellowship)
Eligibility & admission
- Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English.
- At least 50% in PCB for General; 40% for SC, ST and OBC-NCL; 45% for General-PwD.
- Minimum age 17 years by 31 December of the admission year.
- Must qualify NEET-UG; the same NEET rank list is used for MBBS and BDS.
- No lateral entry into BDS.
How admission works
- Appear for NEET-UG conducted by NTA.
- Register for MCC counselling (All India Quota, central and deemed universities) and/or your state's counselling.
- Fill choices; most students list BDS colleges after their MBBS choices, since both use the same rank.
- Accept the seat allotted in a round, or wait for upgrade rounds.
- Report to the college with NEET scorecard, mark sheets, ID, category and domicile documents, and pay fees.
Entrance exams
NEET-UGCompulsory for all BDS seats; the 2026 exam was re-held on 21 June 2026 after the May paper was cancelled
MCC UG counselling15% All India Quota and 100% deemed/central university BDS seats
State NEET counsellingState quota and private college BDS seats
NEET-MDSEntrance for MDS after BDS and internship
Planning to study BDS?The AISEE merit scholarship can cover up to 100% of tuition fees at participating colleges. One online exam, results by rank.
Apply for AISEE-2027
Top colleges for BDS
| College | City | Why it stands out |
|---|
| Saveetha Dental College (Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences) | Chennai | Deemed university; NIRF 2025 Dental rank 2 |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | New Delhi | Delhi government institute; NIRF 2025 Dental rank 3 |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College (Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth) | Pune | Deemed university; NIRF 2025 Dental rank 4 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | Manipal | Private (MAHE); NIRF 2025 Dental rank 5 |
| A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | Mangaluru | Private (NITTE); NIRF 2025 Dental rank 6 |
| Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University | Lucknow | State government university; NIRF 2025 Dental rank 7 |
| SRM Dental College | Chennai | Private; NIRF 2025 Dental rank 8 |
| JSS Dental College and Hospital | Mysuru | Private (JSS AHER); NIRF 2025 Dental rank 10 |
| Government Dental College and Hospital | Mumbai | Long-established state government dental college |
Ranks are from the NIRF 2025 India Rankings where shown. Check each college’s official website for this year’s seats, fees and cut-offs.
Careers & salary
General Dental PractitionerRuns or works in a dental clinic, handling check-ups, fillings, extractions and root canals.
Dental Surgeon (Government)Works in district hospitals, CHCs, ESIC or railway hospitals after state PSC or central recruitment.
Armed Forces Dental OfficerJoins the Army Dental Corps as a commissioned officer through its selection process.
Specialist Dentist (after MDS)Practises as an orthodontist, endodontist, oral surgeon or other specialist.
Dental LecturerTeaches in dental colleges, usually after completing MDS.
Public Health DentistPlans oral-health programmes and screening for schools and communities.
Clinical Research / Dental Industry ProfessionalWorks with dental-product, implant or oral-care companies in trials, training or product roles.
Top recruiters & sectors
State health departmentsESIC hospitalsIndian RailwaysArmy Dental CorpsClove DentalSabka DentistApollo White DentalMultispecialty hospital chainsDental collegesOral-care and dental-product companiesClinical research organisationsInsurance and health-tech firms
Salary
A fresh BDS graduate working as an associate dentist or in a dental chain typically earns about ₹3–6 LPA (approx.). Government dental surgeon posts pay according to the state or central pay scale. With MDS and a few years of experience, specialists often earn ₹8–20 LPA (approx.), and a well-run private clinic can earn more.
Income depends on location, MDS specialty, clinical skill, and whether you own a practice (which needs investment in equipment). Figures vary; check current placement reports.
Scope & higher studies
India has roughly 28,000 BDS seats in about 320–330 dental colleges (2025 seat matrix figures differ slightly by source). Competition for jobs is high in big cities, but demand for dentists is growing in smaller towns, in organised dental chains, and in cosmetic, implant and orthodontic work.
The new National Dental Commission is expected to reform standards, registration and college assessment, which may change curriculum details in coming years. Graduates who build strong clinical skills or complete MDS have the best prospects.
After this course
- MDS (3 years) through NEET-MDS
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- MBA in Hospital or Healthcare Management
- Fellowships in implantology, aesthetic dentistry or lasers
- Dental licensing abroad (e.g. ORE in the UK, NDEB in Canada)
- PhD in dental sciences
BDS FAQs
Is NEET required for BDS?
Yes. All BDS seats in India, government and private, are filled through NEET-UG scores via MCC or state counselling.
How long is BDS?
BDS takes five years: four years of study followed by a one-year compulsory rotatory internship in the dental hospital and community.
Who regulates BDS now that the DCI is gone?
The National Dental Commission (NDC) replaced the Dental Council of India on 19 March 2026. Check the NDC's notices for the current list of recognised colleges.
What is the NEET score needed for BDS?
Government BDS seats usually close at a lower rank than government MBBS seats, while private seats go to much lower ranks. Cut-offs change every year by state and category, so check the latest MCC and state round results.
Can a BDS graduate use the title Doctor?
Yes, registered dental surgeons use the title Dr. They can practise dentistry but not general allopathic medicine.
Is BDS a good option if I miss MBBS?
It can be, if you are genuinely interested in dentistry and clinical work with your hands. Weigh the fees of private colleges against expected early income before deciding.
AISEE - 2027 Online Scholarship Application Available 
