The best discounts this week
Every week you can find the best discounts here.
Safe End Preparation Burs Kit
Blue Rotary File 21mm: High-Flexibility Endodontic Solutions
Blue Files 21mm Assorted (Pack of 6)
Rhodium-Coated Anti-Fog Mouth Mirror (Pack of 10)
Endo Access Bur pack of 1
Disposable Irrigation Needles – Pack of 25
Find Your Part
Popular Posts
Dentistry Courses in India: BDS, MDS, Fees, Eligibility & Complete Career Roadmap (2025)
Complete Career Guide 2025
Dentistry Courses in India: BDS, MDS, Fees, Eligibility & Career Roadmap
Everything you need to know — from undergraduate admission to postgraduate specialization. Updated May 2025 by DentistKart.in
DentistKart Editorial
May 2025
12 min read
Fact-checked
India is one of the world’s largest dental education markets, with over 350+ dental colleges offering recognised programs. Whether you’re a Class 12 student planning your future or a BDS graduate exploring specialisation, this guide covers every dentistry course available in India — along with fees, top colleges, entrance exams, and salary.
⚡ Quick Answer
The primary dentistry courses in India are BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) — a 5-year undergraduate degree — and MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) — a 3-year postgraduate degree. Both are regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and require qualifying NEET.
1. Overview of Dentistry Courses in India
Dentistry in India is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. All dental education programs must be DCI-recognised for graduates to practice legally in India.
Dental Colleges
350+
Across all states
BDS Seats/Year
~26K
Total approx.
MDS Seats/Year
~5K
Highly competitive
Regulator
DCI
Dental Coun
Types of Dental Courses Available in India
|
Undergraduate: BDS (5 years) |
Postgraduate: MDS (3 years) |
Diploma Programs (1–2 years) |
|
Fellowship & Certificate |
PhD in Dental Sciences |
Online Certificate Programs |
2. BDS – Bachelor of Dental Surgery
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is the flagship undergraduate dentistry degree — and the only recognised undergraduate dental qualification for practicing dentistry in India. After MBBS, BDS is the most popular medical course pursued by science students.
|
Undergraduate
5 Years NEET-UG Required DCI Recognised BDS is a 5-year program — 4 years of academic study + 1 year of compulsory rotatory internship. It combines dental science theory with hands-on clinical practice, preparing students to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral diseases. |
BDS Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Education Qualification | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Biology (PCB) |
| Minimum Marks — General | 50% aggregate in PCB subjects |
| Minimum Marks — SC/ST/OBC | 40% aggregate in PCB subjects |
| Minimum Age | 17 years as of December 31 of admission year |
| Entrance Exam | NEET-UG (mandatory — no other exam accepted) |
| Nationality | Indian / NRI / OCI |
BDS Year-wise Curriculum
| Year | Subjects |
|---|---|
| 1st Year | General Anatomy, Physiology, Dental Anatomy & Oral Histology, Biochemistry |
| 2nd Year | General Pathology, Microbiology, Dental Materials, Preclinical Prosthodontics |
| 3rd Year | General Medicine, General Surgery, Oral Pathology, Pharmacology |
| 4th Year | Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Pedodontics, Periodontology, Oral Surgery |
| Internship (1 Year) | Rotatory clinical training across all departments — hands-on patient management |
“
BDS is the foundation of every dental career in India. With the right clinical exposure, it opens doors to private practice, hospital careers, research, and global opportunities.
3. MDS – Master of Dental Surgery
The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) is the most sought-after postgraduate dental qualification in India. With cosmetic dentistry, implantology, and oral rehabilitation booming, demand for MDS specialists has reached an all-time high.
|
Postgraduate
3 Years NEET-MDS Required High Earning Potential MDS equips BDS graduates with deep clinical mastery in a chosen specialty. Admission is through NEET-MDS, conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). With ~30,000+ aspirants for ~5,000 seats, it is one of India’s most competitive exams. |
9 DCI-Approved MDS Specialisations
|
Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
Demand
|
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Demand
|
Prosthodontics & Crown Bridge
Demand
|
|
Periodontics
Demand
|
Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
Demand
|
Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry
Demand
|
|
Oral Medicine & Radiology
Demand
|
Oral Pathology & Microbiology
Demand
|
Public Health Dentistry
Demand
|
4. Diploma & Certificate Dental Courses
Apart from BDS and MDS, several diploma and certificate programs are available for dental auxiliaries and practicing dentists looking to upskill.
|
Diploma in Dental Hygienist
Diploma
2 Years After 10+2 Science Trains students in dental scaling, cleaning, patient oral health education, and preventive procedures. Graduates assist dentists in clinics and hospitals. |
|
Diploma in Dental Mechanics
Diploma
2 Years Lab-Focused Covers fabrication of dental prostheses, crowns, bridges, and dentures. Ideal for those interested in the technical lab side of dentistry. |
|
Fellowship / Certificate in Implantology & Cosmetic Dentistry
Fellowship
6 Months–1 Year For BDS Graduates Short advanced training for BDS-qualified dentists covering Dental Implantology, Cosmetic Dentistry, Laser Dentistry, and Digital CAD/CAM Dentistry. Offered by private associations and universities. |
5. Fees: Government vs Private vs Deemed
BDS Course Fee Visual Comparison
₹10K – ₹2L
₹3L – ₹10L
₹5L – ₹15L
₹10L – ₹25L
Bar length is proportional to maximum fee amount.
MDS Fees Comparison
| College Type | Annual Fees | Total (3 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Dental College | ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 | ₹90K – ₹3 Lakhs |
| Private Dental College | ₹3,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 | ₹9 – ₹36 Lakhs |
| Deemed Universities | ₹8,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 | ₹24 – ₹60 Lakhs |
💡 DentistKart Pro Tip: For a government BDS seat, a NEET-UG rank within top 15,000–20,000 usually works. For government MDS seats, NEET-MDS rank within 2,000–3,000 is generally required. Home-state government colleges are the cheapest option due to state quota reservations.
6. Top Dental Colleges in India (2025)
Top Government Dental Colleges
|
# 1 — Government Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS)
New Delhi
BDS, MDS |
# 2 — Government Nair Hospital Dental College
Mumbai
BDS, MDS |
# 3 — Government Govt. Dental College, KGMU
Lucknow, UP
BDS, MDS |
Top Private / Deemed Dental Colleges
| College | Location | Highest Package |
|---|---|---|
| Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | ₹18 LPA |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | Manipal, Karnataka | ₹18 LPA |
| Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College | Pune, Maharashtra | ₹15 LPA |
| SDM College of Dental Sciences | Dharwad, Karnataka | ₹12 LPA |
| SRM Dental College | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | ₹14 LPA |
| Amrita School of Dentistry | Kochi, Kerala | ₹12 LPA |
7. Entrance Exams for Dental Courses
For BDS Admission
Conducted by NTA. Pen & paper test — Physics, Chemistry & Biology. 720 marks. Held once a year (May). Gateway to all 350+ dental colleges.
For MDS Admission
Conducted by NBE. Computer-based, 240 MCQs, 3 hours. ~30,000 applicants fight for ~5,000 seats — one of India’s most competitive exams.
8. BDS Admission Process — Step by Step
|
1
|
Appear for NEET-UG (May)
Register on NTA portal and take NEET-UG. Cover Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at Class 12 level. Target 500+ marks for a comfortable BDS rank.
|
|
2
|
Check Your All India Rank (AIR)
After results are declared, check your AIR. For a government dental college, rank within top 15,000–30,000 is typically required (varies by state and category).
|
|
3
|
Register for MCC / State Counseling
15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats through MCC (mcc.nic.in). The remaining 85% state quota seats are filled by state counseling boards. Register and pay fees.
|
|
4
|
Fill & Lock College Preferences
Log in to the counseling portal, add preferred dental colleges in order. Lock choices before the deadline. Research college facilities, faculty, and clinical exposure before choosing.
|
|
5
|
Seat Allotment & Document Verification
Accept allotted seat, pay admission fee, and report to college with: 10th/12th marksheets, NEET scorecard, photo ID, and category certificates (if applicable).
|
|
✓
|
Begin BDS — Your Dental Career Starts!
Classes begin September–November. Your 5-year journey to becoming a licensed dentist in India has officially begun. Work hard on clinical skills from Day 1.
|
9. Career Scope & Salary After Dental Courses
Dentistry in India offers one of the most stable and rewarding career paths. Rising oral health awareness, growing disposable incomes, and the boom in cosmetic & implant dentistry are fuelling demand for dental professionals like never before.
Salary Comparison — Visual
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
🚀 Fastest Growing Sectors: Cosmetic dentistry, dental implantology, clear aligners (Invisalign, etc.), digital dentistry (CAD/CAM), and tele-dentistry are the top growth areas — all demanding trained specialists with MDS qualifications.
Career Options After BDS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shop Premium Dental Products on DentistKart
India’s trusted platform for dental professionals — instruments, consumables, equipment & more. Delivered pan-India.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
The primary dentistry courses in India are BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) — a 5-year undergraduate program — and MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) — a 3-year postgraduate specialization. Diploma programs (Dental Hygienist, Dental Mechanics) and fellowship courses in implantology and cosmetic dentistry are also available.
The BDS course is 5 years — 4 years of academic study + 1 year of mandatory rotatory internship. After completing the internship, graduates must register with the State Dental Council to legally practice dentistry in India.
Candidates must have completed Class 12 with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), scored at least 50% aggregate (40% for SC/ST/OBC), and qualified NEET-UG. Minimum age is 17 years as of December 31 of the admission year.
Government dental college annual fees: ₹10,000–₹2,00,000. Private dental college annual fees: ₹3,00,000–₹10,00,000. Deemed university fees: ₹5–15 lakh per year. Total 5-year cost ranges from under ₹1 lakh (govt.) to ₹75 lakhs+ (top deemed universities).
NEET-UG (by NTA) is mandatory for BDS. NEET-MDS (by NBE) is required for MDS. No state-level or institution-level exam is accepted for dental admissions in India.
The 9 DCI-approved MDS specialisations are: Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Pedodontics, Oral Medicine & Radiology, and Public Health Dentistry. Orthodontics and Oral Surgery have the highest earning potential.
Fresh BDS graduates earn ₹15,000–₹30,000/month in their early career. With experience: ₹6–10 LPA. After MDS specialisation: ₹10–30 LPA as a specialist. Private practice owners and implantologists in metro cities can earn ₹30–60 LPA or more.
Among government colleges: Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi is consistently ranked #1. Among private/deemed universities: Saveetha Dental College (Chennai) and Manipal College of Dental Sciences (Manipal) rank highest with packages up to ₹18 LPA.
Yes — absolutely. Dentistry is a growing field with excellent stability and high earning potential. The rising demand for cosmetic dentistry, implants, and specialist dental care means BDS graduates have more options than ever — private practice, hospitals, government roles, academia, research, and international opportunities.
Dentistry in India offers one of the most stable, respected, and financially rewarding careers in the medical field. With the right NEET preparation, smart college selection, and focus on clinical excellence, dental professionals in India have never had more opportunity.
Log in
By continuing, you accept the Website Regulations , Regulations for the sale of alcoholic beverages and the Privacy Policy
You dont have an account yet? Register Now