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Introduction

As of 2024, a student cannot do a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) without undertaking the NEET exam in India. The NEET exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) is required for admission to all medical and dental programs in India.

Earlier, some colleges had their entrance exams but as of recent updates in the education sector, one can do BDS in India by passing the NEET examination. Qualifying Neet exam for BDS is mandatory in India and unfortunately, there isn't any alternative exam for NEET yet.

Studying Abroad has been a viable and attractive option for medical aspirants seeking top-tier education. Countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK have been among the most popular choices for studying dental sciences. These nations offer world-class infrastructure, renowned institutes, and fantastic opportunities for career advancement.

Gateway to Global Dentistry: Eligibility Requirements

Every country and university has its eligibility requirements. You should visit the University website for a better understanding. The usual criteria and academic requirements are -

• High school diploma with a minimum of 12 years of education. 
• Physics, Biology, and Chemistry as core subjects.
• Language Proficiency tests- if English is not your native language, you need to write exams like TOEFL, IELTS, etc.
• Entrance exams- Some countries and universities may require you to appear for Standardised tests such as DAT- Dental Admission Test in the USA.

Global Dental Education: A Financial Overview

Pursuing BDS abroad costs have been mentioned below for different countries:

• Australia   -  AUD 120,000 - 240,000 for a 4-year BDS program.
• Canada    -  CAD 125,000 - 250,000  for a 5-year BDS program.
• The USA  -  USD 120,000 - 280,000 for a 4-year DDS program.
• Russia      - RUB 600,000 - 1,200,000  for a 5-year BDS program

(Read More: List of courses to pursue after 10th standard)

Global Dental Excellence: Top Universities

A table mentioning the best universities offering dental education in different countries has been listed below:

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At Global Tree, we’ve successfully guided thousands of students in turning their study-abroad dreams into reality.;

If you're ready to take the next step toward your international education, visit your nearest Global Tree branch today and let us help you achieve your goals!

Alternative pathways other than BDS in India

There are other alternative paths, that you can take in addition to NEET if you want to become a dentist:

1. Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Mechanics 
   It's a two-year course offered by different dental colleges and institutes.
2. B.Sc in dental sciences
   It's a three-year course. This serves as a foundational course for dental sciences and opens the door to various pathways in dental research, public health, and education.
3. Medical fields
   You always have the option to explore other healthcare professions like medicine, audiology, Physiotherapy which do not require a NEET exam.

 If your main idea is to serve as a medical professional, various options lead to the medical field without NEET. The most expected and followed way in India to become a dentist is by doing your Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).

What is BDS - Bachelor of Dental Surgery?

Bachelor of  Dental Surgery is the professional degree a student pursues for becoming a dentist in India. The degree covers a vast range of subjects related to dentistry. The duration of the course is 5 years, where for 4 years students undergo theory and practical education and 1 year of compulsory internship.

The internship gives the students the necessary and relevant experience for becoming a good doctor. The internship is generally taken under a practicing doctor. 

In 4 years, students learn about various aspects relating to the human oral cavity and dentistry which include:

• Oral anatomy and physiology
• Dental materials
• Oral Pathology
• Oral surgery
• Prosthodontics
• Periodontology
• Orthodontics
• Endodontics
• Public health dentistry

(Suggested Read: Top Medical schools to study in the USA for Indians)

After learning for 4 years the students get to apply their knowledge in a practical setting during their internship. This 1-year internship is crucial for the students as it helps them to make a successful career as dentists.

The internship gives students-

• Hands-on experience- The interns get to do the dental procedures under the guidance of the senior surgeon which helps them build confidence and better skills.
• Professional network- The internship allows students to work under experienced professionals and with a large fraternity of dental students which helps them in further career opportunities.
• Patient interaction- Learning from books is different than having a live experience with a patient. The interns get to interact with patients walking them through their dental problems and the solutions they would require. 
• Clinical judgment- The interactions help them build the necessary critical thinking skills which help them make the correct clinical judgments for their patients.

What are the Career Opportunities after BDS?

BDS is a well-respected degree in India and is one of the most popular choices among medical students. Once done with your bachelor's degree, there are plenty of career opportunities that you can pursue, we will discuss them below.

1. Dental Practice -Setting up a dental practice which can be a private dental clinic or joining a corporate chain of dental clinics.
2. Government service- You can opt for work in a government hospital as a dentist or you can join the armed forces as a dental officer.

(Know More: How to get a highest-paying government job after graduation?)

1. Public Health Programs- You can work under government health programs and initiatives related to dentistry.
2. Academic research- You can become a researcher and add knowledge to the field of dentistry.
3. Professor- You can become a teaching professor which is a very high-paying job in a medical college.
4. Specialization - You can further take up your studies and plan for a master's degree which gives you specialization in various dental fields eg. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry.
5. Dental tourism- Working in dental tourism clinics that cater to international patients.
6. Pharmaceutical Industry- Working in dental research and development for pharmaceutical companies.

Is there any Fees for Pursuing BDS in India?

You can pursue BDS in India in two types of colleges -Government and Private Colleges

1. Government College Fees: The government college offers BDS at a lower price
Range compared to private colleges in India. The average fee goes around 10,000 to 30,000 annually. Securing admission and a seat in government colleges is very difficult and competitive. You need to secure very good marks in NEET and follow up with the counseling and cut-off lists that come after the NEET exam results.

Note:If you're thinking about studying abroad, tuition fees can be quite high. Consider applying for top scholarships abroad to help cover your costs.

2. Private College Fees: The Private College offers BDS at a higher price compared to government colleges in  India. The average fee goes around 1 lakh to 10 lakh annually. This serves as a great option for people who got lower marks in NEET and could not clear cut off for government colleges.

List of Top Colleges Offering BDS

BDS is a great course and is the second most preferred course after MBBS in India. There are more than 320+ colleges in India offering BDS. The Top Dental Colleges in India are 

What is the BDS Expected Cut-Off?

Giving an expected cut-off for an exam is difficult considering the trends in paper ranging from easy to advanced each year. However, we can always see the recent cut-off lists to get an estimate of the expected cut-off range. We shall look into 2024 data for cut-offs:

(Suggested Read: Top Medical Universities to study in Ireland for International Students)

General Category (GN/EWS)

• 2024 Cutt-off:  720-164
• Cut off Percentile for 2024: 50%

OBC/SC/ST Category

• 2024 Cut-off: 163-129
• Cut off Percentile for 2024: 40%

Some useful tips for Students writing NEET

• Try having clarity in your mind on why you want to pursue BDS - It will help you to set your goal.
• Start early - The earlier you start, the better your preparation will be.
• Give a lot of mock tests.
• Take guidance from teachers and mentors.
• Prioritize your mental well-being.

FAQs regarding BDS

1. What is the duration of doing BDS in India?

      A . The total duration of the BDS course in India is 5 years which includes 4 years of                   education and a year of internship.

1. Is BDS better than MBBS in India?

     A. Both the courses are good in their place. We can say, there's a better edge for BDS as the duration of doing BDS is lesser than MBBS, it costs lesser fees than MBBS, and higher chances of getting into good colleges.

1.  Is NEET required for pursuing BDS? 

     A. Yes, as of recent rules in the Education sector, to pursue BDS one is required to qualify NEET.