Dentists are just as important to the welfare of society as doctors, if WHO is to be believed. While stereotypes and pop culture may have placed dentists on the receiving end of many a joke, this noble profession paves the way for immensely successful careers. This is true, especially in our country, where the ratio of healthcare professionals to people is way below the standards recommended by international bodies.
So if you have completed your 10+2 in the science stream, and are looking at alternative careers to a medical degree through MBBS, then you might want to give dental courses a second thought. In this blog, we explore the various kinds of dental courses offered by BDS colleges in Mumbai and elsewhere, as we explain why you should consider pursuing a dental course after completing your 12th boards.
Types of Dental Courses After 12th
There are different types of dental courses that you can pursue after 12th, depending on your eligibility, interest and career goals. Some of the most common dental courses that you can find in both government and private dental colleges in Mumbai and other cities of India are:
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
BDS is the only undergraduate dental course recognised by the DCI (Dental Council of India) and the minimum qualification required to get registered as a dentist in India. This course can be pursued by anyone with the PCB subject combination in their 10+2 and is the most common course in BDS colleges in Mumbai and other cities. BDS courses also include a compulsory year of rotatory internship to impart practical knowledge and experience to the students.
Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)
MDS is the postgraduate course that graduates from BDS colleges in Mumbai and elsewhere go for after completion of their BDS degree. These courses also offer students various specialisations in dentistry to choose from, allowing them to increase their knowledge and skills in the field of their choice.
PhD
Finally, some of the best dental colleges in Maharashtra and the rest of India also offer PhD courses in various dental specialisations, just like MDS. PhD is one of the highest qualifications in any field, and this applies to dentistry too as only those with a postgraduate degree like MDS are deemed eligible for this doctoral course.
For more information about these courses in general at government and private BDS colleges in Mumbai or elsewhere, check the table below.
| Course Name | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) | PhD (in various branches of dentistry) |
| Level | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Doctoral |
| Duration | 5 years | 3 years | 3 years or more |
| Eligibility | 10+2 passed with 50% or more and PCB + Entrance | BDS with 50% or more + Entrance | MDS with 50% or more + Entrance |
Benefits of Pursuing Dental Courses After 12th
There are many benefits of pursuing dental courses after 12th from BDS colleges in Mumbai. For example, you can:
Become a Qualified Dentist in a Relatively Short Time
The traditional medical route requires you to complete an MBBS first which takes 5 years and 6 months, after which you can practice as a general practitioner. If you want to specialise, then add in another 2-3 years for an MD or MS. Whereas, in the field of dentistry, you can begin earning much more than a general practitioner of medicine by just completing a 5-year course from BDS colleges in Mumbai or elsewhere.
If you want to specialise in a particular field of dentistry after that, there are plenty of MDS specialisations to choose from at Terna Dental College.
Enjoy a Profession with High Demand and Scope
Dentists are high in demand not only in our country but also abroad. This is especially true in rural areas where healthcare professionals are much needed but hard to find due to various challenges, logistical and otherwise. Thus, graduates from private BDS colleges in Mumbai can find opportunities both in private and public sectors in our country with ease.
Of course, BDS graduates have plenty of scope in higher education too, as there are around 9 specialisations to choose from if they pursue an MDS.
Have a Stable Career with a Lucrative Income
Dentistry is one of the most recession-proof careers out there, as people will need to meet their oral and dental care needs even in tough economic times. In fact, dentists might have more to gain during a recession, as cash-starved people are more likely to ignore personal dental healthcare routines, bringing in major dental problems that will need a professional’s attention.
Along with job stability, dentists enjoy pretty high salaries too, with the average salary of a graduate dentist from BDS colleges in Navi Mumbai or elsewhere reaching INR 3 LPA. This is bound to grow as they gain more experience or specialise in a specific branch of dentistry.
Conclusion
Dental courses are a pretty sweet option for those who want to pursue a healthcare career after completing their 12th boards but don’t want to pursue MBBS. It comes with a host of benefits, such as less time to graduate, high salaries and job stability, incredible scope both in terms of job opportunities and higher education options, and much more.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a dental course today at BDS colleges in Mumbai or elsewhere if you have a rewarding and successful career in healthcare.
FAQs
1. Which entrance exam does Terna Dental College accept for admission to its BDS course?
Terna Dental College accepts the marks obtained in NEET for admission to its BDS courses.
2. Which entrance exam does Terna Dental College accept for admission to its MDS courses?
Terna Dental College accepts the marks obtained in NEET MDS for admission to its MDS courses.
3. Which dental specialisations does Terna Dental College offer for its MDS courses?
Terna Dental College offers MDS specialisations in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, and Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics.
4. Which dental specialisations does Terna Dental College offer for its PhD courses?
Terna Dental College offers PhD courses in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry.