Overview
BDS is the professional degree for dentists in India. It has four academic years of study followed by a one-year paid rotating internship.
BDS students first learn general anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and dental materials, then pathology, pharmacology and pre-clinical dentistry, and finally clinical subjects such as conservative dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics and public health dentistry.
The final year of training is a paid rotating internship in a dental college. Graduates register with a State Dental Council to practise.
Who is it for?
Science students with Physics, Chemistry and Biology who like precise hands-on work. It suits those who want to run a clinic or work in hospital dentistry.
Eligibility
You qualify if you match any one of these:
General
- Studying in: Class 12
- Must have studied: Physics
- Must have studied: Chemistry
- Must have studied: Biology
- Must have studied: English
- at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology together
- age 17 by 31 December of admission year
- NEET qualification
SC/ST/OBC
- Studying in: Class 12
- Must have studied: Physics
- Must have studied: Chemistry
- Must have studied: Biology
- Must have studied: English
- Category: SC, ST, OBC
- at least 40% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology together
- age 17 by 31 December of admission year
- NEET qualification
Colleges may set higher cut-offs or require an entrance test. Check each college's page.
What you study
| Year 1 | General Human Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Dental Anatomy and Oral Histology, Dental Materials, Pre-clinical Prosthodontics |
|---|---|
| Year 2 | General Pathology and Microbiology, Pharmacology, Dental Materials, Pre-clinical Conservative Dentistry, Oral Pathology |
| Year 3 | General Medicine, General Surgery, Oral Pathology, Conservative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, Prosthodontics |
| Year 4 | Orthodontics, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics, Conservative Dentistry, Public Health Dentistry |
Typical subjects. Each university sets its own syllabus.
Skills you build
- Clinical dentistry
- Dental radiology
- Infection control
- Oral diagnosis
- Patient communication
Where it leads
Careers
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Higher study after BDS
Colleges offering BDS
Tuition ranges from ₹42,075 to ₹3,05,000 a year across 4 colleges that publish fees.
By location
Frequently asked questions
How long is BDS?
Under the DCI BDS Course Regulations 2007, BDS has four academic years with 240 teaching days each, plus one year of paid rotating internship.
What marks are needed in Class 12?
At least 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology taken together for general candidates and 40% for SC/ST/OBC, with each subject and English passed individually.
Sources
Information verified on 10 Oct 2026
- Dental Council of India BDS Course Regulations 2007 · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- The Dentists Act, 1948 · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026
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