---

Dental Courses in India have gained a significant importance and popularity considering the number of dental clinics and students pursuing these. During the 90’s, these courses were not as popular as they are today showing that dental health has gained importance. Dentistry is a medical field which deals with evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the mouth. Professionals involved in the practice of dentistry are known as dentists. Dentists or dental surgeons provide surgical, medical and other forms of treatment for oral and dental disorders and diseases. They use a variety of techniques and procedures while treating patients, which include filling, crowning and scaling of teeth, extracting teeth, treating gum diseases, fitting artificial replacements etc.

List of Dentistry courses in India

Some of its specialized fields of Dentistry are -

• Orthodontics - It deals with straightening and aligning teeth and jaws.
• Periodontics - It specializes in the care of gums and the diseases that afflict them.
• Operative Dentistry or Endodontics - It deals with root canal jobs, fillings and cosmetic surgery.
• Prosthodontics - It involves the making of artificial teeth.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - It deals with with operations on the mouth and jaw.
• Paediatric Dentistry - It deals with treating children with mouth problems.
• Oral Pathology - It deals with the diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth.

Content of Dentistry Courses

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Anatomy.
2. Physiology.
3. Biochemistry.
4. Pharmacology.
5. Microbiology.
6. Practical training.

Objectives of Dentistry Courses

• To develop complete proficiency in dentistry.
• To develop high standards of practice and be a source of inspiration for others.
• To provide the world class facilities and latest know-how in dentistry.

Basic Requirements for Dentistry Courses

Candidates who have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with at least 50% marks are eligible for admission in the Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) course. To practice as a dentist one must need at least a Bachelor's degree in Dental Science (BDS). There is no specialisation at the bachelor level. If you want your career to grow, then you will have to be a specialist with a Masters (MDS) degree.

Admission to graduate courses in dentistry is through a general, nationwide competitive examination. The All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Exam conducted by the CBSE is common for both the MBBS and the Bachelor of Dental Sciences (BDS) . The allocation of institutions is based on merit. Other than the centrally run medical institutions there is at least one dental college in most states, where admission is governed by domiciliary status. But to be eligible for practice, one must ensure that the course chosen is approved by the Dental Council of India. For more info -  http://www.dciindia.org

Dental Schools / Colleges in India

• Army College of Dental Sciences
• Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences
• Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences & Post Graduate Research Centre
• Dr.  B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital

Personal Attributes

The foremost attribute required for a good dentist is patience, stamina to work hard for long periods, good health, power of concentration, manual dexterity and accuracy. Besides these they must have a keen eye for detail, ability to memorise and recall scientific facts, comprehensive medical understanding, cool temperament and strong interpersonal skills. The best dentists are skilful communicators and their analytical and logical reasoning skill should be above average.

Job Perspectives after doing Dentistry Courses

Dentistry is a lucrative profession as there is no dearth of people having dental problems. Sedentary lifestyle and busy schedules have their effect on teeth as well. As such a visit to a Dentist becomes a necessity. Dentistry is a rapidly changing, expanding profession, creating many opportunities and challenges. Increasing awareness of oral health and emergence of new fields like periodontics (care of gums and the diseases that might afflict them), oral pathology (diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth) and orthodontics (straightening and aligning teeth and jaws) have all enhanced the scope of this field. Models and film artists also require cosmetic dentistry to enhance their looks. Dental Surgeons are employed by state governments and the Central Government in hospitals, medical colleges (teaching) and dispensaries under their aegis. The railways, defence sector, banks and public/private sector units also employ dentists in the hospitals/medical centres set up by them for their employees. Dentistry jobs in India have a lot of scope in private practice for general as well as specialised treatment (orthodontics, for example). Salaries in government and public sector hospitals are governed by scales available to all Class I officers, the remunerations from private practice are very high.

Earning

In government hospitals, freshly trained dentists could begin around Rs 6,000 a month (including allowances), while in private hospitals it could be from Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000. Postgraduate degree holders can expect to start on Rs 7,000 upwards.

Dental surgeons can earn good money through their own practice. The consultation charges could be Rs.500 upwards for cosmetic filling and can be as high as Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 depending upon the nature of dental problem the patient is undergoing. A well established dentist can make around Rs. 20,000 - 1,00,000 or more per month.

Some Job Types

1. Medical Representative / Sales Representative.
2. Dental Lab Technician / Ceramist.
3. Dental Assistant.
4. Consultant.
5. Private practitioners.
6. Dental hygienist.
7. Oral pathologist.
8. Forensics.
9. Dental surgeon.
10. Public health specialists.
11. Professors.

Some Employment Areas

• Hospitals.
• Dental clinics.
• Dental equipment manufacturers.
• Dental products manufacturers.
• Research institutes.
• Educational institutes.
• Individual practice.
• Pharmaceutical companies.