Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is one of the most promising career options in the medical industry. It is an undergraduate program
which is quite equivalent to MBBS in the medical field. Dentistry is an amazing career, not only from a financial perspective, but
also from an emotionally satisfying aspect. The work-life balance is perfect. If you are considering BDS because of genuine interest, then definitely it is a good career option.

Dentistry is more than a professional degree course. It’s a specialization in a particular human body part. A strong passion and interest in dental science is highly important to succeed in this field. It requires good academic knowledge along-side a highly artistic and
imaginative mind.
Every degree has its pros and cons. Some of the Pros of dentistry are :

• Good work life balance
• Less of academics, more practical work
• Ability to set up your own clinic and be your own boss
• No emergency duties as compared to Medical field

PURSUE YOUR MASTERS (MDS)

One can pursue masters in dental science and gain specialization in one of its several branches. There are both clinical and non-clinical subjects with a wide variety of options to choose from. One needs to complete their undergraduate BDS degree with one-year compulsory rotary internship from a recognized college or university and then appear for MDS NEET examination. The qualifying students then go through a round of counselling procedure to get admission into some of the limited MDS seats across the government and private dental colleges in India. One can also appear for INI CET for admission into medical colleges of national importance like AIIMS, JIPMER, along with 9 other institutes for their postgraduate degree.

NEET MDS Crash Course 2022 – Focus Dentistry

MPH AFTER BDS

It is a graduate level program that specializes in public health. Their role is to create awareness and educate people about various health concerns. They have a wide variety of career options in the field of education, administration, research and as policy makers and in community practice. A number of colleges in India provide MPH degree for valid graduation degree holders.

CAREER AS AN ARMY DENTAL CORE OFFICER

Army dental core is one of the highly sought after career option for both a BDS graduate and an MDS graduate. Based on the eligibility criteria one can apply for army dental core after successfully qualifying for MDS NEET examination. In accordance to the vacancies available, candidates are shortlisted for the interview based on the merit list. The selected candidates from the interview round appear for the medical test, on clearing which they are short listed into the merit list. Commissioned candidates are granted SSC under the rank of captain and will be entitled to full pay and allowance. SSC officers are commissioned as captain on entry and are eligible to promotion as major after 4 years 6 months of service and as Lt col after 11 years 6 months of service, whereas for an MDS graduate they are eligible for 3 years of antedate seniority and can be promoted to the rank of Substantive major after one year and 6 months of service. For a PC officer, they are eligible for time scale promotion to attain the rank of Colonel and to further rise to the position of Lt Gen.

How to Join Amy Dental Corps – NEET MDS Training – Focus

BE A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

After completing BDS degree one can appear for state PSC examination and become a registered medical practitioner. Candidates between the age of 18-42, who has completed their BDS with a valid registration can apply for the post of assistant dental surgeon. Being an assistant dental surgeon in the government sector has its own perks and benefits with a reputed job profile and very good pay scale and allowances.

DENTAL SURGEON UNDER NRHM

Under National Rural Health Mission, Dental surgeon and Dental Assistants are appointed on a contractual basis. These posts are established primarily in subdistrict hospitals and primary health centres across the state. For the recruitment into an NRHM post, one can apply online on their official website and a recruitment examination or an individual interview is conducted based on the number of applicants.

TUTOR POSTS AT GOVERNMENT DENTAL COLLEGES

As a qualified dental surgeon, you are fully eligible to join as teaching staff in state and central government dental colleges. Both BDS and MDS graduates can join as staff on a contractual basis. So, here we need to keep a track of all the openings available in your native state.

MBA IN HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT

One can explore the opportunities in the corporate sector with an MBA in hospital management after BDS. There are numerous colleges providing the course for undergraduates from both medical and non-medical field. The eligibility criteria is have a minimum aggregate of 50% in their degree( 40% for SC/ST and other backward classes) from a recognized college or university. Admission to the course is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance test with MCQ type questions followed by a group discussion and interview. Through an MBA in hospital administration one can develop the skills required in the healthcare sectors and find opportunities in the Pharmaceuticals, Health Insurance Companies, Public Health Departments, Hospital Consulting Firms,  Health
Agencies, Nursing Homes.

AN OVERSEAS DENTIST

Pursuing your profession overseas is a glorious career opportunity. But each country has separate rules and exams to be eligible for practice.

• USA: A dentist must clear the NBDE Part 1 and 2 exams first. After clearing, he/she must join a dental college and learn DDS which is a valid dental degree in the US.
• New Zealand: A foreign dental degree is not valid directly in New Zealand. So in order to register with the Dental Council of New Zealand, one needs to clear their qualifying exam- New Zealand Dentist Registration Exam (NZDREX).
• Canada: To be eligible for practicing in Canada, a foreign dentist must go through a series of steps/exams and pass them successfully to get legally certified as a dentist to practice in Canada.
• Australia: If you want to work as a licensed dentist in Australia, you will need to go through an assessment process that formally checks and reviews your eligibility, dental subject knowledge and clinical expertise in dentistry. This assessment is undertaken by ADC (Australian Dental Council) in three stages. You need to pass all the three stages to qualify. Only after qualifying ADC, you can apply for a dentist licence with DBA (Dental Board of Australia). DBA will review and make a final decision on your application for dentist licence registration.
• Singapore: To be eligible to practice as a dentist in Singapore, you must have a dental degree that is approved by Singapore Dental Council.
• UAE: To work in Dubai particularly, you must have a DOH licence provided by Dubai Health Authority, UAE’s Health Ministry. You can also appear for a Dental GP exam if you have completed BDS with a one-year internship with a teaching hospital. In case, you have not interned, then 2 years of practice in a non-teaching hospital is required.

DENTAL COSMETOLOGIST

An increase in the demand for cosmetologists have opened up job opportunities in the field of dental cometology. A course in cosmetology will enable you work as a dentist cum cosmetologist providing an array of treatment options from peeling to botox and from lazers to mesotherapy.

PHARMACOVIGILANCE

It is the study and prevention of adverse effects of pharmaceutical products. Tremendous job opportunities are available in this field as high-quality pharmacovigilance helps in good business dealing. One can pursue both certificate and diploma courses in Pharmacovigilance.

FORENSIC ODONTOLOGIST

Forensic Odontology primarily involves the identification of an assailant by comparing a record of their dentition with a record of a bite mark left on a victim. Forensic dentists have thus become a very important part of the investigation on missing persons, disaster recovery, and solving and prosecuting crimes. It is
said to be one of the emerging career option in India soon. Only alimited number of colleges In India provide the course and requires a minimum aggregate of 55% in B.Sc /BDS Degree to be eligible for the course. Students also have to appear for entrance examination like NEET for admission in the course.

CLINICAL RESEARCH

India is the second-largest pharmaceutical market in Asia. As a result, a wide range of pharmaceutical research services are outsourced to pharmaceutical industries and hence, is a lucrative career. A BDS graduate can have various job roles available in this sector: Principal Investigator, Co-investigator, Medical Advisor, Drug Developer, Regulatory Affairs Manager or even a Clinical Research Physician.

DENTAL BLOGGER AND CONTENT MAKER

In the era of emerging online platforms dentist can write and create contents on oral hygiene and health and not only learn but educate and create awareness. Mixed with creativity, dentists can ensure their online presence and earn a decent income.

BE AN INDEPENDENT DENTAL PRACTICTIONER

Kick start your career and boost your skills by opening up your own private dental clinic. Though it requires initial investment, the returns are usually profitable. One can learn both the administration aspect of running a private clinic and give the much-needed push to your dental career.

STATE AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT JOBS

The central and State governments have a few openings for dentists in various sectors with the temporary rural posting and later, a permanent posting depending on the departments. A Government job is indeed a secured job and comes with various privileges in the form of insurance and pension schemes.

• Territorial Officer in Indian Army
• In Railways
• Join the Indian Navy or Indian Airforce as a Dental Officer
• State Government Jobs, as Dental Surgeon etc