MDS: Course Fees, Admission 2026, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope

An MDS degree is a postgraduate Dental course. It gives specialised knowledge and training to students in order to assist them to acquire advanced clinical skills, critical thinking and also research abilities. Master of Dental Surgery programme will help students get specialised knowledge in oral health care and procedures.

Students who complete MDS courses obtain decent careers. MDS salaries range from INR 4 Lakhs and INR 8 Lakhs each year. Students who complete MDS programme can work in following fields:

• Dental Departments of Hospitals

• Dental Clinics

• Academic Institutions

• Pharmaceutical Research Centres for Oral care products

• Private Dental Clinics

Candidates with an MDS degree will never lack job opportunities. MDS is one of Medical degrees and is in high demand, and is recruiting in renowned organizations including Fortis Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Dental Clinics, ICMR, AIIMS, Health Centers, etc. MDS graduates earn a good amount of salary in India. People often suffer from various oral problems, and come to an oral specialist. average salary of an MDS graduate is INR 5,00,000.

Minimum age of 20 is needed for candidate. Candidates must possess a BDS from a college or university. He or she must be a permanent or temporary member of either SDC or DCI. 

NEET MDS is an exam done by NBE for admission to MDS offered by universities in India.

For admission to MDS at AIIMS Delhi there is no age limit that a student needs to meet to be eligible for exam. Only minimum requirement for admission to MDS is below -

• MBBS/ BDS  degree
• Complete 12 months of internship on or before July 31 of year of admission

Candidates seeking admission to MDS course should meet minimum requirements that is given below:

• BDS from a dental college recognised by Dental Council of India (DCI).
• 55% in all BDS subjects.
• Complete BDS internship

MDS exams are below -

NEET MDS

INI CET

NEET PG

See table below for exam dates -

NEET MDS stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery. exam is conducted for providing admissions to all postgraduate dental courses offered by institutions in India. exam is conducted by National Board of Education (NBE) in computer-based mode. NBE holds exam annually for allotment of around 6200 MDS seats under 50% All India Quota and 50% state quota. After exam, MCC conducts online counselling for allotment of seats. Only those who qualify exam with minimum cut off marks qualify for counselling rounds.

Read more: MDS Admission 

Greatest MDS course is Oral Medicine and Radiology. This course covers patient history taking, clinical examination, diagnosis, investigations, radiographic evaluation, and medical management of oral cavity abnormalities.

Specialisation of Diagnosis & Radiology focuses on diagnosis and medical management of disorders of Head and Neck. It is a unique dental speciality that integrates Oral Medicine and Craniofacial Radiology. It acts as a link between dentistry and medicine, assisting in early detection of numerous systemic disorders with oral signs. In such cases, an Oral Medicine, Diagnosis, and Radiology Specialist can determine whether investigations or tests are required to confirm diagnosis. Majority of disorders treated by this specialist are chronic diseases, which have a substantial psychological and physical impact on a patient's quality of life. 

MDS is a very hard course and need lots of work and focus. It teach advanced things in Dentistry like teeth surgery, gums, making fake teeth, and root canal.

MDS has hard classes and practical work. Students go to lectures, seminars, and do hands-on training to learn skills. 

Following your BDS earning a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degree can provide you with a more in-depth understanding of field. It is highest educational degree in field of dentistry and will help you find a job as a dentist at a reputable institution.

There are jobs in research industry. Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Clinical Research Scientist, General Practitioner, Lecturer and more popular career jobs. 

These job positions pay between INR 3,00,000 and INR 12,00,000 LPA. Salary is heavily influenced by candidate's experience, expertise and also talents.

MDS is a postgraduate course that will propel you to top of your academic career. MDS can work as a staff member at any college. Not that a BDS cannot join, but there are no promotions and starting income is lower. However, for an MDS, there is regular advancement and a greater starting wage.

BDS programme is India's sole certified professional dental undergraduate course, lasting five years. Simultaneously, MDS is a master's degree that graduates in Dental Science can obtain after completing their undergraduate study.

Yes,

Candidates can see table listing affordable MDS colleges in India in North side with their fees and accepted exam below -

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

Candidates can see table listing best MDS Colleges in Uttar Pradesh with their fees and accepted exam below -

Candidates can see table listing Best MDS Colleges in Delhi/NCR with their fees and accepted exam below -

For more information around MDS colleges in top states of India, click here.

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

Level-wise annual salary after completing MDS can be different on the basis of specialisation, location, years of experience, etc.

Candidates can see a general outline of the MDS salary below - 

• Entry-Level: INR 4 - 10 LPA

• Mid-Level: INR 10 - 15 LPA

• Senior-Level: INR 15 - 30 LPA

MDS graduate earn around INR 11.7 LPA on average. BDS graduate earn around INR 3.4 LPA.

Both BDS and MDS can earn good money, but it depend on job, place, specialization and also goals. Keep learning, know new dental stuff and even treat patients well can help make more success in dental career.

BDS is a 5 years UG dental course. You learn both theory and practical in many dental subjects like teeth anatomy, body stuff, biochemistry, disease, microbes and even clinical dentistry.

MDS is a 3 years PG dental course. You study more in one special area, do research and also practice on patients.

No, you don’t have to do MDS after BDS. MDS is for special study in dentistry, and people can choose if they want to do more after BDS.

After BDS, you can work as normal dentist and do many dental work.

If you happy with general dentist work and don’t need more special skills, then MDS not needed.

No, MDS graduates can’t be called doctor. Usually, only people with PhD, MD or also other big doctor degree can be called doctor.

MDS is master degree so they not usually called doctor unless they also have PhD or another doctor degree.

Admission to MDS course in India is possible only after candidates pass NEET MDS exam. Without appearing for NEET MDS getting admission into a best dental college is not possible.

In some rare cases private colleges may offer seats through management quotas. But even after that passing NEET MDS with minimum marks is necessary.

If you really like dentistry, MDS is good to do. It give better paying jobs, chance to teach and run special dental clinic.

MDS can cost a lot, but later you can earn more, grow in career and also have good name. So it smart to do especially in good college.

Main way to get MDS in India is by NEET MDS exam. You need good marks and high rank for specialty you want.

Some colleges also see your BDS marks, internships and also interviews. Reservation and state quota can also decide who get seat.

NEET MDS exam is online on computer. You go to exam center and answer multiple-choice questions on computer.

It test all BDS subjects. Online way is faster and more clear than old offline exam.