Updated on May 20, 2025 05:58 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager

Dental courses or Dentistry is the branch of Medicine that deals with the prevention and treatment of oral disorders, such as diseases of the teeth and their supporting structures and diseases of the mouth's soft tissues. Dentistry also includes diagnosing and treating jaw malformations, tooth misalignment, and congenital defects of the oral cavity, such as cleft palate. Dental specialities and subspecialties include orthodontics and paediatric dentistry, dental orthopaedics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics, public health dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, and oral and maxillofacial radiology, in addition to general practice.

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Dental Syllabus- Important Facts

Take a look at the important information regarding the Dental course in terms of admission, college, syllabus and scope.

  • Admission through NEET: The admission to Dentistry courses across India is conducted through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Upon qualifying for the exam by clearing the cutoff, candidates will have to participate in the counselling process conducted by national and state-level admission authorities.

  • Duration: The duration of the Dentistry course depends upon the level of the programme. The UG level Dentistry programme or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is of five years duration including one year of internship. On the other hand, Master in Dental Surgery (MDS) programme is of three years.

  • Dentistry Course Evaluation Pattern: Students are marked based on the internal exams, projects, vivas, lab exercises and internships.

  • Scope of Dentistry: A practitioner in Dentistry might work in various areas. A dentist is usually called in to undertake dental identification of an unknown individual or confirm the identification of a deceased person. In recent years, dentistry has provided excellent job options. Dental problems have become a widespread issue affecting people from all walks of life. Procedures for treatment have gotten more specialised as science and technology have progressed. As a result, the career is both difficult and financially rewarding, attracting new aspirants. Dentistry is a discipline of study that deals with dental care and treatment.

  • Dental Syllabus: The regular Dental syllabus contains the following subjects:

o General Pathology

o Oral Microbiology

o Microbiology

o Oral Pathology

o General and Dental Pharmacology

o Preclinical Conservative Dentistry

o Dental Therapeutics

Dental Syllabus

The following table brings the Dental syllabus in detail wherein the Dental subjects and the description is given for both core and elective subjects.

Typical Core Dental Subjects

Subject title

Subject Details

General Pathology

General pathology refers to a broad and complicated field that studies the mechanisms underlying cell and tissue injury as well as how the body responds to and repairs harm. Necrosis, neoplasia, inflammation, wound healing, and how cells respond to harm are some of the topics that may be researched.

Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of bacteria, algae, viruses, slime moulds, fungi, and protozoa, which are tiny organisms. Most other biological investigations do not use the tools used to examine and manipulate these tiny, mainly unicellular creatures.

Oral Microbiology

Oral Microbiology discusses biofilms on oral surfaces comprising tens or hundreds of distinct species, all of which interact and contribute to the system's overall function. The biofilm interacts with the host tissues as well as external influences including nutritional intake and smoke inhalation.

Preclinical Conservative Dentistry

 

Preclinical operative dentistry is a part of operative dentistry in which students receive hands-on training on dummy models in a simulated oral environment for tooth preparation and restoration using various materials.

Oral Pathology

Oral pathology is the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders affecting the gums, teeth, joints, bones, skin, glands, and muscles around the mouth. According to the American Dental Education Association, Oral Pathologists need an average of 37 months of advanced education to become experts in their speciality.

General and Dental Pharmacology

In dentistry, pharmacology is crucial. The goal of dental pharmacology is to comprehend the scientific aspects of how medications used in dentistry interact with the human body's numerous systems. Pharmacology includes pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, which are two aspects of drug metabolism.

Dental Therapeutics

Therapeutic dentistry is a type of treatment that tries to improve the health of the teeth and gums. In common dental therapeutics are dedicated to preserving, restoring, and maintaining the health of your oral cavity through therapeutic procedures such as periodontal therapy and tooth extraction.

Typical Elective Subjects for Dentistry

Subject Title

Subject Details

Public Health Dentistry

Public health dentistry is concerned with identifying critical dental health problems and developing practical solutions to improve the dental health of populations rather than individuals.

Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics

Conservative dentistry and endodontics are the branches of dentistry that deal with the treatment of caries, misshapen, discoloured, unesthetic, or shattered teeth, while endodontics deals with the treatment of pulpal and periapical illnesses, as well as the management of dental pain.

Periodontics

Periodontics is a dental speciality that focuses on the supporting structures of teeth as well as diseases and ailments that impact them. The cementum, alveolar bone, gingiva, and periodontal ligament are all part of the periodontium, which is made up of supporting tissues.

Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry

Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry is committed to the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence, with the experience and qualifications to care for a gums, child's teeth, and mouth at all phases of development.

Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics

Dentofacial orthopaedics is concerned with the guidance of facial growth and development, which happens primarily throughout childhood, and is one of the reasons why children are often the greatest candidates for dentofacial orthopaedic therapy.

Detailed Dental Syllabus

Semester

Core/Elective

Subject Title

Subject Details

1 & 2

General human anatomy- head and neck (embryology, histology, and osteology)



 

General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology

The purpose of this paper is to provide students with information and insight into the functional anatomy of a normal human and the embryological development of therapeutically significant components.

3 & 4

Pre-clinical Prosthodontics and crown bridge

Dental materials

Preclinical conservative dentistry

General pathology and microbiology

Pharmacology

 

Dental Materials

Dental impression materials, restorative resins, dental amalgam, acrylic resins, dental casting investments, dental implants, dental casting alloys, soldering, brazing, and welding are all examples of gypsum and gypsum products.

5 & 6

General surgery

Oral pathology and oral microbiology

General medicine

 

General Surgery

The purpose of this paper is to familiarise the student with a variety of disorders that may require surgical intervention, as well as to build skills in examining a routine ulcer, swelling, and other related conditions, as well as performing minor surgical treatments.

7 & 8

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Conservative dentistry and endodontics

Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics

Oral medicine and radiology

Prosthodontics and Crown and bridge

Paediatric and preventive dentistry

Public health dentistry

PeriDentistry

 

Public Health Dentistry

General surgical principles, surgical history, surgical principles, resuscitation of seriously injured patients, thyroid and parathyroid illnesses, burns and scalds, facial development anomalies

Dental Subject Specialisations

Prosthodontics, Dental Mechanics, Conservative Dentistry, Periodontics, and Surgery are just a few of the prominent BDS specialisations. The details of which are listed below;

Specialisation

Subjects

Details

Endodontist

 

  • Applied Anatomy of Head and Neck

  • Conservative Dentistry

  • Endodontics

  • Clinical Exercises

  • Introduction to Operative Dentistry

  • Review of Dental Anatomy

  • Dental Caries

 

Endodontics is that branch of dentistry that deals with the dental pulp and tissues that surround the tooth's roots. "Endo" means "within," and "odont" means "tooth." The delicate pulp tissue inside the tooth is treated by endodontic treatment, often known as root canal therapy.

Prosthodontics

 

  • Crown and Bridge

  • Implantology

  • Material Science

Prosthodontics is a discipline of dentistry that deals with the replacement of lost teeth and the soft and hard tissues that go with them using prosthetics that can be fixed or detachable, or supported and kept by implants.

Periodontics

 

  • Applied anatomy.

  • Applied basic science.

  • Allied clinical sciences.

  • Etiopathogenesis.

  • Complete denture prosthesis.

  • Oral implantology.

  • Preventive periDentistry.

  • Periodontal Histology and Histopathology.

 

Periodontics is a dentistry speciality that focuses solely on the inflammatory condition that causes the gums and other supporting components around the teeth to deteriorate. A periodontist is a dentist that specialises in periodontal diagnosis, disease prevention, and treatment, as well as dental implant implantation.

Conservative Dentistry

  • Endodontics.

  • Dental Caries.

  • Root Canal.

  • Dentin.

  • Restorative Dentistry.

  • Fluoride.

  • Apexification.

 

Conservative dentistry is a speciality of dentistry that focuses on keeping teeth in the mouth as healthy as possible. It comprises many types of direct and indirect restorations of individual teeth in the mouth, as well as operative dentistry and endodontics.

Surgery

  • Oncology

  • General Surgery

  • Practical and Laboratory Skills

  • Research Methodology

  • Human Physiology and Anatomy

The physical manipulation of a physiological structure to diagnose, prevent, or cure a condition is known as general surgery. The focus is on the clinical approach to the patient's ailment as a whole, as well as the many surgical therapy options.

Books and Authors related to Dentistry

Because Dentistry is such a broad field with so many specialities, students need to refer to a wide variety of literature during their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Some of the most often recommended novels are listed below.

Subject

Book Title

Author

Description

Clinical Dentistry

Oxford Handbook of Clinical Dentistry

David A. Mitchell and Laura Mitchell

In a condensed format, the latest version of this pocket handbook covers the field of clinical dentistry. It has been totally changed and updated to include a plethora of fresh information, such as web-based learning and relevant resources, as well as more diagrams and colour clinical images.

Dentistry and Oral Surgery

BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry and Oral Surgery

 

Alexander M. Reiter, Margherita Gracias

The BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry and Oral Surgery is a timely publication in an internationally increasing speciality subject. It is a valuable resource for general small animal veterinary surgeons, students, and nurses/technicians who want to improve their knowledge and skills in dentistry and oral surgery.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Basic Guide to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

 

Nicola Rogers, Cinzia Pickett

The role of the dental nurse in oral and maxillofacial surgical operations is explained in detail in Basic Guide to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Anatomy of the head and neck, pain and anxiety control, injuries and more complex procedures are all covered in an easy-to-understand manner.

Dental Implant Surgery

Quick Reference to Dental Implant Surgery

 

Mohamed A. Maksoud

Quick Reference to Dental Implant Surgery provides busy practitioners with quick access to all of the key information needed for effective dental implant surgery. It has been deliberately developed to be utilised while the patient is seated and follows a simple, easy-to-follow pattern.

Dental Implant Surgery

Color Atlas of Dental Implant Surgery

 

Michael S. Block DMD

With this colourful atlas-style book, you'll be able to learn implant processes and methods in no time! Dental Implant Surgery includes full-colour clinical photographs and practical guidance for a wide range of implant difficulties. Treatment planning, pre-surgical recommendations, thorough surgical techniques, and postoperative follow-up are all included in this guide.

Entrance Exams for Dentistry

The purpose of the Dental Entrance Exams is to get admission to the Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Masters of Dental Surgery (MDS) programmes. Aspirants can easily pass the entrance exam if they prepare according to the syllabus and previous papers. Candidates must focus on their studies in order to be the first to pass the tests. The eligibility requirements for various colleges may differ.

Following your BDS, you may want to pursue an MDS to gain a more in-depth understanding of the subject. It is the highest level of study in the field of dentistry and can help you find a career as a dentist in reputable organisations.

You can enrol in either a government or private college based on your performance in the entrance test. Depending on your interests, you can select a specialisation area. Prosthodontics, orthodontics, operative dentistry, and conservative dentistry are some of the specialisation possibilities available during the MDS.

Dental Syllabus for Distance Learning Programmes

Distance education is a viable option for those who cannot afford full-time classes. Part-time or distance Dentistry programmes are also available to students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for full-time courses. Distance learning programmes have a syllabus that is strikingly comparable to traditional programmes. The evaluation method is essentially identical to that of conventional courses, with 30 per cent for internal assessment and 70 per cent for the end-of-semester examination. Top schools which offer distance learning programs in Dentistry are IGNOU, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), and Gitam Deemed to be University to name a few.

Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Syllabus

Q: What is the scope of Dentistry?

A: A practitioner in Dentistry might work in a variety of areas. After earning a doctorate in dentistry, there are a plethora of good jobs and higher education prospects accessible. It is a vocation that guarantees job opportunity. A BDS graduate may pursue postgraduate studies leading to be a qualified MDS.

Q: Is there a difference between dentistry and medicine courses in terms of difficulty?

A: There isn't much of a difference between the difficulty of both BD and MBBS when it comes to studying. There is a lot of overlap between topics in the preclinical years, at least. Dentists, like doctors, must have a thorough understanding of Physiology, Anatomy, and Pharmacology subjects.

Q: What are the topics covered in the first year of BDS?

A: The Dental subjects covered in the first year of BDS (Sem I and Sem II) are as follows:
  • Anatomy of the head and neck in general (embryology, histology, and osteology)
  • Human physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, and dietetics in general.
  • Histology, Anatomy, and embryology of the teeth.

Q: What does the abbreviation BDS stand for in the medical field?

A: A Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree is frequently abbreviated as BDS. It is the most popular degree option in India for those interested in pursuing dentistry after Class 12. Dental graduates are responsible for patients' oral hygiene after completing the training.

Q: Can a BDS Student become a Surgeon?

A: Students must obtain a postgraduate degree in surgery or a Master of Surgery in order to work as a surgeon. The candidate's academic record or the entrance exam administered by the individual university are used to determine postgraduate selection criteria. Candidates pursuing post-graduation can choose from a variety of specialisation courses.

Q: Is NEET required for BDS?

A: The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is one of the most common medical degrees. The NEET test is the only route to get into a BDS school in India. As a result, candidates must meet certain criteria in order to be considered for the position.

Q: How many times can you take the NEET MDS?

A: There is no limit to take the NEET MDS exam by a candidate in his/her lifetime. However, in an academic year, the exam can be taken only once.

Q: Is getting admission to MDS courses a difficult task?

A: The admission to MDS courses take place through NEET MDS and INI CET entrance exams. The difficulty level of these exams is very tough. Not only does the extensive syllabus add to the competition, but the large number of applicants who apply for these exams adds to the competitive factor and difficulty quotient.

Q: What is the highest level of Dental Degree?

A: A doctorate in Dentistry is the highest dental degree. Candidates can practice after completing a five-year BDS programme, which includes four years of academics and one year of internship. Owing to the increased demand for graduates in India and internationally in numerous fields of medicine and dentistry, BDS gives students a promising career path. BDS students can pursue a profession in a variety of fields. This sector is one of the most appealing in terms of work opportunities, with graduates earning a good annual pay.

Q: Does BDS students pursue a career in academics?

A: BDS candidates might pursue a teaching career as a lecturer in any private or government dental institutes or colleges. Academic jobs are typically pursued by recent graduates who have a passion for teaching. They can also work as a teaching faculty member in state government colleges.

Q: Will BDS be counted as a good career option for career in 2022?

A: Yes, BDS will be counted as a good career option as it is a well designed undergraduate program which is equivalent to the degree of MBBS in the medical field. The BDS students will have a great future in Academics, Government institutions, Research and Hospitals. The students who just graduated have an average salary of about INR 3.05 Lakhs Per Annum in India.

Table of contents
  • Popular Dental Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Dental Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Popular Dental Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Top Ranked Colleges by Location
  • Popular Dental UG Courses
  • Popular Dental PG Courses
View More

Popular Dental Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Dental Colleges in India. Learn more about these Dental colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
8 Courses
1.64 L - 1.9 L
8.5 - 16 LPA

#8 NIRF

1 Course

#1 NIRF

39 K
12 - 17.69 LPA
13 Courses
1.32 L - 43.53 L
3.8 - 5 LPA
50 K - 52.5 L
4 - 15.6 LPA

#11 NIRF

40 K - 51 L
4.5

Popular Private Dental Colleges in India

1.65 L - 29.7 L
3.45 - 4.8 LPA
8 Courses
1.64 L - 1.9 L
8.5 - 16 LPA

#8 NIRF

1 Course

#1 NIRF

39 K
12 - 17.69 LPA
13 Courses
1.32 L - 43.53 L
3.8 - 5 LPA
50 K - 52.5 L
4 - 15.6 LPA

#11 NIRF

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Dental. Students interested in pursuing a career on Dental, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Dec '25

NEET 2026 Notification

TENTATIVE

16 Nov ' 25 - 20 Nov ' 25

NEET 2025 Counselling Online Stray Vacancy Round ...

6 Dec ' 25 - 9 Dec ' 25

NEET PG 2025 round-2 counselling choice filling

5 Dec ' 25 - 9 Dec ' 25

NEET PG 2025 round-2 counselling registration

Mar '26 - Apr '26

AIIMS BSc Paramedical Registration (Basic)

TENTATIVE

30 May ' 26

AIIMS BSc Paramedical 2026 Exam date

15 Nov ' 25

INI CET 2025 November result declaration

9 Nov ' 25

INI CET 2025 November exam date

Popular Dental Specializations

Following are the most popular Dental Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Following are the top ranked colleges for Dental based on rankings published by The Week, Business Today and National Institutional Ranking Framework (MHRD).

Popular Dental UG Courses

Following are the most popular Dental UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Dental PG Courses

Following are the most popular Dental PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 21 hours ago

Hi.

Dental anatomy is one of the first basic subjects in BDS and forms the foundation for later clinical work. Topics include:

Structure of teeth: Types (incisors, canines, premolars, molars), morphology, surfaces, and features.

Tooth development (Odontogenesis): Stages of tooth formation, enamel, dent

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 21 hours ago

Hi.

BDS seats are very limited in government colleges across India.

For General category, cut-offs in government colleges are generally very high:

Top government colleges (like Maulana Azad, Delhi, Mumbai, etc.) usually require NEET scores ≥ 600–650.

Mid-tier state government colleges cut-offs: 450–550

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 3 days ago

Hi.

There is no single “standard” MDS fee structure that applies to all “semi-government” dental colleges in India. It depends heavily on the state, quota (government / management / private / NRI), branch (clinical vs non-clinical), and whether the college is fully government, semi-government, privat

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a week ago

About 20+ Dental colleges in India accepting NEET entrance exam. Some of them are mentioned below with tuition fees -

Top CollegesTuition Fee
Manipal College of Dental ScienceINR 17 lakh
KGMUINR 2 lakh
AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental SciencesINR 20 lakh
SRM Dental CollegeINR 16 lakh
JMIINR 2 lakh

Source: Official site and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, simulation labs are increasingly incorporated in BDS training. These labs allow students to practice dental procedures in a controlled environment before working on real patients.

Simulation includes using dental mannequins, virtual reality systems, and digital tools to replicate clinical scenar

...Read more

L

Loveleen Choudhury

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, practical labs are integral to most BDS subjects. Labs provide hands-on training in procedures like cavity preparation, crown fabrication, and periodontal techniques, reinforcing theoretical knowledge.

Students practice clinical skills under supervision, using models, extracted teeth, and simula

...Read more

J

Jaya Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

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