Chennai has some of the best dental colleges in India. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences holds the 2nd rank in the country in the Dental category. SRM Dental College and other top colleges follow. The table below lists the NIRF rankings of dental colleges in Chennai for 2024 and 2025.
Best Dental Colleges in Chennai 2026
Chennai has about 26 dental colleges. They offer two main courses: BDS and MDS. The colleges are government, private, or deemed universities, so you can pick one that fits your budget. To get a seat in the top BDS colleges in Chennai, you must first clear NEET UG. Well-known colleges include SIMTS Chennai, SRM Dental College (Ramapuram), SRM IST Kattankulathur, SRIHER, and Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital. Before you apply, check that the college is approved. The National Dental Commission (NDC), earlier called the Dental Council of India, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approve and monitor the top colleges.
Chennai has about 26 dental colleges. They offer two main courses: BDS and MDS. The colleges are government, private, or deemed universities, so you can pick one that fits your budget. To get a seat in the top BDS colleges in Chennai, you must first clear NEET UG. Well-known colleges include SIMTS Chennai, SRM Dental College (Ramapuram), SRM IST Kattankulathur, SRIHER, and Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital. Before you apply, check that the college is approved. The National Dental Commission (NDC), earlier called the Dental Council of India, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approve and monitor the top colleges.
Table of Contents
- Best Dental Colleges in Chennai: Key Highlights 2026
- Top Dental Colleges in Chennai: NIRF Ranking 2025
- Eligibility Criteria to Admit to Chennai Dental Colleges 2026
- Best Private Dental Colleges in Chennai
- ROI of the Top Private Dental Colleges in Chennai
- Best Government Dental Colleges in Chennai
- Top Dental Specialisations Offered by Chennai Colleges
- Comparison of the Top Dental Colleges in Chennai
Best Dental Colleges in Chennai: Key Highlights 2026
Most colleges run their own teaching hospital. You start treating real patients from the third year. After BDS, you can open a clinic, join a hospital, teach, or study MDS through NEET MDS. Freshers earn a modest salary at first, but income grows as your skills and patient list grow. The table below shows the key highlights of the top dental colleges in Chennai.
| Parameters |
Particulars |
|---|---|
| Total no. of Dental colleges in Chennai |
25+ colleges |
| Best Dental college in Chennai |
SIMTS Chennai, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai, SRM IST Kattankulathur, SRIHER, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, etc. |
| Fee range of top colleges |
~ INR 20,000 – INR 50+ lakh |
| Top Dental specialisations offered |
Periodontology, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Pathology, etc. |
| Accepted entrance exams |
Top Dental Colleges in Chennai: NIRF Ranking 2025
| Top Colleges |
NIRF 2024 |
NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking |
1 |
2 |
| 7 |
8 |
|
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Ranking |
10 |
13 |
| 13 |
16 |
|
| NA |
27 |
|
| 20 |
30 |
|
| 32 |
39 |
Disclaimer: We have taken the rankings from official NIRF site and the rankings might change in future.
Eligibility Criteria to Admit to Chennai Dental Colleges 2026
To get admission into any Dental college in Chennai, students need to meet a few basic academic and entrance exam requirements set by the Dental Council of India and individual institutes.
- You must have studied PCB as core subjects with English in Class 12, with a minimum 50% in each subject.
- You must have achieved the age of 17 years on 31 December of the academic year.
- Admission to BDS programs is based on the NEET score.
Best Private Dental Colleges in Chennai
Private dental colleges in Chennai give you modern labs, large teaching hospitals, and plenty of patients to learn from. They cost more than government colleges, but they also offer more seats. You still need to clear NEET UG to get in. Fees differ a lot from one college to another, so compare the full course fee before you choose. Check each college’s approval, hospital size, and student reviews too. The top 10 Dental colleges in Chennai with fees.
| Private Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 6 lakh – INR 52.5 lakh |
|
| INR 15.6 lakh |
|
| INR 24 lakh |
|
| INR 16 lakh |
|
| INR 2.3 lakh – INR 34.4 lakh |
|
| INR 22 lakh |
|
| INR 12.5 lakh |
|
| INR 12.5 lakh |
|
| INR 17 lakh |
|
| INR 5.1 lakh |
Source: The info. given above taken from the college official site and can change.
ROI of the Top Private Dental Colleges in Chennai
Choosing a dental college is not only about the fees, its also about the return a candidate can expect after they start working. Here we take a quick look at the ROI of private dental schools in Chennai, looking at the tuition fees against the median placement salaries.
| Top Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| INR 20,000 – INR 12.5 lakh |
INR 0.84 LPA – INR 5.72 LPA |
|
| INR 75,000 – INR 49.5 lakh |
INR 4.6 LPA – INR 12 LPA |
|
| INR 10.5 lakh – INR 36 lakh |
INR 5.1 LPA – INR 5.95 LPA |
|
| INR 9 lakh – INR 45 lakh |
INR 8.8 LPA – INR 13 LPA |
|
| INR 50,000 – INR 52.5 lakh |
INR 4 LPA – INR 15.6 LPA |
Disclaimer: The info. taken from the official site and may vary.
Best Government Dental Colleges in Chennai
Government colleges are more affordable than private colleges, and they have limited seats with tough competition. Listed below is the only government Dental college in Chennai along with their tuition fees -
| Government Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital Dental Courses |
INR 15.6 lakh – INR 42 lakh |
Source: The info. given above, taken from the college's official site, and can change.
Top Dental Specialisations Offered by Chennai Colleges
Chennai colleges offer many Dental specialisations. Some of them are mentioned below.
| Top Dental Specialisations |
Top Dental Colleges |
|---|---|
| Orthodontics |
13 (Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital University Main Campus, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, etc.) |
| Periodontology |
13 (SRM Dental College, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, etc.) |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
12 (Saveetha Dental College Chennai, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai , etc.) |
| Prosthodontics |
12 (TDCH - Tagore Dental College And Hospital, Madha Group of Academic Institutions, Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital) |
| Public Health Dentistry |
8 (Ragas Dental College and Hospital, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Saveetha University, etc.) |
Comparison of the Top Dental Colleges in Chennai
To check the comparison between Chennai Dental colleges, click on the links below –
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Best Dental Colleges in Chennai 2026
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Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in Chennai 2026
Q: Which is officially the No. 1 dental college in Tamil Nadu?
A:
According to the NIRF ranking 2025, SIMTS Chennai ranked as the top Dental college in Chennai followed by other top colleges like SRM Dental College and SRIHER. Candidates can check the table below for the top colleges with NIRF ranking 2024 and 2025 -
Top Colleges | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking | 1 | 2 |
7 | 8 | |
Sree Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Ranking | 10 | 13 |
13 | 16 | |
NA | 27 | |
20 | 30 | |
32 | 39 |
Disclaimer: Rankings taken from official NIRF site and the rankings might change in future.
Q: What are the top private Dental colleges in Chennai?
A:
Private Dental colleges are somewhat expensive than government colleges. Here is the table below showing the top private Dental colleges in Chennai, followed by their tuition fees -
Private Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
INR 6 lakh – INR 52.5 lakh | |
INR 15.6 lakh | |
INR 24 lakh | |
INR 16 lakh | |
INR 2.3 lakh – INR 34.4 lakh | |
INR 22 lakh | |
INR 12.5 lakh | |
INR 12.5 lakh | |
INR 17 lakh | |
INR 5.1 lakh |
Source: Official college site and can change.
Q: How many Dental colleges are there in Chennai?
A:
There are about 26 Dental colleges in Chennai. Of these, 18 are private colleges, 1 is government college, and 1 semi-govenrment college. Some of the top colleges are SIMTS Chennai, SRM Dental College (Ramapuram), SRM IST Kattankulathur, SRIHER, and Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital. Admission to these colleges based on NEET UG exam.
Q: Can BDS graduates from Chennai start their own clinic instead of working for someone else?
A:
Absolutely, and many do exactly that. After completing BDS, students have the option of opening their own dental office, in addition to working with hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, or medical device manufacturers.
Q: What is the rank of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences?
A:
Numerous Indian rating agencies have placed Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) in a number of categories. The following are a few noteworthy rankings:
The overall rank of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2022 is 83.
Rank in Medicine: 23
Dental Ranking: Five
Pharmacy Position: 18
Period Engineering Rankings 2022: (among all engineering institutes in India) Rank Band: 175-200
Outlook India Positions 2022: India's Top 50 Private Medical Schools
India Current Standings 2022: India's Top 30 Private Medical Colleges
The Weekly Standings 2022: India's Top 30 Private Medical Colleges
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in Chennai 2026
Q: What is the fee range of top BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu?
A:
Listed below is the fee range of the top BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu -
Fee Range | Top BDS Colleges |
|---|---|
| INR 1-3 lakh | 2 (Vivekanandha Dental College For Women and Government Dental College Pudukkottai) |
| INR 5-7 lakh | 1 (Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital) |
| INR 7-10 lakh | 1 (Rajas Dental College and Hospital) |
| INR 10-15 lakh | 9 (Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital, etc.) |
| INR > 15 lakh | 12 (SIMTS Chennai, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai, SRM IST Kattankulathur, etc.) |
Q: What is the highest placement offered by best BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu?
A:
Hi, you can refer to the table below for the best BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu that offer the highest placement to their students with their tuition package:
Top Colleges | Total Course Fee | Average Annual Package |
|---|---|---|
| SIMTS Chennai Placement | INR 43 lakh | INR 4 LPA |
INR 16 lakh | INR 8.9 LPA | |
INR 20 lakh | INR 7.55 LPA | |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai Placement | INR 22 lakh | INR 5.95 LPA |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Hope this helps!!
Q: Are there any government BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu?
A:
Yes, there are many government BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu. Candidates can see the table below for the top government colleges with tuition fees and eligibility criteria -
Public/Govt. Colleges | Total Tuition Fee | Entrance Exam/Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital University Main Campus Admission | INR 15.6 lakh | NEET |
INR 17.5 lakh | Merit-Based |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Q: What is the infrastructure quality of top BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu?
A:
Hi, candidates can see the table below for the best BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu that offer quality education with modern equipments, etc. -
| College Name | Tuition Fee | Infrastructure Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute | - | 5.0/5.0 |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | - | 5.0/5.0 |
| SRM Dental College | INR 15.6 lakh | 5.0/5.0 |
| SIMTS | INR 43 lakh | 5.0/5.0 |
| SRMIST Chennai Ramapuram Campus | INR 22 lakh | 5.0/5.0 |
Source: official site and may vary.
Hope this solved your query!
Q: Does Sri Ramachandra Medical College offers scholarships?
A:
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research offers many scholarships such as Founder-Chancellor Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, Founder-Chancellor Cash Award, Hospital Ward Technician Course, Chancellor Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships, Founder-Chancellor Fellowships for PhD. Candidates and Publication Support Grant. Students can avail of the scholarships only if they meet the eligibility criteria. After meeting the eligibility criteria, students are awarded the scholarship amount. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research scholarship amount is awarded for a fixed period of time, that is, till the completion of the course. The eligibility criteria for SRIHER scholarships are given below:
Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
Founder-Chancellor Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | Students should have passed the previous year/semester’s university exam on the first attempt and are pursuing 2nd year UG Paramedical programme |
Founder-Chancellor Cash Award | Students who have obtained the highest marks in the 1st-year undergraduate programme university examination |
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Q: What are the top NEET accepting BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu?
A:
There are about 30+ NEET accepting BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu. Some of them are mentioned below with their tuition fees:
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| SIMTS | INR 43 lakh |
| SRM Dental College, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai | INR 15.6 lakh |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | INR 24 lakh |
| Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital | INR 5.2 lakh |
| Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital | INE 10 lakh |
Source: official site and may vary.
Q: Is it expensive to get admission to the best BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu?
A:
Yes, it can be observed that joining the top BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu can be expensive as most colleges have tuition fees of more than INR 5 lakh. However, there are some affordable colleges having tuition fees in between INR 1-3 lakh. Some of them are mentioned below -
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Vivekanandha Dental College For Women | INR 1 lakh |
| Government Dental College Pudukkottai | INR 1 lakh |
Source: Officia site and may vary.
Q: Which BDS college in Tamil Nadu ranked No. 1 as per NIRF ranking?
A:
Hi, you can refer below for the top BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu according to NIRF Ranking 2025 under the Dental category:
| Top Colleges | NIRF 2023 | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIMTS Chennai Ranking | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| SRM Dental College Ranking | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| SRIHER Ranking | 7 | 10 | 13 |
| Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research Ranking | 16 | 13 | 16 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Ranking | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| Dr. M. G. R. Educational and Research Institute Ranking | 23 | 20 | 30 |
| SRM Kattankulathur Dental College Ranking | -- | 32 | 39 |
| Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute | 27 | 33 | 32 |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Q: How many BDS colleges are there in Tamil Nadu?
A:
Tamil Nadu is home to 30+ best BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu of which 20+ colleges are privately owned, 2 colleges are owned by semi government institutions and the rest 2 colleges are owned by the government. NEET and Tamil Nadu NEET is the top entrance exam for admission to top BDS colleges in the Tamilnadu list. SIMTS, SRIHER, SRM Dental College, Annamalai University, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute and Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology are the top Dental colleges in India.
Q: Which Medical fields offer the best work-life balance?
A:
Some medical field which offer best work and life balance are shown below -
Dentistry (BDS & MDS) – Fixed clinic hours, fewer emergencies.
Pharmacy (BPharm & MPharm) – Less stress compared to hospital-based jobs.
Physiotherapy (BPT & MPT) – Flexible working hours, minimal emergency calls.
Public Health & Community Medicine – Focus on preventive healthcare rather than emergency treatments.
Clinical Research & Medical Writing – Research-based work with no direct patient responsibilities.
ChennaiPvtCommonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in Chennai 2026
Q: Is specialisation mandatory after a dental course?
A:
Specialization is not mandatory after completing a general Dental course. Graduates can practice as general dentists immediately after earning their degree and completing required internships.
However, pursuing a specialisation in areas like orthodontics, prosthodontics, or oral surgery can enhance career prospects, increase earning potential, and allow dentists to handle more complex cases. It is a choice based on career goals rather than a requirement.
Q: What are the top skills employers look for in dental course graduates?
A:
The top skills that employers look for in Dental course graduates are:
Strong clinical proficiency
Effective patient communication
Attention to detail and accuracy
Knowledge of the latest dental technologies
Ability to work under pressure
Ethical and professional conduct
Teamwork and collaboration
Q: Are there opportunities in dental healthcare administration?
A:
Yes, Dental graduates can explore careers in healthcare administration. Roles may include managing dental clinics, hospital departments, or public oral health programs.
Administrative positions require a combination of dental knowledge and management skills. Graduates can contribute to policy-making, patient management systems, quality control, and training programs while supporting the broader healthcare infrastructure.
Q: Which courses are offered at SRM Dental College, Kattankulathur?
A:
At the undergraduate level, SRM Dental College Kattankulathur offers BDS programmes to students. At the postgraduate level, SRM Dental College Kattankulathur provides MDS programmes to students. MDS is provided in 6 specialisations, namely Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Orthodontics & Dento Facial Orthopeadics, and others.
Q: Is Saveetha Dental College best in Chennai?
A:
Saveetha Dental College is very best for it's courses like MDS and BDS and it is located in Chennai that the second it's major benifits Saveetha Dental College is ranked 1st among 300+ private and public dental schools by the government of India in 2022. With over 13100+ Scopus® publications; we also stand 2nd in the global scaleDental is proud to be placed 18th ranked among the Global .Qs - World Institutional Rankings by Subject (2022). we are the number 1 university in India.
SDC underwent a NAAC inspection and we cleared with stellar credits. The college along with the university has secured A grade that denotes Excellence in Education. Some of our major features that impressed the inspectors were small group learning, iBooks, Infrastructure and research labs. This is a proud achievement for us
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Q: What is the median placement salary offered to the students of Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, MAHER?
A:
The median salary granted to students upon a successful placement from the Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, MAHER is INR 6.24 LPA, indicating the institution's commitment to fostering prosperous career beginnings, with graduates receiving a commendable financial remuneration.
Q: Is SRM Ramapuram worth joining?
A:
SRM Ramapuram is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The institute is accredited by (National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with A+ Grade. Moreover, during SRM Ramapuram placements 2023, the highest package offered stood at INR 1.1 crore per annum. Further, more than 140 companies made offers so far and made over 12,000 total offers to the students.
Q: Is the faculty at Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, well-qualified and experienced?
A:
Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai have rating of 5 for the faculty by students. It represents that Institute has decent, qualified and experienced faculty members.
Q: Which Medical fields offer the best work-life balance?
A:
Some medical field which offer best work and life balance are shown below -
Dentistry (BDS & MDS) – Fixed clinic hours, fewer emergencies.
Pharmacy (BPharm & MPharm) – Less stress compared to hospital-based jobs.
Physiotherapy (BPT & MPT) – Flexible working hours, minimal emergency calls.
Public Health & Community Medicine – Focus on preventive healthcare rather than emergency treatments.
Clinical Research & Medical Writing – Research-based work with no direct patient responsibilities.
Q: Is Indian School of Technology and Management a good college?
A:
Yes, Indian School of Technology and Management is a good college. ISTM gives online programmes. For easy online learning, there is LMS to carry e-resources, video lectures, and download assignments.
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Q: When will Saveetha University cutoff release?
A:
For the academic year 2024, Saveetha University has not specified the deadlines for any of its courses. Nonetheless, there are certain dates for entrance tests such as TANCET for MBA and M.Tech programmes and NEET UG for MBBS that can provide us with an idea. For example, the results of TANCET 2024 are due on June 14, 2041, while NEET UG 2024 is planned for May 5, 2024. Usually, the cutoff is made public following the release of the entrance exam results. It is wise to consult the official university website.
Q: What all specializations are provided by the courses offered at Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital?
A:
Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital is a well-known institution for MDS, BDS courses, and these programs are delivered by highly experienced faculty. Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital has course specializations in Periodontology, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics .
Q: Are there any specializations offered by TDCH - Tagore Dental College And Hospital?
A:
TDCH - Tagore Dental College And Hospital is a good institution for MDS, BDS courses, and these programs are delivered by highly experienced faculty. Major specialisation at TDCH - Tagore Dental College And Hospital are Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics .
Q: How is the faculty at Bharath University?
A:
Bharath University has a dedicated faculty for each of its department. The faculty members are positioned based on designations such as associate professor, and assistant professor. Further, all the faculty members are highly qualifed and experts in their respective subjects. Most of the members are also PhD holders.
Q: Which Medical fields offer the best work-life balance?
A:
Some medical field which offer best work and life balance are shown below -
Dentistry (BDS & MDS) – Fixed clinic hours, fewer emergencies.
Pharmacy (BPharm & MPharm) – Less stress compared to hospital-based jobs.
Physiotherapy (BPT & MPT) – Flexible working hours, minimal emergency calls.
Public Health & Community Medicine – Focus on preventive healthcare rather than emergency treatments.
Clinical Research & Medical Writing – Research-based work with no direct patient responsibilities.
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