BDS Full Form: Admission, Eligibility Criteria, Scope & Career Options
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BDS Full Form: Admission, Eligibility Criteria, Scope & Career Options

Manisha TiwariUpdated on 14 Aug 2025, 10:05 AM IST

The full form of BDS is Bachelor of Dental Surgery. It is a 5 year undergraduate degree course. The BDS course trains students in various aspects of dental science including anatomy, physiology, pathology, oral surgery, prosthodontics and orthodontics. There are a total of 323 BDS colleges in India offering 27,618 seats.

This Story also Contains

  1. BDS course details: Highlights
  2. What is full form of BDS in dentistry?
  3. Eligibility criteria for BDS course admission
  4. BDS course admission process
  5. Scope and career options after BDS
  6. BDS vs MBBS- Which is better?
BDS Full Form: Admission, Eligibility Criteria, Scope & Career Options
BDS Full Form

The BDS admission in India is granted through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). NEET UG qualified candidates are required to appear for the NEET counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). Read the full article on BDS full form to understand more about the BDS course, eligibility criteria and other information.

BDS course details: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Qualifying exam

NEET UG

Conducting authority

National Testing Agency (NTA)

BDS full form medical

Bachelor of Dental Surgery

BDS program level

Undergraduate

BDS course duration

5 years

Eligibility criteria

  • Class 12 passed with PCB subjects with 50% aggregate (for general)

  • Must be 17 years of age

What is full form of BDS in dentistry?

The BDS full form in medical is Bachelor of Dental Surgery. It is a professional undergraduate degree recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI). BDS is the only certified dental course in India that trains students in diagnosing, preventing and treating oral and dental diseases. After completing the BDS program, graduates are qualified to practice dentistry and can work in hospitals, clinics or pursue higher studies like Master of Dental Surgery (MDS).

Eligibility criteria for BDS course admission

To pursue Bachelor of Dentistry course from the top BDS colleges in India, candidates must fulfill the NEET eligibility criteria as laid down by the authority. The BDS course eligibility criteria can be checked below.

  • Candidates must have passed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) subjects.

  • Candidates must have scored a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in PCB subjects (40% for reserved categories).

  • Candidates must have qualified NEET UG exam for admission to BDS programs.

  • Candidates must be at least 17 years of age as on December 31 of the year of admission.

BDS course admission process

Admission to the BDs course is granted through the NEET UG exam. A detailed BDS admission through NEET process can be checked below.

  • Candidates must check their eligibility for the NEET exam and fill the application form.

  • Aspirants must qualify for the NEET exam by securing the minimum NEET cutoff marks.

  • Qualified candidates are required to appear for the NEET counselling process conducted by the MCC.

  • Based on the NEET marks, preferences filled and seat availability, BDS seats are allotted.

  • Candidates who are allotted seats in the BDS NEET counselling are required to report at the allotted institutes for document verification and fee submission.

Scope and career options after BDS

BDS graduates have various career options after completing the degree. Scope and career opportunities after BDS can be checked from the points below.

  • Private practice: BDS graduates can open their own clinic and practice dentistry independently.

  • Government jobs: Graduates have opportunities in government jobs after BDS. Qualified dentists can work in government hospitals and rural healthcare programs under state or central government schemes.

  • Higher studies: BDS graduates can pursue MDS in various specializations like Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics and Oral Surgery to enhance their skills and career prospects.

  • Dental research: Many research institutes and dental product companies hire dental professionals to conduct clinical trials and product testing.

BDS vs MBBS- Which is better?

BDS in medical field stands for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery whereas MBBS full form is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Many students wonder whether BDS is a good alternative to MBBS. MBBS offers broader medical practice whereas BDS is a specialized field and also in demand. BDS requires precision, patience, and a good understanding of dental science. It may not have the same general medical scope as MBBS, but in terms of patient interaction, income potential and work-life balance, BDS can be equally rewarding.

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