Dental Courses: Eligibility, Colleges, Admissions

Dentistry is the study of the source, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders of the mouth, teeth, gums and jaw. Dentistry is one of the oldest healthcare-related professions in the world and has been practised since antiquity, just like medicine.

Over the last few years, Dental Science has seen a rapid advancement in the way diseases are diagnosed and treated. The modern-day basic Dental doctor course and its various specialities and subspecialties have been designed to ensure that Dentists can safely and effectively deliver a comprehensive range of primary and advanced Dental care to the wider population. 

If you are someone who is interested in this field, pursuing dental clinical courses is the way to go for a flourishing career that is also lucrative. There are many Dental degree courses available and deciding which is the right one for you might be a task. Let’s get to know all about Dental courses in India, eligibility, duration, fees, best Dental colleges in India, top Dental colleges in Karnataka, best Dental colleges in Bangalore, and so much more to help you make the right decision.

Dental Course Details:

Dentistry is considered as one of the first specializations in Medicine which now is a field of its own with various specializations dealing with the different aspects of it. Today, it is one of the most sought-after streams of study among Medical sciences. There are different levels of Dental courses in India; Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, Doctorate level, along with a number of Certificate courses.

Unlike for other streams, diploma Dental courses after 10th are not offered in India. A candidate can pursue a diploma or undergraduate course in this stream after one completes their 10+2/ 12th/ 2nd PUC. However, there are postgraduate diploma courses in this stream that can be pursued after BDS/ MDS.

Dental Courses after 12th:

Dental Diploma Courses after 12th:

It’s a popular opinion that one needs to study BDS to begin a career in the Dental field, which is not true. To provide effective treatments, a team of qualified professionals are required. A Dentist is assisted by other professionals who are trained in the different aspects of Dentistry, thus ensuring provision of quality oral care. To facilitate this, there are a number of Dental diploma courses with various specializations offered in India. 

Through these paramedical dental courses, students are introduced to the basics of oral care and are trained in aspects such as following medical instruction and treatment protocols, knowing the terminologies, handling dental equipment, ability to work with a team, and so on. 

Some of the Dental Diploma courses after 12th are listed below:

• Diploma in Dental Assistant
• Diploma in Dental Operating Room Assistant (DORA)
• Diploma in Dental Mechanics
• Diploma in Dental Technician
• Diploma in Dental Hygiene
• Diploma in Dental Mechatronics

There are certain advantages to pursuing these Dental diploma courses. Students who opt for any of these courses, do not have to go through the strenuous process of entrance examinations such as NEET. Securing admission to these courses is comparatively easier. The paramedical dental course duration is only 2-3 years and the Dental course fees is less and very much affordable as compared to BDS.

Hence, these Dental diploma courses provide a great opportunity for students interested in starting a career in the this field after 12th/ 2nd PUC without having to wait for 5-6 years and without having to spend a fortune on their education. 

After completion of Dental diploma courses, one can find work opportunities with good scope as Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Dental Technician, and so on, in reputed Dental hospitals and clinic chains. After an undergraduate diploma in this stream, students can take up certificate courses in Dentistry based on their interests.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS):

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is the undergraduate course that’s offered in the Dental stream in India. It is a 5-year course which includes 4 years of academic training followed by 1 year of compulsory rotatory internship. It is one of the most-sought dental courses in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka as well as across pan India. With many leading Dental colleges offering quality education through a well-structured and updated curriculum, BDS can be said to be one of the best Dental courses in India. After completing BDS and obtaining a license from DCI, one can begin clinical practice as a Dentist, either on their own or in a top hospital/ clinic or choose to pursue postgraduation to specialize in a field of their interest.

Dental PG Courses:

There are different types of Dental PG courses offered with specializations that cover the various facets of Dentistry. The duration of these Dental PG courses is usually 2-3 years. Let’s look at these courses along with the specializations offered below:

Master of Dental Surgery (MDS):

The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) is one of the most popular Dental PG courses in India. It is a 3-year long postgraduate course offered with 9 different specializations. The MDS curriculum comprises both theoretical study and clinical practice. The course focuses on training and imparting the skills and techniques necessary for the student to gain expertise in the chosen field. 

Listed below are the DCI-approved MDS specializations offered in India:

1. MDS Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
2. MDS Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
3. MDS Periodontology
4. MDS Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
5. MDS Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
6. MDS Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology
7. MDS Oral Medicine & Radiology
8. MDS Pediatric Dentistry
9. MDS Public Health Dentistry

MDS is an apt choice for someone who is looking to specialize in the field of Dentistry. It opens up many high-paying job opportunities in both government and private sectors.

Dental PG Diploma Courses:

Interestingly, there are many postgraduate (PG) diploma courses available in the Dental stream, each with a different specialization. The duration of these courses varies from 1 to 3 years. The flexibility in the duration of the Dental PG diploma courses encourages students to pursue a postgraduate course which in turn helps their career. 

Some of the DCI-approved PG Diploma Dental courses are listed below:

• PG Diploma in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
• PG Diploma in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
• PG Diploma in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
• PG Diploma in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
• PG Diploma in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• PG Diploma in Periodontology

Dental PhD Courses:

For students wanting to study and research a particular subject in the field of Dentistry and understand the depths of it, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) course in the Dental stream is the right choice. The Dental PhD course duration is usually 3 years. Students who complete their PhD course, get to work in leading positions in the Dental industry and in academic institutions. 

Some of the Dental PhD courses available are:

• PhD in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• PhD in Periodontology
• PhD in Pedodontics
• PhD in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
• PhD in Oral Pathology and Microbiology
• PhD in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• PhD in Public Health Dentistry

Dental Course Eligibility:

While considering the question of which course to choose, one thing that anyone wants to know and must know is, if they are eligible for it. Like for any other stream, the eligibility varies based on the level of the course. Following table gives detailed information about the various Dental course eligibility:

Dental Course Fees:

As we’ve seen, Dental courses in India are available at different levels based on which the fee structure for Dental courses also varies. Essentially, the UG Diploma Dental courses that have the least duration of study are offered at affordable Dental course fees packages. BDS and MDS/ PG Diploma Dental course fees vary based on the quota through which a student gains admission.

Generally, government quota Dental course fees are on the lower end, whereas management and other quota Dental course fees are available in all ranges. The fee structure for Dental courses differs from college to college based on the amenities provided and related factors. With meticulous exam preparation and a targeted approach in the national and state counsellings, one can secure admission in their desired course in India.

Moving on to the most important part i.e. selection of a good college that works best for your current needs as well as for your long-term career and future aspirations. Let’s get to know which are the best Dental colleges in the country, followed by top colleges in Karnataka and in Bangalore.

Best Dental Colleges in India:

In recent years, we see that awareness about oral health and oral hygiene has been on the increase due to various factors and efforts from different agencies. Today, oral healthcare has gained its due importance and it includes more than mere treatment of oral issues and diseases. People have increased awareness about the significance of oral health in overall well-being and are willing to adapt to newer and better oral health practices. This has given way to improved studies and research in the the field and an increased demand in Dental healthcare services and professionals.

To meet this demand, many Dental colleges have been established across the country, and leading institutions have invested to accommodate the latest Dental courses with an updated curriculum. Today, one can find that there are numerous DCI-approved Dental colleges in India and best private Dental colleges in India distributed fairly among the states in the country. This has helped improve the access to quality education in different parts of the country. Let’s now look at the best Dental colleges in India and where they are located.

Top 10 Dental Colleges in India: 

1. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamilnadu
2. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Udupi, Karnataka
3. Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra
4. Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi
5. King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
6. A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru, Karnataka
7. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka
8. SRM Dental College, Chennai, Tamilnadu
9. Govt. Dental College, Nagpur, Maharashtra
10. Siksha `O` Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Needless to say, some of the colleges mentioned above in the list of dental colleges in Bangalore are also the cheapest Dental colleges in India, i.e. those that provide good quality education at affordable fees. To get into one of these colleges, a student must have secured excellent grades in their qualifying exams as well as be in the top percentile in the relevant entrance exams.

Top Dental Colleges in Karnataka:

As you can see, Karnataka is home to some of the best Dental colleges in India. One can find many of the top NIRF ranking institutions in the list of Dental colleges in Karnataka. This proves to be advantageous to the students of Karnataka. The state has the highest number of Dental diploma colleges in India. 

Many of the Karnataka Dental colleges are attached to leading Medical colleges and hospitals of the country, contributing to the exposure and quality of education the students receive. The best private Dental colleges in Karnataka provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and have a great patient-flow that helps students to develop their practical skills.

Year by year, a lot of students from different parts of the country move to the state to study in the best Dental colleges in Karnataka. Admissions in Dental colleges in Karnataka happen through the national-level MCC counselling and the state-level KEA counselling and the cut-off for Dental colleges vary every year. Whether one desires to get into government, private or deemed Dental colleges in Karnataka, they have to go through either of the counselling processes to be allotted a seat at a college. 

Check out the list of top dental colleges that includes Government Dental Colleges in Karnataka.

Top 10 Dental Colleges in Karnataka:

1. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Udupi
2. A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru
3. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore
4. JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysuru
5. Faculty of Dental Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru
6. Government Dental College, Bangalore
7. SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Dharwad
8. Yenepoya Dental College, Mangaluru
9. KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru
10. RajaRajeswari Dental College & Hospital (RRDCH), Bengaluru

Best Dental Colleges in Bangalore:

Being one of the major educational hubs of India, the city of Bangalore houses many of the top Dental colleges of the country. Bangalore Dental colleges offer the best-in-class education with excellent infrastructure. Every year, a number of students from all over the country and within the state of Karnataka prefer to study in the top 10 Dental colleges in Bangalore.

One can find many of the private Dental colleges in Bangalore offering quality education at a fee on par with that charged at most government Dental colleges in Bangalore. Every year, the cut-off for dental colleges in Bangalore varies based on the number of seats available, number of aspirants competing that year and their performance in the qualifying exams. The cut-offs for Govt. dental colleges in Bangalore is same as private colleges.

Following is a list of the best colleges in Bangalore that you should consider if you're looking to pursue any Dental course.

Top Dental Colleges in Bangalore:

1. Faculty of Dental Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
2. KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences
3. RajaRajeswari Dental College & Hospital (RRDCH)
4. The Oxford Dental College
5. DA Pandu Memorial RV Dental College
6. Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences and Hospital (KCDSH)
7. Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences (DSCDS)
8. AECS Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre
9. Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences (BIDS)
10. MR Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital (MRADCH)
11. Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre
12. VS Dental College and Hospital (VSDCH)
13. Sri Siddhartha Dental College