Master’s in Dental Surger After BDS: A Complete Guide
Looking to elevate your clinical skills? A master’s in dental surgery after BDS can be the right career move! Explore MDS benefits, specializations, and more in this guide.
What is a Master’s in Dental Surgery After BDS?
MDS is a three-year post-graduate program that provides advanced training in specialized areas of dental science.
Purpose of Master’s in Dental Surgery After BDS
- To provide knowledge and clinical expertise in various fields of dentistry.
- To understand oral and dental hygiene, prevention, interception, and rehabilitation of dentition and oral cavity disorders.
Recognition and scope of MDS globally
- Countries have different licensure exams to allow one to practice dentistry in their own country.
- MDS degrees available in India offer numerous opportunities, although the degree alone may not be adequate.
Benefits of Pursuing an MDS Degree
With an MDS degree, one can have better prospects and a better pay scale than a BDS graduate. Various opportunities available include:
- Starting your practice
- Academic & teaching roles
- Pursuing further education like a PhD
- Working with other hospitals & clinics
- Associating with research institutions
Eligibility Criteria for Master’s in Dental Surgery After BDS
- One needs to have a bachelor’s degree in dentistry (BDS) from a recognized dental college with at least 50% marks in graduation and no age limit.
- Passing a national-level entrance exam called NEET MDS. The eligibility criteria for the same is:
- Nationality: Being an Indian citizen, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO).
- Academic qualifications: Qualified bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 50% marks and provisional or permanent registration certificate from the respective state dental council or Dental Council of India (DCI).
- Internship: Completed rotatory internship of 12 months.
- One has to secure the following category-wise minimum percentile in NEET MDS for admission into the post-graduate course:
| Category | Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 50th |
| Person with locomotory disability of lower limbs | 45th |
| SC, ST, Other Backward Classes | 40th |
(However, if the number of qualifying candidates in each category is less than three times the number of vacancies, then the NEET MDS cut-off percentile will be lowered).
Specializations in MDS After BDS
There are about nine specializations in masters in dental surgery after BDS, which include:
Surgical & Diagnostic Departments
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: It removes damaged teeth and treats jaw injuries and associated oral & facial surgical procedures.
- Oral Medicine and Radiology: It deals with diagnosing any oral condition using aids like intra-oral X-rays.
Restorative & Aesthetic Departments
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics: It deals with removing tooth decay and preserving and restoring teeth with other restorative cements.
- Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge: It deals with the replacement of missing teeth either by fixed or removable prostheses.
Orthodontic & Jaw Correction
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics deal with aligning maligned teeth and correcting jaw deformities.
Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry
- Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry: It deals with all the oral and dental procedures in children up to adolescence.
- Public health dentistry: It promotes oral health through organized community efforts and prevents and controls oral and dental diseases.
Gum Health & Implantology
- Periodontics and Implantology: It deals with gum-related procedures.
Research & Pathology
- Oral Pathology and Microbiology: It studies and diagnoses various oral lesions and other related structures like salivary glands, facial muscles, etc.
Master’s in Dental Surgery After BDS: Curriculum
Master’s in Dental Surgery After BDS: Career Opportunities
Various career opportunities after MDS include:
- Research
- Dental hygienist
- Forensic dentistry
- Private clinical practice
- Further studies like a PhD
- Academician
- Indian Army Dental Corps
- Consultations in other clinics
- Joining the Indian Civil Services
- Government jobs like the railways, etc.
- Pursuing an overseas career in dentistry
Salary Expectations for MDS Graduates
| Specialization | Salary |
|---|---|
| General Dentist | 1.8-3 LPA |
| Orthodontist | 4-8 LPA |
| Endodontist | 4-8 LPA |
| Periodontist | 4-8 LPA |
| Pedodontist | 4-8 LPA |
| Prosthodontist | 4-8 LPA |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | 4-8 LPA |
With your clinical practice, you can earn up to 10-50 LPA, but this typically happens gradually as you gain experience.
Selecting the Right College for Master’s in Dental Surgery After BDS
Some of the factors to consider while selecting a MDS college include:
- Budget
- College location
- Clinical exposure
- College Curriculum
- Quality of the faculty
- Research opportunities
- Reputation and ranking
- Student support services
- Infrastructure and facilities
Understanding the Financial Aspects of MDS
- Private dental schools are expensive.
- Additional costs include textbooks, dental instruments, equipment, etc.
- The fees generally include tuition fees and hostel fees. Do check for any availability of scholarships or financial aid.
Location and Clinical Exposure
- Clinical exposure is vital for skill development, learning, and practical experience.
- Choose an accredited college with the best infrastructure and facilities, good clinical exposure, and research opportunities.
- The college’s location is important regarding patient load, climate, and living conditions. Choose the location that’s best suited for you.
Conclusion
MDS is a three-year post-graduate course designed to provide clinical and theoretical expertise in different specialties of dentistry.
A master’s in dental surgery opens advanced career prospects in the field of dentistry. It enhances clinical skills, research opportunities, and earning potential.
While the process requires great financial investments, time, and commitment, long-term benefits make it a rewarding choice for dedicated professionals.