BDS or Bachelor in Dental Surgery is indeed a vast area and field of medicine. It is bizarre but a small entity like a tooth in itself has an entire and a separate area of specialization. That study of dentistry is none other than BDS. Aspiring dentists in India need to crack a National level entrance exam called NEET after completing their 12th boards in the science stream with biology as their main subject.
As the field and the name suggests, one would anticipate and visualize a career after studying BDS as a dentist, dealing with treating teeth of people or after specializing becoming a lecturer or a professor in the same. Well, yes these are very good options available and quite secured for the future as well.
But as dentists, the most interesting and fun part stands that this is not the only thing one can do! On the contrary the study of BDS is restricted just to the oral cavity, yet one has loads and tons of options to pursue after this.
It is possible to continue your educational pursuits after BDS by enrolling in MDS, but for that one must pass the NEET MDS entrance examination.
The Master of Dental Surgery, also known as MDS, is a master's programme in dentistry. Each discipline program's goal is to equip graduate students with the skills necessary to practice as registered dentistry specialists.
The Dental Council of India (DCI) offers various specializations that include Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and Oral Medicine and Radiology.
As mentioned previously, apart from clinical practice and lectureship, one of the most common professions seen is MBA or MHA which is Master of Health Administration. This involves the integration of business with medicine - the handling of financing, accounts and business aspects of hospitals.
Parallel to this is another career option known as MPH or Masters in Public Health. The final year of BDS has public health dentistry as one of its main subjects, which talks about the non clinical aspect of health, especially dentistry. Similarly, public health widens the horizon and is not only confined to dental health but overall holistic health. The background of dentistry really proves to be an asset in pursuing public health.
A government job, especially in rural areas and hospitals, is a secure employment option after completing BDS. There are many non clinical openings as well which require one to clear certain entrance examinations.
Apart from these main alternatives, there are also some careers which are quite out of the box comparatively, something which definitely wins the prize of creativity!
Dental cosmetology - Catering to improve the physical appearance of teeth, jaws and gums
Research - Entering into dental research, medications, new and advanced treatment options and procedures.
Forensic dentistry - Lets one incorporate dentistry with criminology by studying further into it.
Dental blogging - People who consider writing as their passion, this is one of the perfect choices since it lets one use their dental knowledge in writing.
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So for all the aspiring BDS graduates out there, here is your chance to not confine yourself to limited options but explore your potential and achieve great heights!
