HOW TO START YOUR CAREER IN DENTISTRY AFTER NEET-UG
What is dentistry?
Dentistry is actually a branch of dentistry medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of oral cavity, the maxillofacial area and adjacent as well as associated structures.
In layman term dentist are the doctors of your oral cavity (teeth, tongue, gums etc.).
The field of dentistry is vast it offers various career opportunities at multiple educational and professional level with handsome financial growth.
To be a part of dentistry you should know the basics regarding the course, work and the life of a dentist.
The dentists job is concerned with prevention and repair of infected teeth through cleaning and filing/restoration and makes referral for special cases.
To be a successful dentist you should have the enthusiasm, zeal, hardworking attitude and have a focused mind.
What is BDS?
BDS Is Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
It requires four years of study and one year of internship (from some recognized university)
Degree is overseen by Dental Council Of India.
In BDS the students are taught about dental problems, esthetics, dentures, oral hygiene, surgery, extractions, medications, cleaning/scaling etc..
BDS is itself a good job oriented professional degree programme so you can also open your own clinic or you can also find excellent job opportunities in the hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries, government sectors etc..
After completion of BDS course the dental graduates are entitled as “Doctors” and use prefix “Dr” before his/her name.
How to pursue BDS?
To pursue dentistry you should have biology (physics, chemistry and biology) as your main subject in your 12th from a recognized board.
You have to score minimum 50% marks (40% in the case of reserved category) in plus two and have to appear for an entrance examination NEET-UG.
After clearing your entrance you will be eligible for BDS.
This course will be having hands on training in the field of dentistry for the duration of five years. The students will get the chance to interact with the patient and will get the practical knowledge of the diseases.
BDS is a degree given to a person who plays vital role in the treatment of problems related to teeth. The dentists prevent, diagnose and cures all dental and related diseases.
Subjects in BDS:
The subjects you have to study from 1st year to final year in BDS are:
Subjects for examination under 1st BDS Examination
- General Human Anatomy including Embryology & Histology
- General Human Physiology and Biochemistry
- Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral Histology.
- Preclinical prosthodontics and conservative dentistry. (Not meant for examination)
Subjects for examination under 2nd BDS Examination
- General Pathology and Microbiology
- General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Dental Materials
- Pre Clinical Conservative Dentistry – Only Practical & Viva Voice
- Pre Clinical Prosthodontics – Only Practical & Viva Voice
Subjects for examination under 3rd BDS Examination
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
Subjects for examination under 4th BDS Examination
- Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
- Periodontology
- Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
- Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Public Health Dentistry
Skills required for a dentist?
- Hardwork
- Manual dexterity and precision
- Scientific acumen
- Good eyesight
- Good communication skills and etiquettes
- Decisive and aesthetic ability
- Calm and patient
Employment areas for a dentist
- Dental clinics
- Hospitals
- Educational institution
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Dental product manufacturer
- Private practice
- Civil service
- Government job opportunities
- SSC officer in defence services
- Researcher
- Opportunities abroad
Team members in a dental clinic
The physician who practice dental treatment/dentistry is known as Dentist.
There is a supporting team who helps the dentist to render dental care but who himself/herself is not qualified with a dental degree they are known as dental auxiliaries.
The auxiliaries consists of dental assistants, dental hygienist, dental receptionist/ secretary, dental laboratory technicians, school dental nurse, dental health educator, dental therapist, administrative office staff etc., they all are an important pillars in the field of dentistry.
Career after BDS?
1. MASTER IN DENTAL SURGERY (MDS) :
To pursue a Master’s degree is always beneficial in terms of knowledge and career opportunities in India and Abroad. MDS is the Master’s degree in Dental Surgery can be first available options for students who aspires something higher in the field.
For MDS admission the students needs to appear for an entrance test specifically designed for the purpose at all India level like NEET-PG MDS, AIIMS-PG, AIPGDEE etc..
You can do MDS in following field:
- MDS in Oral Medicine and Radiology
- MDS in Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry
- MDS in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
- MDS in Periodontology
- MDS in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
- MDS in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
- MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- MDS in Public Health Dentistry
- HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT
You can do MBA in following field:
- MBA in Public Health
- MBA in Hospital Management
After pursuing MBA in hospital management you can have great career opportunities in the aforesaid field. Management in health institutions, hospitals, research centers is a very important area in the field and these vast operations require more professional with due knowledge.
3. NBDE
National Board Dental Examination(NBDE) is the United States national dental examination for the dental students and dental professionals. It is necessary for licensure in United States and may also needed when applying for PG studies in dental specialities after completion of a dental degree.
The Joint Commission on National Dental Examination (NBDE) administers several standardized tests which includes (NBDE) Part I and Part II, the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), and the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) to evaluate individuals for study and practice of dentistry and dental hygiene.
4. LECTURER / TUTOR
yes, teaching career is also open after BDS. Those who are interested in teaching can acquire good teching opportunities in any of the top Dental Colleges. And after the completion of your MDS you are eligible to hold positions as professors or even HOD and even get promoted to Dean over the period of time.
5. RESEARCHERS :
You can pursue your career as researchers. There is a great scope for the clinical research in various subjects like dental genetics, forensic science, pharmacology etc. there are several courses in dental education where you can dedicate yourself in dental research.
6. OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD:
With you dental degree you can find lucrative and dynamic job opportunities in various countries like UK, US, Canada and Gulf countries.
7. OPPORTUNITIES IN GOVERNMENT SECTOR
- Army Dental Corps: If you are interested to serve nation then what else is better than joining Army, yes you can join army even after BDS.
- Territorial Officer in Indian Army: The territorial army is a part of regular army and its present role is to relieve the Regular Army from static duties and assist duties and assist civil administration in dealing with natural disasters and maintenance of essential services in situations where life of the communities is affected or the security of country is threatened.
- In Railways: You can also join Indian railways as dentist.
- Navy and Air force: You can join navy and air force as dental officer
- State government jobs: You can join as dental surgeon
- ECHS (ex-servicemen contributory health scheme) : You can join as dental officer on contractual basis
8. OPEN YOUR CLINIC
This is the most accepted option Dental Graduates opt after their BDS. As a general dentist you can set your own clinic and practice dentistry. This is also a very lucrative option as in your clinic you are the boss you can work on your own terms. So, if you are a kind of person who doesn’t want to work under someone this is the best option for you.
9. SSC OFFICERS IN DEFENCE SERVICES
The defence services (army, navy and airforce) are recruiting dentists as SSC officers on contractual basis for a definite period of time which can also extended according to govt. rules.
10. CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION
You can also appear for other govt. exams which offers you work at strategic and important positions at district and above levels as BDS is a bachelor’s degree.
IAS/ IPS / IFS and other Group A and Group B services for which UPSC conducts 3-stages common national level exam, i.e CSE- Civil Services Examinations.
11.MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
MPH degree programs, which can provide graduates with better career opportunities that offers them specialized training in one of the traditional core areas, or more unique specialties such as maternal/child health, public health education, communicable diseases, toxicology or disaster management..MPH program offers students a variety of opportunities for employment like health care settings, non-profit organizations or government agencies. The setting has emphasis in health care policy, administration, epidemiology or communicable diseases. It provides fewer opportunities for research and academic positions, some graduates acquire research positions if you have an emphasis and strong skills in statistics and biostatistics.
12. BLOGGING:
Last but not least you can be a blogger as well. If you have writing as your interest you can earn money by the same. You can blog your experiences, knowledge about dentistry or whatever topic you want to share with people.
Dentistry is vast there are numerous career opportunities in it. These are just a few options I have discussed now. In the next blog I will enlighten you with the detailed description of everything.
Call us on 0751-4008031 for admission assistance.