🦷 Dentistry
PUC Science · after SSLC (Class 10)
Duration
5 Years (4 + 1 yr internship)
Entrance Exam
NEET UG
Degree
BDS
Job Roles
8 mapped
What it costs to get there
Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka
Government seat
₹1.5–3L
about ₹45,000 a year
Private / management seat
₹12–30L
about ₹4.2L a year
Tuition for the full 5 years. Government dental college seats are among the cheapest professional courses; private BDS in Karnataka commonly totals ₹15–20L.
Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.
Who can apply
Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, and qualified NEET UG. Minimum 50% in PCB for the general category (40% for SC/ST/OBC).
How to apply
NEET UG via neet.nta.nic.in, then MCC or KEA counselling. BDS and MBDS seats are allotted from the same NEET merit list, so one exam covers both.
The journey, step by step
SSLC through to leadership.
- 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
- 2Stream Selection · 2 Years🔬 PUC — ScienceTwo years of pre-university study in the Science stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
- 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 NEET UGEntry to BDS is through NEET UG. NEET UG is run by National Testing Agency (NTA) and leads to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, B.Sc Nursing and notified allied health courses. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
- 4Degree · 5 Years (4 + 1 yr internship)📘 BDSDentistry: 5 Years (4 + 1 yr internship). You can specialise in Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics and more.
- 5First Job · After graduating💼 Dental SurgeonCommon starting roles include Dental Surgeon, Orthodontist, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.
- 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 MDS (3Y)You can continue with MDS (3Y), PhD / Fellowship, Implantology certification.
- 7Research · 3–5 Years (PhD)🔬 MDS dissertationMDS dissertation · PhD in dental sciences · ICMR dental research projects
- 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ Govt Dental SurgeonGovt Dental Surgeon via KPSC ₹7–13L · ESIC / Railway dental officer · CAPF Dental Officer · Public health dentist under NHM
- 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Private dental clinicPrivate dental clinic · Multi-city dental chain · Dental laboratory
- 10Leadership · Long term⭐ HOD / ProfessorHOD / Professor · Chief Dental Surgeon · Dean of a dental college
Job roles and salary ranges
Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.
Higher studies
- ›MDS (3Y)
- ›PhD / Fellowship
- ›Implantology certification
Research routes
- ›MDS dissertation
- ›PhD in dental sciences
- ›ICMR dental research projects
Government jobs
- ›Govt Dental Surgeon via KPSC ₹7–13L
- ›ESIC / Railway dental officer
- ›CAPF Dental Officer
- ›Public health dentist under NHM
Start your own
- ›Private dental clinic
- ›Multi-city dental chain
- ›Dental laboratory
Senior roles later
- ›HOD / Professor
- ›Chief Dental Surgeon
- ›Dean of a dental college
Specialisations
- ›Orthodontics
- ›Prosthodontics
- ›Periodontics
- ›Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
- ›Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- ›Oral Pathology & Microbiology
- ›Pedodontics
- ›Oral Medicine & Radiology
- ›Public Health Dentistry
Where it is taught
- ›Govt Dental College Bengaluru
- ›Manipal College of Dental Sciences
- ›Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences Delhi
- ›SDM Dharwad
Where these facts come from
Dental Council of India (DCI) — BDS is the only recognised UG dental course; 9 DCI-approved MDS specialisations; NEET UG via NTA