B.D.S stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery, and it is a five-year course for students aspiring to become dentists. It is a professional program of dental surgery where students learn about human anatomy, general and dental pharmacology, pedodontics, orthodontics, dentistry and many other subjects. However, traditional campus placements like those in engineering or management colleges are rare in dental colleges. Here’s a look at the best dental career options after B.D.S.
Lecturer: If you have previous experience as a dentist, becoming a lecturer can be a career path as several dental colleges look for dental faculty with previous experience. Depending on the college, the experience can be anywhere between three to five years. If you have just completed your B.D.S. course, you can get hired as a tutor or a demonstrator. (Image: Pexels)
Clinical Practice: After completing your B.D.S course, you can start your clinic work, work in a clinic associated with a hospital or work in private clinics. Staring your own clinic can require a substantial investment initially, but once your practice begins, earnings can be high. (Image: Pexels)
Government Jobs: After completing B.D.S., you can also apply for government jobs. There are several openings for dentists in government hospitals or in rural areas. You can apply for non-clinical roles through several government entrance exams like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), State Public Service Commission (SPSC) or work in public sector banks. If you wish to continue your career as dentist and work for government, several areas of employment include army dental corps, contractual dental officer in the navy or airforce, state government dental surgeon jobs, and dental officers in the railways. (Image: Pexels)
Dental Cosmetology: With improving living standards, people are becoming conscious about their dental aesthetics, which has increased the scope for cosmetic dentists. To become a cosmetic dentist, you may pursue an additional course in prosthodontics or orthodontics after your B.D.S course or pursue an M.D.S. with a focus on these two areas. (Image: Pexels)
Dental Consulting: Many hospitals look for dental consultants to improve their dentistry practices by guiding and training other dentists, improving their marketing and human resource practices. (Image: Pexels)
