Dentistry is a branch of medical science that deals with the oral and dental health of people. Dentists diagnose, treat and prevent various dental problems and diseases. They also perform cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance and function of the teeth and mouth.
To become a dentist in India, one has to complete a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, which is a four-year course followed by a one-year internship. However, many BDS graduates aspire to pursue higher studies and specialise in a particular field of dentistry. This is where a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degree comes in.
In this blog, we will dive deeper into this postgraduate degree in dentistry to see if it’s valuable or not. Read on to find out more about this course at MDS colleges in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere.
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What is an MDS Degree?
MDS is a three-year course that BDS graduates who wish to study development, anatomy and diseases of the teeth can opt for MDS for their post-graduation. This course allows the students to choose from various specialisations such as Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, Periodontology, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Public Health Dentistry, etc.
Admission to MDS colleges in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI).
| Course Name | MDS |
| Full Form | Master of Dental Surgery |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Yearly |
| Eligibility Criteria | 50% in BDS |
| Course Fee | INR 2000 – 17 Lakhs |
| Average Salary | INR 5 LPA |
MDS Course Details: Entrance Exam and Fees
To get admission to an MDS course at MDS colleges in Uttar Pradesh or elsewhere, one has to clear an entrance exam conducted by various authorities such as the National Board of Examinations (NBE), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), etc. The most common entrance exam for MDS admission is NEET MDS, which is a national-level exam conducted by NBE.
The eligibility criteria for appearing in NEET MDS are:
- The candidate must have a BDS degree from a recognized dental college or university like DJ College of Dental Sciences & Research
- The candidate must have completed a one-year internship on or before March 31 of the year of admission.
- The candidate must be registered with the DCI or State Dental Council.
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
The NEET MDS exam consists of 240 multiple-choice questions covering various topics related to dentistry. The duration of the exam is three hours, it is conducted in online mode and has negative markings for incorrect answers.
NEET MDS exam is followed by a counselling process where the candidates are allotted seats in various dental colleges such as MDS colleges in Uttar Pradesh based on their rank, preference and availability. The counselling process is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for 50% of All India Quota seats and by the respective state authorities for 50% of state quota seats.
The fee structure for MDS courses varies depending on the type of college, specialisation and state. The average annual fee for government colleges ranges from INR 12,000 to INR 2 lakhs, while for private dental colleges in UP and other Indian states, it ranges from INR 2 lakhs to INR 17 lakhs.
Is an MDS Degree Valuable?
MDS degrees from MDS colleges in Delhi NCR or elsewhere can be valuable for those who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in a specific field of dentistry. It can also open up more career opportunities and higher income potential for them.
Some of the benefits of pursuing an MDS degree are:
- It allows candidates from MDS colleges in Uttar Pradesh and other states of India to become experts in their chosen specialisation and provide better treatment and care to their patients.
- It increases the chances of getting employed in reputed hospitals, clinics, research institutes, and academic institutions such as Divya Jyoti College of Dental Science and Research, etc.
- It enables the candidates to start their practice or consultancy and earn more income.
- It helps the candidates to qualify for further studies such as PhD or fellowship programs in dentistry at MDS colleges in Uttar Pradesh or elsewhere.
- It enhances the reputation and credibility of the candidates in the dental community.
Job Prospects with an MDS Degree
While the exact salary you’ll earn after your MDS depends on a lot of factors like the specialisation you choose, your role, employer, country of employment, etc., dentists with an MDS degree usually earn more than 4 LPA on average easily.
Take a look at the table below to see the salaries of some of the job roles MDS graduates of dental colleges in Ghaziabad opt for.
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
| Dentist | INR 4.5 LPA |
| Dental Surgeon | INR 7 LPA |
| General Practioner | INR 6.5 LPA |
| Research Officer | INR 5 LPA |
| Clinical Research Assistant | INR 5.2 LPA |
FAQs
- How much can I earn with an MDS in Oral Medicine and Radiology?
The average salary of dentists with an MDS in Oral and Medicine and Radiology is INR 7.5 LPA.
- Are there scholarship opportunities available at DJ Dental College?
Yes, there are many scholarship opportunities available for students seeking admission to DJ Dental College.
- Who are some of the popular recruiters of MDS graduates?
Some popular recruiters of MDS graduates include Colgate, Fortis Healthcare Ltd., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Max Healthcare, and Religare Health Insurance Company Ltd.
- Can I teach dentistry with an MDS?
Yes, an MDS is usually the minimum requirement for lecturers in most dental colleges, so you can choose to pursue this career path after completing your MDS.
Conclusion
An MDS degree can be a valuable asset for those who want to pursue a career in dentistry. It can help them to gain more knowledge, skills, experience and recognition in their field. However, it also requires hard work, dedication, passion and investment from the candidates. Therefore, one should carefully weigh the pros and cons before opting for MDS degrees from MDS colleges in Uttar Pradesh or anywhere else.