B D S

B.D.S

Career options

BDS degree holders can begin their careers as practitioners in government hospitals, private nursing homes, industrial and corporate hospitals. However, a specialized degree opens up more career opportunities in teaching and research institutions like Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
A dentist today can have various specializations which include

Periodontics (specialization in gums)

orthodontics (straightening and aligning teeth & jaws)

oral pathology (diagnosis of diseases that affect the mouth)

endodontics (root canal fillings and cosmetic surgery)

oral & maxillofacial surgery (operation of mouth and jaws)

prosthodontics (artificial teeth) replacement with artificial Teeth

Pediatrics dentistry (treating children.) Oral Medicine & Radiology-Diagonising the disease and medical line of treatment.

Public Health Dentistry-Educating the Mass Communication.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics:

Orthodontics and dentofacial
orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.

Endodontics

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.

Periodontics

Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, Microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.They also diagnose disease and provide medical treatment.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

This is the specialty dealing with as simple as and removal tppth to treating the fracture of maxillofacial.

As of now, even without the medical tourism, India needs an estimated 3 lakh more dentists against a meager availability of just 75,000 leaving a whopping gap; and currently only 20,000 fresh dentists are coming out of the colleges every year.

Once a dentist has a degree with 3 to 4 years of experience, one can set up one's own private practice. Loans are available for meeting initial investment needs, though preferred options are polyclinics to reduce rents and other overhead expenses. Unlike other medical professions which require the doctor to be on emergency call all the time, dentistry is less hectic and fix timings are available; thus dentist working in a hospital can rum private practice in spare hours.

The opportunities are thus very good for Dental healthcare practioners.

TYPICAL CAREER PATH

Doctorate Level Careers in Dentistry

General Dentist (DDS)

Cosmetic Dentists

Orthodontist

Periodontist

Oral Surgeon

Allied and Mid-Level Careers

Dental Assistant

Dental Hygienist

Dental Lab Technician