Bachelor of Dental Surgery, BDS, is a 5-year course spread over 4 years of study followed by a year of internship. Every year, around 27000 students get enrolled in dental institutes with high aspirations and a clear vision of their future goals. Many students are clueless and keep pondering over What’s next after the course. If that’s the case with you, stay tuned to explore the top 10 career options after BDS.
Best Career Option after BDS
Something works for someone while it is a total waste for others. The idea is “not every shoe fits!” It is always better to have a plan B or C, or otherwise, as per your liking, and weigh your options. Having an open mind and seeking clarity on what you want to work for? Money or reputation or both. By now, a few career options must be on your list. Let’s discuss some more interesting, career-defining alternatives.
- Self-Employed: After completion of your BDS, you can go for your practice and set up your clinic. It can be a good start to gain experience and serve the public, plus, income is an added advantage. Though it takes some time to establish and build a brand name. If you research well about the competition and demand, it is a win and tops the list of BDS career options.
- Government sector: The Government sector is one of the most preferred career options after BDS. You can work in the government sector and be a part of the public domain. It brings financial security with respect and a chance to serve the nation. Government sectors and job profiles you can try your luck in are mentioned below:
- Army Dental Corps
- Indian Railways as a dentist
- Indian Navy or Air Force as a dentist officer
- State government jobs as a dental surgeon
- Territorial officer in the Indian Army
- Higher studies: The Traditional route via post-graduation is always a good choice. You can go for MDS and complete your further studies at the best BDS colleges in India. It will open doors for doctoral research and several opportunities as a Professor in top institutes. It is one of the widely chosen career options after BDS for those who have time and patience.
- Research and Development: You can be a part of ongoing clinical research and trials for the advancement of oral health. You have to dig a little harder to gain information on the opportunities available, but it is worth it. Hospitals like Fortis, Medanta offer such career options after BDS. Keep an open eye and grab the opportunity.
- Academia: Join a college as a staff/ junior residency, or lecturer. Dental colleges hire dentists as junior lecturers. You get paid and get exposure to the educational sector simultaneously. You can join as a resident at Mansarovar Dental College, Bhopal, as they offer positions on the basis of NEET MDS.
- Dental sales and marketing: The Marketing sector has experienced exponential growth over the years. You can simply promote dental products or techniques to earn and create awareness. Plus, it has multiple options to take your business to the next level. It is a less explored career after BDS and has immense growth potential in the upcoming years.
- Work Abroad: Countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, and Gulf nations take oral health care very seriously, and have higher demand. Also, for the same treatment, you make tenfold in other countries. It offers international exposure and higher earnings, making it the most preferred choice among career options after BDS.
- Consultant: A Career as a consultant is in huge demand and has a high growth potential. A consultant works on a contract basis for a few hours and provides consultancy in educational institutes, private hospitals, and corporate chains. It is a good way to gain experience and earn while saving time for future planning. Also, you can work with multiple teams at the same time, so mark it in the list of career options after BDS.
- Dental Vlogs: You might have seen dental vlogs and reels on social media or YouTube spreading awareness. It is a great way to connect with the audience and increase your consumer base. It is a great earning source without burning a hole in your pocket. If you are creative and love to explore, this can be your calling. Try it on the side or save it for a future experimenting list of career options after BDS.
| Scope after BDS | Description |
| Self Employed | Start your own practice |
| Work in the Government sector | Central and State governments and the Army |
| Higher studies | MDS, P.hd |
| Research and Development | Be a part of clinical research |
| Academia | Work as a faculty member at dental colleges |
| Dental sales and marketing | Promoting dental products |
| Work Abroad | Work in countries like the USA, Canada |
| Consultant | Work as a dental consultant |
| Dental Vlogs | Showcase your work on YouTube |
Other Postgraduate Option after BDS
Post-graduation is on the cards sooner or later for most of the BDS graduates. Multiple options with specialisations land you different job roles. Let’s have a look at the choices available in higher education for career options after BDS.
- MDS: Master of Dental Surgery is a postgraduate program of 3 years. It requires rigorous efforts and focus. You can choose from various specialization options and top institutes.
Mansarovar Dental College, Bhopal, is one of the best dental colleges in MP. It is among institutes dedicated to dental courses, like BDS and MDS. Since 2007, it has garnered all the attention for the quality education, internships, and infrastructure. Admissions are offered through NEET examinations. Research labs and tools are available for MDS students. You can surely shortlist the institute for higher education in dentistry. Some of the specialisations offered are listed below:
Oral surgery
Orthodontics
Prosthodontics
Periodontics
- MBA: If aiming at managerial positions is your choice, an MBA is the bypass route to corporate career options after BDS. Various courses under the MBA are available after BDS. It is completely your choice to take admission in the course best suited to your goals and interests. Chances of good placements and packages are an added advantage. Courses available are:
Hospital Management
Healthcare Administration
- MPH: Master of Public Health is a course suitable for those individuals who aim to bring a change in society through their work. If you want to contribute to the community and serve the public, MPH is the right way. You get the opportunity to work for NGOs, Public health departments, and International health organizations.
- Phd: Doctor of Philosophy in an allied subject or field can be a choice for students who aim at higher education. The path is time-consuming and involves a lot of research and fieldwork.
Conclusion
Whatever career you choose, it should reflect your personal choice and vision. A clear thought process helps to create a roadmap for the future, and a little research never hurts. BDS is the beginning of a plethora of options for those who seek a career in dentistry. Apart from sticking to traditional roles, you can mix and match with technology and create a new career from scratch. Using digital media to your advantage can be an exciting and fresh addition to your career. Hope this read helped you navigate your way through the career options after BDS.