Career Prospects:
Dentistry deals with inspection and treatment of teeth, gums and other parts of the oral cavity. A dentist specifically takes care of problems affecting the teeth and gums. It is accepted as a professional field which includes dental care and correction.
These days dentists have a very important role in the whole health care system. This career profile is changing rapidly, offering varied scope and challenges for job seekers. With an increasing consciousness about oral health and the introduction of new fields like oral pathology (diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth), periodontics (care of gums and the diseases that might afflict them) and orthodontics (straightening and aligning teeth and jaws) have all enhanced the scope in this field. India is one of the best countries to get that perfect smile at a friction of cost compared to many parts of the world. Dentistry is one of the most noble profession.
Dental health is an essential part of the overall health system. With changing lifestyles, dental problems are becoming very common in all sections of the society. Additionally, inappropriate dental care also creates problems like early tooth falling, tooth decay, enamel loss, pyorrhea to name a few.
For a professional course in dentistry, you have to pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with at least 50% marks to be eligible for admission in the BDS program. This is basic eligibility for opting for this career option.
Admission to this course is through a general, nationwide competitive examination. There are private colleges also that give admission but to be eligible for practice, you should make sure that the course chosen is approved by the Dental Council of India(DCI). The Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) degree programme is a five-year course that is divided into four parts each of one year duration followed by a year of internship. The Dental Council of India registers those who have completed the BDS to practice dentistry. Once the degree course is completed, many graduates opt to join a government hospital to get hands-on experience or join some private dental clinic to get some experience. A BDS degree alone is not considered enough to succeed in this profession so you will have to go for Masters of Dental Science (MDS) degree.
Continuous education is an integral and an essential part of this profile. Enhancing your knowledge is required, even in order to revive your license to practice on an annual basis. It is also essential to be familiar with the developments in the medical field and pharmaceuticals. You can also pursue various certificate and diploma courses to upgrade and update your knowledge in this field.
If you want to be a dentist, the basic qualities required for this career are patience, ability to stand for long hours, good health, concentration, proficiency in hand skills, accuracy and a methodical and scientific approach. You must also have an eye for detail. Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills are also required to do well in this job. Due to the rising dental problems in the country, there is a great need of dentists. Besides, people are very conscious about the way they look and thus consult dentists for cosmetic correction of their teeth. This has led to the emergence of a sub-discipline called aesthetic dentistry. Excellent employment opportunities are available for dentists in dental departments in hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and health departments.
With experience, you can start your own individual clinic. Many dentists prefer to do private practice as it provides the best financial prospects along with a greater level of independence. You can also seek a teaching job in any of the dental colleges across the country. As a dentist you can also seek work in the research and advisory departments of pharmaceuticals. There are lot of opportunities in companies producing oral care products like toothpaste, mouth wash, and gum care products.
Institutes Offering Courses
Note: This information is being summarised from the information provided by institutes offering those courses.
