MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) Course, Admission Process, Subjects, Fees, Career

MDS full form is Master of Dental Surgery. MDS is a postgraduate degree programme in the field of dentistry. In India, approximately 313 colleges are offering the MDS course. Of them, around 59 colleges are government and more than 250 colleges are private.

Admission into the MDS course is given based on entrance exams. In 2021-22 placements, 142 out of 190 students of JIPMER Puducherry got placed. The median salary package of students who graduated in 2021-22 from PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Delhi is Rs. 17 LPA and Rs. 20 LPA respectively.

MDS Important Dates and Events

• NEED MDS Admit Card- April 15, 2025
• NEET MDS Exam Date- May 19, 2025

What is the MDS Full form?

The full form of MDS is Master of Dental Surgery. MDS is a three-year postgraduate degree programme. Candidates who want to pursue a career as a dental surgeon or want to advance their career after becoming a dentist can pursue the BDS course.

Highlights- MDS (Master of Dental Surgery)

MDS Fees Structure

MDS fees vary based on the medical college students opt out for admission. MDS fees in private colleges begin from Rs. 1 Lakh and can go to Rs. 57.96 Lakhs. The fee in the government colleges is between Rs. 50,00 and Rs. 5.23 Lakhs.

Why Choose MDS?

MDS is one of the highest academic degrees in the field of dentistry that helps one become an expert in this field. The course makes an individual more focused in the field of dentistry and provides many career options like dentist, dental technician and the like.

Also, one can become a professor in a dental school or college. Having a master's degree in dentistry opens several doors for jobs overseas. Graduates can opt for research in dentistry that can help them to explore a particular area.

MDS Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, aspirants need to fulfil the MDS eligibility criteria as prescribed by the National Board Of Examinations. Students are accepted for the MDS degree programme through the NEET MDS examination. Candidates can check the basic eligibility criteria of MDS below.

• He or she must be an Indian citizen. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons with Indian Origin (PIOs) are also eligible to take the entrance test.
• Aspirants need to complete their BDS degree which must be recognised by DCI
• One should have a provisional or permanent registration certificate issued by DCI or State Dental Council (SDC) by March 31, of the particular academic year.
• Candidates must possess the compulsory rotatory internship of a year which must be approved by DCI.
• PG dental graduates should be 21 years of age.
• It is mandatory to appear for the entrance exam and secure the NEET MDS cutoff to pass the entrance examination.

MDS Course Duration

Master of Dental Surgery is a three-year duration course. It is structured in six different semesters. However, candidates with a postgraduate diploma can complete their MDS degree within two years of span.

MDS Application Process

Admission into MDS is based on the candidates’ scores in the entrance examination, namely, NEET MDS and INI CET. The detailed application process is provided below:

• For admissions, one must secure the minimum qualifying percentile to pass the entrance exam.
• The cutoff percentile and scores will be released along with the result.
• Aspirants who will qualify for the exam will be eligible for the counselling process and admission procedure.
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to get their documents verified at the time of reporting at the allotted colleges.
• The admission to MDS specialisations will be done based on preferences chosen, rank secured in the exam, seat availability, reservation criteria and other factors.
• The MDS fees should be paid to reserve a seat in an allotted MDS college.

Top MDS Entrance Exams

The following are the MDS entrance exams conducted by respective authorities for admission to the Master of Dental Surgery. As mentioned above, aspirants need to qualify for these exams to be admitted to the course. MDS entrance tests are tabulated below:

MDS Cut off

MDS cut-off is required to determine the student's merit for admission in the MDS degree programme in various medical colleges in India. For MDS degree programmes, the NEET MDS cut-off is the main criterion that every medical college accepts for the admission process. MDS cutoff is based on the number of students appearing for the NEET MDS examination, the previous year’s cutoff, and the question paper.

MDS syllabus

The MDS syllabus includes both Applied Basic Sciences and subjects of the concerned speciality. The syllabus in Applied Basic Sciences varies according to the particular speciality, also aspirants need to acquire adequate knowledge in other subjects related to their respective specialities. The topics that are covered in the MDS syllabus are mentioned below:

Top MDS Colleges by Locations

Many public and private medical colleges and dental colleges offer MDS courses. Some of the top colleges offering MDS in various Indian major cities are listed below:

• M.D.S. Colleges in Bangalore
• M.D.S. Colleges in Chennai
• M.D.S. Colleges in Bhopal
• M.D.S. Colleges in Hyderabad
• M.D.S. Colleges in Pune
• M.D.S. Colleges in Puducherry

Top MDS Colleges by States

MDS gives several job opportunities in dentistry. Listed below are some of the top institutions offering MDS in various states:

• M.D.S. Colleges in Karnataka
• M.D.S. Colleges in Maharashtra
• M.D.S. Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• M.D.S. Colleges in Kerala
• M.D.S. Colleges in Madhya Pradesh
• M.D.S. Colleges in Andhra Pradesh

MDS Specialisations

The course of MDS covers different specialisations. Candidates can choose the specialisation as per their taste and preferences. Some of the MDS specialisations are listed below:

• Oral Pathology & Microbiology
• Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
• Oral Medicine & Radiology
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Paedodontics & Preventive Dentistry

What after MDS?

In India, the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degree has a huge scope and is expanding quickly every day. The relevant skills, qualifications, and practice location all play a major role in this. The graduates can work in private and government hospitals and clinics. They can also further study in a similar field and join research programmes.

Careers Opportunities after MDS

The job opportunities available for MDS graduates have been mentioned below. One can earn a better income through the below available jobs.

Dental Surgeon: Dental surgeons are medical professionals who identify and treat oral and dental conditions. They diagnose and treat gum, tooth, and other oral disorders as well as create dentures. They assist the patients by educating them on oral hygiene practices and ways to preserve healthy teeth and gums.

Dentist: Dentists check, diagnose and treat diseases related to teeth or oral cavities. They advise patients on how to maintain tooth hygiene, things to follow to keep a healthy gum and more.

Lecturer: Senior doctors with an MD or MDS degree who have professional experience teaching in medical colleges. Most of the time, the physicians affiliated with government hospitals serve as consulting instructors for the students at the affiliated colleges.

Top Recruiters

Some of the top recruiters that hire MDS graduates are mentioned below:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• Apollo Group
• Indian Nursing Council
• Fortis Hospitals
• Manipal Group
• Medica

Salary after MDS Degree

The salary of dental graduates depends upon their calibre and experience. Aspirants can earn a handsome salary both in the private and government sectors. Below, we have mentioned the salary after the MDS degree:

Source: Ambitionbox

Note: These salary figures may vary depending on various factors, such as designation, experience, skills, and job location.

Employment Areas

MDS graduates can join hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and universities. Students who have pursued MDS can also practise individually. Below, we have mentioned some of the employment areas after graduating with an MDS degree programme:

• Dental Clinics
• Government hospitals
• Dental Institutions
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Dental Products Manufactures
• Private Practice

Top Private MDS Colleges in India with Fees

In India, there are several private MDS colleges. Private university education is significantly more expensive than public university education. Some of the top private MDS Colleges are discussed below:

Top Government MDS Colleges in India with Fees

Attending a government-run college is less expensive than attending a private college. The following are some of the best government MDS colleges:

MDS is a postgraduate programme in dentistry. MDS graduates can work in clinics and private and government hospitals as dentists, dental surgeons and more.