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BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) Syllabus & Subjects 2025
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The topics under the BDS syllabus are spread across a duration of 8 semesters. These topics include Nutrition and Dietetics, General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, General and Dental Pharmacology, among others. The BDS syllabus is a combination of core subjects, elective subjects, and projects.
BDS Syllabus & Subjects Overview
BDS syllabus is designed to help students understand the basic fundamentals in the field of Dental Sciences. Some of the important BDS subjects integrated in the BDS syllabus are Nutrition and Dietetics, General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, and General and Dental Pharmacology, both in theoretical and practical senses. It is important for interested students who wish to pursue a BDS course to be well versed with the BDS Syllabus. The BDS Course Syllabus is divided into 8 semesters of classroom instruction and a mandatory 1-year paid internship for hands-on learning.
After MBBS, BDS Admission is the second most desired option among medical aspirants globally. The BDS syllabus highlights the core and elective subjects of the course curriculum. The varied areas of specialities mentioned in the BDS syllabus such as therapeutics, preclinical prosthodontics and crown and bridge, orthodontics, dentofacial orthopaedics, etc., help in understanding the basic concepts of Dental Sciences. The industry-focused learning opportunities offered by the well-structured BDS syllabus also aids in increasing the scope of BDS Jobs, with a competitive industry standards BDS Salary. The common areas of recruitment are in academia, research, dentistry, and government service.
Table of Contents
- BDS Syllabus & Subjects Overview
- BDS Year Wise Syllabus
- BDS Subjects
- BDS Common Subjects for All Semesters
- BDS Lab Subjects
- Specialisations Offered in BDS
- Syllabus for BDS Distance Programs
- BDS Syllabus Projects
- BDS Entrance Exam Syllabus
- BDS Important Books
- BDS Course Structure
- BDS Syllabus: Teaching Methodology
- FAQs about BDS Syllabus
BDS Year Wise Syllabus
Subjects like practicals, electives, and core are all included in the BDS syllabus. Exams by subject, practical exams, and internships are all part of the BDS curriculum. Theory papers, internal evaluations, viva voce, and practical exams are all included in the exam structure. BDS has a comprehensive four-year curriculum that covers both core and elective courses. A syllabus-free internship is offered to BDS students in their fifth year of study. The following is a detailed outline of the semester-wise BDS subjects:
First Year BDS Course Syllabus
The following table highlights the BDS syllabus for the first year:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| General Human Anatomy, Embryology & Histology | Dental Materials |
| General Human Physiology & Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics | Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge |
| Dental Anatomy, Embryology, and Oral Histology |
Second Year BDS Course Syllabus
The following table outlines the BDS syllabus for the second year:
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| General Pathology & Microbiology | Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge |
| General & Dental Pharmacology, Therapeutics | Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology |
| Preclinical Conservative Dentistry |
Third Year BDS Course Syllabus
The following table highlights the BDS syllabus for the third year:
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| General Medicine | Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery |
| General Surgery | Oral Medicine & Radiology |
| Oral Pathology & Microbiology | Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics |
| Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics | Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry |
Fourth Year BDS Course Syllabus
The following table outlines the BDS syllabus for the fourth year:
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
| Oral Medicine & Radiology | Prosthodontics & Crown and Bridge |
| Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry | Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics |
| Periodontology |
BDS Subjects
The list of BDS Subjects includes both core and elective subjects in the BDS syllabus. The core BDS subjects are mandatory to be studied for by all students pursuing a BDS degree. Whereas elective BDS subjects are the ones which candidates are required to choose from the BDS syllabus for their course learnings. A detailed information about the core and elective BDS subjects has been provided below for all students to refer to.
List of Core BDS Subjects
The following table shows a list of core BDS subjects along with their detailed description:
| Subject Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Health Dentistry | The course presents the concepts, definitions, philosophical underpinnings, and characteristics of health and disease. definition and concepts of public health, public health administration, environmental health, and public health history dietary habits in dental diseases; Healthcare Distribution Network. |
| Prosthodontics And Crown & Bridge | In applied anatomy and physiology, students comprehend diagnosis and treatment planning for patients, Parts of a partial denture that can be removed, investigation and planning, preparing the mouth and casting master; Basics of dental hygiene, full and partial veneer crown preparation. |
| Periodontology | Periodontology, Periodontics, and Periodontia are defined in this foundational dental course. The scope of periodontics and a brief historical background Geriatric dentistry's consideration of periodontal structure alterations with age; Types of periodontal diseases: classification, gingival disorders, and epidemiology. |
| Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry | The study of growth and development in paediatrics, the role of prenatal and postnatal variables in growth and development, Examining differences and anomalies, development of the teeth and related tissues, timeline for tooth emergence, the appropriate and inappropriate times for children to have their permanent and primary teeth extracted familiarity with both local and general anaesthesia. |
| Orthodontics & Dental Orthopaedics | The topic covers the identification, evaluation, and management of orthodontic problems. It also covers the morphologic development of the craniofacial structures, the normal and abnormal functions of the stomatognathic system, the functional development of the dental arches and occultation, and malocclusion and its classification. |
| Human Physiology | The fundamentals of homeostasis are taught to students. feedback systems; blood and its constituents; Body temperature, muscle and nerve, respiratory system, excretory system, endocrinology, reproduction, and the central nervous system. |
| Human Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, and Medical Genetics | The course covers the definition of anatomical terminology as well as a synopsis of the body's numerous systems. Regional anatomy of the head and neck, including the osteology of the head and neck's bones, is covered, with a focus on dentally significant subjects. Lumbar punctures, intramuscular and intravascular injection sites, and their regional anatomy are also covered. |
| General And Dental Pharmacology And Therapeutics | Candidates gain knowledge of the biochemical underpinnings of life processes that are pertinent to the human body and dentistry/medical practice through this topic. They are knowledgeable in the chemistry of bioorganic compounds; Enzyme and metabolic control; energy metabolism; macronutrients and digestion; and micronutrients. |
| Biochemistry | The biochemical underpinnings of life processes that are pertinent to the human system and dental/medical practice are taught to students in this course. They know how bioorganic compounds work chemically. Energy metabolism; enzyme and metabolic control; macronutrients and digestion; micronutrients. |
List of Elective BDS Subjects
The following table shows a list of optional/elective BDS subjects along with their detailed description:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Oral Implantology | It covers ideas such as dental implants, different facets of implantology, and identifying and managing associated problems. |
| Forensic odontology | Overview of Forensic Dentistry, Synopsis of toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Changes upon Postmortem and the Cause of Death The basis for dental identification; toxicological manifestations in teeth and oral tissues techniques used after death, compiling and interpreting dental records. |
| Ethics | Standards of behaviour Contractual obligations and privacy charging fees and splitting costs; Prescription medication, excessive patient investigation, malpractice and carelessness; Research ethics: human experimentation; animal and experimental research/humanness. |
| Behavioural Sciences | The course aids in improving patients' compliance behaviours, clarifying stress, teaching basic counselling techniques, and building an awareness of the behavioural aspects of dentistry. It also assists in diagnosing and treating minor psychological issues that may arise when providing dental care. |
| Aesthetic Dentistry | The topics covered in this elective include parts of dentistry that are aesthetic, procedures that improve the overall appearance of the face and smile, and chemical processes like beaching that improve visual qualities. |
BDS Common Subjects for All Semesters
BDS subjects are very vast and have different concepts such as Prosthodontics, Pedodontics, Conservative Dentistry, and Endodontics. Some of the common subjects in BDS for all semesters are given below:
| BDS Subjects | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Microbiology |
|
| General Surgery |
|
| General Pharmacology |
|
| General Pathology |
|
Dental Anatomy Embryology and Oral Histology |
|
| Biochemistry |
|
BDS Lab Subjects
The following is a discussion of the year-wise BDS lab subjects.
| Particular | Description |
|---|---|
| First Year |
|
| Second Year |
|
| Third Year |
|
| Fourth Year |
|
Specialisations Offered in BDS
Dentists have the option to enrol in an MDS course after completing their BDS course of study. At the postgraduate level, dentists can choose from a variety of specialisations. The following table enlists the same:
| Specialisation Name | Subjects Covered | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Paediatric Dentistry |
| Paediatric dentistry focuses on treating and preventing oral and dental conditions that may arise in young patients. |
| Periodontology |
| The field of periodontology is concerned with the maintenance and development of teeth as well as the condition of the oral mucosal membrane. |
| Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
| The dental speciality of prosthodontics and crowns and bridges involves replacing natural teeth and surrounding tissues with either permanent or removable artificial ones to restore and maintain oral function, health, safety, and aesthetics. |
Syllabus for BDS Distance Programs
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery, or BDS, programme is exclusively offered as a regular full-time academic programme. For the BDS course, there are no online, remote, part-time, or distance learning options available. Thus, the BDS distance programs syllabus is not possible to obtain.
BDS Syllabus Projects
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Dental Science course are required to work on and submit several course projects throughout their course duration. BDS Syllabus defines these course project topics for students to glance through. Project topics such as Regenerative endodontics, tooth enamel regeneration, Forensic dentistry, etc. are some of the popular BDS syllabus project topics. Thus, some of the popular projects topics under the BDS syllabus are given below:
- Dental Anxiety, Smoking, and Alcohol Use in Dental Patients
- Implementation of Dental Coverage
- To determine the effect of tumor microenvironment stiffness on osteosarcoma growth.
- To investigate the physiological or behavioral contributions to dental pain perception in dental patients.
- To understand how dentists feel about educating their patients.
BDS Entrance Exam Syllabus
Students seeking admission to BDS courses must sit for the NEET-UG exam. The National entrance-cum-eligibility test, or NEET-UG, is an exam that is administered nationally in India to candidates seeking admission to medical, dentistry, and Ayurveda schools. The NEET-UG exam lasts three hours and consists of 180 questions. There are four sections of the test, one for each of the following subjects: Botany, Physics, Chemistry, and Zoology. There are two subsections in each part; section A comprises 35 questions, while section B contains 15 questions. The following table briefly shows the entrance exam syllabus for BDS.
| Van de Graaff generator | Solid State | Reproduction |
|---|---|---|
| properties and uses of hydrogen | Polymers | Physiology |
| Newton’s law of cooling and Stefan’s law | magnetic field lines | Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism |
| Kinematics | Isotopes | Isotones |
| Isobars | Hydrocarbons | Human Physiology |
| Heat engines and refrigerators | Gravitation | Genetics and Evolution |
| Ecology and Environment | Ecology and Environment | Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation |
| Cyanides and Isocyanides | Chemistry in Everyday Life | Chemical Kinetics |
| Biology and Human Welfare | Atomic number | - |
BDS Important Books
It is important to note that in order to complete the BDS syllabus, all students must have the idea of the important books to follow. Here are some best books for BDS syllabus, which are recommended by medical professionals, to ace the course curriculum:
| Textbook Title | Author Name |
|---|---|
| Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students | - |
| Textbook of Human Histology | Inderbir Singh |
| Physiology | Guyton and Hall |
| Human Embryology | Inderbir Singh |
| Handbook of General Anatomy | BD Chaurasia |
| Essentials of Medical Physiology | Sembulingam |
| Oral Histology & Embryology | Orban |
| Dental Histology | - |
| Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion | Wheeler |
| Biochemistry | U Satyanarayan & U Chakrapani |
| Anatomy | BD Chaurasia Volume 3 |
BDS Course Structure
The BDS course curriculum is divided into four sections: foundation, core, electives, and projects. General Pathology, Microbiology, General and Dental Pharmacology, Preclinical Conservative Dentistry, General Human Anatomy, and other topics are included in the course curriculum. The following are some of the BDS course specifics:
- Seminars
- Internships
- Project Submission
- Viva
BDS Syllabus: Teaching Methodology
BDS course syllabus includes various teaching methods and techniques necessary for the students to seek a deeper understanding and knowledge about the course, through hands-on learning experience. Some of the various teaching methodologies and techniques adopted in the BDS syllabus curriculum are given below:
- Group Projects
- Case Methodology
- Workshop
- Lectures
- Live Demonstrations
FAQs about BDS Syllabus
Can I do BDS without NEET?
No, one cannot do BDS without taking the NEET examinations.
Is BDS good for the future?
For students wishing to pursue a career in dentistry and become dental surgeons, this course is the best for them to know everything related to the topic of dentistry. The last year of internship in this course helps them to learn more about the practical aspects of the course.
What are the subjects in BDS 1st year?
Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Dental Anatomy, Dental Materials, Embryology and Histology are the subjects which are taught to the students in the 1st year of the course.
What are the entrance examinations required for admission to the BDS course?
To gain admission into this course, the aspirant must prepare to take the NEET examination which is held by the National Testing Agency.
What is the average placement package for BDS?
The average placement package for BDS is INR 14.75 LPA.
Is there a summer internship for this BDS program?
In BDS course, the last year is solely meant for students to take part in internships in different departments of dental hospitals.
What is the average course fee for this program?
The average course fee for this program is INR 2-2.5 LPA.
What are the best colleges for BDS?
The best colleges for pursuing BDS in India are Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SRM Dental College, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences.
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