How to Become a Dentist: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Qualifications, Jobs, Salary, Scope

Types of Dentists

There are several types of Dentists that treat different parts and focus on different areas of teeth. Some of the various different types of Dentists are discussed below for your reference. 

General Dentists

Pedodontists

Orthodontists

Periodontists

Endodontists

Prosthodontists

How to Become a Dentist in India

To become a Dentist in India, candidates first are required to prepare themselves. After class 10th, candidates need to choose their subjects for class 12th. Candidates must pursue 10+2 preferably from the science stream with mandatory subjects including Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Candidates need to then prepare for the NEET exam where candidates can select their preference for BDS. Preparing for the NEET exam is another struggle as the candidates need to be very thorough with the concepts and understand the exam patterns. 

After clearing the exam, candidates need to pursue an undergraduate degree such as BDS which is a 5-year program including a 1-year compulsory internship. Candidates can then pursue master’s degrees such as MDS through which they will be called surgeons. There are several other courses such as certification or diploma courses which the candidates can pursue for developing relevant skills. Read More: How to Become a Doctor in India

School-level preparation: Some of the important steps that need to be taken at the school level to become a Dentist are discussed below:

• After class 10th candidates must choose Physics, chemistry and biology as compulsory subjects to pursue in class 12th.
• Candidates must start prep for the NEET exam from class 11th level to save time and clear on the first attempt. 
• Candidates can join coaching institutions for a better understanding of the concepts and exam patterns 
• Candidates must make a timetable and allot equal time to all the subjects so as to cover each topic equally.
• Analyze the exam pattern to see which topics are asked mostly.

How to Become a Dentist After 12th

Undergraduate level: Some of the other important steps that must be taken in order to become a Dentist are discussed below:

• Candidates must have completed class 12th in relevant discipline with physics, chemistry and biology as compulsory subjects.
• Candidates must clear the NEET exam in order to get admission to a top dental college.
• Candidates must pursue a bachelor in dental surgery course to get in-depth knowledge about dental structure.

Dental Courses

There are various dental courses offered at various levels. One can choose short-term, certification and diploma courses and also full-time courses. To practice as a Dentist, one needs to pursue full-time undergraduate and postgraduate dental courses. These short-term courses are very helpful for skill development.

Some of the full-time dental science courses are tabulated below for your reference. 

Entrance Exams

In order to become a Dentist, candidates need to clear the following entrance exam to get into a top dental college in India. Some of the top entrance exams are tabulated below for your reference, 

Skills Required to Become a Dentist

The job of Dentist is very challenging yet rewarding. Dentists are required to possess a variety of soft skills as well as hard skills in order to succeed in their careers. These skills and abilities help the Dentist to build a successful career. Tabulated below are some of the skills which are useful in diagnosing and treating patients.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Becoming a Dentist

There are many advantages to being a Dentist. They are presented with an opportunity to help people and can even set up their own practice with a stable income and job security. However, there are cons to it too. Some of the most important advantages and disadvantages have been listed below. Read: Benefits of Becoming a Doctor

Advantages of Becoming a Dentist

• Opportunity to help others- Dentists have the opportunity to help people experiencing dental pain or any medical conditions that affect dental hygiene. They help in relieving the pain and providing long-term solutions for a patient’s oral health.
• Practice on your own- Most Dentists are able to start their practice where they can be their own boss and not be under any supervisor. This gives one the freedom to organize their work schedule according to their adjustment and provide their services.
• Good salary- For people who are pursuing a career in Dentistry, Dentists earn a pretty decent living out of their practice. They earn an average salary of INR 1-2 lakh per month. 
• Job stability- Dentists have a pretty stable job because most people do need a Dentist for dental health conditions or simply for dental hygiene. Therefore, Dentists have job stability and security. 

Disadvantages of Becoming a Dentist

• Time required for educational qualifications- Though Dentists have slightly different educational qualifications from MBBS doctors still they have to devote the same amount of time to become a Dentist and they still earn less than the MBBS doctors
• Cost of dental school- Dental school also involves high-level education and training and the cost of dental school is also immense including the expensive tuition. Sometimes practising Dentists might not be able to cover the cost of Dentistry school quickly.
• Physically demanding- The job of a Dentist can be physically exhausting and needs a lot of attention and precision. This can be physically draining and cause fatigue. 
• Long working hours-  The working hours of a Dentist can vary depending on the doctor’s preferences. Dentists who are setting up their practice might have to work for longer hours than the already established Dentists.