A Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degree provides graduate training in different disciplines in dentistry. it is a full-time degree having three years of duration. MDS is specialized in medical science focusing on dental and oral problems. However, the MDS degree offers different specializations such as Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry, Endodontics, Oral Medicine, and Radiology.
MDS degree specializes in teeth, jaws, and other facial tissues. Additionally, dental surgery deals with oral health, artificial replacements, jaw treatment, dental implants, dental tissue treatment, and diagnosis of facial diseases, dental surgeries, and cosmetic treatments. Moreover, it is a yearly degree program and not a semester-based system.
MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) Highlights
Course Level |
Master’s degree |
Full-Form |
Master of Dental Surgery |
Duration |
3 years |
Examination type |
Yearly |
Eligibility |
Minimum 50% in BDS, Entrance test score |
Admission Process |
Merit and Entrance based |
Average Salary |
INR 5,00,000 |
Top Recruiting Companies |
Private: Fortis Healthcare , MAX Healthcare , Care Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, Dental clinics, Nursing Homes Government: Indian Council of Medical Research, AIIMS, State Hospitals, Health Centers, Public Health Centers |
Job Positions |
Dentist/ Dental surgeon in clinics and hospitals Dental Hygienist Academic Lecturer Clinical Research Scientist General Practitioner |
Eligibility Criteria for MDS (Master of Dental Surgery)
1. Have passed Bachelor of Dental Science from an MCI affiliated and recognized Dental college of India.
2. Have scored a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
3. Candidates with a 2-year long PG Diploma in Dental Surgery, as recognized by the Dental Council of India, are also eligible to apply for this course.
4. As additional criteria, colleges like Manipal College of Dental Science also demand a one-year internship after successful completion of BDS as their prerequisite to admission in the Master of Dental Surgery course.
Admission Process
1. For admission to MDS course across the country, aspirants need to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Masters of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS), which is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).
2. However, separate entrance exams of AIIMS and JIPMER are conducted, as the institutes were established under the Institute of National Importance (INIs) under the Parliament Act.
Career after MDS (Master of Dental Surgery)
Master of dental surgery (MDS) is a post-graduation course focusing on Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry, Endodontics, Oral Medicine, and Radiology. Additionally, it provides higher and advanced knowledge to the students about dental surgery.
Dentistry deals with oral health, oral mucosa, artificial replacements, jaw treatment, dental implants, dental tissue treatment, and diagnosis of facial diseases, dental surgeries, and cosmetic treatments. Moreover, it has many sub-branches and those sub-disciplines provide the MDS specialization program.
The top recruiters for medical and health sciences degree holders are majorly Hospitals, Medical Research Centres, Pharmaceuticals etc. A person holding a degree in medical and health sciences can also practice from their own clinic after getting a practicing license from the medical association.
Job Profile |
Description |
General practitioner |
Work independently as an expert in either individual practice or get attached to any clinic to examine, treat, and perform surgery on the patients if needed. |
Clinical Research Scientist |
Work as a professional in the field of research by working as a clinical research scientist. Research on the different specialization topics of Dental Science to discover newer methods, pathology, treatments, distinguishing factors, methods of prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. |
Dental Surgeon |
Work as an integral part of any hospital. The main responsibility of any Dental Surgeon would involve observing, examining, and treating dental and oral ailments in-house as well as OPD patients and performing operations accordingly. |
Academic lecturer |
Teach bachelor's and master’s degree students of Dental colleges about the detailed course. Guide them in theory as well as in-depth practical classes. Conduct standard research and get involved in the progress of dental science by contributing to contemporary dental research. |
MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) Syllabus
Subjects of Study |
Branch I Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
Applied Basic Sciences |
Minor Oral Surgery and Trauma |
Maxillofacial Surgery |
Recent Advances in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
Branch II Periodontics |
Applied Basic Sciences |
Etiopathogenesis Of Periodontal Diseases |
Diagnosis, Treatment, Preventive Periodontology and Implantology |
Recent Advances in Periodontics |
Branch III Conservative Dentistry |
Applied Basic Sciences |
Conservative Dentistry including Preventive dentistry and dental Materials |
Endodontics |
Recent Advances in Conservative Dentistry |
Branch IV Oral Pathology |
Applied Basic Sciences |
Oral Pathology, Oral Microbiology & Forensic Odontology |
Laboratory and Histopathological Techniques |
Recent Advances in Oral Pathology |
Branch V Orthodontics |
Applied Basic Sciences |
Growth and Development, Basics in orthodontics, Diagnosis & Radiology |
Bio-Mechanics & Various Orthodontics Tissue Changes, Techniques & Treatment Planning |
Recent Advances in Orthodontics |
The Course of Study includes |
Didactic Lectures |
Seminars |
Demonstrations |
Laboratory Techniques |
Clinical Case Conference |
Structured Lecture Programs |
Joint Clinical Meetings with Allied Specialties |
Weekly Journal Clubs |
Submission of Dissertation Thesis, Models, Radiographs and Photographs |
The students will work on patients in the clinics under the supervision of teachers |
The students will undertake the laboratory work for the patients who are under their treatment |
Training in Methodology of Teaching – Candidates will attend the undergraduate classes to learn the methodology of teaching and will be encouraged to teach the undergraduate students after preparing lectures and getting them corrected by a faculty member under whom he will work |