| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Dental Sciences |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | Minimum age limit is 20 years. |
| Minimum Percentage | 55% aggregate marks in BDS. |
| Average Fees | INR 1,50,000-7,00,000 Per Year |
| Similar Options of Study | MS, MD, DDS |
| Average Salary | INR 3 – 8 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Periodontist, Orthodontist |
| Top Recruiters | Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, Sascan Meditech, Cipla, Pfizer |
The candidates seeking MDS admission must fulfill certain eligibility criteria such as merit score, undergraduate requirements, age limit, etc. Listed below are the MDS eligibility criteria:
NEET MDS counselling is conducted in multiple rounds to fill seats across different colleges and categories. As counselling moves forward, the rules become stricter, so students should understand how each round works before making decisions.
This is the first round of counselling where most students participate after the results are announced. Candidates can fill their preferred colleges and branches, and seats are allotted based on rank and choices.
One important advantage in Round 1 is the free exit option. If a student is not happy with the allotted seat, they can choose not to join without losing the security deposit.
Round 2 is mainly for students who did not get a seat in Round 1, did not join, or want a better option through upgradation.
Fresh seat allotment takes place in this round, and candidates who receive an upgraded seat must join the newly allotted college. The rules are stricter compared to Round 1, especially for students who decide not to report after allotment.
Round 3 is usually the most serious stage of counselling because the exit rules become much tighter. Students who join a seat in this round generally cannot resign or participate in further upgradation.
Because of this, candidates should fill choices carefully and avoid selecting colleges they are not willing to join.
This is the final round conducted to fill the remaining vacant seats after earlier counselling rounds are completed.
Only eligible candidates who are not holding a seat can participate in this round. Fresh registration and choice filling may be required depending on the counselling authority’s rules.
Candidates participating in NEET MDS counselling must pay the registration fee and refundable security deposit during the counselling process. The fee amount may differ depending on the counselling authority, category, and type of institution selected.
Categories | Unreserved UR/EWS Candidates (Non-refundable fees) | Reserved ST/SC/OBC/PwD Candidates (Non-refundable fees) | Unreserved UR/EWS Candidates (Refundable – Security Deposit) | Reserved ST/SC/OBC/PwD/Applicable-Jain/Muslim Candidates (Refundable – Security Deposit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AIQ | ₹1,000 | ₹500 | ₹25,000 | ₹10,000 |
Deemed Universities | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
List of documents required for verification and admission during NEET MDS counselling. Ensures candidates are ready with all necessary certificates for the counselling process.
Allotment Letter issued by MCC
Admit Card issued by NBE
Result/Rank Letter issued by NBE.
Mark Sheets of MBBS/BDS 1st, 2nd & 3rd Professional Examinations.
MBBS/ BDS Degree Certificate/ Provisional Certificate.
Internship Completion Certificate/Certificate from the Head of Institution or College
Permanent / provisional Registration Certificate issued by MCI/NMC or DCI/State Medical or Dental Council.
High School/Higher Secondary Certificate/Birth Certificate as proof of date or birth.
One of the following ID Proofs:
PAN Card
Driving License
Voter ID
Passport
Aadhaar Card
Certificates, if applicable:
SC/ST Certificate
EWS Certificate
OBC Certificate
Disability Certificate
NRI/OCI sponsored Certificate
Reservation in NEET MDS counselling is provided according to the rules followed by the central government and respective state authorities. Seat reservation varies for categories such as SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates during the counselling process.
Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
SC | 15% |
ST | 7.5% |
OBC (Non-creamy layer) | 27% |
EWS | 10% |
NEET MDS seats are divided mainly into All India Quota (AIQ) seats and State Quota seats. Understanding the difference between these two is important because the counselling authority, eligibility rules, and admission process can vary.
Particulars | AIQ Quota | State Quota |
|---|---|---|
Seat Distribution | 50% of government dental college seats | 50% of government & 100% of private dental college seats |
Counselling Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) | Respective State Counselling Authority |
Colleges Covered | Government colleges | State government and participating private colleges |
Reservation Rules | Central government reservation policy | State reservation policy |
Official Website | Separate for each state |
Once a seat is allotted, candidates need to report to the assigned college within the given deadline and complete the admission process. This usually includes document verification, fee payment, and submitting the required certificates.
If a student is satisfied with the allotted seat, they can confirm admission and join the college. Those who want a better college or preferred branch can choose to participate in the next counselling round according to the upgrade rules.
The admission is considered complete only after the college verifies all documents and officially confirms the joining process.
NEET MDS counselling has different exit rules in every round, and students should understand them properly before accepting or leaving a seat. Many candidates lose their security deposit simply because they are not aware of the reporting and resignation rules.
Round 1 usually offers a free exit option
Candidates who do not want the allotted seat in Round 1 can leave without losing the security deposit
In Round 2, the rules become stricter for candidates after seat allotment
Not reporting after getting a seat in later rounds can lead to forfeiture of the security deposit
Candidates who accept an upgraded seat must join the newly allotted college
Round 3 is considered the most critical stage of counselling
Once a candidate joins a seat in Round 3, resignation is generally not allowed
Students participating in the stray vacancy round should fill choices carefully because the rules are stricter at this stage
Before choosing any college during later rounds, candidates should be sure they are genuinely willing to join if allotted
The NEET MDS counselling cutoff is the minimum rank or score required for admission into MDS courses through different counselling rounds. Cutoff trends change every year depending on factors such as seat availability, competition, category, and branch preference.
Category | Minimum Qualifying | Cut-off Scores of 2025 (Out of 960) |
|---|---|---|
General/EWS | 50th percentile | 261 |
General PwBD | 45th percentile | 244 |
SC/ST/OBC (Including PwBD) | 40th percentile | 227 |
College Type | Annual Tuition Fee (INR) | Total 3-Year Cost (INR) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
Government Colleges | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 | ₹1.5 Lakh – ₹6 Lakh | Highly subsidized. Extremely competitive seats. |
Private Colleges (General) | ₹3 Lakh – ₹8 Lakh | ₹9 Lakh – ₹24 Lakh | Moderate fees. Varies by state and reputation. |
Deemed/Private (High End) | ₹10 Lakh – ₹25 Lakh+ | ₹30 Lakh – ₹75 Lakh+ | High fees. Often have management/NRI quotas. |
NRI Quota Seats | ₹25 Lakh – ₹50 Lakh+ | ₹75 Lakh – ₹1.5 Crore+ | For Non-Resident Indians. Very expensive. |
The MDS course admission process is mainly done through the merit score obtained in the undergraduate program and based on the entrance examination score. Listed below is the step-by-step MDS admission process:
The MDS admission is done based on the entrance examination score in colleges such as AIIMS, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, etc.
Listed below is the MDS course entrance examination and their registration details:
MDS Entrance Exam | Registration Details | Accepting Colleges |
NEET MDS | Jan 30 – Feb 19, 2024 (Closed) | SRM Dental College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences |
| Mar 18-Apr 12,2024 (Closed) | AIIMS, NIMHANS, JIPMER, PGIMER |
The MDS course fees in India range from INR 1,50,000 – 7,00,000 Per Year based on the type of institution, infrastructure, placement opportunities, clinical exposure, etc. Top private colleges such as Saveetha Dental College, Christian Dental College, and Manipal College of Dental Science offer the MDS course. Government colleges such as AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, etc also offer MDS courses in India.
Listed below are the top dental colleges offering MDS courses in India as per NIRF Ranking 2023 and their fee details:
NIRF Ranking 2023 | Name of the College | Admission Fees | MDS Tuition Fees Per Year | Miscellaneous Fees |
1 | INR 1,50,000 | INR 6,00,000 | INR 3,70,000 | |
2 | Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | INR 1,400 | INR 3,60,000 | INR 2,00,000 |
3 | Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | INR 25,000 | INR 6,00,000 | INR 3,05,000 |
4 | Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | INR 1,500 | INR 30,000 | – |
5 | A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | INR 1,00,000 | INR 5,75,000 | – |
6 | SRM Dental College | INR 1,60,000 | INR 4,50,000 | INR 75,000 |
7 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | INR 5,000 | INR 8,00,000 | INR 2,50,000 |
8 | Manipal College of Dental Sciences Mangalore | INR 45,000 | INR 2,10,000 | – |
9 | Siksha `O` Anusandhan | INR 20,000 | INR 12,00,000 | INR 2,00,000 |
10 | Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 100 | INR 31,100 | INR 3,500 |
Listed below are the city-wise colleges in India offering MDS course and their average fees details:
Cities | Average Fees Per Year |
INR 6,20,000 | |
INR 4,80,000 | |
INR 1,50,000 | |
INR 6,50,000 | |
INR 7,00,000 | |
INR 3,40,000 | |
INR 6,67,000 | |
INR 5,90,000 | |
INR 1,25,000 |
MDS syllabus is divided into six semesters with an extensive focus on providing students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the various disease conditions, diagnoses, and treatments. The syllabus differs as per the specialization chosen by the student.
MDS subjects focus on topics such as Oral Pathology, Oral Microbiology & Forensic Odontology, Laboratory and Histopathological technique, Growth and Development, Basics in orthodontics, Diagnosis & Radiology, etc.
Listed below is the common first year MDS syllabus:
First Year Syllabus | |
Dental Anatomy | Oral Pathology |
Dental Materials | Microbiology |
Pharmacology | General Medicine |
Applied General and Oral Physiology and Biochemistry | Research Methodology and Biostatistics |
Ethical and Dental Jurisprudence | – |
Read More: MDS Course Syllabus and Subjects
MDS is a three-year postgraduate program aiming at equipping students with knowledge related to dental science through various topics such as Orthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, etc whereas DDS is a two-year doctoral program enabling students to work in countries like the US, UK, and Canada, etc.
Listed below is the comparison between DDS and MDS based on various parameters:
Course | MDS | DDS |
Full Form | Master of Dental Surgery | Doctor of Dental Surgery |
Course Duration | 3 Years | 2 Years |
Course Overview | MDS course covers subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Applied Oral anatomy, etc | DDS course focuses on topics such as Basic Mechanism of Disease, Dental Morphology, Gross Anatomy of the Head, Neck and Trunk |
Eligibility Criteria | Minimum of 55% aggregate marks in BDS | Minimum of 50% marks in MDS |
Course Fees Per Year | INR 1,50,000 – 7,00,000 | INR 7,00,000 – 13,00,000 |
Entrance Exam | NEET MDS, INI CET | Merit-Based |
Top Colleges | AIIMS, Saveetha Dental College, JIPMER, PGIMER | Saveetha Dental College, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Manipal College of Dental Science |
Job Roles | Assistant Dentist, Orthodontist, Dental Specialist | Prosthodontist, pediatric Dentist, Oral and maxillofacial surgeon |
Average Salary | INR 3-8 LPA | INR 6-15 LPA |
Master of Dental Science is one of the most in-demand professions on the job market. Those aspirants who have completed a Master of Dental Science have a wide range of job opportunities.
Higher education will allow pupils to advance in their careers and earn more money. Master of Dental Science aspirants can work in various medical fields, and industries as most careers have become health-conscious. Listed below are some of the courses that students can opt for after MDS:
Also, Check: PhD After MDS
MDS graduates are employed in various job roles such as Assistant Dentist, Orthodontist, Dental Specialist, General Dentist, etc in top healthcare firms in India like Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, Cipla, Pfizer, etc.
Listed below are some of the career options after MDS course and their details:
Job Designation | Job Description | Hiring Companies |
General Dentist | Responsible for examining the patients and finding dental problems through various diagnostic tests, designing and fitting the dental prosthetics, and educating patients on oral hygiene. | Tattva Home Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Dr.Kamakshi Memorial Hospital |
Pediatric Dentist | Responsible for examining newborns and infants for their oral health and developmental milestones and treating any diseases that have been diagnosed in infants and children. | GC Dental World, Wesa Healthcare, Clove Dental |
Dental Hygienist | Responsible for assisting the patients with conducting initial patient screenings, cleaning teeth, and advising patients on the importance of oral health. | Phillips, Apollo Hospital, Max Healthcare, Abbott |
Listed below are top recruiters hiring MDS graduates in India:
Max Healthcare | Apollo Hospitals | Phillips |
Abbott | Cipla | Pfizer |
Clove Dental | Fortis | Manipal Hospitals |
Paras Healthcare | Narayana Health | Dr Lal Pathlabs |
The MDS salary in India ranges from INR 3-8 LPA based on experience and skill set. MDS graduates with 0-1 years of experience earn around INR 3-5.5 LPA and the salary range can go up to INR 12 LPA with 3+ years of experience.
Listed below are the MDS salary details based on the experience:
MDS Jobs | Entry Level Average Salary | Salary After 3 Years of Experience |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | INR 5.2 LPA | INR 7.6 LPA |
Periodontist | INR 4.2 LPA | INR 10.0 LPA |
Orthodontist | INR 6.3 LPA | INR 11.0 LPA |
Dental Hygienist | INR 3.6 LPA | INR 9.3 LPA |
Prosthodontist | INR 5.0 LPA | INR 10.5 LPA |
Pediatric Dentist | INR 4.0 LPA | INR 8.2 LPA |
Read More: Salary of an MDS Graduate
Students can opt to pursue MDS courses in top cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, etc as it has the most renowned institutions such as SRM Dental College, AIIMS, Saveetha Dental College, etc.
Below listed are the top 5 cities to pursue an MDS course based on industry exposure, reputation, infrastructure, placement opportunities, affordability, cost of living in the city, etc.
City | Top Colleges Offering MDS Course | Average Living Expense (INR) | Average Starting Salary (INR) | Top Recruiters |
Bangalore | The Oxford Dental College and Hospital | 40,000 – 45,000 Per Month | 20,000-22,000 Per Month | Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Clove Dental |
Mumbai | Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai | 30,000 – 60,000 Per Month | 20,000-35,000 Per Month | Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Ceramco Dental Clinic, Ceramco |
Hyderabad | Government Dental College- Hyderabad | INR 15,000 – 25,000 Per Month | INR 15,000 – 25,000 Per Month | Galaxy Dental Care, Vista Dental Studio, Apollo hospitals |
Chennai | Sri Ramachandra Dental College | INR 20,000 – 25,000 Per Month | 16,000-25,000 Per Month | MIOT International Hospital, Apollo Speciality Hospital, SIMS Hospital |
Delhi | Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | INR 70,000 – 75,000 Per Month | INR 12,000 – 20,000 Per Month | Max Super Speciality Hospital, SCI International Hospital |
MDS graduates can avail of scholarships from various government organizations, educational institutions, and NGOs. etc based on various criteria such as the merit score, quota, etc. Listed below are the MDS Scholarships offered by organizations to students and their eligibility criteria and benefits:
MDS Scholarship | Eligibility Criteria | Amount |
Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Fee Reimbursement Scholarship Scheme | The candidate must belong to Maharashtra’s Economically Backward Class with at least 50% marks in BDS. Family Income should be less than 8LPA | 50% of the total course fees. |
Indian Dental Association Scholarship | The student must be amongst the first three rank holders in the respective BDS academic years and also a member of IDA | Full Tuition Fee Waiver |
Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | Interest-free loan to all graduates pursuing the postgraduate and undergraduate program and must be under the age of 30. | Up to INR 75,000 |
A Master of Dental Science aspirant should possess problem-solving, leadership, and technical skills. In addition, at its foundation, dental science necessitates applied dexterity, a hands-on understanding of the work and strong interpersonal skills such as networking, leadership, and conflict resolution.
Listed below are the skills required for MDS graduates:
MDS syllabus is divided into 6 semesters over 3 years and focuses on a comprehensive understanding of various dental subjects such as oral anatomy, oral pathology, periodontology, conservative dentistry, and more. Students also gain practical experience through clinical rotations and dissertations in the final year.
MDS core subjects include research and biostatistics, dental anatomy, dental materials, oral pathology, etc. Students can also select elective subjects as per the specialization chosen such as advanced implantology, cosmetic dentistry, pediatric oral pathology, forensic odontology, and more.
MDS course curriculum helps students develop technical skills in advanced imaging techniques, dental surgeries, patient management, minimally invasive techniques, and critical care dentistry.
MDS semester-wise syllabus differs as per the specialization selected by the student, but there are a few core subjects that students study irrespective of the dental field. The MDS syllabus also includes practical training in clinics in the final year.
Students can also download the MDS syllabus PDF of various college’s official websites. A detailed view of the generic MDS syllabus is given below
MDS 1st year syllabus aims at the understanding of concepts related to radiography, oral health, and dental materials to build a foundation in the dental sciences. Below listed are common 1st year MDS subjects:
First Year Syllabus | |
Dental Anatomy | Oral Pathology |
Dental Materials | Microbiology |
Pharmacology | General Medicine |
Applied General and Oral Physiology and Biochemistry | Research Methodology and Biostatistics |
Ethical and Dental Jurisprudence | – |
Master of Dental Sciences subjects focus on understanding topics such as evidence-based dentistry, dental research methodologies, clinical practice guidelines, and more to improve their knowledge and skills in the field of dentistry. Below listed are a few core and elective subjects covered in the MDS syllabus:
Listed below are some of the core MDS subjects that the students study in the first year as common subjects along with topics covered in each subject:
MDS Core Subjects | Topics Covered |
Dental Anatomy | Tooth morphology, Dental histology, Anatomic landmarks, Occlusion |
Dental Materials | Properties of dental materials, Manipulation techniques, Biocompatibility, Applications in dentistry |
Oral Pathology | Oral diseases, Histopathology, Diagnostic techniques, Treatment planning |
Microbiology | Oral microbiome, Infection control, Pathogenic organisms, Antimicrobial therapy |
Pharmacology | Drugs used in dentistry, Mechanism of action, Side effects, Drug interactions |
General Medicine | Medical history taking, Systemic diseases, Medical emergencies in dentistry, Drug-related issues |
Applied General and Oral Physiology and Biochemistry | Cellular physiology, Biochemical processes, Metabolism, Oral physiological processes |
Research Methodology and Biostatistics | Research design, Data collection methods, Statistical analysis, Research ethics |
Ethical and Dental Jurisprudence | Dentistry ethics, Patient rights, Legal aspects of dental practice, Professional conduct |
MDS elective subject focuses on expanding student’s professional horizons and deepening their competence in areas of interest by acquiring specialized knowledge and skills in different areas of dental science.
The elective subjects in MDS are listed below as per the specialization:
Specialization | MDS Elective Subjects | Topics Covered |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
| Surgical techniques, Trauma management, Facial reconstruction, Anesthesia protocols, Local anesthesia techniques, and more. |
Orthodontics |
| Diagnosis methods, Cephalometric analysis, Appliance selection, Growth patterns, Developmental anomalies, Treatment timing, and more. |
Periodontology |
| Diagnostic techniques, Radiographic interpretation, Gingival grafting techniques, Non-surgical treatment, and more. |
Prosthodontics |
| Crown and bridge techniques, Implant-supported restorations, CAD/CAM technologies, Esthetic principles, and more, |
Conservative Dentistry |
| Root canal therapy techniques, Direct and indirect restorations, Composite bonding, Child patient management, and more. |
Public Health Dentistry |
| Disease distribution, Community engagement, Needs assessment, Curriculum development, and more. |
MDS offers several specializations and the subjects differ for each specialization based on the curriculum structure. Detailed below are some of the popular specializations and their corresponding course structure.
MDS Specialization List | Subjects Covered |
| |
| |
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics |
|
| |
| |
Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry |
|
| Oral Medicine and Radiology |
|
The students can take the Master of Dental Science project topics based on their subjects and syllabus, motivating them to develop additional knowledge to complete the project work. Some of the Master of Dental Science projects are:
The Master of Dental Science postgraduate degree curriculum includes various teaching methods and techniques that help students understand multiple topics taught in their classes.
Some of the different teaching methodologies and techniques adopted in the course curriculum of the MDS postgraduate degree course are as follows:
MDS books may differ as per the specialization selected by the student such as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology, and more.
MDS books from various authors and publications are available to students in paperbacks and PDF formats. Some of the common MDS books are:
Books | Authors | Topics Covered |
Essentials of Orthodontics | William R. Proffit | Growth and development, Diagnosis, Treatment planning, Biomechanics |
Textbook of Prosthodontics | Deepak Nallaswamy | Complete dentures, Removable partial dentures, Fixed prosthodontics, Implant prosthodontics |
Clinical Periodontology and Implant Dentistry | Jan Lindhe, Niklaus P. Lang | Periodontal anatomy, Disease pathogenesis, Diagnosis and treatment, Implantology, Surgical techniques |
Shafer’s Textbook of Oral Pathology | B. Sivapathasundharam | Developmental disturbances, Inflammatory diseases, Neoplasms |
