Dentistry is a rewarding career option that deals with the study relating to mouth, teeth, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Dentists are the professionals who provide dental care and corrections (in the form of surgery or medical treatment) required for the patients.
Dentistry, in recent times, is offering great career opportunities to the professionals in the field. Dental disorder has become a common problem among people of all sections of the society. With the development of recent science and technologies, the treatment procedures have also changed considerably. Today dentists can change a patients' appearance by using a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures. The opening of more specialized subjects like periodontics (care of gums and the diseases that might afflict them), oral pathology (diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth) and orthodontics (straightening and aligning teeth and jaws) have all enhanced the scope in this field.
A candidate who wants to make career in Dentistry should have completed Plus Two Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. After completion of plus two he/she has to appear for medical/dental combined entrance examination conducted at both state and national level. Based on the performance in the entrance examination he/she will be offered a seat in dentistry programs i.e. Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at the undergraduate level. This course is of four years duration. After successful completion of the course, he/she will be recognized as a qualified dental surgeon.
One who wants to continue his/her study further can pursue Master in Dental Surgery (MDS) which is of 2 years duration. The selection is based on All India entrance test. The Dental Council of India is the recognizing apex body for dental sciences education in India.
Dentists find quite good job opportunities both in public and private sector. They can join dental departments in hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and health departments as well as in teaching departments of dental colleges. Beyond this they can also work as researcher or scientists in pharmaceutical companies producing oral care products and medicines like toothpaste, mouth wash, gum care products, etc. Self employment in this field has been proved profitable. An experienced and skilled dentist gets better response from the patients. After gaining reputation he/she opens his/her own individual clinic for private practice. This provides the best financial prospects as well as greater independence. The career prospect does not end here. A qualified dental surgeon can also take up positions such as Dental Hygienist, Dental assistant or as a Dental consultant to glamorous people including models and film artists which could offer them huge money.
In India, BDS pass-outs are appointed in government hospitals/dispensaries as dental surgeon. Their starting monthly salary varies between Rs.10, 000 – Rs.15, 000. However, they can also practice at their home or private clinics in which case they earn better. Their overall earning may go beyond Rs.40, 000 per month depending upon their skills and response from the patients. Apart from making professional career in India, one can go abroad for better pay-package and career prospects. It has been found that the average annual earning of a Dental surgeon in United States is around USD 110,000 or so which is much higher as compared to that in India. Developed nations like UK and Australia also offer handsome salary to Indian dental surgeon for their expertise in the field.
The contents are informative in nature. Candidates are advised to refer to the notice published on Official Websites of the organization(s) administering the particular Courses/Test(s) / Examination(s).
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