Bachelor of Dental Surgery curriculum, duration, subjects, exams & internship (2025 format)
Course Duration & Structure
The BDS program is designed as a 4 + 1 year course: four years of academic study and one year of compulsory paid internship. Each year includes a minimum of 240 teaching days. Training is divided into:
- Preclinical phase: Years 1 & 2 (basic sciences, preclinical skills)
- Clinical phase: Years 3 & 4 (clinical patient work, advanced theory, field training)
Year-wise Subjects & Schedule
Subjects overview
| Year | Subjects | Teaching Load |
|---|---|---|
| First |
Anatomy Physiology & Biochemistry Dental Anatomy & Histology Dental Materials Pre-Clinical Prosthodontics |
Lectures: 100–190+ hrs Practicals: 120–250 hrs |
| Second |
Pathology & Microbiology Pharmacology Dental Materials (Advanced) Preclinical Conservative Dentistry Oral Pathology & Microbiology |
Lectures: 70–120+ hrs Practicals: 105–200 hrs |
| Third |
General Medicine & Surgery Oral Pathology Conservative Dentistry Orthodontics Paediatric Dentistry Radiology Periodontics Prosthodontics |
Lectures: 60–145 hrs Clinical: 90+ hrs |
| Fourth |
All Clinical Subjects Orthodontics Prosthodontics Radiology Conservative/Endodontics Periodontics Surgery Paediatric Dentistry Community Dentistry |
Clinical: 170–370 hrs Lectures: 50–135 hrs |
Subjects Details
First Year
- General Human Anatomy (including Embryology and Histology)
- General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics
- Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral Histology
- Dental Materials
- Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
Second Year
- General Pathology and Microbiology
- General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Dental Materials (Advanced)
- Preclinical Conservative Dentistry
- Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
- Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology
Third Year
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
- Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry
- Periodontology
- Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
Fourth Year
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
- Oral Medicine & Radiology
- Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry
- Periodontology
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
- Public Health Dentistry
Exams & Marking System
- Annual University Exams held at the end of each academic year
- Each subject has 200 marks: Theory 100 + Practical/Clinical 100
- Minimum 50% marks required in both theory and practical, separately
Exam Marks Table
| Component | Theory | Practical | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Written | 70 | 70 | |
| Viva Voce | 20 | 20 | |
| Internal Assessment | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| University Practical/Clinical | 90 | 90 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 200 |
Pass Criteria
- Each subject has 200 total marks
- At least 50% in theory & practical, counted independently
- If failed in any, retake that component
Internship Program (5th Year)
- One year compulsory paid rotating internship after completion of the 4th year
- Departments: Oral Medicine & Radiology, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Conservative, Pediatric, Orthodontics, Oral Pathology & Microbiology
- Includes Community Dentistry (Rural posting: 30 days) and an elective (10–15 days)
- Degree is awarded after completion of internship
Special Curriculum Modules
Behavioral Sciences
- Psychology, Sociology and Communication skills (20 hours)
Ethics
- Professional ethics, patient rights and legal responsibilities (20 hours)
Forensic Odontology
- Dental identification, age estimation, and legal aspects (30 hours)
Oral Implantology
- Theoretical and clinical basics of implantology (30 hours)
Aesthetic Dentistry
- Smile design and restorative approaches, integrated in prosthodontic/conservative training
Key Objectives
- Diagnose, prevent and treat dental and oral diseases
- Serve in rural and urban health sectors
- Participate in community health programs
- Uphold high standards of ethics and patient care
- Blend theoretical and clinical skills for effective dental practice
This curriculum ensures graduates are equipped for clinical practice and community healthcare.