Dentistry is that branch of medicine which deals with the study and practice of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the mouth, the maxilla, and the face. American Dental Association states that Dentistry comprises evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body.

In short, dentists preserve and /or provide oral health. World Health Organization defines Oral health as a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity. Risk factors for oral diseases include unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, and poor oral hygiene.

Dental Colleges, Universities and Entrance Examinations

The Dental Council of India (DCI) was established as a result of the Dentist Act of 1948, which

was intended to regulate dental practice and promote scientific advances. DCI is the premier governing body of dental education in India.

Dental schools in India fall into one of three major categories:

a) government dental school as a part of a government university,

b) private dental school affiliated with a government university, and

c) private dental school as part of a private university.

BDS:  A five-year dental education, which includes about 4000 curriculum hours, leads to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree in India

Dental candidates must meet certain minimum requirements to take the entrance examination. All candidates applying to dental colleges must be at least seventeen years old at the time of admission or before December 31 of the same year of admission.

The duration of the dental course is five years after which the students are awarded a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) degree.

India does not have a uniform, nationwide dental licensure examination such as the NBDE (National Boards) in the United States of America. At the time of graduation, all students receive a certificate of successful completion of the five-year curriculum from the dental college / university along with state-approved dental licensure. “Successful completion” of the 5 –years course means  that the dental students have cleared professional examinations at the end of each of their five years. The  professional examinations, stated otherwise, which include both theory and practical/ lab / clinical aspects, comprise the dental licensure examination in India.

In addition, dental graduates must register with concerned state and national government bodies by submitting the specific documents  and applicable fees. The state government issues dental licenses and regulates dental practice through state law. The Ministries of Health and Education in India supervise the state government in this regard.

MDS: A three-year additional training in one of the below mentioned specialties leads to Master of Dental Surgery degree. The entrance examinations are conducted by various universities and boards and are extremely competitive.

AIIMS, PGI (Both twice every year), AIPGEE (once every year) have long been considered as the standard MDS entrance examinations at national level in India. Other than these, various state boards like Karnataka (KCET / COMEDK), Maharashtra (MHPGDCET) and many more conduct the entrance exams. University level examinations like Manipal Acdemy of Higher Education and BHU entrance examination etc come under third category of examinations.

Other than MDS, one year certificate courses are available. Indira Gandhi National Open University conducts entrance examination for One year certificate higher education course after BDS.

Definitions of Recognized Dental Specialties

Approved by the Council on Dental Education and Licensure, American Dental Association.(http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/specialties/definitions.asp)

Dental Public Health: Dental public health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. (Adopted May 1976)

Endodontics: Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions. (Adopted December 1983)

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.(Adopted May 1991)

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.(Adopted April 2001)

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. (Adopted October 1990)

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures. (Adopted April 2003)

Pediatric Dentistry: Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. (Adopted 1995)

Periodontics: Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues. (Adopted December 1992)

Prosthodontics: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. (Adopted April 2003).

It is not only clinical practice and teaching but also elements like clinical and basic research, manufacturing and marketing the dental equipments and materials, administrative and managerial segment that have made dentistry a lucrative career.