What are the requirements for an MDS program?

What are the requirements for an MDS program?

Introduction

The requirements for an MDS program in India are quite straightforward, however, it is crucial to get into the top dental colleges so that you can stand out from other students and make the most of your career in post-graduation.

Master of Dental Surgery is a three years long postgraduate course, which includes six months of internship in a hospital or clinical set-up.

The course aims to train students on the theoretical aspects of dental sciences and clinical practice, which makes it different from other medical degrees.

The course is divided into two years of study. The first year of the program focuses on providing a strong foundation in dental sciences, which includes topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology and biochemistry. In the second year, students learn about clinical subjects like oral surgery, endodontics and operative dentistry. Then Internship and practical experience are given priority.

The MDS program provides an excellent platform for dental students to develop their skills and knowledge in the field of oral healthcare through practical experience, theory acquisition and examination by professors. The course is designed to develop a skilled and knowledgeable dentist who can diagnose, treat and prevent oral diseases.

Also Read: The benefits of pursuing MDS in Endodontics

Here is the comprehensive list of all the requirements for an MDS program:

MDS COURSE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

You need to have a bachelor's degree in medicine [BDS or BSc (Dental)] or MBBS from any recognized university with at least 50% marks in your graduation.
Additionally, you must also clear the NEET PG entrance exam before starting the course. NEET MDS 2022 eligibility criteria have been published by the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences.
Candidates who have completed at least two years of work experience in the field of medicine and surgery are eligible to apply.
MDS Eligibility of candidates issued admit card for the examination shall be purely provisional. Appearing in NEET-MDS 2022 does not confer any automatic rights upon the candidate for admission to MDS courses.

NEET PG:

It is a postgraduate entrance exam. Many medical universities in India have NEET PG as their entrance exam with specific cut-offs according to different courses and colleges.

The NEET PG is important because it determines your eligibility to apply for an MDS program. The NEET PG entrance exam is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and all students who have passed their MBBS degree equivalent certificates which are recognized by the Medical Council of India can appear in this exam.

The eligibility criteria for NEET PG:

A current MBBS degree or a temporary pass certificate for the same course is required of candidates.
Registration with the Medical Council of India or a State Medical Council is required, and documentation proving this registration should be provided at the time of counselling.
Students nominated by the Government of India to study at medical institutions in Jammu & Kashmir are entitled to apply, however, candidates who have completed their MBBS from the state of Jammu & Kashmir are ineligible for 50% of the All India Quota seats.
At the time of counselling, the candidates will need to present the original certificate of their one-year rotational internship, which includes the start and end dates.
Candidates must have finished a year of the required rotational internship or be on track to finish the internship by June of the year they are taking the NEET P.G. test.

Candidates can check the official website of CBSE to know more about the eligibility criteria

NEET PG cut-off marks:

NEET PG cut-off marks are different for every state and college. NEET PG cut-off marks can also be different in each course, subject and university.
The NEET PG cut-off will be determined by the minimum qualifying score of 60% at the Advanced level (or equivalent), and with a minimum of 45% in each of Biology and Physics (including Mathematics).
The minimum qualifying score for the general category is 50% and 40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates. In addition to the above, students should also have a good command of English as it will be one of the important criteria for selection.
It will be based on the number of candidates who have applied for admission into medical colleges in India, as well as their scores.

CANDIDATE MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE DENTAL COUNCIL OF INDIA

If you wish to apply for the best MDS courses, you must be registered with the State Dental Council of India. This registration is mandatory for all dental practitioners and it allows you to practice dentistry in your state or country.

To be eligible for registration, candidates must meet these requirements:

Be a graduate from any recognized university or its equivalent;
Have completed a minimum period of two years duration post-graduation study in dental sciences or related disciplines such as medicine, surgery or pharmacy;
Pass an examination on subjects taught during that time period at the standard level set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC);
Complete a minimum period of one-year internship in the country of practice or abroad, and Pass an examination on subjects taught during that time period at the standard level set by HEC.
MDS course details are also available on the official website of Mansarovar Dental College.

MUST HAVE ONE YEAR OF INTERNSHIP

You must have one year of internship. This is the most important requirement for your program to be considered an MDS program, and it's also one of the most difficult things to achieve. If you're accepted into a school with a three-year MD degree, your first year will probably include clinical rotations in internal medicine or paediatrics (or both). These rotations aren't enough time to gain experience as an internist; you need at least two years!

THE CANDIDATE MUST PASS BDS FROM A RECOGNIZED BOARD

The candidate must have passed BDS from a recognized institute or university in India.
Candidates should have an experience of at least two years in quality and/or process improvement programs, preferably in healthcare and allied sectors such as education, agriculture, environment etc., preferably with an international perspective.

Documents Required at NEET PG Counselling

NEET MDS admit card
NEET scorecard
BDS mark sheet (1st, 2nd and 3rd Professional Examination)
BDS Degree Certificate/Provisional Certificate
Internship completion certificate
Permanent/Provisional registration certificate issued by DCI/State Dental Council
Class 10 Certificate/Date of Birth certificate
Identity proof
Caste Certificate (if applicable)
Disability Certificate (if applicable)

Also Read: High Paying Jobs After MDS In India

TOP MDS COLLEGES IN INDIA

KGMU, Lucknow
MANSAROVAR DENTAL COLLEGE, Bhopal
NAIR HOSPITAL DENTAL COLLEGE, Mumbai
INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES - [IMS], Varanasi
MAULANA AZAD INSTITUTE OF DENTAL SCIENCES - [MAIDS], New Delhi

Conclusion

With the above-mentioned requirements, you must be able to get into a good dental college in India. This will help you become a successful dentist and earn a good amount of money throughout your career. The MDS syllabus moves around dental or oral health. It allows upcoming dentists to make a flourishing career in both private and government healthcare sectors. MDS course fees are also not so much higher. Hence any student who has cleared the NEET exam can easily get admission to any dental college.