After completing class 10th, if a student dreams to become a doctor. He/she doesn’t have idea about difference between MBBS and BDS and other medical courses too. And as a result all the aspirants just dream for the very famous MBBS. But due to lack of MBBS seat in the country in the proportion of aspirant giving the entrance test, most of the students don’t get MBBS. And they have to go for BDS and other courses. Here are some major differences between MBBS and BDS.
| Parameter | MBBS | BDS |
| Full form | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of surgery | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
| Course Duration | 5.5 yrs (4.5yr + 1yr mandatory internship) | 5yrs (4yrs + 1yr mandatory internship) |
| Examination | Semester based (9) | Semester based(8) |
| Syllabus | Focused on full human body and entire medicine. | Focused on Teeth and mouth |
| Entrance test | NEET | NEET |
| Eligibility criteria | +2 with a minimum of 50% Compulsory subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology | +2 with a minimum of 50% Compulsory subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Avg. course fee | Depends upon type of college ( govt. or pvt. ), state etc. In Govt, the fee ranges from few thousands to lakhs per year. In private it ranges from 8 lakhs- 30 lakhs per year. | Depends upon type of college ( govt. or pvt. ), state etc. In Govt, the fee ranges from few thousands to lakhs per year. In private it ranges from 2 lakhs- 7 lakhs per year. |
| Job opportunities | Physician, Surgeon, etc. | Dentist, Dental Research Scientist, Lecturer, etc. |
| Avg. salary | INR 4-10 lakhs (approx.) | INR 4-10 lakhs (approx.) |
Both the courses are of bachelor degree in medical field. But there are some similarities and differences between the two. These are:-
- Course duration
MBBS is of 5.5 yrs which consists of 4.5yrs of academics in 9 semesters and 1yrs of compulsory internship. BDS is of 5yrs which consists of 4yrs of academics in 8 semesters and 1yr of compulsory internship.
- Curriculum
- MBBS
MBBS syllabus is divided into three phases i.e. Pre-clinical, Para Clinical and Clinical for the course of 5.5 years.
| Phase | Semesters | Subjects covered |
| Pre-Clinical | 1-2: two semesters | Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology |
| Para-Clinical | 3-5: three semesters | Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Clinical postings inwards, OPDs to begin here; |
| Clinical | 6-9: four semesters | Community Medicine, Medicine and allied subjects (Psychiatry, Dermatology), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics |
| Surgery and allied subjects (Anesthesiology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics); | ||
| Clinical postings |
- BDS
As like MBBS, BDS syllabus is also divided into three parts i.e. Pre-clinical, Para clinical and Clinical for the 5yrs course.
| Year1 | |
| General Anatomy | Embryology and Histology |
| General Human Physiology | Dental Anatomy and Embryology |
| Oral Histology | General Biochemistry |
| Year 2 | |
| Dental Materials | General Pathology and Microbiology |
| General Pharmacology and Therapeutics | Pre-Clinical Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge |
| Preclinical Conservative Dentistry | Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
| Year 3 | |
| Oral Pathology | General Medicine |
| Oral Microbiology | General Surgery |
| Year 4 | |
| Oral Medicine | Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics |
| Radiology | Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge |
| Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics | Public Health Dentistry |
| Periodontology | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | — |
| Year 5 Mandatory Internship |
- Entrance test
The entrance test for both the courses is same i.e. NEET (National eligibility cum entrance test). Any student who wants to take admission in either of the course will have to qualify this test first. And that too with good marks and rank.
- Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria for both the courses are also same, except for MBBS one need good rank in NEET.
- Course fee
The course fee of these courses varies greatly depending up on the state, type of college (government or private), country etc. Doing MBBS from private college specially in India is very costly and it ranges from 8 lakhs to 25 lakhs per year where as in Government its around few thousands to lakh. In BDS, the private fee structure ranges from 2-7lakhs per year and it costs few thousands in government. Doing both the courses from foreign private college is cheaper than Indian private colleges although there are some pros and cons for each scenario.
- Job opportunities
After completion of MBBS, candidate can join as junior doctor in hospitals or clinics. They can further proceed for post graduation also where they get good amount of stipend.
After completion of BDS, candidate can join hospital, clinics or even can open their own clinic too. If they want to pursue post graduation then they can do that too.
There is an advantage of BDS graduates. They can practice and can do their work on BDS degree and that too, 6 months before their MBBS counterparts. But a MBBS graduate has to do PG for practice on their own.
- Average salary
First of all doctors are not mean to money motivated. They are dedicated to serve the society. But, since they have given their hard work, a lot of time etc. for this profession. So, they also deserve some amount of money so that they can run their family and full fill their needs. If we talk about avg. salary it may range between 4- 10 lakhs(approx).
This is all about MBBS and BDS. At last I would like to say it very unfair to say which one better. Both courses are very competitive and will give you equal respect and earning too. So, the choice and situations ultimately matter while taking decision.
– Devendra Kumar (BDS, PGDCH)
Editor- Madiha Fatma (MBBS, MMCH)
Rightly explained devendra
Excellently explained each and every point and the best part is that you have not divided both the degrees in terms of average salary and you have shown a fair difference out of which students can choose …what is there interest not the need…keep the good work going👍👍👍
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