Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

Introduction to Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Dentistry, a lucrative profession, is concerned with all health problems afflicting the mouth, teeth, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. It is accepted as a professional field which includes dental care and correction. Dentists help people maintain their health and appearance.

Dentistry is changing rapidly, creating many opportunities and challenges. To an extent, it includes cosmetology where corrective treatment is involved. Dentists improve patients’ appearance by using a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures. These days, dentists are assuming very important roles in the whole healthcare system. With an increasing awareness of the importance of oral health and the introduction of new fields 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 of this field.

Dentists or dental surgeons provide surgical, medical and other forms of treatment for oral and dental disorders and diseases by examining teeth and mouth of the patients. They treat a diverse group of patients in a variety of settings using a variety of techniques and procedures such as computers and magnetic resonance imaging. This may include filling, crowning and scaling of teeth, extracting teeth, treating gum diseases and fitting artificial replacements where necessary and surgically handling injuries or other irregularities of the teeth and jaw. Problems dealing with the jaw or any invasive oral procedure are usually undertaken by an oral surgeon. Dentists perform trauma surgery, implants, tissue grafts and laser surgery to correct them. The core function of a dentist is prevention and treatment of diseases related to the oral cavity, including the floor of the oral cavity, the ‘roof’ of the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue etc. Their job includes educating patients about oral hygiene and ways to preserve a healthy mouth and prevent dental problems.
Convey: Nepal Study

General Information
Course Title: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Category: Bachelor
Course Duration: 48 months (4 years)
Academic Progress: Yearly
Estimated Cost: N/A

Qualification Required
The selection for BDS is done through different institutions examination and the qualification required for entrance is 10+2 or equivalent with Science(Physics, Chemistry and Biology) subjects.

Scope after completing BDS in Nepal
A dentist’s job is to help the patients to maintain a healthy mouth and teeth. This requires an examination of the mouth and teeth when there is a problem, and the preparation and execution of plans for the treatment and restoration of teeth. The main work of a dentist involves treatment of diseased mouths and gums; extraction of teeth that cannot be saved, or might spread an infection to the rest of the mouth; fillings in the treatment of cavities; Surgery of the mouth and jaw; replacement of extracted teeth through surgery or other processes; cleaning of the patient’s mouth and teeth; corrective work to align or straighten teeth; dentures i.e. the making and fitting of false teeth and preventive work which involves routine check-ups for both adults and children. Dental Assistants and Hygienists in addition to assisting the dentist during a variety of procedures such as clean and scale teeth, place temporary fillings, does other specific tasks including taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays), sterilizing instruments and equipment and making impressions of patients’ teeth etc.

Excellent employment opportunities are available for dentists in dental departments in hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and health departments as well as teaching departments in dental colleges. Apart from this, dentists could also work in the Research and Advisory functions of a pharmaceutical and other companies producing oral care products and medicines like toothpaste, mouthwash, gum care products, etc. Self-employment is also a promising avenue.

With gaining experience, one can start his/her own individual practice. Many dentists prefer to be in private practice, as it provides the best financial prospects as well as greater independence. Private practitioners work either alone, often setting up a clinic on their own premises, or in partnership with colleagues, sharing resources and overheads. Besides these, in dentistry, one can also take up work as a Dental Hygienist, Dental assistant or as a Dental consultant to models and film artists which could fetch a lot of money.

Course Syllabus
The following are the broad topics of study in this field:

• General Medical Sciences
• Oral Structure, Function and Development
• Oral Pathogenesis and Disease Prevention
• Oral Functional Sciences and Rehabilitation
• General Dentistry
• Legislation and forensic odontology