Top Courses After BDS- MS, MD, PG Diploma, & Other Degrees

Now that you have completed your BDS degree, and searching for the top courses after BDS is your next move, here are the options you can explore. Usually, after earning a BDS degree, graduates pursue a master’s degree.  However, dentistry also offers various specialized branches, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, conservative dentistry, to name a few. Read on to familiarize yourself with the top courses after BDS and the career prospects.

Top Courses After BDS

To get a medical degree after BDS, there are many courses to help you upgrade your abilities and get better career prospects. Go through the best postgraduate courses after BDS to boost your career options: 

• Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)
• Endodontics
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Oral surgery 
• Pedodontics 
• Implantology 
• Microendodontics
• Master of Hospital Administration (MHA)
• Master’s in Public Health (MPH)
• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in Hospital Management
• MBA in Health Care Management
• Forensic Odontology
• Clinical Research
• Pharmacovigilance
• Medical Transcription/Virtual Scribing
• Medical Coding
• Nutrition and Dietetics

There are some PG diploma courses after BDS you can opt for as well. PG diploma certificate courses after BDS can provide the necessary training and hands-on experience to excel in your domain of choice. The best diploma courses after BDS are as follows:

• PG Diploma in Aesthetic Dentistry (PGDAD)
• PG Diploma in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
• PG Diploma in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
• PG Diploma in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
• PG Diploma in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
• PG Diploma in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• PG Diploma in Periodontology

Apart from diploma courses after BDS, there are dental PhD courses. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is the best option for those who want to delve deeply into a particular field of dentistry with extensive study and research. 

Graduates of the PhD program are well-positioned for leadership positions in academia and the dental industry, driving the advancement of theory and practice. The following prominent dental PhD courses after BDS are: 

• PhD in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• PhD in Periodontology
• PhD in Pedodontics
• PhD in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
• PhD in Oral Pathology and Microbiology
• PhD in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• PhD in Public Health Dentistry

Top Universities Abroad for Courses After BDS

Some other top universities and colleges offering postgraduate course after BDS, including PG diploma after BDS and certificate courses after BDS are -

• National University of Singapore
• McGill University, Canada
• University of Manchester, UK
• University College London, UK
• Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
• University of Alberta, Canada
• University of Western Australia
• University of Adelaide, Australia
• RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Career Opportunities After BDS

Completing BDS and pursuing higher studies can give you a deeper knowledge of the field you are interested in. After completing MBA, MPH (Master's in Public Health) or MS/MD programs, graduates have a wide range of career options. Here are some common career paths dental graduates pursue.

Lecturer

As dental institutions frequently want faculty members with practical experience, being a lecturer is a feasible career choice for someone with prior dental experience. Depending on the college, a minimum of three to five years of experience may be needed. 

One can even aim to become the dean of a dentistry college after accumulating experience as a professor and practitioner in a medical setting. A dental lecturer in India makes about INR 90,672-INR 90,672 a month and a lecturer in the USA makes USD 83,000-USD 125,213 annually.

Dental Clinic

Graduates can start their dental practices, work at facilities connected to hospitals, or join private practices. Although opening a clinic takes a substantial upfront investment, profit margins can be lucrative if the business picks up. 

The clinic's location, service costs, and ability to draw clients are all important factors. In the early stages, networking widely and collaborating with established dentists can assist in developing a brand and attracting first clients. The salary range for a dentist with their own clinic in India is INR 14,000-INR 1,65,000 per month, and in the USA, it’s USD 62,923-USD 198,534 annually.

Overseas Career 

Becoming a dentist abroad involves applying for courses after BDS, such as an MDS degree or establishing a dental practice in another country. Each country has specific eligibility criteria, including clearing national board exams and obtaining a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree to practice in the United States. A dentist overseas can make USD 63,006-USD 198,794.

Apart from these career prospects, other exciting career avenues include: 

• Researching
• Dental blogging 
• Dental cosmetology 
• Dietician
• Forensic dentistry 
• Medical transcription
• Dental consulting, and
• Working for dental insurance companies 

Conclusion

Before you finish your BDS degree, you should explore courses and career options. This would help you create a solid strategy to pursue your next dream. Speak to as many people as possible; this includes your teachers, friends of your parents, or reach out to dentists online. You will need months of planning, research and communication, and it will be worth it in the end. 

Dental graduates have various options thanks to the courses accessible after earning a BDS degree. These postgraduate opportunities allow dental professionals to expand their horizons and meet the evolving needs of patients. 

You can have a successful and fulfilling career path in the dynamic world of dentistry!