MDS in Public Health Dentistry: Admissions, dental colleges, syllabus, eligibility criteria, fees details here

Masters of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Public Health Dentistry is a post-graduation course for doctors who have graduated in Dental Science and want to work as dentists in India or abroad.

It is done by them after the completion of their BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Dental Council of India and should have obtained permanent registration with the State Dental Council.

The duration of this Postgraduate course is 3 years, and it focuses on the science and art of preventing and controlling Dental diseases and promoting Dental health through organized community efforts.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various accredited institutes/hospitals across the country. Some of the top accredited institutes/hospitals offering this course include Maulana Azad Dental College & Hospital, New Delhi, Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, and many more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET-MDS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Science (NBEMS), followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/DCI/State Authorities. However, several institutes such as AIIMS conduct a university-level entrance examination to offer MDS admission. MDS Admission in the AIIMS, New Delhi is done based on the AIIMS INI CET. The Dental Council of India (DCI) regulates dental education in the country.

The fee for pursuing BDS varies from accredited institutes/hospital to hospital and may range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs.30 lakhs per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue Fellowship programs recognized by DCI. Candidates can work as a dentist in government or private hospitals, or nursing homes, or can start their own dental clinic. The average starting salary range is from Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 11 lakhs per year.

Through MDS aspirants can improve the skills of critical analysis, research, and advanced clinical skills.

After pursuing this degree one can become an expert in this field.

What is MDS?

Master of dental surgery (MDS) is a three-year post-graduate program that doctors can pursue after completing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).

MDS degree is recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and is offered in various specializations, including:

• Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge:
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
• Periodontology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and oral microbiology.
• Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
• Oral Medicine and Radiology
• Public Health Dentistry
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

MDS focuses on diseases related to the tooth, jaw, and other facial tissues, dental science deals in maintaining oral health. Moreover, for surgeries such as dental implants, artificial replacements, treating jaw and gum-related diseases and surgeries, correcting misaligned/dispositioned teeth and jaw, treating dental tissues, facial diseases diagnosis and surgeries, and also, cosmetic treatments.

The required training done during under-graduation would help the doctor to recognize the health needs of the community.

The candidate should regularly attend conferences, and workshops to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of Masters of Dental Surgery:

Name of Course	MDS (Masters of Dental Surgery) in Public Health Dentistry
Level	Post-graduate
Duration of Course	Three years
Course Mode	Full Time
Minimum Academic Requirement	Candidates must have a BDS degree from a dental college/institute recognized by the Dental Council India and must have completed their Internship for BDS before taking admission to the MDS course. Some dental colleges mention minimum marks in the qualifying degree examination for admissions to MDS courses such as 55% aggregate of all subjects in BDS course.
Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities	Entrance Exam NEET-MDS AIIMS INI-CET Merit-based Counseling conducted by DCI
Course Fees	from Rs.20,000 to Rs. 30 lakhs per year
Average Salary	from Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 11 lakhs per year

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for MDS are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which includes:

• A candidate for admission to MDS must have a recognized degree of BDS awarded by an Indian University in respect of a recognized Dental College under Section 10(2) of the Dentists Act, 1948 or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Dental Council of India and should have obtained permanent registration with the State Dental Council.
• Candidates who possess a PG diploma recognized by the DCI with a duration of 2 years (proposed) in a particular specialty are eligible for admission to MDS in the same specialty and the duration will be 2 years. The syllabus for the two years will be as per the concerned university guidelines.
• SELECTION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS:

(1) Students for postgraduate dental courses (MDS) shall be selected strictly on the basis of their academic merit.

(2) For determining the academic merit, the university/institution may adopt any one of the following procedures both for P.G. Diploma and MDS degree courses:

(i) On the basis of merit as determined by a competitive test conducted by the State Government or by the competent authority appointed by the State Government or by the University/group of universities in the same state;

or

(ii) On the basis of merit as determined by a centralized competitive test held at the national level;

or

(iii)On the basis of the individual cumulative performance at the first, second, third & Final B.D.S. examinations, if such examinations have been passed from the same university; or

(iv) Combination of (i) and (iii); (iii)

• Provided that wherever the entrance test for Postgraduate admissions is held by a State Government or a university or any other authorized examining body, the minimum percentage of marks for eligibility for admission to postgraduate Dental courses shall be 50% for general category candidates and 40% for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• Provided further that in non-Governmental institutions fifty percent of the total seats shall be filled by the competent authority and the remaining percent,by the management of the institution on the basis of merit.

Admission Process:

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to Masters of Dental Surgery. Candidates can view the complete admission process for MDS mentioned below:

• The NEET-MDS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for MDS is a national-level postgrad level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to MDS courses in approved/recognized Dental Colleges/ Deemed Universities /Institutes.
• These eligibility criteria are decided by the Dental Council of India (DCI) with the approval of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The basic requirements to appear for NEET MDS can be checked below:-

· Candidates must hold a BDS degree from a recognized institute to fulfill NEET MDS eligibility criteria 2023.

· Provisional/permanent registration with State Dental Council (SDC) or DCI by July 31, 2023.

· Completion of a one-year compulsory rotatory internship by July 31 of the academic year that a candidate is seeking admission is mandatory.

Common Counselling:

· MCC conducts the counseling of NEET MDS 2023 for the admission process to 50% All India Quota seats, deemed/central university seats, ESIC and AFMC seats.

· Jammu and Kashmir do not participate in the central pool quota, therefore, the counseling for seats in government dental colleges is allotted by the state body responsible.

· The authority conducts three rounds of seat allotment for All India quota seats, while a mop-up round will be organized for deemed, central and ESIC colleges. In order to participate in NEET MDS 2023 counseling process, aspirants must secure equal to more than the minimum cut-off percentile.

· The qualifiers can participate in the counseling process by registering themselves and providing their preferences of colleges as well as courses.

· Based on the choice filled, NEET MDS rank, seat availability in the particular college, reservation criteria, and other factors, the admission to MDS course will be granted.

· While the seat allotment process for 50% state quota and seats in private dental colleges will be conducted by the state counseling body as selected by the state government. The respective regulatory bodies will either organize the counseling process in online or offline mode.

· NEET MDS admissions in the states include application forms, merit lists, and seat allotment procedures. However, to apply for state MDS admissions, the qualified candidates must fulfill certain eligibility criteria of domicile, age, nationality, and other aspects as laid down by the state counseling authorities.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for MDS varies from accredited institute/hospital to hospital. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for BDS is around Rs. 20,000 to Rs.27 lakhs per year.

Colleges offering MDS Public Health Dentistry

There are various accredited institutes/hospitals across India that offer courses for pursuing MDS.

As per the Dental Council of India website, the following accredited institutes/hospitals are offering courses for the academic year 2022-23.

S.No.	College Name	State	Type	Degree	Specialization	No. of Seats
1	Anil Neerukonda Institute of Dental Sciences, Visakhapatnam	Andhra Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
10	Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry	Andhra Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
11	Narayana Dental College & Hospital, Nellore	Andhra Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
12	Sibar Institute of Dental Sciences, Guntur	Andhra Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	4
17	Buddha Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Kankarbagh, Patna	Bihar	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
26	Rungta College of Dental Sciences & Research, Bhilai	Chhattisgarh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
30	Maulana Azad Dental College & Hospital, New Delhi	Delhi	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
41	K.M. Shah Dental College & Hospital, Vadodara	Gujarat	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
44	Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College & Hospital, Visnagar	Gujarat	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
47	Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences & Research, Mullana	Haryana	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
50	Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak	Haryana	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
51	Sri Govind Tricentenary Dental College, Hospital & Research Institute	Haryana	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
52	Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences & Research, Faridabad	Haryana	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
53	Swami Devi Dyal Hospital & Dental College, Panchkula	Haryana	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
55	H.P. Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Shimla	Himachal Pradesh	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
64	A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
68	Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
69	Bapuji Dental College & Hospital, Davangere	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
70	College of Dental Sciences, Davangere	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
71	Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpat	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
72	D.A. Pandu Memorial R.V. Dental College, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
73	Dayanand Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
74	Dr. Syamala Reddy Dental College, Hospital & Research Centre, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	0
76	Govt. Dental College, Bangalore	Karnataka	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
78	JSS Dental College & Hospital, Mysore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
79	K.V.G. Dental College & Hospital, Sullia	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
80	KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
81	KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
82	Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
83	M.R. Ambedkar Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
84	M.S. Ramaiah Dental College, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
85	Maaruti College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	0
86	Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
87	Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
89	Navodaya Dental College, Raichur	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
91	Rajarajeswari Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
94	SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Dharwad	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
100	Subbaiah Institute of Dental Sciences, Purale, Shimoga	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
101	The Oxford Dental College, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	8
102	V.S. Dental College, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
103	Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences & Research, Bangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
104	Yenepoya Dental College & Hospital, Mangalore	Karnataka	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
105	Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi	Kerala	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
109	Govt. Dental College, Kottayam	Kerala	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
125	Bhabha College of Dental Sciences, Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
127	College of Dentistry- Indore	Madhya Pradesh	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
133	People’s Dental Academy, Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
134	Peoples College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
137	Sri Aurobindo College of Dentistry, Indore	Madhya Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
139	Annasaheb Chudaman Patil Memorial Dental College, Dhule	Maharashtra	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
146	Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Pune	Maharashtra	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
165	Sinhgad Dental College & Hospital, Pune	Maharashtra	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
176	Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar	Orissa	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
177	Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar	Orissa	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
178	S.C.B. Dental College & Hospital, Cuttack	Orissa	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
179	Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Pondicherry	Pondicherry	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
195	Darshan Dental College & Hospital, Udaipur	Rajasthan	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
199	Jaipur Dental College, Jaipur	Rajasthan	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
203	NIMS Dental College, Jaipur	Rajasthan	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
205	Pacific Dental College, udaipur	Rajasthan	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
206	Rajasthan Dental College & Hospital, Jaipur	Rajasthan	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
207	Surendera Dental College & Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar	Rajasthan	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
208	Vyas Dental College & Hospital, Jodhpur	Rajasthan	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
210	Best Dental Science College, Madurai	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
211	Chettinad Dental College & Research Institute, Kancheepuram	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
216	Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Dental Sciences, Kanchipuram	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
217	Madha Dental College & Hospital, Kundrathur	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
218	Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital, Chennai	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
220	Ragas Dental College & Hospital, Chennai	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
222	S.R.M. Dental College, Ramapuram, Chennai	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
224	Saveetha Dental College & Hospital, Chennai	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
232	Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital, Chennai	Tamil Nadu	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
235	Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam	Tamil Nadu	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	2
237	Government Dental College and Hospital, Hyderabad	Telangana	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
241	Mamata Dental College, Khamam	Telangana	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
244	Panineeya Mahavidyalaya Institute of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Hyderabad	Telangana	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	5
246	Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery, Vikarabad	Telangana	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	6
248	Babu Banarasi Das College of Dental Sciences, Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
249	Career Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
251	D.J. College of Dental Sciences & Research, Modi Nagar	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
254	Faculty of Dental Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	1
255	Faculty of Dental Sciences, Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh	Govt.	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
256	I.T.S. Centre for Dental Studies & Research, Ghaziabad	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
257	I.T.S. Dental College, Hospital & Research Centre, Gr. Noida	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	0
259	Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
261	K.D. Dental College, Mathura	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
263	Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre, Moradabad	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
264	Rama Dental College, Hospital & Research Centre, Kanpur	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
267	Sardar Patel Post Graduate Institute of Dental & Medical Sciences, Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	3
271	Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College & Research Centre, Moradabad	Uttar Pradesh	Private	MDS	Public Health Dentistry	5

Syllabus

MDS is a three-year post-graduate course that provides training in dental surgery.

According to the Dental Council of India's MDS Course Regulations 2017, the Syllabus for MDS in Public Health Dentistry is as follows:

Syllabus

Part-I

Paper-I: Applied Basic Sciences: Applied Anatomy and Histology, Applied Physiology and Biochemistry, Applied Pathology, Microbiology, Oral Pathology, Physical and Social Anthropology, Applied Pharmacology and Research Methodology, and Biostatistics.

Part-II:

Paper-I: Public Health

Paper-II: Dental Public Health

Paper-III: Descriptive and analyzing type question. 

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of 3 years of training the candidate should be able to:

Knowledge:

• Applied basic sciences knowledge regarding etiology, diagnosis, and management of the prevention, promotion, and treatment of all oral conditions at the individual and community levels.

• Identify social, economic, environmental, and emotional determinants in a given individual patient or a community for the purpose of planning and executing of Community Oral Health Program.

• Ability to conduct Oral Health Surveys in order to identify all the oral health problems affecting the community and find solutions using multi – a disciplinary approach.

• Ability to act as a consultant in community Oral Health, teach, guide and take part in research (both basic and clinical), and present and publish the outcome at various scientific conferences and journals, both national and international level.

Skills:

The candidate should be able to

1. Take history, conduct clinical examination including all diagnostic procedures to arrive at diagnosis at the individual level and conduct survey of the community at state and national level of all conditions related to oral health to arrive at community diagnosis.

2. Plan and perform all necessary treatment, prevention and promotion of Oral Health at the individual and community level.

3. Plan appropriate Community Oral Health Program, conduct the program and evaluate, at the community level.

4. Ability to make use of knowledge of epidemiology to identify causes and plan appropriate preventive and control measures.

5. Develop appropriate person power at various levels and their effective utilization.

6. Conduct survey and use appropriate methods to impart Oral Health Education.

7. Develop ways of helping the community towards easy payment plan, and followed by evaluation for their oral health care needs.

8. Develop the planning, implementation, evaluation and administrative skills to carry out successful community Oral Health Programs.

Values:

1. Adopt ethical principles in all aspects of Community Oral Health Activities.

2. To apply ethical and moral standards while carrying out epidemiological researches.

3. Develop communication skills, in particular to explain the causes and prevention of oral diseases to the patient.

4. Be humble and accept the limitations in his knowledge and skill and ask for help from colleagues when needed and promote teamwork approach.

5. Respect patients’ rights and privileges including patients' right to information and right to seek a second opinion.

COURSE CONTENTS:

A) Applied Basic Sciences:

Applied Anatomy and Histology:

a) Applied Anatomy in relation to:

• Development of face

• Bronchial arches

• Muscles of facial expression

• Muscles of mastication

• TMJ

• Salivary gland

• Tongue

• Hard and soft palate

• Infratemporal fossa

• Paranasal air sinuses

• Pharynx and larynx

• Cranial and spinal nerves- with emphasis on trigeminal, facial, glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerve

• Osteology of maxilla and mandible

• Blood supply, venous and lymphatic drainage of head and neck

• Lymph nodes of head and neck

• Structure and relations of the alveolar process and edentulous mouth

• Genetics-fundamentals

b) Oral Histology:

• Development of dentition, Innervations of dentin and pulp

• Periodontium development, histology, blood supply, nerve supply and lymphatic drainage

• Oral mucous membrane

• Pulp-periodontal complex

Applied Physiology and Biochemistry:

 Cell

 Mastication and deglutition

 Food and nutrition

 Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats

 Vitamins and minerals

 Saliva and Oral health

 Fluid and electrolyte balance

 Pain pathway and mechanism-types, properties

 Blood composition and functions, clotting mechanism and erythropoiesis, Blood groups and transfusions, Pulse and blood pressure,

 Dynamics of blood flow

 Cardiovascular homeostasis-heart sounds

 Respiratory system: Normal physiology and variations in health and diseases, Asphyxia and artificial respiration

 Endocrinology: thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, pituitary, sex hormones and pregnancy, Endocrine regulation of blood sugar.

Applied Pathology:

• Pathogenic mechanism of molecular level

• Cellular changes following injury

• Inflammation and chemical mediators

• Oedema, thrombosis and embolism

• Hemorrhage and shock

• Neoplasia and metastasis

• Blood disorders

• Histopathology and pathogenesis of dental caries, periodontal disease, oral mucosal lesions, and malignancies

• HIV

• Propagation of dental infection

Microbiology:

• Microbial flora of oral cavity

• Bacteriology of dental caries and periodontal disease

• Methods of sterilization

• Infection control in dental office / camps

• Virology of HIV, herpes, hepatitis

• Parasitology

• Basic immunology – basic concepts of immune system in human body

- Cellular and humoral immunity

- Antigen and antibody system

- Hypersensitivity

- Autoimmune diseases

Oral Pathology:

• Detailed description of diseases affecting the oral mucosa, teeth, supporting tissues and jaws.

Physical and Social Anthropology:

Anthropology is a part of Social Sciences, which also constitutes behavioral sciences i.e., Psychology and Sociology. Behavioral Sciences has been mentioned in Public Health.

• Introduction and definition

• Appreciation of the biological basis of health and disease

• Evolution of human race, various studies of different races by anthropological methods

Applied Pharmacology:

• Definition, scope and relations to other branches of medicine, mode of action, bioassay, standardization, pharmacodyanamics, pharmcokinetics.

• Chemotherapy of bacterial infections and viral infections – sulphonamides and antibiotics.

• Local anesthesia

• Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs

• Hypnotics, tranquilizers and antipyretics

• Important hormones-ACTH, cortisone, insulin and oral antidiabetics.

• Drug addiction and tolerance

• Important pharmacological agents in connection with autonomic nervous system- adrenaline, noradrenaline, atropine

• Brief mention of antihypertensive drugs

• Emergency drugs in dental practice

• Vitamins and haemopoietic drugs

• Effect of drugs on oral health

Research Methodology and Biostatistics:

Health Informatics– basic understanding of computers and its components, operating software (Windows), Microsoft office, preparation of teaching materials like slides, project, multimedia knowledge. Operative skills in analyzing the data.

Research Methodology – definitions, types of research, designing written protocol for research, objectivity in methodology, quantification, records and analysis.

Biostatistics – introduction, applications, uses and limitations of bio – statistics in Public Health dentistry, collection of data, presentation of data, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, methods of summarizing, parametric and non parametric tests of significance, correlation and regression, multivariate analysis, sampling and sampling techniques – types, errors, bias, trial and calibration

B) Public Health Public Health:

• Definition, concepts and philosophy of dental health

• History of public health in India and at international level

• Terminologies used in public health

Health:

• Definition, concepts and philosophy of health

• Health indicators

• Health determinants

• Community and its characteristics and relation to health

Disease:

• Definition, concepts

• Multifactorial causation, natural history, risk factors

• Disease control and eradication, evaluation and causation, infection of specific diseases

• Vaccines and immunization

General Epidemiology:

• Definition and aims, general principles

• Multifactorial causation, natural history, risk factors

• Methods in epidemiology, descriptive, analytical, experimental and classic epidemiology of specific diseases, uses of epidemiology

• Duties of epidemiologist

• General idea of method of investigating chronic diseases, mostly non-infectious nature, epidemic, endemic, and pandemic.

• Ethical conversation in any study requirement

• New knowledge regarding ethical subjects

• Screening of diseases and standard procedures used

Environmental Health:

• Impact of important components of the environment of health

• Principles and methods of identification, evaluation and control of such health hazards

• Pollution of air, water, soil, noise, food

• Water purification, international standards of water

• Domestic and industrial toxins, ionizing radiation

• Occupational hazards

• Waster disposal- various methods and sanitation

Public Health Education:

• Definition, aims, principles of health education

• Health education, methods, models, contents, planning health education programs

Public Health Practice and Administration System in India.

Ethics and Jurisprudence:

• Basic principles of law

• Contract laws- dentist – patient relationships & Legal forms of practice

• Dental malpractice

• Person identification through dentistry

• Legal protection for practicing dentist

• Consumer protection act

Nutrition in Public Health:

• Study of science of nutrition and its application to human problem

• Nutritional surveys and their evaluations

• Influence of nutrition and diet on general health and oral health, dental caries, periodontal disease and oral cancers

• Dietary constituents and cariogenecity

• Guidelines for nutrition

Behavioral Sciences:

• Definition and introduction

• Sociology: social class, social group, family types, communities and social relationships, culture, its effect on oral health.

• Psychology: definition, development of child psychology, anxiety, fear and phobia, intelligence, learning, motivation, personalities, fear, dentist-patient relationship, modeling and experience

Hospital Administration:

• Departmental maintenance, organizational structures

• Types of practices

• Biomedical waste management

Health Care Delivery System:

• International oral health care delivery systems – Review

• Central and state system in general and oral health care delivery system if any

• National and health policy

• National health programmes

• Health Planning and Evaluation

• Primary health care – concepts, oral health in PHC and its implications

• National and international health organizations

• Dentists Act 1928, Dental council of India, Ethics, Indian Dental Association

• Role of W.H.O. and Voluntary organizations in Health Care for the Community

Oral Biology and Genetics:

• A detailed study of cell structure

• Introduction to Genetics, Gene structure, DNA, RNA

• Genetic counseling, gene typing

• Genetic approaches in the study of oral disorders

• Genetic Engineering - Answer to current health problems

Demography & Family Planning:

Demographic trends, family planning methods, milestones in population control in India.

Health Economics:

Health benefit analysis and Cost effective analysis

C) Dental Public Health:

Dental Public Health:

• History

• Definition and concepts of dental public health

• Differences between clinical and community dentistry

• Critical review of current practice

• Dental problems of specific population groups such as chronically ill, handicapped and institutionalized group

Epidemiology of Oral Diseases and Conditions:

• Dental caries, gingival, periodontal disease malocclusion, dental Fluorosis, oral cancer, TMJ disorders and other oral health related problems.

Oral Survey Procedures:

• Planning

• Implementation

• WHO basic oral health methods 1997

• Indices for dental diseases and conditions

• Evaluation

Delivery of Dental Care:

• Dental person power – dental auxiliaries

• Dentist–population ratios,

• Public dental care programs

• School dental health programs- Incremental and comprehensive care

• Private practice and group practice

• Oral health policy – National and international policy

Payment for Dental Care:

• Prepayment

• Post-payment

• Reimbursement plans

• Voluntary agencies

• Health insurance

Evaluation of Quality of Dental Care:

• Problems in public and private oral health care system program

• Evaluation of quality of services, governmental control

Preventive Dentistry:

• Levels of prevention

• Preventive oral health programs screening, health education, and motivation

• Prevention of all dental diseases-dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancer, malocclusion, and Dentofacial anomalies

• Role of dentist in the prevention of oral diseases at individual and community levels.

• Fluoride

- History

- Mechanism of action

- Metabolism

- Fluoride toxicity

- Fluorosis

- Systemic and topical preparations

- Advantages and disadvantages of each

- Update regarding Fluorosis

- Epidemiological studies

- Methods of fluoride supplements

- Defluoridation techniques

- Antifluoridation lobby

• Plaque control measures-

- Health Education

- Personal oral hygiene

- Tooth brushing technique

- Dentifrices, mouth rinses

• Pit and fissure sealant, ART, Preventive resin restoration

• Preventive oral health care for medically compromised individual

• Update on recent preventive modalities

• Caries vaccines

• Dietary counseling

Practice Management:

• Definition

• Principles of management of dental practice and types

• Organization and administration of dental practice

• Ethical and legal issues in dental practice

• Current trends

• Infection control in dental practice

Tobacco Counseling:

• Health Consequences

• Tobacco dependence

• Benefits of intervention

• Tobacco cessation

• Role of dentist

Health Man Power Planning:

Structured Training Schedule:

FIRST-YEAR

Seminars:

• 5 seminars in basic sciences subject,

• To conduct 10 journal clubs

• Library assignment on assigned topics – 2

• Submission of synopsis for dissertation within 6 months

• Periodic review of dissertation at two monthly intervals

Clinical Training:

1. Clinical assessment of patient

2. Learning different criteria and instruments used in various oral indices assessing oral hygiene, periodontal disease, wasting disease, flourosis and malocclusion – 5 cases each

- Oral Hygiene Index – Greene and Vermillion

- Oral Hygiene Index – Simplified

- DMF – DMF (T), DMF (S)

- def t/s

- Fluorosis Indices – Dean’s Fluorosis Index, Tooth Surface Index for Fluorosis, Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index

- Community Periodontal Index (CPI)

- Plaque Index-Silness and Loe, gingival index – Loe and Silness

- Russels periodontal disease index

- WHO Oral Health Assessment Form – 1997

- Carrying out treatment (under comprehensive oral health care) of 10 patients

- maintaining complete records.

Field Programme:

• Carrying out preventive programs and health education for school children of the adopted school.

• School-based preventive programs-

- Topical Fluoride application-Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride preparations and Fluoride varnishes, Fluoride mouth rinses

- Pit and Fissure Sealant – chemically cured (GIC), light cured

- Minimal Invasive Treatment-Preventive Resin Restorations (PRR), Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART)

- Organizing and carrying out dental camps in both urban and rural areas.

3. Visit to slum, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, and Milk dairy, Public Health Institute, Anti-Tobacco Cell, Primary Health Center and submitting reports.

4. In additions the postgraduate shall assist and guide the undergraduate students in their clinical and field programs.

SECOND YEAR

Seminars:

• Seminars in Public Health and Dental Public Health topics

• Conducting journal clubs

• Short-term research project on assigned topics – 2

• Periodic review of dissertation at monthly reviews

Clinical Training-Continuation of the Clinical Training:

1. Clinical assessment of patient

2. Learning different criteria and instruments used in various oral indices assessing oral hygiene, periodontal disease, wasting disease, flourosis and malocclusion – 5 each

- Oral Hygiene Index – Greene and Vermillion

- Oral Hygiene Index – Simplified

- DMF – DMF (T), DMF (S)

- def t/s

- Fluorosis Indices – Dean’s Fluorosis Index, Tooth Surface Index for Fluorosis, Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index

- Community Periodontal Index (CPI)

- Plaque Index-Silness and Loe, gingival index – Loe and Silness

- Russels periodontal disease index

- WHO Oral Health Assessment Form – 1987

- Carrying out treatment (under comprehensive oral health care) of 10 patients – maintaining complete records

Field Program – Continuation of Field Program:

• Carrying out school dental health education

• School-based preventive programs-

- Topical Fluoride application-Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride preparations and Fluoride varnishes, Fluoride mouth rinses

- Pit and Fissure Sealant – chemically cured (GIC), light cured

- Minimal Invasive Treatment-Preventive Resin Restorations (PRR), Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART)

- Organizing and carrying out dental camps in both urban and rural areas.

• Assessing the oral health status of various target groups like School children, Expectant mothers Handicapped, Underprivileged, and geriatric populations. Planning dental manpower and financing dental health care for the above group.

• Application of the following preventive measures in clinic-10 cases each.

- Topical Fluoride application – Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride preparations and Fluoride varnishes.

- Pit and Fissure Sealant

• Planning total health care for school children in an adopted school:

- Periodic surveying of school children

- Incremental dental care

- Comprehensive dental care

• Organizing and conducting community oral health surveys for all oral conditions-3 surveys

• In addition the postgraduate shall assist and guide the undergraduate students in their clinical and field programs

• To take lecture classes (2) for Undergraduate students in order to learn teaching methods (pedagogy) on the assigned topic.

THIRD YEAR:

Seminars:

• Seminars on recent advances in Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health

• Critical evaluation of scientific articles – 10 articles

• Completion and submission of dissertation

Clinical Training:

• Clinical assessment of patient

• Learning different criteria and instruments used in various oral indices assessing oral hygiene, periodontal disease, wasting disease, flourosis and malocclusion – 5 each

- Oral Hygiene Index – Greene and Vermillion

- Oral Hygiene Index – Simplified

- DMF – DMF (T), DMF (S)

- def t/s

- Fluorosis Indices – Dean’s Fluorosis Index, Tooth Surface Index for Fluorosis, Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index

- Community Periodontal Index (CPI)

- Plaque Index-Silness and Loe, gingival index – Loe and Silness

- Russels periodontal disease index

- WHO Oral Health Assessment Form – 1987

- Carrying out treatment (under comprehensive oral health care) of 10 patients – maintaining complete records

• Carrying out school dental health education

• School based preventive programs-

• Topical Fluoride application – Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride preparations and Fluoride varnishes.

• Pit and Fissure Sealant

• Minimal Invasive Techniques – Preventive Resin Restorations (PRR), Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART)

• To take lecture classes (2) for Undergraduate students in order to learn teaching methods (pedagogy) on assigned topic

• Exercise on solving community health problems – 10 problems

• Application of the following preventive measures in clinic – 10 cases each.

- Topical Fluoride application – Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride preparations

- Pit and Fissure sealants

• Dental – health education training of school teachers, social workers, health workers,

• Posting at dental satellite centers/ nodal centers

• In addition the post graduate shall assist and guide the under graduate students in their clinical and field programs.

Monitoring Learning Process:

It is essential to monitor the learning progress of each candidate through continuous appraisal and regular assessment. It not only helps teachers to evaluate students, but also students to evaluate themselves. The monitoring be done by the staff of the department based on participation of students in various teaching / learning activities. It may be structured and assessment be done using checklists that assess various aspects. Checklists are given in Section IV.

Career Options

After completing MDS, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

· Clinical Practice- They can establish a private clinic or can join a hospital.

· Public Health manager.

· Academics and Dental school - Teaching.

· Research Field.

· Administration.

· Public Health Sector.

· Allied fields.

· Central and State Government Services:

1. Indian Railways.

2. UPSC- Union Public Service Commission.

3. ECHS- Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health scheme.

4. ESIC- Employee’s State Insurance Cooperation.

5. NRHM- National Rural Health Mission.

· Healthcare Panels.

· Defence Services:

1. Army Dental Corps.

2. Indian Air Force Dental Officer.

3. Indian Navy Dental Officer.

4. Army Territorial Officer.

· Scientific Societies.

Courses After MDS in Public Health Dentistry

Master of Dental Surgery is a post-graduate course that can be pursued after pursuing BDS.

A candidate could pursue the following course programs, where MDS is a feeder qualification.

These include:

• Ph.D. in Dental Sciences.
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Dental Public Health.
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Dental Public Health.
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme- Forensic Dentistry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – MDS in Public Health Dentistry

Question: What is the full form of MDS?

Answer: The full form of MDS is Masters of Dental Surgery.

Question: What is MDS?

Answer: Master in Dental Surgery is a post-graduation course done by doctors after completing BDS to get a deep understanding of dental issues.

Question: What is the duration of MDS?

Answer: MDS is a postgraduate program of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of MDS?

Answer: Candidates must have a BDS degree from a dental college/institute recognized by the Dental Council India. The candidates must have completed their Internship for BDS before taking admission to the MDS course. Some dental colleges mention minimum marks in the qualifying degree examination for admissions to MDS courses such as 55% aggregate of all subjects in BDS course.

Question: What is the scope after doing MDS?

Answer: MDS offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary of MDS candidate?

Answer: The MDS candidate’s average salary ranges between Rs.4 lakhs to Rs. 11 lakhs depending on the experience.

Question: How selection is done?

Answer: The selection is done on an annual basis which is based on performance in NEET MDS and counseling conducted by DCI (Dental Council of India).