MDS Pediatric Dentistry Eligibility,Fee,Syllabus,Cousre

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Pediatric dentistry is a clinical dental health speciality that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions of the teeth and gums in children from birth up to adolescent years. India has several colleges which offer MDS in Pediatric Dentistry as a postgraduate course for those who wish to focus on children’s dentistry. This article provides relevant information on the course including eligibility, career prospects, reputed colleges in India, fee structure, course curriculum and the kind of job opportunities one can expect upon completion of this course.

The MDS in Pediatric Dentistry is a three-year postgraduate program preparing dentists for delivering preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative dental services to children. As the health consciousness in terms of oral health has been developing for a few years, more and more people are realizing the requirement for specialists in the field of paediatric dentistry in India. The demand for paediatric dentists has gained momentum. This course also endows the candidates with the clinical skills and knowledge necessary to treat a wide range of dental problems in child clientele, from simple prophylactic care to extensive dental care.

Course Level	Postgraduate
Full form	Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Pediatric Dentistry
Duration	3 Years
Examination type	Yearly-Basis
Eligibility	BDS degree from a recognized university/college in India and registered with the State Dental Council along with a compulsory one-year internship in a recognised Dental Institute
Admission Process	Entrance exam (NEET MDS) followed by Counselling process
Average Annual Fees	INR 10,000 to 15,00,000
Average Annual Salary	INR 2,00,000 to 10,00,000
Top Recruiting Sectors	Hospitals, Health Clubs, Schools, Child care units, Private clinics, Teaching Field, Government & Private Dental Institutions, Polyclinics and Multi-Speciality Clinics
Job Positions	Dental surgeon, Dental Lab Technician, Ceramist, Consultant, Dental Assistant, Professors, Public health specialists, Dental hygienist, Oral pathologist, Private practitioners, Dentist, Medical Marketing Executive

MDS Pediatric Dentistry About

Pediatric dentistry (MDS) has a very wide-ranging learning scope as far as oral and dental health are concerned. These have varied topics including pediatric oral pathology, preventive and interceptive orthodontics, and also managing different traumas of the tooth. It also includes behavioural management and various modes of sedation besides providing care to patients with any sort of special needs. It is more focused on child psychology, growth and development, and management of anxiety to provide a pleasant dental experience for children.

MDS Pediatric Dentistry Eligibility and Admission Criteria

The eligibility criteria for pursuing an MDS in Pediatric Dentistry in India are as follows:

Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed BDS from a recognized dental college affiliated with the Dental Council of India (DCI).
Entrance Examination: Though few universities conduct an entrance examination, most universities make entry through the NEET MDS national-level test conducted by the National Board of Examinations, NBE. Some private institutions and also a few state-level institutions even conduct entrance exams for admission into MDS programs.
Cutoff Percentile: For the general category, the NEET MDS cutoff percentile is usually the 50th percentile. However, it's lower for reserved categories. The cutoff may vary each year based on the number of applicants and difficulty level.

MDS Pediatric Dentistry Duration and Pattern

The MDS course in Pediatric Dentistry runs for three years, on full-time studies. Candidates who hold a diploma in the same stream are eligible for a two-year course. The curriculum is theoretical learning blended with clinical training and work-based research. The entire study pattern is as under :

The entire first year focuses on purely theoretical concepts and primary skill-building in clinical procedures
The curriculum from the second year onward progresses by adding advanced clinical training coupled with research work.
Third Year: Mainly clinical practice and thesis work.

The course makes use of lectures, seminars, clinical work, lab sessions, and case studies for an all-round learning experience.

MDS Pediatric Dentistry Career Prospects

MDS in Pediatric Dentistry graduates have vast career prospects in India and abroad. Some of the most prominent career options are:

Clinical Practice: Most of the graduates of MDS practice pediatric dentistry in private clinics or hospitals. They open up their dental practice, specializing in the care of the oral health of children.
Academic Roles: Many opt to work as lecturers or professors in dental colleges and add to the academic field. They prepare future pediatric dentists to take on challenges in their field.
Research: Graduates can serve in research institutions, furthering advancements in pediatric techniques, materials, and procedures.
Public Health Dentistry: Some work with government departments and NGOs to create public oral health awareness and undertake care services among kids, especially in the neglected regions of society.

Top Colleges in India offering MDS in Pediatric Dentistry

Here is a list of some top institutions in India that offer MDS in Pediatric Dentistry:

Name of the College/University	Average Annual Fees
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi	INR 15,600
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Udupi	INR 17,53,300
Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pune	INR 12,00,000
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai	INR 15,00,000
ABSM Institute of Dental Sciences, Karnataka	INR 10,80,000
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore	INR 17,53,300
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education And Research, Chennai	INR 11,50,500
Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai	INR 70,200
SRM Dental College, Chennai	INR 13,50,000
JSS Dental College and Hospital, Karnataka	INR 8,56,000

These colleges are opted for their quality education, experienced faculties and also the best clinics for practical training.

MDS Pediatric Dentistry Course Fee of Top Colleges

The fee structure for MDS in Pediatric Dentistry varies greatly across institutions.

Private Institutions: INR 10 lakh to 15 lakh per year
Government Institutions: INR 50,000 to 2 lakh per year

MDS Pediatric Dentistry Syllabus

MDS in Pediatric Dentistry is developed to cover all major topics, including the following:

Applied Anatomy and genetics	Applied Physiology	Applied Pathology
Nutrition and Dietetics	Growth & Development	Child Psychology
Behavior Management	Child Abuse & Dental Neglect	Conscious Sedation, General Anesthesia, Deep Sedation & in Pediatric Dentistry
Preventive Periodontics Dental Plaque	Microbiology & Immunology as related to Oral Diseases in Children	Gingival & Periodontal diseases in Children
Pediatric Operative Dentistry	Pediatric Endodontics	Prosthetic consideration in Pediatric Dentistry
Traumatic Injuries in Children	Interceptive Orthodontics	Oral Habits in Children
Dental care of Children with special needs	Systemic Condition of Oral manifestations in Children & their Management	Management of Minor Oral
Surgical Procedures in Children	Dental Radiology as related to Pediatric Dentistry	Cariology
Pediatric Oral Medicine & Clinical Pathology	Congenital Abnormalities in Children	Dental Emergencies in Children and their Management.
Dental Materials used in Pediatric Dentistry	Preventive Dentistry	School Dental Health Programs and Dental Health Education
Dental health concepts, Effects of civilization and environment, Dental Health	Fluorides	Medicolegal aspects in Pediatric Dentistry with emphasis on informed consent
Counseling in Pediatric Dentistry	Case History Recording, Outline of principles of examination, diagnosis & treatment	Epidemiology
Comprehensive Infant Oral Health Care	Principles of Biostatistics & Research Methodology & Understanding of Computers and Photography	Comprehensive cleft care management with emphasis on counseling, feeding, nasoalveolar bone remodeling, speech rehabilitation
Preventive Dentistry Clinic and Setting up of Periodontics	Emerging concept in Pediatric Dentistry of scope of laser/ minimum invasion.	Setting up of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry Clinic

Post Graduate Alternate

Following post-graduate MDS in Pediatric Dentistry, some opt for further specialisation as well as academic posts:

Fellowship programmes: Fellowships in Pediatric Surgery, Orthodontic and Oral pathology
Doctor of Philosophy in Dentistry: Completing PhD empowers candidates for further advanced research or Academic posts.
Certification Courses: Short-term certification courses in oral sedation, interceptive orthodontics, or public health dentistry can enhance their career.

MDS Pediatric Dentistry Job Opportunities

After completing the course, students can find jobs in:

Private Dental Clinics
Hospitals and Nursing homes
Dental Colleges
Government Health Services

Salary after MDS in Pediatric Dentistry

Graduates from MDS in Pediatric Dentistry may expect the following based on experience, location, and nature of the employer. Starting annual salary in private clinics varies from 4 to 8 lakh while that in government service offers stability but lower salaries in starting. With experience, good pediatric dentists earning skills in private practice go far beyond 12 lakhs per annum.

MDS in Pediatric Dentistry is a very rewarding and specialized field. It allows students to make a potential career in the oral health of children. With the right mix of skills and training, MDS graduates can build successful careers in clinical practice. They also have promising future in academia and research. There is an ongoing demand in public health for MDS graduates that confirms promising career growth. The increasing need for specialized dental care in India makes this an attractive and valuable career path for those dedicated to children's health and well-being.