Bachelor of Dental Surgery, popularly referred to as BDS, is a professional course in Dental Sciences. The course is offered at the Undergraduate level and generally lasts 4-5 years (per the curriculum design). The US is one of the top study-abroad destinations for BDS courses. Several students from around the world travel to the US to pursue BDS study programs. The country offers brilliant career prospects and attractive salaries to BDS graduates. This article covers in detail the high-ranked US universities to study BDS. It also highlights the eligibility criteria for student admission, average tuition fees, and job opportunities for course graduates.
Pursuing BDS in the US can offer several benefits to Indian students. Listed below are some of the top reasons why international students prefer studying BDS courses in the US:
The US dental universities offer excellent research opportunities to students. This helps expand their knowledge base and also sharpens their analytical skills.
The country is renowned for offering top-quality education at its several universities, most of which rank high for dental sciences courses.
Studying BDS in the US also opens up further prospects for students to pursue postgraduate courses or start employment in the country.
US degrees are recognised and validated globally, which improves the employability of graduates everywhere in the world.
The high demand for BDS courses in the US can also be attributed to the equally high demand for dentists in the country. According to a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for dentists are likely to grow by at least 4% between 2022 and 2032.
Related Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#:~:text=3%25-,Overall%20employment%20of%20dentists%20is%20projected%20to%20grow%204%20percent,on%20average%2C%20over%20the%20decade.
Students interested in pursuing Bachelor’s courses in Dental Surgery from US universities are offered the following top picks. You may choose to pursue a course of your choice and IDP expert consultants can help you find the most suitable program based on your requirements:
The average cost of pursuing a BDS program in the US is estimated at USD 91,500 (approximately). BDS fees in the US provided here are indicative only and may vary from one university in the US to another.
Related Source: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/osfs/cost-of-attendance-bot/dmd-coa/
BDS course eligibility criteria will likely vary from one university in the US to another. It is recommended that you check the exact admission requirements with the university you apply to. The standard entry criteria for the course at most US universities are:
A recognised Bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a university in India or overseas
Background in a Science subject preferred, such as Organic Chemistry, Biology, or Physics
An aggregate of 90% or a GPA score of 3.5 is preferred for the course
International applicants must produce proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall score of 6.0
Students keen on pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery from the US can apply to the following top universities in the country. These universities are ranked as per the QS World University Rankings 2024:
University | Type | QS Ranking | Course Duration | Fees | IELTS Score |
Public | 1 | 2 years | USD 58,080 (approx) | 7.0 | |
Public | 18 | 4 years | USD 149,440 (approx) | 7.0 | |
Private | 23 | 4 years | USD 241,752 (approx) | 7.5 | |
Public | 39 | 4 years | USD 143,048 (approx) | 6.5 | |
Land-Grant | 51-80 | 2 years | USD 44,744 (approx) | 6.0 |
Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/dentistry?page=1&countries=us&sort_by=rank&order_by=asc
Students graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery can look forward to applying for varied career roles in the domain. Some of the most sought-after jobs after BDS in the US are given in the table below:
Jobs | Approx Annual Salary |
Dental Hygienist | USD 98,953 |
General Dentist | USD 228,465 |
Paediatric Dentist | USD 211,115 |
Periodontist | USD 204,356 |
Endodontist | USD 242,292 |
Related Sources: https://www.indeed.com/career/dental-hygienist/salaries https://www.indeed.com/career/dentist/salaries?from=top_sb https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pediatric_Dentist/Salary https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Periodontist/Salary https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Endodontist/Salary
1. Can I do BDS in the US?
Of course! The US is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for BDS courses. The country has several top-ranked universities for BDS programs.
2. How much does it cost to study BDS in the US?
The average cost of pursuing a BDS program at a top US university is approximately USD 91,500. This is indicative and may vary between different universities in the US.
Related Source: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/osfs/cost-of-attendance-bot/dmd-coa/
3. How many years does it take to become a dentist in the US?
The average duration of course completion may vary depending on the course curriculum. The average duration of the program may vary. However, it can be estimated that it would take at least 4-5 years for BDS to complete.
4. What is the average salary after BDS from the US?
After completing BDS courses in the US, the average pay scale will likely be USD 98,953 per annum. This is only indicative and is likely to vary from one region in the US to another.
Related Source: https://www.indeed.com/career/dental-hygienist/salaries
5. How can Indian students apply for BDS in the US after the 12th?
Indian students who have completed their 4-year Bachelor's degree from the US in a related field of study from a Science background. Additionally, they must meet specific requirements (if any) by the chosen university.
6. What is the cost of living for BDS students in the US?
The average cost of living for international students travelling to the US for studies is likely to range between USD 500 and USD 2,000.
Updated on Dec 20, 2024
Study in USA | Study in Canada | Study in UK | Study in Australia | Study in New Zealand | Study in Ireland