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 OrthopaedicsPeriodontologyOral and Maxillofacial
Pathology and oral microbiology.Pediatric
and Preventive Dentistry Oral Medicine and
RadiologyPublic Health DentistryOral
& 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).