How To Become A Dentist In India After 12th?

If you’re just starting your studies to become a dentist and have finished your 12th class, you’re ready for an excellent career. Dentistry is highly valued and in high demand, since it uses scientific knowledge as well as practical skills.

First, you must have a PCB science background, pass NEET, and complete a course of 5 years (4 years in class + 1 year on internship), before you can be a dentist. After finishing these steps, you should register with the Dental Council of India (DCI) to start your dental practice.

Here are all the necessary details you might be looking for when searching how to become a dentist after 12th​. Let us explore the eligibility and cut-off marks for NEET, which are covered in this guide for those who want to become dentists after finishing 12th.

How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Dentist in India?

People who ask this question usually want to know exactly how many years to become a dentist. All in all, it will take around 7 years from your 11th-grade science course start date to become an authorised dentist.

• Secondary School (Grades 11 & 12) covers a duration of 2 years.
  • When you take Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in school, your journey as a PCB student starts. These two years help you develop the knowledge required for NEET.
• Preparing for NEET while studying for Class 12 is possible, as it takes only 1 year to get ready.
  • While some students begin classes right after the 12th, others decide to drop out for a year to prepare. However, this year is very important for success in NEET.
• To get a BDS, you must study for 5 years, four for academic study and one for an internship.
  • At this point, you will focus on strengthening your skills. You take part in lectures, do lab tasks, and help in clinics, and end up with valuable experience during your internship.

Eligibility Criteria to Become a Dentist in India

Before stepping into dentistry, make sure you meet the academic and age requirements. Here’s a clear breakdown:

• Educational Qualification:
  • Must have completed Class 12 (HSC or equivalent).
  • Core subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB).
  • Mathematics is not required.
  • English should be one of your main subjects.
     
• Minimum Marks Required:
  • General category: Minimum 50% aggregate in PCB
  • OBC/SC/ST categories: Minimum 40% aggregate in PCB.
     
• Age Criteria:
  • Must be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the admission year.
  • No upper age limit as per current NEET guidelines (subject to change).
     
• Entrance Exam (Mandatory):
  • Must appear for NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test).
  • NEET is compulsory for BDS admission; no separate entrance for dentistry.

The NEET Exam: The Real Gateway to Dental Colleges

Let’s face it, NEET is no joke. If you want to know how to become a dentist in India, know this: you can’t skip NEET. It’s your one and only way into any recognised dental college across India. 

So, what’s NEET really about? Think of it as the ultimate test of your command over Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, all crammed into 200 questions, all MCQs. You’re racing against time (and a million other students) to score high enough to secure a seat in a dental college. No pressure, right?

The good news is: you don’t have to rank in the top 100 to become a dentist. NEET cut-offs for BDS tend to be slightly more forgiving than MBBS, especially in private and some government colleges. But don’t take it lightly, you still need to do your homework. Literally.

How NEET Impacts Your Dental Journey:

• Qualifying NEET is mandatory for all BDS seats in India (govt, private, and deemed universities).
• The NEET score decides college selection; the higher the score, the better the college.
• NEET counselling is handled by MCC for All India Quota (15%) and by state authorities for the rest (85%).

NEET Cut-Offs for BDS: What’s the Score You Need?

Let’s get one thing straight: just passing NEET won’t land you in a dental college. You need to score enough to beat the cut-off, which varies based on the year, your category, and the type of college you’re aiming for.

NEET 2024 Cut-Off Highlights (BDS Admissions):

• General (UR) category: 164 marks (50th percentile)
• OBC/SC/ST: 129 marks (40th percentile)
• Top-tier govt dental colleges: 550–600+ marks
• Mid-level private colleges: 350–450+ marks

The lower cut-off percentile (compared to MBBS) makes BDS more accessible, but don’t let that fool you. Seats at government colleges, especially those in metro cities, are still fiercely competitive.

You also have to understand that the NEET cut-off isn't the same for all types of colleges. For example:

• AIQ Government Colleges: High competition; need 550+ for a good shot.
• Private Dental Colleges: 350–450 might get you in.
• Deemed Universities: Some accept students even in the 300 range, but fees are much higher.

What if you just barely cross the minimum NEET cut-off? In such cases, you might still get into a dental college, but you may need to look beyond your state, or even consider management quota seats (which come with hefty fees).

What Is the BDS Course? Full Breakdown & Duration

So, what exactly is BDS? Let’s decode it. BDS stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery, and it’s the official undergraduate program for anyone who wants to become a certified dentist in India.

Unlike MBBS, which covers a wide range of medical topics, BDS is all about oral health, teeth, gums, jawbones, and everything in between. The course structure is heavily practical, meaning you don’t just sit in lectures, you get your hands dirty in labs and clinics too.

BDS Course Duration:

• 4 academic years + 1-year compulsory rotatory internship

Subjects You’ll Study:

• Dental Anatomy, Oral Histology, and Pathology
• Periodontics (gums), Orthodontics (braces), Prosthodontics (dentures)
• Oral Surgery, Community Dentistry, and more
   

The internship year is no cakewalk; it prepares you for real-world practice. Think extractions, root canals, dentures, and patient care, under supervision, of course.

Why Is It Worth It?

Because after 5 intense years, you’re not just a graduate, you’re a doctor, licensed to practice, with a solid foundation in one of healthcare’s most important (and often overlooked) fields.

What After BDS? Exploring MDS and Career Options

So you’ve completed your BDS, now what? You’ve got your Dental Council registration, your degree, and your internship done. But the journey doesn’t end here. In fact, for many, it’s just the beginning. The big question now is: Do you want to specialise, work, or both?

Option 1: Pursue MDS (Master of Dental Surgery)

If you’re academically inclined and want to dive deeper into a specific field, MDS is the natural next step. It’s a 3-year postgraduate program that allows you to specialise in areas like:

• Orthodontics (braces and jaw alignment)
• Endodontics (root canals)
• Periodontics (gum diseases)
• Prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, dentures)
• Oral Surgery, and more

MDS gives you a competitive edge. It’s perfect if you want to:

• Join prestigious hospitals
• Become a dental surgeon
• Teach in dental colleges
• Earn higher pay as a consultant

You’ll need to clear NEET-MDS, which is held annually. Seats are even more limited than BDS, so the competition is stiff.

Option 2: Start Practising Immediately

Don’t want to study more? No problem. You can:

• Work at dental clinics or hospitals
• Open your own clinic (after 2–3 years of experience is ideal)
• Join a chain of dental centres like Clove or Apollo White
• Work with NGOs, rural health missions, or school programs

Option 3: Alternative Careers

Your BDS degree can open doors in:

• Medical transcription or insurance
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Dental product R&D
• Public health and epidemiology

So, whether you choose to specialise, start working, or branch out, there’s no shortage of paths. BDS is more versatile than people think. Your future depends on how well you shape your vision post-BDS.

Conclusion

Choosing dentistry is a big decision, and not just academically. It’s a commitment to a lifestyle of precision, compassion, and continuous growth. But it’s also one of the most rewarding careers in the healthcare space.

You’re not just filling cavities or straightening teeth, you’re restoring confidence, reducing pain, and improving quality of life. And unlike many other medical fields, dentists often have better work-life balance, lucrative practice potential, and early career growth.

PrepMed is your ultimate destination for NEET preparation. From mock tests to personalised counselling simulations, we’ve got everything you need to turn your dental dream into reality.