Cosmetic Dentistry Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope

What is Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry - According to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), there is less than one dentist for every 1000 people in our country. Since the beginning, dentistry has always been considered as the Ignored limb of the Public health System. There have always been reservations in the mind of young people taking up dentistry in their graduation. However, times are changing. With the growth in living standards, more and more people are paying frequent visits to their dentists. People realize the need to keep their oral hygiene in a check. Owing to such changing times, the demand for Cosmetic dentistry has seen a leap.

Dentistry is a branch of medical science that deals with the development of teeth and diagnosis of disorders related to it. Cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of a person’s teeth, gums or bite. It primarily focuses on dental work that improves dental aesthetics. The common cosmetic dentistry options are Whitening, Reshaping, Bonding, Bridging, Veneers and Implants, Gum lifts, Straightening and Bite reclamation. There are slight differences between the Cosmetic dentistry and Aesthetic dentistry, which are often used interchangeably. Cosmetic dentistry uses more advanced and invasive methods, sometimes resulting in teeth that look more than perfect, whereas the latter usually ends up with a more natural look.

Cosmetic Dentistry Course Highlights

Dentists usually undergo some training in order to specialize in a particular form of dentistry. Of the 13 major specializations, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics are most closely related to cosmetic dentistry and can be included within its umbrella. In order to become a cosmetic dentist, one requires a bachelor’s degree followed by a certification course or a postgraduate program in prosthodontics or orthodontics.

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Cosmetic Dentistry

The eligibility criteria can vary from college to college. Nevertheless, here is a broad overview of minimum requirements for the various courses.

For Bachelor Of Dental Surgery

• Candidates should have secured at least 50% in their Class 12th board examinations with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as their Compulsory streams.

For Master Of Dental Surgery

• Candidates should be a Bachelor of Dental Science graduate from a recognized Dental college in India with a minimum of 50 percent.
• Candidates with a PG Diploma recognized by Dental Council of India with a duration of 3 years are also eligible to apply.

Cosmetic Dentistry Entrance Exams

Entrance exam for BDS

There are not many entrance exams for BDS. Most of the admission is usually based on NEET results. Some private colleges may conduct their own exam.

NEET: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a national level exam for admission in medical courses at an undergraduate level like MBBS, BDS and BAMS. Most of the recognized private dental colleges take admission through NEET only.

Entrance exams for MDS

NEET MDS: This eligibility-cum-entrance exam is the door to admission in various state and private dental colleges as well as deemed universities. Earlier, various other entrance exams were conducted separately by universities like DY Patil University, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University and others but now NEET MDS acts as the entrance exam for admissions to most of the universities and colleges for MDS.

Required Skillset for Cosmetic Dentistry

To become a Cosmetic dentist, some of the important qualities that an individual should possess are:

Good eyesight: A cosmetic dentist has to perform cleaning, bleaching, apply Veneers etc. all of which require concentration and focused eyesight.

Steady hands: Some procedures in cosmetic dentistry require a surgery. A steady hand ensures that the operations are carried out smoothly.

Good Communication Skills: Good communication skills are essential for all the professions wherein one has to engage with other people. A good Cosmetic dentist should be able to explain all the procedures in a simple, lucid manner to the patients.

Good Concentration power and ability to work under pressure: Dental procedures might take up quite some of the time. To be able to focus for a longer duration is of paramount importance in this field. Also, some people tend to crack up under pressure. Dental procedures or for that matter, any surgery can be stressful. One should be able to work under stress.