To practice as a dentist one must need at least a Bachelor's degree in Dental Science (BDS). There is no specialisation at the bachelor level. If you want your career to grow, then you will have to be a specialist with a Masters (MDS) degree.

The main specialization areas of Dentistry are Orthodontics which deals with straightening and aligning teeth and jaws; Periodontics which specializes in the care of gums and the diseases that might afflict them; Operative Dentistry or Endodontics for root canal jobs, fillings and cosmetic surgery; Prosthodontics which involves the making of artificial teeth; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery which deals specifically with operations on the mouth and jaw, Pediatric Dentistry for treating children and Oral Pathology which provides the diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth.

Eligibility : Candidates who have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with at least 50% marks are eligible for admission in the Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) course.

Selection :Admission to graduate courses in dentistry is through a general, nationwide competitive examination. The All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Exam conducted by the CBSE is common for both the MBBS and the Bachelor of Dental Sciences (BDS) . The allocation of institutions is based on merit. Other than the centrally run medical institutions there is at least one dental college in most states, where admission is governed by domiciliary status. A merit waiting list up to a number of 1 to 2000 is made on the base of marks obtained in the Exam. The candidates are assigned their merit list and choice. There are also private colleges which under the management quota admit students on an all India basis. But to be eligible for practice, one must ensure that the course chosen is approved by the Dental Council of India. 
Contact Address: 
Dental Council of India
Aiwan-E-Galib Marg, Kotla Road, Temple Lane, New Delhi – 110002
Phone : 91-11-23238542, 91-11-23236740
Fax: 91-11-23231252
E-mail : Contact 1 , Contact 2
Website: http://www.dciindia.org/

Duration : The BDS (Bachelor of Dental Science) degree programme is a 4 years course divided into 4 parts each of 1 years duration, followed by one year of rotating internship. Subjects such as basic anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and microbiology are covered in the first two years. Specialization in dentistry and hands on training are provided in the last two semesters. Those who have completed the BDS should be registered to practice dentistry by the Dental Council of India. An MDS (Masters in Dental Science) requires two years of additional training. The annual fees may range from 1 to 3 lakhs and the private institutions under management quota may charge 5 to 10 lakhs as capitation fee.

Personal Skills : Today Dentists must have an artistic sense besides scientific knowledge. He is the scientist dedicated to the highest standards of health through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of all oral diseases and conditions. He must have an artist's esthetic sense as well to realign an entire jaw or to brighten one tooth, to help patients look their best. It is a very hard working profession that requires craftsmanship and skill as much as theoretical knowledge. The foremost attribute required for a good dentist is patience, stamina to work hard for long periods, good health, power of concentration, manual dexterity and accuracy. Besides these they must have a keen eye for detail, ability to memorise and recall scientific facts, comprehensive medical understanding, cool temperament and strong interpersonal skills. The best dentists are skillful communicators and their analytical and logical reasoning skill should be above average.