BDS to MBBS Bridge Course: Eligibility, Duration, Admission, Best Universities
Wondering about the details of a BDS to MBBS Bridge Course? All important information including the eligibility, admission process, course duration etc. of a BDS to MBBS Bridge Course has been discussed below for reference.
BDS to MBBS Bridge Course is the academic shift from one programme to another in medical field. There are instances where applicants might feel the need to change from BDS to MBBS degree due to several reasons. Although there has been discussion between the official authorities for several years now, no official statement has been released yet. The National Medical Commission (NMC), which has recently replaced Medical Council Committee (MCC), did not approve of any BDS to MBBS Bridge course yet. Originally, the idea was introduced to cater the shortage of medical professionals in tough or demanding times.
It is important for the applicants to have a clarity regarding the topic of BDS to MBBS bridge course. Any students belonging to BDS degree, if wishes to continue their study in MBBS, have to clear the regular exam which is NEET 2026 Exam. All the regular admission process will be followed in case of students wishing to switch their discipline from BDS to MBBS. The following article highlights all the important details and latest information regarding BDS to MBBS Bridge Course eligibility criteria, admission procedures, best universities, etc. for all interested students to refer to.
What is the BDS to MBBS Bridge Course?
A bridge course is an academic degree designed for students who wish to transition from one medical field of study to another. As of now, no official annoucement has been made on the introduction of a BDS to MBBS bridge course. Any kind of misinformation regarding this topic can lead to further confusion among the young students. Several proposals were made regarding the BDS to MBBS Brdige course which includes
An eligible students to impart knowledge about the field in less time, by focusing on skill development and practical performances.
Allows Dental Science students to practice in the field as general physicians across various government and private hospitals, clinics, and organizations.
The course duration of BDS to MBBS bridge courses proves to be more convenient for students who aim to pursue a career in the field as soon as possible.
BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Duration
The Dental Council of India had proposed the idea of BDS to MBBS Bridge Course in 2016 with a two-fold objective. The course duration of BDS to MBBS Bridge Course was suggested to be 3 years because students transferring from BDS to MBBS Bridge Course were considered already well-informed about the fundamentals of the medical field of study after their BDS degree. Therefore, instead of dealing with a full-time 5.5-year MBBS degree, BDS graduates could complete their BDS to MBBS Bridge Course within 3 years after graduation. Moreover, all those who successfully complete this course are required to mandatorily serve as medical professionals in rural areas across the country for 3 years in total. Thus, the factors influencing the BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Duration of 3 years are as follows:
- BDS graduates who are seeking employment opportunities in the medical healthcare industry urgently will be able to do so within less time in comparison to regular MBBS graduates.
- BDS to MBBS Bridge Courses act as a gateway of opportunities for HDS students who wish to change their field of study for a bright career prospect in future.
- Oftentimes, it poses a challenge to meet the increased demand for medical professionals in the field of Medicine and Surgery due to the number of limited working staff. Thus, to tackle this problem, BDS graduates who have qualified the BDS to MBBS Bridge Courses come into play to cater to the needs of the patients in such cases and other important situations.
BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for admission into the BDS to MBBS Bridge Course, students are required to meet the following criteria for qualification. The list of BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Eligibility Criteria has been laid down by the Dental Council of India, which was later approved and made to be practised. They are as follows:
- All students interested in applying for a BDS to MBBS Bridge Course must have successfully completed their BDS degrees from a recognized institute.
- All students must possess a valid medical registration with the Dental Council of India (DCI) to be eligible for BDS to MBBS Bridge Course.
- While there have been no solid instructions regarding the same, in some cases a mandatory clinical experience in dentistry may be required as per the individual requirements of a particular institution.
- Some universities may conduct an entrance exam for the admission process into a BDS to MBBS Bridge Course while others may offer admissions based on the marks secured by the students in their BDS degree.
- The eligibility of a student will be tested based on the combined scores secured in the entrance examination and the marks obtained in BDS graduation.
- The course curriculum of the BDS to MBBS Bridge Course is likely to be based on the syllabus of MBBS degree.
BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Admission Process
The important points to remember while applying for BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Admission are as follows:
- All students are required to secure a minimum of 50-55% marks in aggregate in their BDS degree for the BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Admission Process.
- All students must qualify the entrance exam for BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Admission which is conducted based on the combined syllabus of BDS and MBBS courses.
How to Switch from BDS to MBBS?
Mentioned below are a few important instructions to follow in order to switch from BDS to MBBS course:
- Students must be well-informed about the latest updates on changes introduced by the MCI or the NMC on important rules and regulations for BDS to MBBS Bridge Course.
- Students must focus on BDS to MBBS Bridge Course entrance exam preparations and avoid opting for a gap year to secure a better score at admission confirmation.
- All students must complete the BDS Course mandatory internships to successfully seek admission into the bridge course.
- Students must apply for a Dental Council of India (DCI) registration before applying for BDS to MBBS Bridge Course.
BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Syllabus
The list of subjects included in the BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Syllabus is given below for an example:
- Histology
- Bio-Chemistry
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Oral Medicine
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Forensic Dentistry
- Neurology
- Paediatrics
- General Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Best Universities for BDS to MBBS Bridge Course
Some of the best universities offering BDS to MBBS Bridge Courses to all eligible students are listed below for reference:
Name of the College | BDS to MBBS Bridge Course Fee (Average) |
AIIMS Delhi | INR 5,000 |
JIPMER Puducherry | INR 6,000 |
CMC Vellore | INR 17,000 |
King George’s Medical University, Lucknow | INR 22,000 |
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune | INR 21,000 |
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal | INR 17,000 |
Madras Medical College, Chennai | INR 16,000 |
Difference Between BDS and MBBS Course
To understand the significance of the BDS to MBBS Bridge Course, it is important that students learn the fundamental differences between BDS and MBBS Course for a better analysis. The difference between BDS and MBBS Course has been provided below in the table for all interested students to glance through:
Particulars | BDS Course | MBBS Course |
Course Level | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Duration of the Course | 5.5 years (5-year course + 6 months mandatory internship) | 5 years (4-year course + 1 year mandatory internship) |
Course Fee | INR 16,500 to INR 23 LPA | INR 10,000 to INR 25 LPA |
Eligibility Criteria |
|
|
Admission Process | Entrance Exam Qualification | Entrance Exam Qualification |
Colleges Offering Admission | KGMU, SRIHER, SRM Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, etc. | AIIMS Institutes, JIPMER, KGMU, CMC Vellore, etc. |
Job Opportunities | Dentists, Dental officers in Defense Services, Lecturers, Researchers, etc. | Doctors, Surgeons, Medical Officers, Paediatricians, General Physicians, etc. |
Average Salary | INR 3 LPA - INR 9 LPA | INR 3 LPA - INR 15 LPA |
Top Recruiters | Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Educational Institutes, Dental Product Manufacturers etc. | Medanta Hospitals, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Fortis Healthcare Ltd, Wockhardt Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, etc. |
BDS To MBBS Bridge Course Job Opportunities
There are many job opportunities offered to students who have successfully completed their BDS to MBBS Bridge Course. They are listed below in this table:
Job Profiles | Role Description |
General Physician | Treat multiple medical conditions in hospitals, clinics and private practices. |
Medical Officer | Overlooking the medical practices across Government and Private hospitals, clinics and other healthcare sectors |
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) | Assisting in managing and supervising medical staff of Government and Private hospitals, clinics, etc. |
Emergency Medicine Practitioner | Responsibilities at emergency departments, handling critical cases and trauma patients. |
Primary Healthcare Practitioner | Assisting in preventive care, health promotion, and offering essential medical services to communities. |
Medical Research | Researcher in the medical field, contributing to advancements in healthcare and medical knowledge. |
To conclude, a BDS to MBBS Bridge Course is a good option for BDS students who wish to pursue a career in the field of medicine and surgery post their graduation. The following allows students to seek lucrative job opportunities in the field, allowing them to explore and expand their knowledge across the vast discipline of medical sciences.