India has a structured and extensive dental education that produces skilled dental professionals. Dental courses cover various topics, such as cosmetic dentistry, oral healthcare technology, dental mechanics, and dental hygiene. Dental courses in India are offered at three levels: undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral. Through these courses, aspirants gain both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Colleges offering these programs are administered by the National Dental Commission, which ensures the quality and standardisation of dental education across the country. An aspirant can seek admission to the dental courses offered by the colleges through entrance exams, namely, NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for UG courses) and NEET MDS ( for postgraduate courses).
Top-Ranked Dental Colleges in India By NIRF Rankings
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), established by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and launched in 2015, ranks educational institutions across the country. The following is a list of top-ranked dental colleges in India based on NIRF rankings and their previous year's ranking:
| Colleges Name | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2023 | NIRF 2022 |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| King George`s Medical University | 4 | - | 5 |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| 7 | 6 | 8 | |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| 8 | 10 | 16 | |
| 9 | 9 | 10 | |
| 10 | 7 | 13 | |
| 12 | 11 | 12 | |
| 11 | 8 | 7 | |
| 14 | 12 | 19 | |
| 13 | 16 | 22 | |
| 15 | 15 | 9 | |
| Army College of Dental Sciences | 40 | 33 | - |
| 18 | 31 | 38 | |
| 17 | 18 | 21 |
Eligibility Criteria For Admission to Dental Colleges in India
The National Dental Commission (Dental Council of India) oversees the admission procedure for dental courses given by colleges throughout India. It has also offered a set of eligibility requirements for aspirants seeking admission to dentistry courses in India.
Given below are the eligibility criteria for admission to dental colleges in India:-
- A candidate should be between a minimum of 17 years of age and a maximum of 25 years of age.
- A candidate must have passed class 12th with science in Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics from a recognised board.
- A candidate in the general category must have at least scored 50% marks, and the candidates in the reserved category must have at least scored 45% marks.
- A candidate must have cleared the NEET exam (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test).
Also, check these colleges:-
- Top Physics Colleges in India
- Top Biology Colleges in India
- Top Chemistry Colleges in India
- Top Mathematics Colleges in India
Courses Offered by Dental Colleges of India
Several universities in India provide a variety of dentistry education courses to aspiring students. The entrance process and qualifying requirements for these dental courses differ from one college to another. To help an applicant make an informed decision, the many courses and specialisations provided by some of the leading colleges, along with their cost structures, are listed below.
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
The Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is one of the best institutions, continuously ranking first in the NIRF Rankings. This university provides a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, fellowship, certificate, and diploma programs. Candidates are recommended to visit the official website for more information.
Given below is a list of all the courses offered by the Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, with the course duration and fee structure under the undergraduate and postgraduate programs:-
| Course Name | Duration | Fee Structure/ Year |
| Bachelor of Dental Science | 5 years | 8,60,000 |
| Diploma in Dental Technology | 2 years | 75,000 |
| Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology | 3 years | 75,000 |
| MS (Restorative Dentistry) | 3 years | 6,00,000 |
| M.Sc CAD CAM | 2 years | 50,000 |
| MDS - Prosthodontics | 3 years | 16,50,000 |
| MDS - Orthodontics | 3 years | 16,50,000 |
| MDS - Periodontics | 3 years | 12,00,000 |
| MDS - Oral Pathology | 3 years | 3,00,000 |
| MDS - Oral Medicine | 3 years | 8,00,000 |
| MDS - Oral Surgery | 3 years | 16,50,000 |
| MDS - Public Health | Per Year Full Time | 5,00,000 |
| MDS - Pedodontics | 3 years | 15,50,000 |
| MDS - Endodontics | 3 years | 16,50,000 |
| M.Sc. in Dental Technology | 2 years | 50,000 |
| MS (Implantology) | 2 years | 10,00,000 |
| MS Oral Biology | 3 years | 2,00,000 |
| M.Sc. Molecular Medicine | 2 years | 1,00,000 |
| M.Sc Forensic Odontology | 2 years | 75,000 |
| M.Sc Oral Biology | 2 years | 75,000 |
Also, check these colleges:-
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, founded in 1965, was formerly known as the College of Dental Surgery. It was the first private-sector college in India. The institute offers various courses in undergraduate, postgraduate, short-term courses, diploma and postgraduate certificate courses.
Given below is the list of all the courses offered by the Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, under the undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with their course duration as follows:-
| Course Name | Course Duration |
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | 5 years |
| MDS Public Health Dentistry | 3 years |
| MDS Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics | 3 years |
| MDS Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge | 3 years |
| MDS Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology | 3 years |
| MDS Periodontology | 3 years |
| MDS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 3 years |
| MDS Periodontology | 3 years |
| MDS Oral Medicine and Radiology | 3 years |
| MDS Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry | 3 years |
| MDS Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics | 3 years |
King George`s Medical University
The King George’s Medical University of Lucknow was established in 1911. The Dental Faculty of King George’s Medical University was established in a separate section of the Department of Surgery in 1949. The institute offers courses in seven departments. The institute offers various courses under the undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma programs.
Given below is the list of all courses offered by King George’s Medical University under the undergraduate and postgraduate programs with their course duration:-
| Course Name | Duration |
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery | 5 years |
| Master of Dental Surgery in Pedodontics | 3 years |
| Master of Dental Surgery in Prosthodontics | 3 years |
| Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics | 3 years |
| Master of Dental Surgery in Periodontics | 3 years |
| Master of Dental Surgery in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics | 3 years |
| Master of Dental Surgery in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 3 years |
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences was inaugurated in 1961 by Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It began as a small department of dentistry under Maulana Azad Medical College. Ranked 3rd in the NIRF Rankings, the institute offers various courses under the undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Given below is the list of all the courses offered by the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences under the undergraduate and postgraduate programs:-
| Course Name | Duration |
| Bachelor of Dental Science | 5 years |
| MDS in Prosthodontics, Crown and Bridge | 3 years |
| MDS in Public Health Dentistry | 3 years |
| MDS in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics | 3 years |
| MDS in Oral Medicine and Radiology | 3 years |
| MDS in Orthodontics and Dental Facial Orthopaedics | 3 years |
| MDS in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry | 3 years |
| MDS in Periodontology | 3 years |
| MDS in Oral and maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbilogy | 3 years |
| MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 3 years |
A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences was established in 1985 and is recognised by the Malaysian Dental Council and the Dental Council of India. Ranked 6th by the National Institute of Ranking Framework, this institute offers undergraduate, postgraduate and fellowship programs.
Given below is the list of all the courses offered by the A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences under undergraduate and postgraduate programs:-
| Course Name | Duration |
| 5 years | |
| 3 years | |
| 3 years | |
| MDS in Periodontology | 3 years |
| MDS in Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology & Oral Microbiology | 3 years |
| MDS in Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry | 3 years |
| MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 3 years |
| MDS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics | 3 years |
| 3 years |
Also, check these colleges:-
- Top M.D.S. Colleges in India
- Top Orthodontics Colleges in India
- Top Dental Colleges in India
- Top Orthopaedics Colleges in India
- Top Oral Surgery Colleges in India
- Top Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry Colleges in India
- Top Paediatrics and Child Health Colleges in India
- Top Oral Pathology Colleges in India
- Top Microbiology Colleges in India
- Top Periodontics Colleges in India
- Top M.Sc Colleges in India
Also, check these articles:-
- AP Intermediate Result 2025 Declared: Check Top Colleges for Arts, Commerce and Science Students
- Top-Ranked Agriculture Colleges in India by NIRF Rankings: Check Entrance Exam and Eligibility Criteria
- Best Colleges for Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in India: Check Eligibility Criteria and Top Careers
- Top Career Choices after Completing Arts Stream in India: Check Leading Colleges to Study Arts
- List of Colleges Accepting NATA Scores 2025: Check Latest Updates, Seat Intake and Eligibility Criteria
- List of AIIMS Campuses offering BSc Nursing Course: Check Seats and Eligibility
- List of NIFT Campuses in India 2025: Check Fashion and Design Courses Offered
- XLRI Placements 2025 for PGDM BM, HRM Batch: Check Packages, Top Recruiters and Key Highlights
- List of Updated Participating Universities in CUET UG 2025: Check List of Central, State, Private, Deemed and Other Universities
- Want to pursue a career like Sunita Williams? Check Best Colleges and Courses to Become an Astronaut
- Admissions Open for National Forensic Sciences University 2025-26 at nfsu.ac.in Check: Eligibility Criteria and the Programs offered
- Delhi University Colleges Accepting CUET UG 2025 Scores: Check College List, Courses Offered and Eligibility Criteria
- List of Participating Universities in TANCET 2025 for Admission to MCA
- Colleges Accepting TANCET Score Between 80 to 90 Percentile: Check Top List of Colleges