Dental Surgery Bachelor (BDS)

Course Details :   

Year 1

Consists of the introductory courses of the BDS program. Teaching and learning during the first year consists of Human Anatomy, Physiology, Bio-chemistry and Dental Anatomy, organized into 18 integrated modules taught during two semesters. Student assessments in the form of written papers (consisting of both multiple choice questions and free response questions) and practical tests (OSPE's) take place at the end of each semester. Results are reported as a Grade Point Average, and a GPA of 2 is required to pass.

Year 2

Pathology, Micro-biology, Pharmacology, Medicine and Surgery are subjects taught during the second year. Teaching is discipline based and so are student assessments, (consisting of written papers, practical and viva voce' components), which are carried out at the end of the year. Grading of students is based on the percentage marks scored, and requires a **% to pass.

Year 3 & 4

Clinical training in the specialty based clinics of Community Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Prosthetic Dentistry, Oral surgery, Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Paedodontics and Orthodontics, in small groups of students begins at this time. These clinical components rely heavily on the Dental (Teaching) Hospital for patients and other clinical services for teaching. Theory teaching consists of lectures, organised in integrated course units. The clinical and theoretical teaching in all subjects except Community Dentistry, continues through the 4 th year as well.

The Final BDS part I examination is held at the end of the third year. This examination assesses student competence in Community dentistry, and basic aspects of restorative dentistry and prosthetic dentistry. Final BDS part II examination is conducted at the end of the 4 th year. The final result is a composite of both these examinations. The examination format consists of written exams consisting of Essay and SAQ's, OSCE and Viva voce components. In-course assessments contribute a high 25-30% marks towards the final result. Student grading is based on percentage marks scored, and the candidates have the opportunity of being referred in some subjects, which may be offered separately at subsequent exams.

Curriculum Revision.

The faculty is currently going through a major curriculum revision. The aim of the revision is to develop a curriculum in which the teaching in all clinical disciplines would be integrated. The structure would be course units, and will be semester based. The new curriculum will also provide greater opportunity for students to gain clinical experience of a more integrated and holistic nature. The areas of training which will be improved in the new curriculum are:

• managing medical emergencies,

• communication skills,

• skills needed in setting up and managing a general dental clinic,

• performing some clinical dental procedures which are preferred by patients seeking treatment in the private sector.

Features of the new curriculum.

The duration of the new program will be five academic years.