Dentists preserve individuals' oral health and enable them to lead a life free from dental ailments. India boasts a substantial count of dentists, with around 2.7 lakh registered practitioners under the Dental Council of India. While the number of dentists employed by the government is just 2.7%, it is still a lucrative career choice despite the competition.
Dentists are employed in both the public and private sectors with various job profiles and varying levels of pay. A dentist working in AIIMS earns 60% more than other dentists in India. A fresher dentist is paid up to INR 36,900 per month and a senior-level dentist can earn a monthly salary of INR 1.17 lakhs. A government dentist with experience and demonstrated skills can easily earn a lucrative salary across various specialisations.
Read:
The sections below will discuss the various job opportunities for dentists across government sectors and hospitals along with their Average Salaries for various specialisations and types.
Who are Dentists
Dentists are trained healthcare professionals who work on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions related to the oral cavity and surrounding areas. They have to undergo extensive education and training to become licensed practitioners. They provide a range of dental services and play a crucial role in maintaining overall health.
Dentists can be of different types based on their specialisations. Common dentists include general dentists, who provide primary oral health services. Specialised dentists include endodontist, who works on the pulp and root canals, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who perform surgical procedures and corrective surgeries and many others, each addressing specific oral concerns.
Jobs for Dentists
The basic job of a dentist is to diagnose, treat and prevent oral health issues in patients. The other jobs and responsibilities that come under dentistry depend on their specialisation. An orthodontist specialises in teeth and jaw alignment issues while an OMS perform surgical procedures and handles complex extractions.
Tabulated below is the job description of dentists across government hospitals along with their average salaries for each specialisation.
| Dentist Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| General Dentist | Diagnose, treat and manage overall oral health and basic dental conditions. | 6.90 L |
| Orthodontist | Specialise in teeth and jaw alignment issues. | 12 L |
| Periodontist | Diagnose, treat and prevent gum diseases. | 8.10 L |
| Endodontist | Deals with the internal structure of teeth, primarily the pulp and root canals. | 12.50 L |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | Perform surgical procedures, oral surgeries and handle complex extractions. | 7.30 L |
| Prosthodontist | Specialise in the restoration or replacement of missing or damaged teeth. | 9.90 L |
| Pediatric Dentist | Cater to children’s oral health needs, from infancy through adolescence. | 7.60 L |
| Oral Pathologist | Diagnose and study diseases affecting the mouth and surrounding structures. | 9 L |
| Public Health Dentist | Work to improve oral health on a community level. | 9.80 L |
| Cosmetic Dentist | Focus on enhancing the aesthetic appearance of teeth and surrounding structures. | 10 L |
Govt Jobs for Dentists
Through roles in different government settings, dentists promote oral health, deliver essential dental care and ensure access to dental services for diverse communities. Government jobs are also an attractive option because of their stability, job security and retirement plans.
Some of the top govt jobs for dentists across various parameters along with their average salaries are discussed below.
Experience Wise
The experience-wise salary of dentists employed across various government hospitals is mentioned in the table below.
| Experience Years | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| 1 - 5 years | 3.20 L |
| 6 - 10 years | 4 L |
| 10 years and above | 5.50 L |
Qualification Wise
Tabulated below is the qualification-wise salary of dentists across government hospitals.
| Qualification | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| BDS | 4.10 L |
| MDS | 5 L |
| Doctorate | 5 L - 20 L |
City Wise
Dentists can find varying salaries in different cities in India. The table below highlights some of the top cities with good pay for dentists.
| City | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 8.30 L |
| Mumbai | 14.10 L |
| Hyderabad | 7.50 L |
| Kolkata | 7.50 L |
| Bangalore | 7.40 L |
| Indore | 5 L |
| Pune | 8 L |
| Chennai | 6.50 L |
Sector Wise
Dentists are employed across both private and public sectors in various hospitals and research centres. The sector-wise salary of dentists is tabulated below.
| Sector | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Public Healthcare System | 8.90 L |
| Private Healthcare System | 7.10 L |
Govt Dentist Jobs
The minimum qualification required to become a dentist is BDS after candidates qualify NEET entrance exam that needs to be cleared to pursue dental courses. Some of the top govt jobs for dentists along with their average salaries are tabulated below.
| Job | Offering Institute | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Junior/Senior Resident | Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences | 56,100 - 1.77 L |
| SRF | PGIMER | As per ICMR rules |
| Dentist | Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd | - |
| Scientist B | JIPMER | 56,000 |
| Junior Resident | Lady Harding Medical College | 56,100 - 1.77 L |
| Junior/Senior Consultant | National Health Mission Assam | 60,000 - 1.20 L (Junior Consultant) 90,000 - 1.50 L (Senior Consultant) |
| Consultant - Surveillance | National Health Systems Resource Centre | 60,000 - 1.20 L |
| Senior Research Officer | National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences | 44,500 |
Top Recruiters
Some of the top government hospitals and agencies that hire dentists across various specialisation are tabulated below.
| Name of the Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| Indian Armed Forces | Across the country |
| National Rural Health Mission | Across the country |
| Employment State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) | New Delhi |
| AIIMS Delhi | New Delhi |
| PGIMER | Chandigarh |
| JIPMER | Pondicherry |
| SGPGIMS | Lucknow |
Govt Jobs for Dentists: FAQs
Ques. Can a BDS student get a govt job?
Ans. Yes, there are various opportunities for BDS students in the government sector with competitive salaries.
Ques. Which is the highest-paying job in BDS?
Ans. Dental surgery is considered to be the highest-paying job in BDS.
Ques. Can a BDS graduate become a medical officer?
Ans. There are various government recruitment processes that BDS graduates can appear in to become medical officers.
Ques. Which is the best branch in BDS?
Ans. Prosthodontics, periodontics, maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics are some of the best branches in BDS.
Ques. What is the salary of a dentist at AIIMS?
Ans. A resident dentist in AIIMS can earn between INR 10.8 - 13.2 LPA.
Ques. What qualifications are required to apply for government dentist jobs?
Ans. The minimum educational requirement to apply for dentist jobs in government hospitals is BDS. The qualifications can vary depending upon the specialisations and the dentist’s roles.
Ques. Name some top government institutes that hire dentists.
Ans. AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER, JIPMER, Lady Harding Medical College and SGPGIMS are some of India's top government institutes hiring dentists.
Ques. How much can a general dentist earn in government institutes?
Ans. The average salary of a general dentist in government institutes is INR 3.9 LPA.
Ques. What is the salary of a dental surgeon in Indian railways?
Ans. A dental surgeon can earn between INR 1.3 - 12 LPA in India.
Ques. Do dentists have scope in the government sector in future?
Ans. Dentists have continued an evolving scope in the government sector in India, including roles in public health and dental care, research and teaching.


![All India Institute of Medical Sciences - [AIIMS]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/1507714139ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=stretch)
![Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research - [PGIMER]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/10842_MEDICAL_NEW.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=stretch)
![Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth - [DPU]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/25698_1464176959DPU-Buillding.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=stretch)
![Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences - [SIMATS]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/25898_SU_NEW.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=stretch)
![Institute of Medical Sciences - [IMS BHU]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/10559_IMSV_APP1.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=stretch)




Comments