Master of Dental Science (MDS) in Oral Pathology Colleges, Syllabus and Scope

MDS in Oral Pathology is a postgraduate course involving different disciplines of dentistry. Candidates aspiring for admission to the course need to have a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Sciences from a recognized university in order to be eligible for this course. MDS in Oral Pathology & Microbiology is the science of dentistry that explores on an advanced level, the nature, characteristics, cause, effects and diagnoses of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions and study of the immune system, facilitating appropriate treatment of the same. The course aims to provide competence to students in dealing with the nature of oral diseases, their causes and effects.

M.D.S is a 3- year program consisting of almost nine specialty disciplines. The course follows an annual system. The mode of admission is a relevant entrance examination conducted at the State, university, or national level.

The annual fees charged in India for the course varies between private and government institutes. However, on an average, the fees for the entire course ranges between INR 10 and 25 Lacs.

MDS Colleges In Karnataka

MDS Colleges In Tamil Nadu

MDS Colleges In Uttar Pradesh

MDS Colleges In Maharashtra

Successful postgraduates of this career- oriented course, can find lucrative employment opportunities in dental departments of hospitals, dental clinics, research centers, and educational institutions in capacities such as Dentists, Dental Researchers, Dental Teachers etc.

Fresh postgraduates of the course in India are offered an average annual salary ranging between INR 3 and 10 Lacs, increasing with experience.

MDS in Oral Pathology: Course Highlights

Tabulated below are some of the major highlights of the course.

MDS in Oral Pathology: Course Objectives

Listed below are some of the major course objectives.

• To provide a globally relevant education exposure to the latest developments in contemporary healthcare and the health and fitness industry
• To provide exposure to world- class simulation technologies.

MDS in Oral Pathology: What is it About?

Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and pathology that involves the nature, identification, and management of diseases, investigation of their causes, processes and effects by means of research, diagnoses using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical or other examinations.

Oral Microbiology involves the study of a range of micro-organisms, their colonization and virulence factors, and of their interactions between each other and host cells, especially in development of microbial communities. The course covers the mechanisms by which micro-organisms cause diseases, and how microbes colonize and live in harmony with the host. Research involved in the discipline is closely linked with the study of the structure and function of the oral mucosa, and of the secretory immune responses. The study of Oral Microbiology promotes an understanding of the way microbes influence oral health and oral health-care delivery.

The program offers training in clinical and laboratory- based Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology with students getting trained in the mechanism of oral diseases and oral manifestation of systemic diseases, advanced diagnostic techniques, and getting to participate in non-surgical and surgical treatments of oral diseases with elaborate lectures, seminars and presentations.

The covers intricately related disciplines such as Periodontology, Prosthodontics and Crown, Oral Pathology & Microbiology etc. Candidates with a BDS degree from an institute recognized by the Dental Council of India along with permanent registration with any of the State Dental Councils are eligible to take admission to the program.

Top Institutes Offering MD in Oral Pathology

Listed below are some of the best institutes in India that offer MD in Oral Pathology:

Eligibility for MD in Oral Pathology

Admission to the program is based on general academic achievement determined from a recognized degree of BDS awarded by an Indian university from a recognized dental college or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Dental Council of India possessing permanent registration with a State Dental Council.

For assessment and admission, DSI evaluates candidates by their performance in the tests conducted by the State Government or by Comed-K, as basic measures of academic merit.

For Dental Postgraduate Program {MDS}

• Candidates seeking admission to postgraduate- level courses in Dentistry are needed to possess a BDS degree from a university recognized by the DCI.
• Additionally, they are needed to have completed a 1- year compulsory rotating internship or complete it before April 30 of the relevant academic year for appearing in AICET.
• Aspiring candidates need to have obtained permanent registration with the DCI or any of the State councils. If a candidate does not possess such registration, he/ she is expected to obtain the same within one month from the date of admission.
• Candidates who were previously admitted to a PG degree course and resigned/ left the seat are not eligible for appearing for the AICET.
• Candidates need to score a minimum aggregate score of 50% in the AICET.
• General Category: Indian nationals are eligible for admission under the General category.
• Foreign/ NRI Category: Foreign nationals with OCI/ PIO cards, and NRI or Indian nationals supported by NRI relatives are eligible for admissions under the Foreign/ NRI category. 

Scholarships for pursuing the course are offered based on the aggregate score attained in the entrance exam.

MD in Oral Pathology: Admission Process

The admission is purely based on merit obtained in the common entrance examination conducted by institutes offering the course- both MS and MDS programs. Candidates qualifying the written examination are called for rounds of counselling and interview. 

Admissions are based on the candidate’s performance in the NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test).

Some of the popular entrance exams conducted in India for MDS are as follows:

• All India Post Graduate Dental Entrance Exam (AIPGDEE)
• Kerala University MDS Entrance Exam
• Manipal University MDS Entrance Exam
• Dr. D.Y. Patil All India Common Entrance Test (AICET)
• Bharti Vidyapeeth Dental College and Hospital MDS Entrance Exam

These entrance exams include 200 multiple choice questions to be attempted in 2.5 to 3 hours, with the paper carrying of 200 marks.

MD in Oral Pathology: Career Prospects

Oral Pathologists traditionally work in laboratory settings, or in private practices. Their career options are typically restricted to four categories:

• Working with privately funded laboratories
• Working in academia as instructors
• Opening a private practice
• Working with federally funded organizations, such as the CDC, EPA, FDA, and other medical organizations.

Listed here are the areas offering lucrative employment opportunities to successful postgraduates of the course.

• Biomedical Companies
• Laboratories operators
• Federal or State Agencies
• Clinics and Hospitals
• Health Sciences Agencies
• Teaching profession
• University and Hospital Research Labs
• Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies

Postgraduates interested in higher studies in the discipline may go for pursuing Ph. D in the subject, or for undertaking research in the discipline.

Such postgraduates are hired in capacities such as Ceramists, Medical Representatives, Oral Pathologists, Private Practitioners, Professors, Public Health Specialists, Sales Representatives, Consultants, Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Dental Lab Technicians, Dental Surgeons, Forensic Experts.

Listed here are some of the popular job positions offered to successful postgraduates of the discipline with the corresponding job descriptions and salaries offered.

MD in Oral Pathology: Syllabus and Course Description

The course structure includes:

• Formative and summative assessments 
• Sessional exams, discussions, journal club and clinical case presentations.
• Theory exams, clinical case discussion, restorations, endodontic procedure and viva voce.
• Seminars and workshops
• Practice of endodontics.

Enrolled candidates are exposed to extensive training in the specialty which includes seminars, journal review meetings, symposia, conferences, case presentation, pre-clinical exercises, clinics and didactic lectures during each year as designed by the department and university. The training program also includes research activity.

Each student is assessed periodically by the concerned department and progress is evaluated. The university examination is conducted at the end of three years after the candidate fulfils the criteria laid down by the university, which includes the required attendance, progress of the candidate during the three years and submission of dissertation. Examination is conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.

After undergoing the program, enrolled students would be able to:

1. Record a comprehensive case history.
2. Perform biopsy and appropriate investigative procedures.
3. Employ appropriate imaging techniques to aid in diagnosis.
4. Administer appropriate therapies for oral mucosal lesions
5. Manage information, develop technical reports and make presentations

A paper- wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is given here:

Course components in detail:

• Biostatistics and Research Methodology:
• Applied Gross Anatomy of Head and Neck Including Histology:
• Physiology (General and Oral):
• Cell Biology
• General Histology
• Biochemistry
• General Pathology
• Basic Immunology
• Systemic Microbiology/Applied Microbiology
• Oral Biology (Oral and Dental Histology
• Basic Molecular Biology and Techniques 
• Basic Histo-Techniques and Microscopy
• Oral Pathology
• Clinical Pathology
• Specialized Histo-Techniques and Special Stains
• Recording of Case History and Clinico-Pathological Discussions:
• Dermatology
• Oral Oncology
• Oral Microbiology and Immunology
• Forensic Odontology
• Laboratory Techniques and Diagnosis
• Other Topics in Oral Pathology
• Experimental Aspects of Oral Diseases
• Recent Advances in Oral Pathology
• Non-neoplastic disorders of salivary glands.
• Bone pathology.
• Physical and chemical injuries, allergic and Immunological diseases.
• Cysts of odontogenic origin.
• Oral manifestations of systemic diseases.

As per Dental Council of India guidelines, the minimum percentile of marks for eligibility for admission to postgraduate dental courses shall be 50% percentile for General Category candidates, 45% percentile for Person with Disability (PwD) and 40% percentile for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/ Backward Classes (BC).

The admission to MDS course shall be open to candidates who have qualified NEET MDS.