After
getting admission in a dental institute, taking a peace breath is as difficult
as finding water in a desert. No sooner, ‘in a blink of an eye’ for our kits
and kins, we are bidding adieu to our teachers, friends, classmates etc and having
flashbacks of all the cherished memories we made in our 4 years journey of BDS.
Just when we think we can breathe a sigh of relieve, we are bombarded with
thoughts, not to mention, immense pressure from family and friends, of what
next after BDS? In this article, let us look at some of the opportunities that
lie before the dentist.
1.
Pursuing
post graduation in U.S is almost every man’s dream, which, apparently, still
holds as much importance as it did before 9/11 in every dentist’s heart. But is
it worth spending dollars when one can do MDS/MS/PhD in his or her home country
at a much affordable price? To start
with, once you are in States, after completing BDS, you need to pass the National
Board Dental Exam step 1 and 2 in order to start DDS (doctor of dental
surgery), which is a 5 years course and would take up a lot of time and money.
Having done a year of DDS myself, before switching to BDS, the former, in my
opinion, is definitely worth spending dollars for. But only if one can.
Countries like the UK, Canada and Australia luckily has set lenient rules i.e.
a BDS degree combined with a 1 year house job can fetch an admission in these
countries.
2.
Most
dentists in Pakistan opt for Fellowship of the College of Physician and Surgeon
(FCPS) part 1 and 2. It is the most difficult exam, but most excel in it in
their very first attempt. After clearing FCPS part 1, which consists of MCQs in
general subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology etc, one can specialize
in any dentistry related field from institutes recognized by College of
Physician and Surgeon (CPSP). Likewise, there is another option, MCPS (Member
of Physician and Surgeon). College of
Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan is a firm responsible for the registration of
Postgraduate Doctors of Pakistan. It makes rules, enrolls doctors and conducts
exams for the Post graduation in Pakistan. In the long run, one can expect a
handsome income after clearing the exams. More information related to this can
be found on the CPSP website.
3.
Academic
lecturer. This has got to be the most versatile profession. One can be a
demonstrator, a counselor or even join the administrative department in a learning
institute, earn a handsome amount for a salary and, if one is opting for
teaching then it is unlikely for all that knowledge to evaporate over the
years. Rather, it shall be an adding to the learning experience from being in
touch with day to day developments in the field of dentistry.
4.
Government
service. Although this is the toughest exam, Central Superior Services of
Pakistan (CSS) is supposedly one of the best options after graduation. The
examination tests students on diverse courses, which vary in their content and
difficulty level. Once you clear the exam, you are recruited to post in BS-17.
For more information regarding the eligibility criteria and to see the sample
exam papers, you can visit the official website.
5.
Master in
Business Administration. This is currently on the rise. For a dental graduate,
the options in management studies include Hospital Administration, Health Administration, Pharmaceutical Management
and plane MBA specializing
in general fields like Marketing,
Finance, Human Resources, Operations or Systems. It can be pursued as a
full time course or part time, the duration depends on the institute you are
opting for. The duration of the courses varies from 1 year to 2.
6.
Opening your own
clinic. Although this is a very competitive option, it surely keeps one up to date
in practical skills and with a proper clinical set up and a hardworking team, you
can start earning a fortune. However, this does require a lot of patience and
perseverance.
7.
Diploma. Diploma
courses are usually short term courses of one or two years’ duration that
teaches a BDS graduate the basic skills that will definitely enhance the
clinical prospects of the student. At the same time, he/she also learns the
newer techniques of implants, endodontics, orthodontics that is of immense help
in clinical practice.
8.
Research. As the field
of science is progressively advancing, a dental survey or research can prove
advantageous especially if one wishes to study in the West.
9.
Like medical
nanotechnology, you can opt for M Tech in dental
technology. The main aim of this course is to educate and train students
to become part of the dental team for the planning, designing and fabrication
of intra-oral appliances. Dental technology is divided into four main areas,
fixed prosthodontics, complete denture technology, removable denture technology
and orthodontic technology. Of course, to earn a degree in M tech, one need to
do a B. Tech too.
Sometimes, soon after BDS, one may
regret choosing this profession but those grueling four years that one spent becoming
a dentist, cannot be understated and with patience and perseverance, nothing is
impossible.
