WHAT'S NEXT AFTER BDS IN PAKISTAN

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.