Dental Entrance exams are generally held in April or May month. The minimum age required to appear for BDS entrance test is 17 years and the maximum age should not be over 25 years. Clearing 12th standard or equivalent with minimum 50% is a must. Physics, chemistry and biology must be included in the subjects studied. There is a relaxation in the score required for SC/ST candidates i.e. minimum 40%. 

List of Dental Entrance Exams

• PIMS - Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences
• MGDCH JET - Mahatma Gandhi Dental College and Hospital - Joint Entrance Test
• Delhi University Medical/Dental Entrance Test (DUMET)
• AIPMT - All India Pre-Medical / Pre-Dental Entrance Examination
• MP DMAT - All India Dental & Medical Admission Test - Madhya Pradesh
• Dr.D.Y.Patil Institute All India Common Entrance Test for MBBS and BDS
• MH PGMPGDCET - Maharashtra Post Graduate Medical, Postgraduate Dental Entrance Exam
• COMEDK PGET - Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka Post Graduate Entrance Test
• University All India Common Entrance Vinayaka Missions Examination AICEE
• Uttar Pradesh Common Admission Test - UPCAT Entrance Exam
• KEAM - Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical Entrance Exam
• Haryana Pre Medical Entrance Test - Haryana PMT

These are some of the major Dental entrance tests. Admission to Dental Programme is usually on the basis of the score secured for the entrance examination. All the entrance exams will be conducted on different dates announced by the respective colleges. There are quite a good number of colleges in different states of India which intake admissions for Dental Programme on the basis of the entrance exam conducted at the respective state. All India entrance exams will have test centres in all the major tier 1 and 2 cities. Majority of the candidates aspiring to be dentist appear for this test.

There are broad career opportunities present in the field of dentistry. Aspirants can find employment in private sectors like nursing homes, hospitals and clinics. They can also work in Government sectors like Forensic Departments, Army Dental Corps and pharmaceuticals companies etc, which produce dental and oral care products. A candidate can work as a Dental Hygienist, Dental Assistant or as a Dental consultant. Another option is the self-employment by which one can start their own clinic and become a private practitioner. Candidates interested in teaching can also find jobs as a Professor or an Associate Professor in Dental Colleges.