Fresh dental graduates in India are facing an ongoing struggle with low salaries despite years of rigorous training and significant financial investment in their education. Many Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduates report earning entry-level pay that barely covers basic living costs, raising concerns about the sustainability of dentistry as a career choice.
In a discussion on MedBound Hub titled “BDS Salary: The Harsh Reality,” by Dr. Nikhitha, BDS, young dentists shared about meager pay in their early careers. The issue reflects a broader challenge in India’s dentistry sector: entry-level wage stagnation despite rising costs and educational investment.
One contributor, Dr. Elizabeth Rajan recounted working under a senior dentist for just ₹7,000 per month, noting that such pay barely matches what unskilled laborers may earn in some regions. Another claimed to know BDS graduates paid ₹12,000 monthly.
These accounts resonate widely among fresh graduates who enter clinics or chains hoping to gain experience, only to find that their professional training does not command a livable wage in many settings. Sadly, many graduates also find that if they take a break to prepare for MDS entrance exams, their prior clinical experience is often overlooked or considered invalid, leaving them at a further disadvantage when re-entering the workforce.
Several structural and systemic factors contribute to this reality:
Oversupply vs demand: India produces more than 25,000 dental graduates annually, while demand for dental jobs remains far lower, creating an imbalance in the profession (Dental Council of India 2023).
Cost of practice infrastructure: Setting up a clinic involves expense on equipment, rent, staff, and supplies, pushing employers to minimize wages for assistants or junior dentists.
Lack of regulatory protection: There is no strong legal minimum salary specific to dental professionals, leading many clinics to offer low pay.
Geographical disparity: Metro cities with higher cost of living demand better pay, but many fresh graduates must accept postings in smaller towns or rural areas with low pay.
Lack of experience and patient trust: Young dentists often lack the referrals, reputation, or patient base to command higher fees.
Low wages in early years affect not only individual well-being but also the dental profession’s sustainability:
Brain drain: Many graduates may seek alternative careers, migrate abroad, or leave dentistry altogether.
Compromised quality: Underpaid staff may lack incentives to remain up-to-date with technologies or best practices.
Access gaps: Rural and underprivileged areas may remain underserved if dentists move away for better pay.
While the problem is deep-rooted, several strategies may help:
Standardization of pay scales across dental chains and hospital systems
Minimum wage enforcement for healthcare professionals
Expanding public dental health programs to generate more employment opportunities for young dentists
Skill diversification in areas such as implants, cosmetic dentistry, and public health dentistry to improve employability and competitiveness in the job market
Without systemic reforms, India risks losing a generation of skilled dental professionals, jeopardizing both the future of dentistry and public oral health in the country.
(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)