Dental surgery/Dentistry is the only specialty of Medicine which has carved out its own niche, hence candidates begin to specialize in the orofacial region from undergraduate, studying Medicine alongside (together with Medicine students from first to fifth year, then focusing in maxillofacial region in sixth year), in Colleges of Medicine in various Universities. It has been described as the Most strenuous course owing to its dual natured training (Medicine and Dental surgery). At the end they graduate as Doctors and Dental surgeons with a Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS).

Many are yet unaware of the demands and intricacies of this course, including some newly admitted dental surgery students. Some think dentists are all about the teeth alone whereas others confuse them with other paramedics or dental auxiliaries (like dental technologists, dental therapists, dental nurses or assistants etc) who are trained in Schools of dental technology, hence the need for this enlightenment.

This enlightenment is for both dental surgery students and the general public or aspirants.

-First year: This is called Pre-Med, as candidates are yet to begin core medical courses. They do basic biological and Physical sciences (Physics, chemistry, Biology, Zoology etc etc). Same courses as Medicine Students.

This post will be centered on the Medical Courses (second to sixth year).

-Second- Third year:

*2nd BDS part A courses:
Oral Biology (Oral Anatomy and Oral Physiology).

*2nd BDS part B/2ndMBBS courses: Anatomy (Gross Anatomy, Embryology, Histology), Physiology, Medical Biochemistry.



By the second year, they write their 2nd BDS part A and by the 3rd year they write the 2nd MBBS exam (also called BDS part B) together with Medicine students.

-4th year courses:
*3rd BDS part A/3rd MBBS courses:
.Pharmacology and Therapeutics
. Pathology (Medical Microbiology, Chemical pathology, Hematology, Morbid Anatomy).

At the end they write the 3rd BDS part A/3rd MBBS together with the Medicine students.

*3rd BDS part B courses are as follows:
.Operative techniques
. Prosthetic techniques
. Science of Dental Materials

-5th year:

*They start short postings and lectures in the following Medical and surgical specialties:
Dermatology, ENT (Otorhinolaryngology), Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, Radiology, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine.

*After which they proceed with other postings and Lectures in other specialties in internal Medicine and Surgery.

.Internal Medicine: Cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, Neurology, Nephrology, Respiratory Medicine (pulmonology) and Rheumatology.

.Surgery: General surgery, Orthopedic surgery, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic surgery, Plastic surgery and Pediatric surgery.

After this they write the 4th BDS (or 5th MB) exam organized by the Faculty of Medical sciences or Medicine.

Those who survive till this stage are then ushered into the final phase of Dental surgery training with another rigorous Academic bombardments in about ten specialties of Dentistry/Dental surgery.

-6th year:

*5th BDS courses are:
.Oral and maxillofacial surgery
. Oral Pathology
.Oral Medicine
.Prosthetic dentistry (Prosthodontics)
.Restorative dentistry
.Pediatric dentistry (pedodontics)
.Orthodontics
.Periodontology
.Community dentistry
.Oral and maxillofacial radiology

After which they write the 5th BDS exam at the end of the session. Can sometimes take up to 7 years.

Tests will be written per semester on various courses before the Main exams at the end of every session.

Those who pass the final BDS exam are then inducted into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) as Doctors and Dental surgeons together with their Medical colleagues.

NB: There may be slight differences in the curriculum in various universities but many similarities.

This is a very rigorous training that have had a lot of people thrown out of the Medical school. Only very few end up surviving at the end. But, for the determined, it can be done.

For the Dental surgery students, remain focused, avoid distractions (social media, women etc), work hard and smart, pray too. It can be done.

Aspirants, work hard and smart too, never give up until you get the best out of life.

Hi, my name is Adnan, 200L Dental Surgery
student from ABU. I really have so many to ask concerning this very subject, personally. Please Doctor, can I have your whatsapp number or gmail address? This is mine adnanmusa090@gmail.com
Appreciates!

Sincerely, Dentistry is not for the faint hearted....
After all the serious reading I failed my 2nd BDS part A..... Omo it was terrible and destabilizing because I read and prepared for it for close to 2 years with the intention to get a distinction and yet I didn't pass it.... Well I'll be writing my resist in 3 months time and definitely I'll pass it this time.... By the way its going to be very tough for me because my mates will be preparing for 2nd MBBS while I'll be battling with 2nd BDS and MBBS..

Las las we go dey alright
Preparing for my 2ND MBBS......
Await my testimony in the grandest of style....

Bvmsson:
Sincerely, Dentistry is not for the faint hearted....
After all the serious reading I failed my 2nd BDS part A..... Omo it was terrible and destabilizing because I read and prepared for it for close to 2 years with the intention to get a distinction and yet I didn't pass it.... Well I'll be writing my resist in 3 months time and definitely I'll pass it this time.... By the way its going to be very tough for me because my mates will be preparing for 2nd MBBS while I'll be battling with 2nd BDS and MBBS..

Las las we go dey alright
Preparing for my 2ND MBBS......
Await my testimony in the grandest of style....

Good luck Dr on your 2nd attempt, the thing no easy ooo

Adnan241:
Hi, my name is Adnan, 200L Dental Surgery
student from ABU. I really have so many to ask concerning this very subject, personally. Please Doctor, can I have your whatsapp number or gmail address? This is mine adnanmusa090@gmail.com
Appreciates!

Call me on 07036384062
Sorry it took time. Been so busy brotherly.
Decided to steer clear of social media for some time.

Bvmsson:
Sincerely, Dentistry is not for the faint hearted....
After all the serious reading I failed my 2nd BDS part A..... Omo it was terrible and destabilizing because I read and prepared for it for close to 2 years with the intention to get a distinction and yet I didn't pass it.... Well I'll be writing my resist in 3 months time and definitely I'll pass it this time.... By the way its going to be very tough for me because my mates will be preparing for 2nd MBBS while I'll be battling with 2nd BDS and MBBS..

Las las we go dey alright
Preparing for my 2ND MBBS......
Await my testimony in the grandest of style....

I pray you succeed brother..
I hope you made it.