IKON
Dr. S. M. Balaji is adental and facio – maxillary surgeon from Chennai. He is the only Indian to be listed in the Top 10 Dental Scientist. He specializes in repair of cleft palate, rhinoplasty, ear reconstruction, jaw reconstruction, facial asymmetry correction, dental implantology, maxillofacial surgery and Craniofacial surgery. Balaji conducts medical camps in South India, and some other countries in the world by finding sponsors for poor patients and also operating free.
A documentary on Dr. S. M. Balaji’s surgical expertise and success in skull and face reconstruction surgery was telecast at International Film Festival, Berlin in 1996. It showcased how drastically the life of child with facial deformity blooms with happiness, how misery and self-pity turns to a normal and healthy life.
He was the first Indian to be the President of the 7th World Cleft Lip & Palate Congress held at Republic of Seychelles. He is the author of The Textbook on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which is currently the country’s best seller and the prescribed book to be used by undergraduate and post graduate students.
What is the Job all about?
This field is devoted to the Science of the diseases of the Mouth and Teeth. Dentistry is very sophisticated, both in terms of Technique and Instrumentation.
Can you go for it?
Besides a good head for study – you need to have steady hands and good eye sight. It is a delicate area of the human body and, therefore, you must be very conscious of the fact that the pain can be very intense and mistakes can affect the person’s looks. So, care and sensitivity go hand in hand with this job. You must have good communications skills and also a reassuring demeanour. The Dental field is undergoing constant change and upgradation in technology. Therefore, you must constantly keep in touch with technology, to make sure that you adopt the new systems into your practice.
Is there a future in this field?
There are a host of Specializations you can take in this area, after doing your basic degree (BDS) Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Each of the fields below has become very lucrative fields – especially, if you develop a reputation for being very good at what you do.
Orthodontics (correction of irregular teeth and alignment),
Periodontics (gums and support to teeth),
Maxillo-facial Surgery (surgical treatment of the middle face/jaws and oral cavity),
Pedodontics (dental practice for infants and children)
Prosthodontics (artificial teeth and dentures),
Endodontics – specializes in root canal treatment,
Oral Surgeon (performs surgery that needs to be done on the teeth, surrounding tissues, bone, etc.
Oral Pathology, the study of diseases of the mouth.
Cosmetic Dental Technology which helps to transform, a less than attractive mouth into a star attraction.
Where to Begin?
In Goa
This program is after your 10 + 2 (PCB). You need to clear your NEET for admission in BDS. The Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) is a four-year Program followed by a one-year Internship period at Goa Dental College and Hospital. http://www.gdch.goa.gov.in/
Students can also follow up with MDS after completing the BDS program.
After your BDS you could specialize in one of the fields indicated above when doing your MDS. The post graduate course is of two-year duration. The following courses are offered:
M.D.S. Conservative Dentistry
M.D.S. Orthodontics
M.D.S. Prosthodontics
M.D.S. Periodontics
M.D.S. Pedodontics
M.D.S. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Effective 2016 – the Entrance Test( NEET) for the Dental (BDS) course will be conducted at the National level. The state level tests have been discontinued.
Outside Goa:
KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences, Nehru Nagar, Belgaum 590010
Maratha Mandal’s Central College, 1007, Malmaruthi Extension, Belgaum
R.Ambedkar Dental College, No.1/36 Clive Rd, Bangalore 56005
Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences, 5/3 Lakkasandra Extn., Hosur Road, Bangalore
Parivar Rural Dental College, P.O. Loni, BK 413736, Sist Ahmednagar, Maharastra
Jamnalal Goenka Dental College, Gorakshan Rd, P.B. 153, Akola
Dental College, St. George Hospital Compound, Mumbai
Bharati Vidyapeeth’s Dental College, Katraj-Dhankawadi Educational Complex, Pune
Employment avenues
There are many job opportunities in this field. You could begin your Career in Government Hospitals and after some years of experience, either join a big Dentistry, Private Hospital or Clinic or join in any big organisation that has its own Dental Clinic for their staff. Alternatively you could negotiate for a loan from the Bank and open your own Clinic.
Monies
Initially the going is tough, but once you are known for your skills /speciality then you start earning big bucks.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/