College and department choice are crucial – Dr. Nuyu on NEET-MDS

DIMAPUR — Driven by the desire to look after her family’s well-being, Dr. Kime Nuyu from Arunachal Pradesh decided to pursue healthcare profession. Her journey began during the boarding school, where she had to stay away from home despite health challenges faced by her family. Upon learning about her mother having hypertension, she felt compelled to tread the medical path.

Failing to get a seat for MBBS course, she chose to pursue a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) and went on to earn an MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS). She completed her MDS in 2023 from Government Dental College and Hospital, Goa, and is currently working in Itanagar as a consultant, OMFS, in multiple private hospitals and dental clinics.

In an interview with Eastern Mirror, the doctor gave an overview of the BDS and MDS courses, with a special emphasis on the NEET-MDS exam.

Could you provide the process for pursuing a BDS degree?

To secure a BDS seat, one must clear the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Examination Undergraduate (NEET-UG) after passing class 12. Your rank in NEET-UG will determine whether you can get a government seat or need to join a private dental college. To be eligible, you must achieve at least the minimum cut-off mark in NEET-UG.

What are the career options available after completing a BDS degree?

After completing a BDS, there are many options:

i) Pursue a government job (state PSC, NRHM, or central jobs like in the railway, army, etc.).

ii) Specialise in a particular branch of dentistry by doing a Master’s in Dental Surgery (MDS) after clearing the NEET MDS exam.

iii) Join as a non-academic junior resident in a government college.

iv) Open your own clinic.

v) Prepare for civil service examinations.

vi) Join the corporate sector.

Can you give a brief overview of MDS entrance exams?

One can sit for the NEET MDS exam, conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), to gain admission to government dental colleges in India. Additionally, the INICET examination is required for admission into AIIMS, JIPMER, or PGI Chandigarh.

Can you share with us the opportunities available after completing a BDS degree?

After completing an MDS, one can consider several options:

i) Government job as a junior specialist.

ii) Academia – join as a senior resident in a government college.

iii) Work as a consultant in private hospitals or clinics in your specialty.

iv) Run your own clinic.

After an MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery which is my specialisation, you can pursue fellowships in specialised fields such as cleft and craniofacial surgery, orthognathic surgery, and head and neck oncology.

What according to you is the importance of coaching for the NEET MDS entrance exam?

The most important thing is to be thorough with concepts during the BDS course and gain good clinical exposure. Coaching can help in applying that knowledge, understanding the types of questions, mark distribution across subjects, and managing time accordingly. For some, coaching institutes can provide a competitive environment for exam preparation. Coaching also helped me learn faster through lectures, but self-study is the most important aspect.

What guidance would you give to students struggling to pass the exam?

Don’t lose heart. In a competitive exam, you may work very hard but others might secure a seat because they scored just 0.5 marks more than you. If you did not prepare seriously, study and try again. If not, you can still improve and try again.

If you can afford a private college, consider that option, but be aware that some good private colleges allocate seats based on rank. When choosing a private college, be prepared for the possibility that after graduation, you may need to invest money to open a clinic.

It is okay to keep trying if you did not give your full potential. While age matters, getting into a good college and your choice of department is more important.

Many students decide at the last moment after college that they want to pursue an MDS. I have seen such students during my coaching at CEDEES, Davanagere, Karnataka. They started late but succeeded because they never gave up.

Can you recommend some books and materials for preparing for the exam?

Books and resources – The most important ones are the same books used in the BDS course, as any good book with clear explanations serves to be helpful. For BDS-level preparation, some YouTube channels are also useful, especially for medical subjects.

In addition to the book Dental Pulse – A to Z, consider the following books for specific subjects while preparing for the NEET MDS exam: Arvind Arora for Microbiology, Sparsh Gupta for Pharmacology, ‘Dentist’ for Medicine and Pedodontics, Jitendra Sheron for Orthodontics, and Prityish Singh for General Surgery.

What insights can be drawn from mock tests?

Everything from the BDS syllabus can be asked in the exam. Many times, questions are repeated, so it is important to thoroughly read ‘Dental Pulse’ and other MCQ books. Mock tests usually give you an idea of where you stand among other aspirants. However, if the question pattern changes, results may vary, especially when competing at the all India level. Keeping all these factors in mind, students can tailor their preparation accordingly.

What strategies do you recommend for success in the NEET MDS entrance exam?

I was clear during my BDS course that I wanted to study more. During my internship, I attended lectures at DAMS institute on weekends. After that, I took a year off and joined CEDEES to prepare. Many people start late, but with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

For me, I focused more on understanding the concept and not just reading superficially, that helps to answer even if questions are given in a confusing way. And keep revising at least 10 times each topic, otherwise you have the tendency to forget.

For me, I focused more on understanding the concepts rather than just reading superficially. This approach helps in answering even if questions are asked in a confusing way. I recommend revising each topic at least 10 times; otherwise you will have the tendency to forget.

How can one manage anxiety induced by exams?

To cope with exam anxiety, I made exercise a daily habit, enjoyed monthly movie outings, and found support in a circle of encouraging friends with whom I discussed topics related to my studies. A helpful mantra to remember is the division of responsibility: Teachers 25%, self-study 25%, discussions with friends 25%, and revision 25%, a lesson imparted to me by my teachers in school.

RAPID INSIGHTS

Tips for healthy teeth

Brush twice a day, especially before sleeping, using the correct technique. Remember to floss daily and schedule regular dental checkups.

Water bodies make you feel ____

Serene

Your go-to dance track

I don’t have one at the moment (laughs), but any good music gets me moving.