BS RAWAT

The Rajasthan State Dental Council (RSDC) has said that Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduates can practice as full-fledged general physicians.

In reply to the Directorate of Health and Medical Services, Rajasthan, Dr Vikas Jeph, president RSDC, said, “Out of five years of BDS course, three years are devoted to same subjects which are taught to the MBBS doctors—microbiology, pharma, pathology, general medicine and surgery.”

“These are the common subjects. So a short course will be able to take care of rural healthcare,” said Dr Jeph.

Dr Jeph clarified that after taking full-fledged course, a BDS is also providing general treatment to the dental patients such as blood pressure, blood sugar, oral cancer, thyroid, other endo chronological diseases, allergies, general fever, malaria, cough and cold, treatment of abbess/granuloma/minor surgical procedures and suturing/ cessation of bleeding/ initial stabilization of fractures/initial treatment for heart patient, trauma and accidental cases.