Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 years, then a 1-year housemanship and 1 year of NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Dentistry / College of Medicine |
| Regulatory body | Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) |
| Professional body | Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) |
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Competitiveness | Very competitive |
On this page
- What Dentistry is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Dentistry & who it suits
- Careers & where graduates work
- Salary outlook in Nigeria
- Where it’s offered
- Is it a good course?
- Skills you’ll gain
- Licensing, professional bodies & further study
- How to get in (UTME requirements)
- Practise the UTME subjects free
- Related & alternative courses
- Frequently asked questions
What Dentistry is about
Dentistry is the area of medicine focused on oral health — diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases and conditions of the teeth, gums, mouth and jaws, and restoring both function and appearance. It combines medical science with fine practical, hands-on skill.
A brief history of the discipline
Modern dentistry grew out of surgery and the science of oral health. In Nigeria it is taught within colleges of medicine and, like Medicine, is regulated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
What you will study
Dental students share the early basic medical sciences with medical students — anatomy, physiology and biochemistry — before moving into dental-specific subjects: oral anatomy and pathology, restorative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontology and prosthetics, with extensive supervised clinical practice on patients.
Why study Dentistry & who it suits
Dentistry suits students who are strong in the sciences (especially Biology and Chemistry), have good manual dexterity and attention to detail, and genuinely care for patients.
Careers & where graduates work
Most graduates begin in clinical dental practice (hospital, public or private), then may specialise through residency in fields such as orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics or paediatric dentistry. Others move into academia, public/community dental health, or the dental industry.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Dentists’ pay grows well with experience and specialisation, and private practice or work abroad pays more than the public sector.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| House officer (internship) | ₦200,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Dentist (a few years’ experience) | ₦350,000 – ₦700,000 |
| Specialist / consultant | ₦800,000 – ₦1,500,000+ |
Figures are rough approximations (monthly gross) as of 2026, drawn from Nigerian salary aggregators. Actual pay varies widely by sector (oil & gas, fintech and multinationals pay far above the public service), employer, location (Lagos and Abuja pay more) and experience — treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
Where it’s offered: notable universities
Dentistry is offered by many Nigerian universities. Well-regarded, widely-recognised programmes include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Benin, Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria, University of Port Harcourt and Bayero University Kano, among others.
This is not a ranked or exhaustive list — always confirm the current institutions and their requirements in the official JAMB brochure, or use our subject combination checker and the Dentistry admission guide.
Is Dentistry a good course to study in Nigeria?
Dentistry offers the prestige and “Dr” title of Medicine with slightly less competition, plus strong private-practice and overseas potential.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- Prestige and the “Dr” title, with the same MDCN licensing as doctors.
- Strong private-practice earning potential.
- Overseas demand (UK, Gulf and beyond).
- Slightly less competitive than Medicine and Surgery.
Challenges to weigh:
- Long training: 6 years plus housemanship and NYSC.
- Still very competitive.
- Requires manual dexterity and fine precision.
- Public-sector pay and facilities can be modest.
It suits students with strong sciences, good manual dexterity and genuine care for patients.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Dentistry builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Clinical and dental skills
- Manual dexterity and precision
- Diagnosis
- Patient communication
- Attention to detail
- Scientific knowledge
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
BDS degree (6 years) → one-year housemanship → full registration and licensing by the MDCN → NYSC → optional residency to become a specialist. Continuing professional development runs throughout a dentist’s career.
How to get in: Dentistry UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination for Dentistry is Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics. You also need five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Dentistry is very competitive, so target a UTME score well above the national minimum and prepare seriously for Post-UTME.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
Related guides
- How to choose the right course for JAMB
- Good courses you can study with a low JAMB score
- Understanding the JAMB brochure & subject combinations
- How to use the JAMB eligibility checker
- How to change your course or institution on JAMB
Related & alternative courses
If you like Dentistry, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a dentist in Nigeria?
The BDS takes 6 years, followed by a one-year housemanship and one year of NYSC — about 8 years to independent practice.
What degree do you get from Dentistry?
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), which after housemanship and MDCN registration licenses you to practise as a dentist.
What are the JAMB subjects for Dentistry?
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with O'Level credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Is Dentistry as competitive as Medicine?
It is among the most competitive courses, requiring a high UTME score and strong Post-UTME performance.
Can I specialise in Dentistry?
Yes — after registration and NYSC you can enter residency to specialise, for example in orthodontics or oral surgery.
Is Dentistry a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — it carries the prestige and Dr title of Medicine with strong private-practice and overseas potential, and slightly lower competition.
Is Dentistry less competitive than Medicine?
Slightly — it is still among the most competitive courses, but often marginally less so than Medicine and Surgery.
Do dentists earn well in Nigeria?
Earnings rise well with experience and specialisation, and private practice or work abroad pays significantly more than the public sector.
Can Nigerian dentists work abroad?
Yes — with the relevant foreign licensing, Nigerian-trained dentists are in demand in the UK, the Gulf and elsewhere.
Sources: Programme structure and licensing summarised from Nigerian colleges of medicine and the MDCN; admission requirements from the official JAMB UTME brochure. Last checked: 22 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB, the NUC or any professional body. Programme structure, duration and requirements vary by university — always confirm details with your chosen institution and the official JAMB brochure.