Dentist
Dentists treat teeth and gums; in Pakistan you study BDS after FSc Pre-Medical and MDCAT, then house job and PMDC registration.
- Stream
- FSc Pre-Medical
- First salary
- PKR 45,000 – 60,000 a month
- Field
- Medicine
- Facts checked
- 26 Sept 2026
About
A dentist diagnoses and treats problems of teeth, gums and the mouth — fillings, root canals, extractions, braces, crowns and cleanings. In Pakistan the path is FSc Pre-Medical, MDCAT, a 4-year BDS degree plus a paid house job, then PMDC registration to practise in a hospital or open your own clinic.
A day in the life
- 1Morning clinic: check-ups, cleanings and fillings for booked patients
- 2Root canal treatments and tooth extractions under local anaesthesia
- 3Taking and reading X-rays and OPG scans to plan treatment
- 4Counselling patients on brushing, diet and preventive care
- 5House-job doctors assist senior surgeons in hospital dental OPD
- 6Sterilising instruments and managing clinic records and billing
Is this for you
You'll likely enjoy it if
- You like Biology and hands-on, precise work with your hands
- You can stay calm and reassure nervous patients
- You want a respected medical career with regular clinic hours
- You are patient — BDS plus house job takes about 5 years
- You would enjoy running your own practice one day
The hard parts, honestly
- Getting into a public BDS seat is very competitive — MDCAT marks decide most seats
- Private BDS colleges charge high fees, often several lakh per year
- Fresh house-job pay is modest compared to the years of study
- Standing and doing fine, delicate work all day can be tiring
Stream to choose
Subjects that matter most: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English
Take FSc Pre-Medical (or A Levels with Biology and Chemistry) after Matric. You must clear MDCAT with strong marks to get a BDS seat; Pre-Engineering or ICS do not lead to BDS.
Salary in Pakistan
Fresh graduate / house job (0–1 year)
PKR 45,000 – 60,000/ month
Indeed reports an average dentist salary of about PKR 45,063 per month across Pakistan.. Dentist salary in Pakistan — Indeed · checked 26 Sept 2026
Experienced dentist (3–5 years)
PKR 60,000 – 1 lakh/ month
Indeed city figures range up to about PKR 83,707 per month in Sialkot and PKR 79,432 in Hyderabad.. Dentist salary in Pakistan by city — Indeed · checked 26 Sept 2026
Where to study
Public universities3
King Edward Medical University
Lahore · BDS (4 years + house job)
Dow University of Health Sciences
Karachi · BDS (Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences)
University of Health Sciences Lahore
Lahore · BDS (affiliated dental colleges)
Private universities2
Riphah International University
Islamabad · BDS (Islamic International Dental College)
Baqai Medical University
Karachi · BDS (Baqai Dental College)
Where to work
Dow University of Health Sciences (DIKIOHS)Government teaching hospital
Dental OPD, house job and faculty posts
Future outlook
Oral health awareness is rising in Pakistan and every city and town needs dentists, yet the dentist-to-population ratio remains low outside big cities. Public BDS seats are few, so competition is tough, but qualified dentists find work in hospitals, the armed forces and private practice. Many senior dentists earn well through their own clinics, and cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics are growing niches.
Growing fast
- Private dental clinics in smaller cities
- Orthodontics and braces
- Cosmetic and implant dentistry
- Armed forces and government dental surgeon posts
- Teledentistry and dental awareness content
Working abroad
Pakistani BDS graduates sit licensing exams such as the UK ORE, Irish and Middle East exams; dentists are in demand in the Gulf, UK and Australia.
Your roadmap
Class 9–10: build the Matric base that MDCAT and BDS admission will later demand — Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English.
Milestones
Class 9, first term
Settle into the Class 9 syllabus with Biology as priority
Finish Class 9 Biology, Chemistry and Physics chapters on time; make notes you can reuse in Class 10 revision.
Class 9, spring exams
Complete the full Class 9 syllabus and past papers
Class 9 board marks (where your board counts them) matter for confidence and college admission — do at least 5 years of past papers.
Class 10, mid-year
Decide your stream: FSc Pre-Medical (or A Level Biology + Chemistry)
Confirm with parents that you will take FSc Pre-Medical after Matric — it is the only route to BDS. Research colleges and their admission cut-offs.
Class 10, Jan–Feb
Full syllabus revision of Class 10
Finish the syllabus by January–February, then switch to past papers and board-style practice, especially Biology diagrams and Chemistry equations.
Class 10, spring
Board exams in spring
Sit Matric or O Level exams. Target 90%+ overall with Biology your strongest paper — this opens doors to a top college for FSc Pre-Medical.
After Class 10 results
Apply to colleges for FSc Pre-Medical
As soon as results come, apply to colleges for FSc Pre-Medical admission. Keep fee structures and scholarship options in hand.
What to focus on
Biology is your future MDCAT goldmine — treat it as your main subject nowBoth years, every term
MDCAT's biggest section is Biology, and it starts from the Matric syllabus. Master Class 9–10 Biology properly: cell structure, human body systems, plant physiology. Students who memorise for the board exam struggle in FSc; students who understand now find Class 11 Biology easy. Aim for 90%+ in Biology, not just a pass.
Chemistry and Physics decide your Matric aggregate tooClass 9–10
MDCAT also tests Chemistry and Physics, and BDS merit lists use FSc marks plus MDCAT score. Your Matric marks build the study habits and base concepts for both. Focus extra on chemical bonding, equations, and basic motion/forces — these reappear in FSc Pre-Medical and MDCAT.
English counts — MDCAT has an English portionBoth years
MDCAT includes an English section testing grammar and comprehension. Matric English is where you build vocabulary and grammar for free. Read one English article or page daily; it also helps with PMDC-style papers later.
Know which marks will count laterBefore board exams
Your Matric board marks do not directly enter the BDS merit formula (that uses FSc marks + MDCAT), but they decide which college and FSc Pre-Medical group you get into, and they set your foundation for the FSc marks that DO count. A strong Matric result keeps every door open.
Start thinking about your stream choice nowClass 10, second half
After Matric you must choose FSc Pre-Medical (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) for BDS — Pre-Engineering, ICS or I.Com do not lead to a dental seat. If you are in O Levels, plan A Level subjects with Biology and Chemistry. Discuss this with parents and teachers in Class 10, before admissions open.
Tests and deadlines
Board exams (Matric / O Level) — your first big examSpring, Class 10
Class 10 board exams (FBISE, Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, AKU-EB boards) or O Level exams are held in spring. No MDCAT or entry test is needed at this stage — but your board result decides admission into a good college for FSc Pre-Medical. Prepare past papers of your own board from winter onwards.
Skills to build
Concept-based study and note-makingDaily habit from Class 9
Dentistry and MDCAT reward understanding over rote learning. Practise making short notes and diagrams from each chapter instead of copying the book. Khan Academy (free) has biology and chemistry videos that explain concepts clearly.
English reading and vocabulary15 minutes daily
Needed for MDCAT's English section and for medical textbooks later. Read free articles on BBC Learning English or use the free Khan Academy grammar exercises for 15 minutes daily.
Time management with a study timetableStart in Class 9
Board years demand consistent study. Make a weekly timetable giving Biology the largest share, and track it. Free tools: Google Calendar or a simple paper planner — the habit matters more than the tool.
Basic digital literacyClass 9–10
You will soon use online lectures, LMS portals and eventually MDCAT online registration. Learn to search reliably, use Google Docs and download past papers. Google's free Digital Garage or just guided practice with a parent works.
Competitions
National Biology Talent Contest / science olympiad campsCheck announcements in Class 9–10
HEC-run National Talent Contests in Biology, Chemistry and Physics are open to Matric-level students and lead to International Biology Olympiad training. Watch the STEM Careers Programme (HEC/PIEAS) website for registration announcements — winning builds a strong profile for later.
School science fairs and quiz competitionsAnytime in Class 9–10
Enter your school's or city's science quiz and poster competitions, especially biology-themed ones. They cost nothing, sharpen your speaking about science, and strengthen your college admission profile.
People to know
Most first jobs and internships come through people. Start early, and keep it simple.
Talk to a dentist or medical student you know
Ask a family dentist or a senior in FSc Pre-Medical/MBBS about the real path: MDCAT pressure, BDS fees, house job. One honest 20-minute conversation now beats guessing for two years. Parents can help arrange this.
Join your school's science or health club
Most schools have science societies or hold health-awareness days. Joining gives you teamwork, event and speaking experience — and a taste of the health field before you commit to Pre-Medical.
Follow Pakistani dental and medical pages online
Follow PMDC, UHS Lahore, Dow University and big dental college pages on Facebook/Instagram to see BDS life, admission dates and merit trends. It keeps the goal real and gives you admission timelines early.
What it costs
Government school Matric is nearly free (small exam fees, a few thousand PKR per year). Private schools vary widely, roughly PKR 2,000–15,000 per month. O Level schools cost much more, often PKR 15,000–40,000 per month plus Cambridge exam fees per subject.
Scholarships
PEEF (Punjab Educational Endowment Fund)After Class 10 board results
For Punjab students with strong Matric marks — covers FSc fee and stipend. Apply after your Class 10 result; check peef.org.pk for the window.
Sindh Endowment / Sindh government talent scholarshipsAfter Class 10 results
Sindh students with good Matric marks can apply for talent-honoria schemes announced by the Sindh government after board results.
KPK and Balochistan board merit stipendsAfter Class 10 results
Position-holders and high scorers in KPK and Balochistan board exams often receive government stipends or fee support for college — ask your school office after results.
School and college merit/need-based fee waiversAt FSc admission time
Many private schools and colleges offer fee discounts for top Matric scorers or needy families. Ask the admissions office directly — discounts are rarely advertised.
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Dentist · Make it your goal, or keep it for later.