| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Clinical and Medical |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Dental Head |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | Fresher to 4 years in clinical dentistry |
Dental Surgeon job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Dental Surgeon
Department: Clinical and Medical
Reports to: Dental Head
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Dental Surgeon diagnoses and treats problems of the teeth, gums and mouth. The person examines patients, takes and reads X-rays, does fillings, extractions, root canals, cleaning and minor oral surgery, and advises on oral care. In an Indian hospital or clinic this BDS role runs the dental OPD and builds a loyal patient base. A good dental surgeon works painlessly and hygienically, explains treatment and cost clearly, keeps infection control tight, and follows up so patients complete their treatment and return for care.
Key responsibilities
- Examine patients, diagnose dental and oral conditions and plan treatment.
- Take and interpret dental X-rays to guide diagnosis and treatment.
- Perform fillings, extractions, root canal treatment, scaling and polishing.
- Carry out minor oral surgery and manage dental pain and infections.
- Advise patients on oral hygiene, diet and care to prevent future problems.
- Explain treatment options, procedure and cost clearly before starting.
- Maintain strict infection control and sterilisation at the chair.
- Keep accurate patient records, treatment notes and follow-up plans.
- Refer complex cases such as orthodontics or major surgery to specialists.
- Follow up on treatments and recall patients for review and continued care.
Requirements
- BDS from a recognised dental college
- Registration with the state dental council
- MDS or a clinical course an advantage
- Fresher to 4 years in clinical dentistry
KRAs and KPIs for a Dental Surgeon
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Clinical care | Procedures completed to standard with complication rate below the target |
| Patient throughput | Daily OPD and chair schedule managed with adequate time per patient |
| Infection control | Sterilisation and infection control protocol followed with zero lapses |
| Treatment completion | Target share of started multi-visit treatments completed by patients |
| Documentation | Treatment records and consent completed for every patient |
| Patient satisfaction | Dental OPD patient satisfaction score held above the clinic threshold |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Dental chair and handpiece, Dental X-ray unit, Autoclave, Scaler, Restorative and surgical instruments.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Dental Surgeon, MDS Specialist, Dental Head
Interview questions for a Dental Surgeon
- Walk me through how you plan treatment for a patient with multiple caries.
- How do you manage a very anxious patient during an extraction?
- What is your infection control routine between patients?
- When do you refer a case rather than treating it yourself?
- How do you explain a root canal and its cost so the patient agrees to complete it?
- How do you handle a filling that fails soon after you placed it?
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What does a dental surgeon do?
A dental surgeon diagnoses and treats problems of the teeth, gums and mouth. They examine patients, take and read X-rays, do fillings, extractions, root canals, cleaning and minor oral surgery, and advise on oral care. They run the dental OPD, keep infection control tight, explain treatment and cost clearly, and follow up so patients complete their care.
What qualification do you need to become a dental surgeon?
You need a BDS degree, a bachelor of dental surgery, from a recognised dental college, followed by registration with the state dental council. An MDS or a clinical course helps for specialisation and senior roles. The BDS and registration allow lawful practice, and clinical experience builds the hands-on skill and chairside confidence the role needs.
What is the difference between a dental surgeon and a dentist?
In India the terms are used almost interchangeably. A dental surgeon holds a BDS degree and is a qualified dentist who diagnoses and treats dental problems, including minor oral surgery. A specialist with an MDS, such as an orthodontist or endodontist, focuses on one branch of dentistry after further study beyond the BDS.