Fellowship in Dental Surgery (FDS)-Endodontics

The Fellowship in Dental Surgery (FDS) - Endodontics under the specialty of Endodontics is an advanced training program focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases related to the dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of teeth. This fellowship typically lasts for 1 to 2 years, depending on the institution, and offers both theoretical knowledge and extensive clinical training. The curriculum is designed to provide in-depth understanding and hands-on expertise in performing root canal treatments, endodontic surgeries, and other related procedures.

Endodontics, the branch of  dentistry that deals with the tooth pulp and it’s supporting tissues, is the subject of the fellowship, which is a formal postgraduate training program. The fellowship is a formal postgraduate training program aimed at studying and clinically applying endodontics—the specialty of dentistry involving the dental pulp and the supporting tissues. The fellowship prepares participants with advanced clinical skills in diagnosis, non-surgical and surgical root canal treatment, and re-treatment of failed cases so that they can be prepared to deal with intricate dental situations. 

FDS stands for Fellowship in Dental Surgery – Endodontics

For applying to this fellowship, the candidate should hold a BDS or MDS degree from a recognized university or institution. The candidate must have valid registration with the Dental Council of India (DCI) or respective State Dental Council. Some institutes may expect candidates to possess clinical experience or pass an internal selection process. 

The course typically lasts 12 months, with theoretical sessions, clinical practice, seminars, and case-based learning. Flexible timings may be provided by some institutions, particularly for working dentists. 

The fee for the course varies from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh, based on the facilities, faculty, and reputation of the institution. 

Graduates with a BDS or MBBS who wish to focus on endodontics are the ideal candidate for the fellowship. Additionally, it’s a perfect for practicing professionals who want to refresh and expand their knowledge of advanced root canal and restorative techniques. This course will be helpful to Dental professionals who want to work as teachers, private practitioners, or in hospital-based dental care. 

This program provides hands-on clinical training on challenging endodontic cases. It improves practical and theoretical expertise in an expanding area of dentistry. The fellowship increases opportunities of employment in specialty clinics and high-end dental practices. It trains professionals to become independent practitioners in special endodontic clinics. Additionally, it provides an extra competitive advantage for academic or private dental career promotion.

Majority of the institutes provide direct admission on the basis of education, experience, and other requirements. Some institutions conduct written exams or interviews to test applicants' knowledge and interest in pursuing the field.

The common admission process steps are as follows.  

• First, the applicant must submit a filled application form along with supporting documents.  
• If required, the candidate may have to attend an interview or screening process.  
• Upon selection, payment of admission charges and confirmation of enrollment is required.  
• Finally, the candidate begins the academic and clinical curriculum according to the schedule. 

Some of the reputed colleges providing this program include:  

• Manipal College of Dental Sciences,  
• Saveetha Dental College,  
• Y. Patil Dental College,  
• SDM College,  
• Govt Dental College Mumbai,  
• Maulana Azad Institute 

After completion of this program, candidates can establish their own specialized endodontic dental practice. They can practice in private or multi-specialty hospitals/clinics or accept positions as consulting endodontists. They may also become lecturers or clinical instructors in dental colleges and assist in research projects or academic publications. 

Following this fellowship, one can consider pursuing MDS in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics. Candidates can also attend short-term advanced endodontic courses (e.g., micro-endodontics, laser-endodontics), pursue PhD programs in clinical research or dental science, or attend international certification courses in advanced dental practice. 

The graduates of this fellowship may look for the following positions: private practice or group dental clinics, endodontist, dental consultant in corporate chains or hospitals, academic mentor or clinical trainer, and dental product development research associate or clinical trials. 

Salary after fellowship can be anywhere from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per year, depending on experience, location, and type of employment. Private practice can generate even greater incomes depending on clientele and specialty.