BDS 1st year Books — Standard Text for Every Subject

1st year

Subject by subject

General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology

Gross anatomy (with emphasis on head, neck, upper limb and thorax relevant to dentistry), general embryology, and general histology of body tissues.

BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, Volume 3: Head, Neck and Brain-Neuroanatomy (Regional and Applied Dissection and Clinical)primary textB.D. Chaurasia · CBS Publishers & Distributors · 9th/10th edition (10th ed. reprints seen from ~2024)The standard Indian anatomy text; BDS students mainly use Volume 3 (head, neck, brain) since that is most exam-relevant, sometimes with Volume 1 for upper limb/thorax.
Inderbir Singh's Human Embryologyprimary textRevised by Raveendranath, Veeramani (originally Inderbir Singh) · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 14th edition (revised reprint 2025)Widely used embryology text for both MBBS and BDS students in India; covers general and (partly) head/face embryology.
Inderbir Singh's Textbook of Human Histology (with Colour Atlas and Practical Guide)primary textRevised by Pushpalatha (originally Inderbir Singh) · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · Editions listed range 9th–11th across sellers; the most recent listing is the 11th, revised reprint 2025Standard general histology text with practical/atlas component used alongside gross anatomy teaching.
Gray's Anatomy for StudentsreferenceRichard L. Drake, A. Wayne Vogl, Adam W. M. Mitchell · Elsevier · 4th edition (international)A real, current, widely sold text, but it is primarily an MBBS/international reference.

General Human Physiology

Systemic human physiology (nerve-muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, GI, endocrine, reproductive systems) with emphasis relevant to dental practice.

Human Physiology for BDSprimary textA.K. Jain · Arya Publishing Company (APC) · 7th edition (2022)Dental-specific physiology textbook widely used by Indian BDS students; some resellers list the publisher name inconsistently as 'Avichal Publishing Company' — the publisher's own website confirms 'Arya Publishing Company'.
Essentials of Medical PhysiologyreferenceK. Sembulingam, Prema Sembulingam · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 9th/10th edition (2023-2025 reprints)Very popular concise physiology text among MBBS students in India; also used by some BDS students as a reference/revision book alongside a dental-specific text.
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical PhysiologyreferenceJohn E. Hall (originally Arthur C. Guyton) · Elsevier · 15th editionThe internationally standard, in-depth physiology reference; used selectively by BDS students for deeper reading, not as a primary exam text.
Ganong's Review of Medical PhysiologyreferenceKim E. Barrett et al. (originally William F. Ganong) · McGraw Hill · 27th editionConcise review-style physiology reference occasionally used for quick revision.

Biochemistry, Nutrition & Dietetics

Basic and clinical biochemistry (metabolism, enzymes, molecular biology basics) plus nutrition and dietetics as relevant to general and oral health.

Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Studentsprimary textDM Vasudevan, Sreekumari S, Kannan Vaidyanathan · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 11th edition (2026); many current students still use the 10th edition (2023)The most widely used biochemistry text across Indian medical and dental colleges.
Biochemistryprimary textU. Satyanarayana, U. Chakrapani · Elsevier India · 6th editionA commonly used alternative primary biochemistry text in India, popular for its clinical-correlation boxes and clarity.
Harper's Illustrated BiochemistryreferenceVictor W. Rodwell et al. · McGraw Hill · 33rd editionInternationally standard concise biochemistry reference, used for supplementary reading rather than as the primary exam-oriented text in most Indian dental colleges.

Dental Anatomy, Embryology & Oral Histology

Morphology of permanent and deciduous teeth, tooth development (odontogenesis), and the histology of tooth and periodontal tissues — the first clearly 'dental' subject of the course.

Wheeler's Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusionprimary textStanley J. Nelson · Elsevier (South Asia Edition) · 11th edition, South Asia EditionThe standard reference/primary text worldwide (and in India) for tooth morphology and occlusion.
Orban's Oral Histology, Embryology and Physiologyprimary textEdited by G.S. Kumar (originally Balint J. Orban) · Elsevier India · 16th edition (retitled from earlier 'Orban's Oral Histology and Embryology'; sold with a complimentary atlas of oral histology)Long-standing standard oral histology/embryology text for Indian dental students; the title itself changed to add 'Physiology' in recent editions.
Ten Cate's Oral Histology: Development, Structure, and FunctionreferenceAntonio Nanci · Elsevier (South Asia editions available; latest international edition is the 10th) · 2nd South Asia Edition (based on an earlier international edition; international edition has since moved to the 10th)A widely respected alternative/reference oral histology text, somewhat more detailed than Orban's; South Asia edition typically lags the current international edition.

Frequently asked

BDS 1st year — questions

What subjects are in BDS 1st year?

General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology, General Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dental Anatomy, Embryology & Oral Histology.

Which books should I buy for BDS 1st year?

General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, Volume 3: Head, Neck and Brain-Neuroanatomy (Regional and Applied Dissection and Clinical); General Human Physiology: Human Physiology for BDS; Biochemistry, Nutrition & Dietetics: Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students; Dental Anatomy, Embryology & Oral Histology: Wheeler's Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion

Can you print these books for me?

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How much does printing a textbook cost?

Black and white is 50 paise a page, colour is Rs 1 a page, and binding is Rs 40 per bound volume. Anything past roughly 1,500 pages we bind in two or three volumes so the spine survives the year.

We print files you send us. We do not host, sell or supply book PDFs — send us a file you are entitled to print and we print and bind it. Editions move: check the current edition before you buy or print.

BDS 1st year: subjects and books.