BDS 2nd year Books — Standard Text for Every Subject

2nd year

Subject by subject

General Pathology

General mechanisms of disease — cell injury, inflammation, healing, neoplasia, hemodynamic disorders, and basic systemic pathology.

Textbook of Pathologyprimary textHarsh Mohan · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 9th edition (revised reprint)The dominant pathology textbook in Indian medical and dental colleges, valued for its India-specific clinical relevance and exam orientation.
Robbins & Kumar Basic PathologyreferenceVinay Kumar, Abul K. Abbas, Jon C. Aster, Andrea T. Deyrup · Elsevier (South Asia Edition) · 11th edition, South Asia EditionThe internationally standard basic-pathology reference; used by more ambitious/NEET-PG-oriented students alongside Harsh Mohan.

Microbiology

General and systemic microbiology (bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, immunology basics) with relevance to infection control and oral microbial disease.

Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiologyprimary textR. Ananthanarayan, C.K. Jayaram Paniker (revised by subsequent editors) · Universities Press · 13th edition (2024)The standard, most widely used microbiology textbook across Indian medical and dental colleges.
Textbook of Microbiology for Dental Studentsprimary textC.P. Baveja · Arya Publishing Company (APC) · 7th edition (2023)Dental-specific, exam-focused microbiology text popular as a shorter alternative/companion to Ananthanarayan & Paniker.

General and Dental Pharmacology & Therapeutics

General pharmacological principles and systemic drug classes, plus drugs and therapeutics specific to dental practice (local anaesthetics, analgesics, antibiotics in dentistry, drug interactions relevant to dental treatment).

Essentials of Medical Pharmacologyprimary textK.D. Tripathi · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 9th edition (revised, 2025)The standard foundational pharmacology textbook used across Indian medical and dental education for general pharmacology.
Pharmacology for Dentistryprimary textTara V. Shanbhag, Smita Shenoy, Veena Nayak · Elsevier · 4th editionDental-specific pharmacology text covering drugs and therapeutics used in dental practice; commonly paired with Tripathi for the general-pharmacology portion. (Note: sometimes sold/catalogued under the earlier title 'Pharmacology for Dental Students'.).

Dental Materials

Physical, chemical, mechanical and biological properties of materials used in dentistry (impression materials, cements, restorative materials, waxes, gypsum products, etc.).

Basic Dental Materialsprimary textJohn J. Manappallil · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 8th editionThe most widely used, exam-oriented dental materials textbook for Indian BDS students.
Phillips' Science of Dental MaterialsreferenceChiayi Shen, H. Ralph Rawls, Josephine F. Esquivel-Upshaw (founding author: Kenneth J. Anusavice) · Elsevier · 13th editionThe classic in-depth international reference for dental materials science; recent editions are edited by Shen/Rawls/Esquivel-Upshaw rather than Anusavice, though the book is still commonly cited by his name.
Craig's Restorative Dental MaterialsreferenceJohn M. Powers, Ronald L. Sakaguchi (recent international editions led by Sakaguchi and co-editors) · Elsevier · First South Asia Edition (based on the 13th international edition; the international edition has since advanced to the 14th/15th)A well-known alternative reference to Phillips'/Anusavice for dental materials, used selectively.

Preclinical Prosthodontics & Crown and Bridge

Introductory/preclinical laboratory course in complete denture and fixed prosthodontics (crown & bridge) fundamentals, typically practical/viva-focused at this stage.

Textbook of Prosthodonticsprimary textDeepak Nallaswamy Veeraiyan · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 2nd edition (2017)The standard comprehensive Indian prosthodontics textbook covering both removable and fixed prosthodontics, used from preclinical Year 2 through the clinical years.

Preclinical Conservative Dentistry

Introductory/preclinical laboratory course in cavity preparation, restorative principles and basic operative dentistry techniques, typically practical/viva-focused at this stage.

Textbook of Preclinical Conservative Dentistryprimary textNisha Garg, Amit Garg · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 2nd edition (a 3rd edition is listed by one reseller — check before you order)India-specific, exam- and practical-oriented text closely matching the BDS preclinical conservative dentistry syllabus.
Sturdevant's Art and Science of Operative DentistryreferenceEdited by V. Gopikrishna (South Asia Edition); international edition edited by André V. Ritter · Elsevier · 3rd South Asia Edition (2025)The internationally standard operative dentistry reference; the South Asia edition (adapted by Gopikrishna) is what is commonly sold to Indian students as a reference alongside Garg & Garg.

Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology

Introductory oral pathology and oral microbiology, per the DCI 2007 regulation taught with modest hours in Year 2 (~25 lecture + 50 practical hours) as a foundation, then substantially expanded in Year 3. Some older college handbooks show this subject starting only in Year 3 — its presence in Year 2 may vary by college/regulation vintage.

Shafer's Textbook of Oral Pathologyprimary textR. Rajendran, B. Sivapathasundharam · Elsevier India · 8th editionThe standard Indian oral pathology textbook, used from the introductory Year 2 portion through the full Year 3 course.
Oral and Maxillofacial PathologyreferenceBrad W. Neville, Douglas D. Damm, Carl M. Allen, Angela C. Chi · Elsevier (South Asia Edition available) · 5th edition (5e South Asia Edition also available)The internationally standard, more detailed oral pathology reference; used selectively alongside Shafer's, mainly by students preparing for postgraduate entrance exams.

Frequently asked

BDS 2nd year — questions

What subjects are in BDS 2nd year?

General Pathology, Microbiology, General and Dental Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Dental Materials, Preclinical Prosthodontics & Crown and Bridge, Preclinical Conservative Dentistry, Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology.

Which books should I buy for BDS 2nd year?

General Pathology: Textbook of Pathology; Microbiology: Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology; General and Dental Pharmacology & Therapeutics: Essentials of Medical Pharmacology; Dental Materials: Basic Dental Materials; Preclinical Prosthodontics & Crown and Bridge: Textbook of Prosthodontics; Preclinical Conservative Dentistry: Textbook of Preclinical Conservative Dentistry; Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology: Shafer's Textbook of Oral Pathology

Can you print these books for me?

We print from a PDF you send us and are entitled to print. We do not host, sell or supply book PDFs. Send the file on WhatsApp with the page range and we quote in minutes.

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 2nd year: subjects and books.