$解:根據(jù)題意畫出示意圖,連接OB$
$當(dāng)點(diǎn)D在優(yōu)弧BC上時(shí),如圖$
$因?yàn)橹本€AB與⊙O相切于B點(diǎn)$
$所以O(shè)B⊥BA,即∠OBA=90°$
$因?yàn)椤螦=40°$
$所以∠BOC=50°$
$所以∠BDC= \frac {1}{2}∠BOC=25°$
$當(dāng)點(diǎn)D在劣弧BC上時(shí),即在D′點(diǎn)處$
$如圖.因?yàn)椤螧DC=25°,所以∠BD′C=180°-∠BDC=155°$
$綜上所述,∠BDC的度數(shù)為25°或155°$