Many international students participate in predoctoral and postdoctoral dentistry programs in North America. They include:
• Individuals who possess a dental degree from a country other than the United States or Canada. These individuals can apply to:
- Advanced standing programs for international dentists. These programs, offered at more than 30 North American dental schools, are designed for individuals who wish to become licensed to practice dentistry in the United States or Canada. In nearly all U.S. jurisdictions, a dentist must have graduated from a U.S. or Canadian dental school to qualify for licensure. Advanced standing programs are designed for individuals who want to obtain a U.S. or Canadian dental degree in the shortest amount of time. Contact individual programs for applications to advanced standing programs for international dentists.
ADEA will begin a new centralized application service to advanced placement programs for international dentists, starting June 2009. Information about this new service, ADEA CAAPID, will be available at this site starting in March 2009.
- Admission to a traditional predoctoral dentistry program. There are 57 predoctoral dental education programs in the United States and 10 predoctoral education programs in Canada. Fifty-five of these programs participate in the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS), a centralized application service that enables applicants to submit a single application that is distributed to as many schools as the applicant selects. Individuals must apply directly for admission to schools that do not participate in AADSAS.
- Advanced dental education (postdoctoral) programs. Many, but not all, advanced dental education programs, also known as postgraduate or specialty programs, accept graduates of international dental schools. More than 550 advanced programs participate in ADEA PASS, the Postdoctoral Application Support Service, a centralized application service that permits applicants to submit a single application that is distributed to all programs selected by the applicant. Check the PASS Search Engine for programs that participate in PASS and for programs that accept international applicants.
• International students who do not possess a dental degree. These individuals may have attended university anywhere in the world, including the United States and Canada, but do not possess a dental degree. Most U.S. and Canadian dental schools accept international applicants, but some schools are restricted to accepting applicants from their own jurisdictions only. Check individual school websites for specific information about any applicant restrictions.
Special Admission Requirements for International Applicants
In addition to admission requirements for all applicants, international students may be asked to provide additional information to the schools or programs to which they are applying. This list includes requirements for many programs, but it is not exhaustive. Check with individual schools or programs for any additional admission requirements.
• Documentation of English language proficiency. Check individual school and program websites for English language proficiency requirements. Many programs require the TOEFL or other examination results.
• Evaluation of international transcripts. Most schools and programs require a detailed course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts that is completed by a recognized credential evaluation service. Some schools and programs specify certain services that must be used. Check individual school and program websites for specific requirements.
• Proof of finances for individuals possessing non-permanent resident visas. Many schools and programs require documentation of ability to finance their studies at a U.S. or Canadian dental school or program. Check school and program websites for specific requirements.