A foreign trained dentist in USA is licensed to practice differently by each state’s regulations in the United States. Dr. Fox wrote an article titled “How internationally trained dentists are licensed to practice in the U.S.” on the American Dental Association website back in 2008. A lot has changed since the article was written, but I thought it’s still mostly relevant so I wanted to share it with you. She reflects on the different ways foreign dentists in USA can become licensed in the states, and also what to be careful of. It may seem difficult, but Dr. Fox quickly sums up the general outline for an international dentist in USA to become an American trained dentist.
The Path for a Foreign Trained Dentist in USA to PracticeÂ
Dr. Fox writes that a foreign trained dentist in USA receives credit for the education received in his/her country:
Internationally trained dentists can complete a U.S.-based predoctoral program and earn a DDS or DMD degree, sometimes in less time than it takes U.S. students. There are many predoctoral programs in the U.S. that offer advanced standing for international dentists, meaning students can receive credit for some of their dental education obtained in another country. A DDS or DMD degree from an accredited predoctoral program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all states. Individual program requirements vary.
She also writes how some states have different options:
In some states, a general practice residency or other advanced education program (advanced education in general dentistry or specialty training) is accepted in lieu of a dental degree or certificate of completion. Minnesota is another unique case, as the state dental board determines educational credentials of international dentists on a case-by-case basis.
Finally, Dr. Fox writes of a third option that is exclusive for foreign trained dentists:
International Dentist Programs offer yet another alternative to dentists trained outside the U.S. Separate from other dental education programs, International Dentist Programs grant either DDS or DMD degrees or a certificate of completion. However, earning a certificate may only satisfy licensure eligibility requirements in the state where the program is located.
Ultimately the current dental system is set in place so that a foreign trained dentist in USA receives the same education as an American trained dentist. Dr. Fox provides different options for an international dentist in USA that can be chosen for the best fitting scenario. It’s a difficult path, but dentists on average make over $150,000 per year in the U.S..
View Dr. Fox’s original article
Related Articles:
- Dental Residency Programs in USA for International Students
- Can International Dentist Work Dental Assistant?
- Bench Test Preparatory Course
If I do not have a D.D.S. or D.M.D. from an accredited dental school but completed an advanced dental education program in an accredited U.S. or Canadian program, can I become licensed in the U.S( New York state)
no not if you are from Indian sub continent
So you have no DDS or DMD from the US? Or do you mean you have no DDS or DMD from your home country? If you have a DDS/DMD from your home country AND the advanced dental education program from the US/Canada is a residency or specialty program, it is possible that you could work in the US in certain states. (not sure if New York is one of those states however, but you can contact their licensure department and they should be able to tell you)
Also, there’s nothing unique about candidates from the Indian sub-continent compared to candidates from any other part of the world, just for the record. For example, a candidate interested in practicing in the US who’s from India has the same rules that apply to them as a candidate interested in practicing who is from the United Kingdom.
Hello,
I’m a graduate dentist from Poland. I would like to know the next step to gain rights to practice dentistry in the U.S. I would also like to know the steps to be able to apply for a specialty in the states (like orthodontics or oral surgery)
Hi Riad! Please check this article for the step by step guide here.
Hello my girlfriend is a dentist in Colombia and also finishing up her focus in Orthodontist. Can she practice in Rhode or Mass ?
Hi Andrew! As long as she’d qualify for Rhode’s or Mass’s license, I don’t see why not. Good luck! For each state’s licensure eligibility, please check with their requirements for accuracy.
I am Trinidadian and I’d like to find out how to go about practicing in the U.S. Please
Hi Niki! This the best article for this : https://internationaldentistcentral.com/guide-to-becoming-a-dentist-in-the-us/
Thank you so much for this forum. I have been researching this subject for a while now and im having a little bit of trouble. I am an American citizen, left the country when i was a teenager to study abroad and am currently in my 4th year of my BDS. I am planning on moving back to america directly after receiving my degree and I would like to know what i can do here currently to raise my chances of getting accepted to an advanced standing program. My GPA is a 3.0 and will most likely stay that way when i graduate giving that in my country averages are cumulative. I am currently shadowing a private practice dentist as well. I have no extracurricular or volunteer experience. Will working numerous internships for the remaining 2 years of my BDS help in my rank for admissions? What about making and building a CV with before and after photos of cases i have worked on? Also does being an American native speaker boost my chances? Please help
Hi Ashley! Thanks for your questions. It would be best to discuss your questions in a private discussion with Dr. Alyssa as they’re a little complex and would be hard to answer right off the bat.
We do offer consulting sessions, where you can speak with Dr. Alyssa directly and she could discuss some different options. There is a fee, but the way we see it is that it’s a small investment compared to the amount of time and money that it can save you down the road. If you’re interested, let me know and I can send you a link for that.
Thanks and stay safe!
Hello,
My cousin is a dentist in the Dominican republic and would like to practice in new jersey. How can she go about it?
Hi Winelly! You can directly check this with New Jersey State Board of Dentistry for their dental licensure requirements and further details on their process: here
Danny Tangalin, I’am also a foreign trained dentist from the Philippines, a US citizen. I came to US as a Physical Therapist. I’ve been in the practice of PT for a while but I still miss my dental practice. Just renewed my Philippine dental and PT license last week when I went home. In this current year 2019, is there any change in the Dental board/law that would expedite our ability to perform our dental profession in the USA? ‘Cuz every year I hear something different.
Hi there Danny,
The process of becoming a licensed dentist in the US is still the same. You will still have to graduate from an accredited program to be eligible to apply for a US dental license. You can do this by joining either one of the ff: the traditional 4-year DDS program, an advanced standing program or a residency program.
Hope this helps but feel free to email us if you have further questions on this!
Thanks!
I am a Nigerian trained dentist willing to get into get into the residency program. I need more information about how to get into it and which specialty accepts international Dentist more. Thanks
Hi there Mayor, you might want to check out this article we’ve written regarding residency programs.
Dental Residency Programs for Foreign-Trained Dentists
Hope this helps, thank you!
Hello, I’m Norberto,U.S citizen, foreign dentist from the Philippines, I’ve been in this field for less thirty years and I want to continue my profession here in the US but I don’t know how and where to start. Has anyone could possibly help or give some advise? Thank you in advance, and I really appreciate it.
Hi there Noberto,
Thanks for leaving a comment! In order for you to be able to become a licensed dentist in the US, you will have to graduate from an accredited program. You can do this by joining an advanced standing program or a residency program. Once you’ve completed the program, you would be eligible to take the licensure examination and then practice dentistry after.
I know you may find this overwhelming, but if you need more information and if you want to know the bigger picture of the whole process, you can check out this guide book written by Dr. Alyssa Marshall herself.
Thanks!
Hello Kevin Marshall I have a question for you. Hopefully you could help me. As a USA citizen, I am trained dentist with a specialty in children dentistry in Mexico. What would be my next step to becomes licensed in California? I would love for you to guide and advise me. Thank you so much
Hi Amalia, we sent you an email regarding this. Thanks!
My fiancé is a trained dentist in Sai Gon Vietnam, she is currently working at a hospital and her own dental clinic. She would like to learn what she can do to practice dental care in state like Minnesota. Thanks.
Hi Bill, here are the state requirements of Minnesota for international dentists like your fiancé.
Hope this helps! Thanks!
I’m an European and also Iranian dentist with over 17 years of experience. What are my gateways of entering US dentist.I am green card citizen.
Could somebody help me.
Thanks
MAJID
hi
i was a public dentist for ten yrs in the philippines, i am a permanente resident here in san francisco. i wish to work as a dentist or even a dental hygeniest in other state where they will credit my experience and my education. i have heared other state aRE accepting even as hygeniest like ive heard in florida. will you let me know if i could do this in other states???
nayda dagatan
Hello,
I not sure if I am in the right forum, however, please allow me to introduce myself and what I do back home.
I am a dentist in the Philippines and soon migrating in the US with an approved petition from the US immigration office.
I am wondering if anyone could assist me the possibility of starting out and applying for the dental hygienist in Minnesota if and when I will be instructed to leave for the US by the immigration.
And, the chances of working as a dental hygienist (or, teaching dentistry) in Minnesota.
In addition to the aforementioned, I also attend to children with special health needs (e.g. those with autism, down’s syndrome et al) and perform the basic gestural and sign language usually designed for persons with hearing impairment to communicate to these children and in a regular dental setting, the non – pharmacological approach or without being sedated for learning outcomes taking place and acceptance of treatment/s with their next dental visits.
And, having completed my Masteral Degree in Special Education for Children with Special Needs years ago for the same purpose.
Do you think I have the chance landing for a job at the same time considering a foreign graduate and with a post polio disability but mobile?
Thank you very much.
Gerry
Hello, First of all I wanna thank you for your efforts writing this information.
I would like to ask a question, and I would appreciate if you can provide me with a helpful information. I’m a non-european dentis resident in Portugal, I had a português Dental Master (Dental Diploma) and I’m doing my Master in Orthodontics now in Portugal also. I” engaged to an American citizen and I” gonna live there within a year. I want to know what I have to do to get a permission to practice Orthodontics in USA?
Many thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Best regards,
Sondus
Hi there. Portugal is a wonderful country and I’ve heard great things about the medicine practiced there.
Overall, your main options are to get into an Ortho residency program in the US directly (thereby skipping an advanced standing program), or getting into an advanced standing program first, then continuing on to an ortho residency in the US. Obviously the first choice would be idea as it would be way less time required, however, getting into ortho residencies in the US can be difficult as an internationally trained dentist. Still, it may be worth a try for you, if you can demonstrate solid experience.
Make sure to checkout our book which goes into all this much deeper:
https://internationaldentistcentral.com/guide-book/
I asking which States in which completion of an accredited advanced dental education program ( ortho ) Satisfy the educational requirement for licensure and substitute the 2 academic years of general dental clinical training DDS or DMD. for dentist graduates from a dental college or school outside of the United States or Canada:
I’m an orthodontist graduated in Venezuela after taking part 1 and 2 of NDEB exams I think my best bet would be trying to get into an ortho residency, does anyone has experience or info in wich state and program could I do thi
I am a foreign trained dentist from non accredited dental school. I would like to know which states accept residency programs AEGD, GPR or other specialty program as a way to get a dental license?
What is the difference between international program and advanced standing programs?
Hello,
I am a dentist that graduated form an accredited university in Ecuador. I want to know if there are any states where i could practice by getting a specialty degree in ortho for example and taking the NBDE.
thankyou
I’m an Indian dentist with over four years of experience. What are my gateways of entering us.
I’m a Portuguese dentist work in UK.but wanted to move USA.what do I need to do?
Hi there Maria, in the US, you’ll only be eligible to apply for a dentist licensure if you graduate from an accredited program. Having said that, you can either join an advanced standing program or a residency program and then apply for a license thereafter.
If you want to learn more about the bigger picture of the whole process, I believe our guide book that Dr. Alyssa Marshall has written will be useful to you. You can get it here.
Hope this helps, thanks!
I am Pakistani trained dentist guide me how can I practice in us.
Hi there.. first of all I would like to commend your efforts in helping overseas dentists. Kudos. Coming to my situation, I have completed a fellowship in Orthodontics from Pakistan. Would I have to go through the same route as a general dentist to start practicing in the States or do I have other options available?
Great question. You may be able to get into an ortho residency directly instead of having to go through and advanced standing program. It’s a lot tougher, but possible for sure.
What is the difference between the advanced standing program and the international dentist program? I thought they were the same thing. Also, as a foreign trained dentist, I am interested in applying to dental school and complete the full four years if that gets my foot in the door sooner than IDP . I’m only in the beginning of my research but so far the school websites that I visited specify that undergrad work should be at an accredited university. Those same schools also offer IDP- so why is it that we can’t apply as a first year student.. but we can apply for IDP (third year)? Am I misunderstanding the process?
In case there are schools that accept foreign dental degrees into their 4 year programs that I have yet to come across.. are there any that are known?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
What other options I have to practice dentistry in U.S. Than advanced standing program? Does the residency program allow me to work and where can I find the programs available ?
There really aren’t many residency programs that allow you to begin practicing immediately. There are a few states (Florida is one that comes to mind) which allows a few select candidates to practice without going through an advanced standing program. Nonetheless, it’s still rare for a residency program like this to accept non-accredited, non-U.S. dental graduates into their programs.
Please, is it possible to get a list of the states that except practice through residency? thank you
How about U.S. Citizen Europe trained dentist? Is acceptance rate for U.S advanced standing for international dentists very low? Thank you so much.
The only real advantage that U.S. Citizens trained abroad have is that they don’t have to worry about dealing with immigration issues. Beyond that, if you’ve been trained outside of the U.S. or Canada (for the most part), an Advanced Standing Program is likely your best bet. As you mentioned, acceptance rates continue to be very competitive.
For Texas you can do a residency program or the advanced standing program. Residency programs are much more competitive than advanced standing program. I think both of you guys (Jose and Peace) will find the guide book I wrote helpful – The International Dentist’s Guide to Obtaining a US Dental License
Dr. Alyssa how can I read your guide book? Can it be accessed online? I would like to discuss my situation with you if at all possible. Thank you.
Hi Louie, you can get the book here -> https://internationaldentistcentral.com/guide-book/. To discuss your situation with Dr. Marshall, please leave us a message. Thanks!
I am a U.S. Citizen but im a Mexican Trained Dentist. I would like to know what steps to take into becoming a Licensed Dentist in Texas
Same question, but i would like to became dentist in California
Here are brief overviews for each state. As you can see, getting trained for at least 2 years at an accredited US dental school is a requirement for these states (aka, Advanced Standing Programs). As Dr. Alyssa mentions in a comment below, the other option is a residency for both states. Either way, US dental school is required.
Texas: https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Dentist-in-Texas
California: https://usdds.blogspot.com/2008/12/dental-license-in-california-for.html
Hope this helps!
kevin
I am a Nigerian trained dentist. I intend to get into the residency programme for dentistry. Please I may I go about this? drhenryonye@yahoo.com. Many thanks.
i am nigerian too! i have some info. how far have you gotten lets talk. ngozicee@gmail.com