The question uppermost on most international dental applicants’ minds these days is how to improve candidacy in CAAPID, make it more competitive given the current scenario with COVID looming large. This question predominates more so on reapplicants’ minds as they require to answer a specific question asking what has changed since your last CAAPID application?
However daunting this task may seem to international dentists with the pandemic, travel restrictions, and safety concerns, online means can better your CAAPID profile virtually. But what are the available virtual options for improving CAAPID profile and candidacy?
Virtual options for improving your candidacy as an international dentist
Generally, in-person options for various programs like preceptorship, master’s programs, internships, etc., are favored. They hold more weightage and strengthen the candidate’s profile much more than virtual options that are comparatively less interactive, rigorous, and less time-consuming. In-person opportunities allow candidates to be on campus, interact with the faculty, see their personality, how well adjusted they are to the US standards of learning, etc., which adds more value to their CAAPID profile. Besides, international dentists can form connections with the faculty and obtain strong letters of recommendation, which are essential to securing admission to the DDS/DMD program.
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However, let us focus on the online opportunities available for improving candidacy in CAAPID in the current pandemic, which might help aspiring candidates to get accepted to an international dental program. Listed below are a few options for aspiring international candidates to improve their CAAPID profile without leaving their homes.
Online Masters Program
Many international dentists are aspiring to practice in the USA like to explore this option and obtain a Master’s degree since it provides first-hand research experience, collaboration with professors, and most importantly, an opportunity to better your GPA as an international dentist. There are many options available for online masters, and the most popular option is the Masters in Public health (MPH) program varying in cost from anywhere between 25000 USD to 75000 USD. An MPH degree can be exhausting, usually extending between 1 year to 2 years in duration, and requires full-time commitment if upgrading the GPA is the motive of international dentists. Other options are a Master of Science (MSc) degree or a Master of Health Administration (MHA), which are provided online and on-campus by several schools. All these diplomas / degrees increase your experience and add substantial weightage to international CAAPID applicants’ profiles and can improve candidacy in CAAPID.
For example- the University of Buffalo (UB) has an MSc program in dental materials, mostly online this year.
Online Preceptorships and Fellowships
Although none of the preceptorships / fellowships is Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved and will not give international dental program aspirants any formal degree or licensure to practice in the USA, these experiences certainly improve knowledge and provide experience in the clinical setting.
Preceptorships are usually limited to only observing clinical work, while some fellowships allow hands-on clinical experience. These experiences help aspiring international dentists get acquainted with predoctoral clinical and didactic education and the US group practice structure and can cost anywhere between 4000 USD to 12000 USD depending on the length, school, etc.
Some of the universities providing online programs are
- Boston University (BU) offers a varying length of preceptorship programs from 1 month to 4 months both virtually as well as in person.
- University of California San Francisco (UCSF) offers virtual preceptorship programs in specific areas that provide sub-specialty interests like Craniofacial Orthodontics. Usually, applicants must enroll at least 4 months before the start of the program.
Research Opportunities and Assistantships
Research opportunities can be paid, unpaid, dental-related, or even medicine-related, for example, research experience in drug trials, etc. International advanced program applicants can find online research opportunities by contacting the university you are interested in researching. Each department has its faculty involved in specific research areas, which can be approached if you are interested in that field. Though a degree is not essential, statistics and sound knowledge in data analysis are assets for research assistants.
Publications / Blogs / Author
Being a published author or writing an article in Pubmed or any other renowned international dental journal is an achievement and adds credibility to international dentists’ profiles who are applying to the CAAPID cycle. Candidates can actively participate in publishing articles, paper presentations, poster competitions, etc.
Other options for improving candidacy in CAAPID include dental-related blogs, writing a book, or even a chapter that shows your versatility and passion for dentistry and your desire to keep abreast of dentistry’s latest developments.
Online CE courses to improve candidacy in CAAPID
International dental program aspirants should not solely rely on online Continuing Education (CE) courses to enhance their profile as they are not at par with hands-on courses. The online courses should preferably be CERP certified. CERP is accreditation for courses that regulate the standard of education provided! Even for the renewal of specific licenses, we have to earn CE hours, which are valid, and CERP is one of them.
Despite their shortcomings and less credibility in the current situation, online CE courses are freely available on numerous sites like the following.
- Viva learning
- Colgate oral health
- Crest and Oral B
- Act dental
- Smile at sea webinars.
- Several dental schools, like the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pennsylvania, have an online course calendar and provide several online courses each month, which international candidates can choose to do.
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Online Volunteering Opportunities
Several online volunteering alternatives to in-person volunteering are available, improving candidacy of international dentists for international dental programs. Volunteering can be dental or non-dental related and should be close to one’s heart as they require commitment and dedication. Volunteering can significantly improve candidacy in CAAPID since it demonstrates their humane side, interests, and willingness to give back to their community. Some of the options available virtually are
The crisis text line is a commendable place to start volunteering for international applicants who are keen on offering free, round-the-clock support to those in crisis.
Options can also be found at volunteer match, which will guide international candidates to their suitable volunteering experience
American Red Cross offers different aspects of volunteering, from financial help to virtual guidance, etc. Once you sign up with Red Cross representative emails and gets in contact to offer opportunities
- United Nations Volunteers
Over 12,000 volunteers from 187 countries lend their support to this global organization, which internationally works for peace and development. Volunteer work can be expansive, ranging from activities involving research, writing, art, etc.
- Translators Without Borders
For international dentists fluent in different languages, this non-profit organization combines language skills with humanitarian aid by helping out in crisis relief, health and education.
- Catchafire
This volunteering alternative is entirely online, with volunteers offering help with tasks like writing thank-you notes or. Editing photos etc.
- Virtual School Visits
Due to the pandemic, several schools this year have provided virtual school tours to get an idea of the school, the program, and what they look for in their candidates. For example, the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine offers an online tour, which allows aspiring international dentists to acquire a sense of the school and become familiar with the admissions committee.
- Basic Life Support online certification course
Several organizations like the Red Cross, AHA, and others offer online basic life support courses for health care workers. These certification courses are usually credited for two years and are essential for all doctors.
- Medical Coding / Statistics courses
There are online courses available, usually lasting between 2-3 months, in which candidates can get familiar with coding, statistics, analytical knowledge, etc.
- Become Members of various Associations
International dental program applicants can visit the websites, fill applications and become members of various organizations like the ADA, CDA, AGD, SNDA, SCADA, etc. They can refresh their knowledge of the latest advancements in dentistry, CE courses, and even volunteering options, etc.
- Online dental hygiene course, online Dental Assistant course, dental X-Ray licensure are other options available online, enhancing the profile of international dentists who are keen on applying to the CAAPID cycle to obtain their DDS/DMD degree.
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Final words
In conclusion, aspiring international dentists should contemplate the above-given virtual substitutes to further their profiles, improve candidacy in CAAPID and make the best possible choices so they can get into the dental school of their dreams. I would recommend it to all candidates who plan to secure a position in a US dental school. As they say, “No Pain is No Gain.”
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