What future prospects does an Indian dentist have for working in the USA or Canada? Can Indian trained dentists work in the U.S., and if so, what are the requirements?
If you are a licensed dentist in India and interested to move to the United States, you might be wondering if your degree is recognized and whether you can continue practicing as a dentist of you decided to move to the U.S.
Can an Indian Dentist work in the U.S.?
Unfortunately, Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) is not completely recognized in the United States. Moreover, there are specific academic and visa requirements you’ll need to comply with if you want to work as a licensed dentist in North America.
How to become a licensed dentist in the USA?
Dental school in the U.S. is a post-baccalaureate level education, meaning students go there after earning undergraduate degree. Dental school itself is considered pre-doctoral because you earn a doctoral degree upon completion of the program.
Getting a DDS or DMD (which is the same degree with different names) is not the same as getting a license. One needs to graduate from an accredited dental school to earn a DDS or DMD and then apply for the state license.
To practice dentistry, you’ll need a license from the state you want to practice in. You can only apply for that license if you meet that states’ requirements. The majority of state license requirements include having graduated from an accredited U.S. or Canadian dental school, while some states can give a license to international dentists that have completed a residency program of usually 2 years or longer. The are only a few states awarding such a license. Each state has its own particular requirements, and you need a thorough research to familiarize yourself with these requirements.
Another alternative route to consider if you’re interested in both practicing dentistry and teaching is to become a full-time faculty member of a U.S. dental school where you’ll be given a provisional license to practice within the school’s boundaries. While you cannot go into private practice with this license, dental schools in the U.S. are often short of faculty making this an excellent opportunity for those with an interest in an academic dental career.
Related Article: Dentist Earnings in the United States for the Foreign Trained Dentist
How can you become licensed as an international dentist?
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DDS/DMD
This is the most common route to become a licensed dentist in the US. DDS/ DMD is a usually a 2-year advanced standing program. Some schools have an immigration restriction. NBDE Part 1 is required mostly by all schools while some schools prefer having NBDE Part 2 as well. It is good to familiarize yourself with the requirements of each school before you apply. (Relate article: Study materials for NBDE Part 1 )
- Some schools that consider internationally trained dentists but do not grant advanced standing status. If you are accepted, you will start at year 1 with the rest of incoming dental students and complete the entire program (usually 4 years).
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Residency programs
An international dentist could join an accredited post-graduate program and apply a license thereafter instead of going back to school. This is not an option for most states however, as most of the states require international dentists to graduate from an accredited US dental school. If this is a route that interest you, make sure that you find a residency program in a specialty area or a residency program in general dentistry.
There are many Advanced Dental Education Programs in basic science or areas of dentistry that are not recognized as specialties in dentistry. Completing such programs are not likely to give you a dental license in any state.
Before getting into a program, usually schools prefer candidates with some sorts of shadowing experience in the US. Shadowing can be done on a tourist visa, however you can only work on a work visa. Even while you are in a program with student visa, you cannot work elsewhere unlike U.S. citizens. (Relate article: Dental Residency Programs for Foreign-Trained Dentists )
Working as a dental assistant is another route to strengthen one’s CV for the purpose of applying into a US dental school but it does have immigration restrictions and one needs to do basic courses to become a registered dental assistant. Again, each state has its own requirements for working an as a dental assistant.
It is definitely harder for international dentists to get licensed in the US, especially when many have graduated a while back and have already been practicing dentistry in our home country. Nonetheless, this is the reality of the situation.
Got a question about the process? Let us know in the comments section below! What is your experience on the future of Indian dentist in USA?
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Hey…I’m a Indian MDS degree in Endodontics woth work experience of 8 yrs.
How can I work as dental hygienist there? Or residency for new york.
Hello Dr. Pratima,
Yes, you can work in the US. You will need to see the available options to apply to the US. Usually, International Dentists apply first to the CAAPID Cycle and then to an Advance Standing Program or a Residency Program. You need to keep in mind that every state has their own rules to apply
Wish you the best of luck in your journey!
Hello sir/ma’am, I am Dr Ajinkya Pandit, a post graduate resident doctor in final year specializing in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. I do not have the capital and time to consider taking nbde exams. Although in your article I found it interesting to know about becoming a full time faculty member. I want to know more details about it.
Hello Ajinkya, contact us here to give more details about it.
Hi am an indian trained dentis with 10years of experience in usa need some info regarding to become a dentist with out going back to school and also to how to join as an dental assistant
Hey Anilkumar, the best way to become a dentist in the USA is to get a DDS or DMD or to apply to a resident program. Please, check this article to have more information here
Hope it helps!
Sir, I am an Indian dentist with 42years of experience ,in India as well abroad, would like to know, can I work as a Dental hygiene and/or Dental Assistant in US. Or can I work in Hospital administration? Please guide me accordingly. My son in US , is a green card , working in Texas.
Hi Prabhu! As an international dentist, you may only be eligible to apply for dental licensure in the US if you graduate from an accredited dental school. More details here.
Hi, i am an indian dentist, bds, andwant to work in usa, but no studies, i dont mind doing practical shadowing or assisting or any such related stuff to get post grad licensure which enables me to work in us. Thanks for all the help.
I am a BDS graduate from India currently live in canada holding Permanent Residency Visa. I recently passed ADAT examination with 620 Score. Can someone guide me how good the score is and also is there any other courses in US I can apply for with my BDS Degree as qualification?
Hi there! For ADAT score, please check here and for international dentist pathways, please check this article.
Hi – I was a dentist in India (BDS). Due my husband’s work, we relocated to the US 6 years back. Now that I am willing to get back to some sort of healthcare related job. What best you can suggest in terms of study?
PS. other than DDS
Hi Magdaline! We have written a few articles that can guide you with that >
https://internationaldentistcentral.com/guide-to-becoming-a-dentist-in-the-us/
https://internationaldentistcentral.com/how-to-get-a-dental-license-without-any-additional-training-as-an-ftd/
https://internationaldentistcentral.com/advanced-placement-programs-vs-residency-programs/
What are the steps to be followed by an indian BDS doctor in order to practice medical cosmetology in texas, usa ?
Hi Rajesh. That’s unfortunately not our area of expertise, we help with receiving US dental licenses. Thanks!
Hi Iam a dentist from India. I live in San Antonio, Texas. Can you please elaborate on teaching options available for foreign dentists in US. What is the step by step procedure ? Thanks
Hi Chandni! That’s unfortunately not our area of expertise, we help with receiving US dental licenses. It is best to ask directly the school you’d like to apply to, so you get accurate information.
Hello. My partner has done BDS in india and will be coming to the US on marriage visa. I have heard that she will only need to study for 6 months and then start working as Dental Surgeon or assistant of Dental Surgeon. Is it possible?? If not, what is the best route she can take?
Your advise will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Rohit! Most states require an international dentist to graduate from an accredited program to be eligible to apply for a license. To do that, your wife can join an advanced standing program, join the traditional program, or even join a residency program. More info here: https://internationaldentistcentral.com/guide-to-becoming-a-dentist-in-the-us/
I have completed BDS and MDS in prosthodontics. Im also a certified implantologist. If i marry someone from US , i may have to come there. But i want to work in teachign side in a dentla College. What is the possiblity
Hi Elizabeth! That’s unfortunately not our area of expertise, we help with receiving US dental licenses through our courses and services. Thanks!
Hello
what is possibility of a Dental technician had done dental technician 2 year course from a reputed very well known internationally University form India ?. Thank you
We’re not familiar with this, unfortunately. Best of luck!
Hi Sherry,
I am looking for more information on pursuing DDS degree in US(mainly on how to prepare exams and university list which accepts admission for international students).
Thank you,
Santhosh
Hi Santosh! For Advanced Standing Program, ADEA CAAPID is the best page that you can check for the list of schools that accepts international dentists like you.
https://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/CAAPID/Pages/CAAPIDDirectory.aspx
Hello
I have done my MDS in Maxillofacial Surgery from India followed by a fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology .
I would be grateful if you could please let me know whether I can pursue a fellowship from the US in Head and Neck Surgical Onco. Furthermore, is taking the iNBDE exam necessary even for enrolling into the fellowship programme ?
Thank you
Hi Surya. As much as we would like to help, we, unfortunately, do not have the information you’re looking for since we do not specialize in this. We mainly help int’l dentists get into advanced standing programs or residency programs. Nonetheless, we wish you all the best on your journey! Good luck!
Hi, In which states can I practice after completing a specialty program or an AEGD program?
Hi Priscilla! You can check the list here. Thanks!
i am dentist from India and finished MPH 2 years ago. i got accepted to Dental public helath recidency in CDC. can practice dentistry in USA after my residency ?
Hi Niranjan! May we know where CDC is? Residency is a lot more competitive than the advanced standing program, and the state where you can apply for licensure is limited only. You can check or article about this here.
I am an Indian student.
Can I do dds in canada and then move to us? Is it possible?And if it is possible then how?
Hi Rishika! Yes, it is possible. The United States and Canada recognize one another’s accredited dental schools meaning that you can graduate from a dental school in Canada and practice in the U.S. and vice versa. For our purposes of obtaining a U.S. dental license, you can think of them as one.
Does the course take longer time? Secondly, Is there any kind of rule as to if I hold a dental license of canada then, I can’t hold of US?
Hello my name’s anu… Well I am starting my journey now so I will be doing my bds 1st year from 2021.. so sir could you please give me clarity about this .
After my BDS in India I want to practice in us or Canada. So for that I have to write NBDE OR NDBE but if I take this route I have to do DDS or DMD programs which is expensive and do another 2 years of schooling
On the other hand if I just take pg program I might not have a chance to practice because they prefer us students for pg or someone with us experience.
So can I do a clerkship or observership like in MBBS and boost the cv with US experience???
And then apply for pg IF SO how many months is a clerkship ??
And will I get a residency without us exp
Hi Anu! 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. 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.
Hi….can you please tell me if I can do residency in US after completing my post graduation that is MDS as an oral maxillofacial surgeon? Is that beneficial? Can I apply for residency in oral maxillofacial surgery after my BDS?
Hi there Manasa! There are some residency programs that are actually open to international dentists like yourself. This means that you can apply for them even without a US dental degree. However, this route is considered to be a lot more competitive than an advanced standing program. We have this article that you may find helpful, it includes a list of states that offer Oral Maxillofacial Surgery program:
https://internationaldentistcentral.com/dental-residency-programs-for-foreign-trained-dentists/
Hi I am Indian Dentist I have finished my BDS and been practicing in a private clinic, I wanted to know th perks of working experience whether it will boost my further cv or will it help my applications for colleges? If yes how many min years of experience is considered relevant?
Hi Shravya! Yes, it will definitely help to boost your CV. However, the competitiveness of your overall candidacy depends on all the other factors going on in your experience, as well as how you put it together in the form of an application.
what is future post MDS in USA for a foreign ( Indian) student , can they practice clinical in US
Hi Indrajit! The only way you can be licensed to practice clinically in the US as an international dentist is to either finish an advanced standing program or join a residency program – but with the latter, they have few options and will be licensed to practice in a few states only. We have this article that you may find helpful, it talks about the different pathways an international dentist can take to pursue dental education or practice dentistry in the USA:
https://internationaldentistcentral.com/dental-residency-programs-for-foreign-trained-dentists/
Can we work as a faculty in all schools/universities across America/Canada after completing residency ?
If we do a residency, do we get a license to work as a faculty across US/Canada ?
Hi Tanvi! An international dentist can teach without a US degree under a provisional license and practice within the school’s boundaries but this license is not allowed for private practice.
After completing dds can i get license or i have to compulsory do any of the residency programs?
You can either join a residency program or join the traditional DDS program in the US to get a license. If you would like to join a residency, make sure that you find a residency program in a specialty area or a residency program in general dentistry.
Could you please tell me the states that allow practice after 2 years of residency and clearing ADEX?
Please check this blog article for the list of states: https://internationaldentistcentral.com/dental-residency-programs-for-foreign-trained-dentists/