Dentistry in the USA

US Aspirants Please Go through this

Colleges which offer Advanced Standing Program (DDS/DMD) to foreign trained dentists require atleast NDEB Part I. Most of the dental schools which offer this program require atleast 83%. (It is Percentile not Percentage, make sure you understand what Percentile basis is) . To cut down the competition, the number of applicants and various other reasons some dental schools are also asking for NDEB Part II now. 

US state boards do not care where you get your DDS/DMD as long as you get one they are satisfied. Some states do not require DDS/DMD to practice in their states, BUT.... THESE STATES REQUIRE THAT A FOREIGN TRAINED DENTISTS SHOULD HAVE HAD ATTENDED AT LEAST 2 YEARS OF ADVANCED TRAINING IN DENTISTRY IN US.... which would mean the applicant either should have had completed a specialty program in dentistry which is recognized (permitted) in US.

AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) is a university based one to two year program which is similar to Internship in India. GPR (General Practice Residency) is similar to AEGD but is "MOSTLY" in a hospital setting. As in US, the DMD/DDS program is only 4 years instead of 5 years as in India (which means US graduates of DDS/DMD) do not have to go through one year internship at the end of there course to get an degree. This is the reason why for most dental students opt for these programs after DDS/DMD here in US for experience.

ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM: The dental schools which offer this program have increased in the recent past and also the number of seats is also increasing. Similarly the competition is high and so they look for high scores in NDEB exams. Although ADA web site does not mention the new schools which offer the program, sending a e-mail to the dental school admission office. Bank loans and financial help information is provided by the dental schools. The banks or lender organizations ask for a co-applicant or a guarantor who is a American Citizen or at least a Green Card holder who has a good credit. This requirement is waived if you already have a green card or citizenship of US. The average annual percentage of these loans range from 6.00% to 9.00% presently and is dependent upon the Federal Interest rate or another Federal rates published quarterly in financial reports in US. Also for the people who are either citizens are green card holders of US, are eligible to get Federal Loan. The loans I have mentioned above are private loans. The federal loans charge a annual percentage rate (APR) of around 5% presently. 

APPLICANTS WHO HAVE HAD ALREADY MASTERS IN DENTISTRY FROM INDIA or ANY OTHER COUNTRY: The licensing rules remain the same for these specialists as mentioned for the BDS graduates. The state rule does not change for specialists if they have done it in another country as for as I know.

The following points need to be taken care of:

1) For NBDE Part 1: Follow simple rules: Study Kaplan Material, which includes Dental Decks; 10 years Question papers and Review notes. Since new pattern has started from January 2007, make sure you have latest decks and other study materials like Remembered questions, Clinical Vignettes and Illustrations. In case, you don’t understand a topic, always refer your books which you studied during your BDS/MDS.

  Apart from Kaplan material, you need a new latest book which is among hottest seller   

  these days: First Aid to NBDE Part 1. This book is a short concise guide to write your

NBDE Part 1. In case of further guidance and how to obtain these books you can always contact me.

2) The cost of appearing in Computerized NBDE Part 1 is US $250. Apart from that

Transcript Evaluation costs another US $125. Please have a Visa or Mastercard

International Credit Card by this stage, otherwise you are just delaying your long

application process by going to banks and wasting your time unnecessarily. Many

universities accept only Credit card. So, have one as soon as possible.

3) Obtaining US Visa is the biggest hurdle in your American dreams. Remember, a few

tips: Your confidence and the way you carry yourself is number one important factor. The interviewers at US embassy are personality readers and lie-detectors. Be truthful

in front of  them and never argue with them. Just answer clearly to whatever they say and never ever try to question their authority. B1/B2 category is for business/tourist visa and F1 is student visa.

4) If you score less than 85 percentile in NBDE Part 1, just forget your results and again take your exam. Admissions these days are highly competitive and you need greater than 87 percentile to stand a chance. Other thing you need to take is TOEFL iBT/ CBT (costing US $150) . Remember, TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years time while NBDE scores have atleast 10 years validity. Click HERE to see which are the easiest schools to get in to.

5)   Then follow the rigorous Application process:

  At this stage you need:

a) Your official NBDE Part1 and TOEFL iBT/CBT scores. You need 100 in TOEFL iBT or 250 in CBT.

b) 3 Letters of  Recommendation

c) A solid and professional Career Statement or Statement of Purpose

d) Transcript Evaluation Reports

e) Original Transcripts signed by Dean/Principal of your college/university

f) University/ Dental School selection depending upon your NBDE Part 1 scores and your GPA. Each application costs from US $75 to US $150.

g) Then if you get a call for interview…boom ….you have a great chance of making it. Again, interview needs strong communication and interpersonal skills.

h) In some universities, especially based in California, NBDE Part 2 and clinical skills are required; which needs clinical training. In my opinion, SHORT COURSES by ICDR can be really helpful for that aspect.

i) Then, if you get admitted to DDS/DMD program, you’ll need a co-signer (can be a relative or a friend) who is either a US citizen or Green card holder for your Student loan. Loans are very easy and long term like 15-20 years. The loan amount even covers your living expenses and if you have a spouse and children, they cover even that. Typically, yearly expenses are in the range of US $ 80,000 to one lakh dollar. So, a two year program will cost US $1,60,000 to US $200,000.

j) But here’s a good news after all the big expenses talk: DENTISTS and SPECIALIST DOCTORS remain the most lucrative and best salaried profession.

k) On an average, a dentist in USA starts from $ 100,000  to $ 1,25,000. In 2005,

5% Americans had an annual salary in excess of one lakh dollar or more. So, when you start your career in USA as a dentist, you straightaway belongs to upper 5% income group bracket in USA. That’s a big reward you get for all pains and hardships associated with being a dentist.

l) Above all, US unlike UK, has a stable work permit, read H1B, plans followed by

Green Card, and then US citizenship.

a) If you want to be a practicing dentist in USA, DDS is the only option.

b) But, in case u don’t want to do DDS and straightaway wants admission in MSD  or MS in Dentistry in fields like General Dentistry, Pedodontics, Periodontics; Operative Dentistry; Endodontics; Dental Public Health (Preventive Dentistry) ; Orthodontics; admissions are highly competitive , but possible.

c) Foreign dental graduates are not eligible for MSD in Oral Surgery.

d) Orthodontics is again very tough to get into.

e) Majority of PG degree courses have NBDE Part 1 and Part 2 as admission criteria. These courses are equivalent to MDS in India (you can check DCI website) .

f) Most of these programs are two to three years on duration and need very strong academic and professional documentation.

g) Expenses are less as compared to DDS; range is from $ 20,000 to $ 70,000 per annum.

h) Jobs after completing your PG are in dental schools as faculty/research. But believe me, pay scales are even better than DDS…yes, its in excess of $1,50,000 and above.

C) The other option for DENTISTS and DOCTORS is to do Masters in Public Health (MPH) or Masters in Hospital Administration (MHA) . These courses don’t cost a bomb but again, salary levels are low as compared to dentists/physicians/specialists. But these degree courses does offer a good living in USA…as compared to rich living associated with Dentists/Doctors (as per US Standards) . The main thing needed is GRE and TOEFL and work experience. The fees for a typical two year course ranges from $ 22,000 to $ 45,000.

On getting admission, you apply for F1 (Student visa) . But all this again needs strong documentation. The best part is US Immigration laws permit you to work 20 hrs /week on-campus during fall and spring and 40hrs/week during summer. Effectively, your earnings can take care of your monthly expenditure and also, you can get scholarships also to make your education free of cost, but everything needs to be planned before time and application deadlines are very strictly adhered by universities.

Kaplan may do tests in India, check on their website.

In what is being hailed as yet another landmark decision in Minnesota, the state dental board has unanimously voted to adopt the Canadian dental exam, making it the first state in the U.S. to endorse nonpatient-based licensure exams for dentists. The role of live patient-based exams as part of the dental licensure testing process has been debated in the U.S. for years. Proponents say it is the only way to truly appraise a dental graduate's clinical competency, while opponents say there are serious ethical issues associated with this part of the testing process. CLICK FOR MORE

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