AEGD or Advanced standing for international dentists

[TinaM]

hey everyone!
i don't where to begin🙂 i got my DDS ( 6 years program) from turkey. my GPA is 3.00 and i have Toefl 100 with two years of experience in my home country. i passed NBDE 1&2 . i recently got my green card and decided to move to the states. after so much research i figured AEGD and advance standing program. what worries me so much is my GPA. i don't know if i can get into advanced standing program. the thing is i recently discovered that i can apply for masters or AEGD before applying for Advanced standing to higher my chances ( to improve my GPA) the thing is i've heard some colleagues who got into AEGD and afterwards they applied for specialties like prosthodontics or even pediatrics without having to go through advanced standing program.
what should i do? i have no experience in the states so far and it seems that my GPA won't get me through the advance standing program. any ideas to improve my resume ? or should i just continue with a masters or AEGD program ?
thanks in advance

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[kavityking]

Hey!
From my experience, the beautiful thing about dental schools in the US is that they tend to look at an applicant overall, and not just at grades. Granted there are minimum grades that you should have (and most schools require a 3.0 and above), being an active dental student with various extracurricular activities, good clinical performance and great letters of recommendation will definitely get you interviews. Completing a two-year AEGD program gives you the opportunity to apply for a license in some states, whereas other states will not allow you to get licensed without having graduated from a CODA-approved school (necessitating the advanced standing program in your case). The advantages of the AEGD over the advanced standing programs is that they are much cheaper in terms of tuition, and are considered postgraduate dental training with exposure to various procedures that dental students would not normally perform themselves. The advanced standing programs will basically mean that you are re-doing the last 2 years of dental school at an approved school.

Some states will also allow you for licensure as a specialist if you complete a residency program in a CODA-approved school. Again, this is an option if you would like to limit your practice to a certain specialty. I would suggest that you look up licensing requirements in different states, and decide where you want to settle down in the future. I would also definitely suggest that you write a good personal statement, get outstanding letters of recommendation from your faculty back at school and apply to as many programs as you can. I am certain you will get interviews, and that is where you can get a chance to prove yourself!

In the mean time, you can look into preceptorships/internships, where you can join certain programs to observe and take part in classes. This will definitely strengthen your application, and will maybe help you decide where you'd like to continue. I hope this helps!

 

[oralcare123]

hey everyone!
i don't where to begin🙂 i got my DDS ( 6 years program) from turkey. my GPA is 3.00 and i have Toefl 100 with two years of experience in my home country. i passed NBDE 1&2 . i recently got my green card and decided to move to the states. after so much research i figured AEGD and advance standing program. what worries me so much is my GPA. i don't know if i can get into advanced standing program. the thing is i recently discovered that i can apply for masters or AEGD before applying for Advanced standing to higher my chances ( to improve my GPA) the thing is i've heard some colleagues who got into AEGD and afterwards they applied for specialties like prosthodontics or even pediatrics without having to go through advanced standing program.
what should i do? i have no experience in the states so far and it seems that my GPA won't get me through the advance standing program. any ideas to improve my resume ? or should i just continue with a masters or AEGD program ?
thanks in advance

You shouldn't worry about your GPA, it's not too low. You come from a country with a low number of applicants, which will work in your benefit.
The type of program, to which to apply depends on how flexible you want to be with the state you plan to practice in. There are restrictions, unless you get you DDS/DMD degree
If I was you, I would get my x-rays certificate or some dental assisting training and just start working as a dental assistant. This way you'll get your experience, LORs and CE. Enroll in some volunteering for the community service, don't forget about EC activities.
I would also recommend you to enroll into accent reduction courses or similar to improve speech
To prepare for a bench test try to use your time and opportunities at home to save money. All necessary information you can find online
Good luck

 

[PDdoctor]

Hi everyone! I wish I can get some help here. A little about myself first: I am US permanent resident but recently completed my DMD degree in Sydney Australia. I am now looking up for the best way to go back home and practise in the states. Through my research, AEGD would be the most ideal for me (I understand it would be really tough to get in right..?) I found all different AEGDs in ADEA PASS but wish if you know any good ones with slightly higher chance to get admission. Plus if any of you have a list of AEGDs or GPRs which accept FTDs. I would be really appreciative if you can share the list of aegds for ftds.
Thank you in advance!

 

[braineddetermined]

Hey!
From my experience, the beautiful thing about dental schools in the US is that they tend to look at an applicant overall, and not just at grades. Granted there are minimum grades that you should have (and most schools require a 3.0 and above), being an active dental student with various extracurricular activities, good clinical performance and great letters of recommendation will definitely get you interviews. Completing a two-year AEGD program gives you the opportunity to apply for a license in some states, whereas other states will not allow you to get licensed without having graduated from a CODA-approved school (necessitating the advanced standing program in your case). The advantages of the AEGD over the advanced standing programs is that they are much cheaper in terms of tuition, and are considered postgraduate dental training with exposure to various procedures that dental students would not normally perform themselves. The advanced standing programs will basically mean that you are re-doing the last 2 years of dental school at an approved school.

Some states will also allow you for licensure as a specialist if you complete a residency program in a CODA-approved school. Again, this is an option if you would like to limit your practice to a certain specialty. I would suggest that you look up licensing requirements in different states, and decide where you want to settle down in the future. I would also definitely suggest that you write a good personal statement, get outstanding letters of recommendation from your faculty back at school and apply to as many programs as you can. I am certain you will get interviews, and that is where you can get a chance to prove yourself!

In the mean time, you can look into preceptorships/internships, where you can join certain programs to observe and take part in classes. This will definitely strengthen your application, and will maybe help you decide where you'd like to continue. I hope this helps!

Also, even if they go for the AEGD route, can’t they practice dentistry in other states after working for 5 years in a particular one, getting access, in this case, to the other states as well?

 

[kavityking]

Also, even if they go for the AEGD route, can’t they practice dentistry in other states after working for 5 years in a particular one, getting access, in this case, to the other states as well?

That works for some states. Some require a US DDS/DMD regardless of your postgraduate training, which means that the AEGD route will still limit the states you can practice in. You can check specific state requirements through their respective boards for more detailed information!

 

[kavityking]

Hi everyone! I wish I can get some help here. A little about myself first: I am US permanent resident but recently completed my DMD degree in Sydney Australia. I am now looking up for the best way to go back home and practise in the states. Through my research, AEGD would be the most ideal for me (I understand it would be really tough to get in right..?) I found all different AEGDs in ADEA PASS but wish if you know any good ones with slightly higher chance to get admission. Plus if any of you have a list of AEGDs or GPRs which accept FTDs. I would be really appreciative if you can share the list of aegds for ftds.
Thank you in advance!

You can try the 2-year AEGD program at the University of Rochester. It is designed for foreign-trained dentists, and completing it allows for licensure in multiple states. You also have the option of pursuing a 1-year GPR at Rochester after the AEGD, which then makes you eligible for a license to practice in New York. Great program!

 

[braineddetermined]

That works for some states. Some require a US DDS/DMD regardless of your postgraduate training, which means that the AEGD route will still limit the states you can practice in. You can check specific state requirements through their respective boards for more detailed information!

Thank you! So far I know that 46 states allow you a licensure with an AEGD and the 5 year rule...

 

[Mithali]

Thank you! So far I know that 46 states allow you a licensure with an AEGD and the 5 year rule...

can you please elaborate on that? also where can i get this information ?

 

[Mithali]

You can try the 2-year AEGD program at the University of Rochester. It is designed for foreign-trained dentists, and completing it allows for licensure in multiple states. You also have the option of pursuing a 1-year GPR at Rochester after the AEGD, which then makes you eligible for a license to practice in New York. Great program!

this is great information !!!! are there more programmes like this ??

 

[eng_elect_17yrs]

Hello everyone,

I am writing this on behalf of my wife: She is busy in her prep for NBDE part 2; she has passed part 1 in August. I am also writing on her behalf to impede anything that can reduce her morale (just in case if there's any). Anyway, she is concerned about her credentials and wish to know more about the chances to get accepted in any program in US.
Her concern is that she left practicing dentistry in 2005 and never got back to the dentistry. She has 3.5 (highest according to ECE and 3.25 comprehensive)GPA during dental school. She got house job (equivalent to postdoctoral GPR/AEGD in US) for a year and then she practiced full time for three years. We moved to Canada where she passed dental assisting (written) exam and then moved to USA. We are going through green card process (through my employer sponsorship) and waiting for interview (expecting some result within 6-10 months at maximum = She has EAD to work anywhere). She did some observation with a friend dentist in Canada but hasn't got any proof and can't get anyway (She agreed to the friend for not asking any paper for observation).

We are in MN and she has somne concerns that she has left the dentistry long ago and that will haunt her acceptance to any program.

Is that true for admission to any IDP or GPR/AEGD programs? If yes, how can she fix it?

 

[eng_elect_17yrs]

Hello everyone,

I am writing this on behalf of my wife: She is busy in her prep for NBDE part 2; she has passed part 1 in August. I am also writing on her behalf to impede anything that can reduce her morale (just in case if there's any). Anyway, she is concerned about her credentials and wish to know more about the chances to get accepted in any program in US.
Her concern is that she left practicing dentistry in 2005 and never got back to the dentistry. She has 3.5 (highest according to ECE and 3.25 comprehensive)GPA during dental school. She got house job (equivalent to postdoctoral GPR/AEGD in US) for a year and then she practiced full time for three years. We moved to Canada where she passed dental assisting (written) exam and then moved to USA. We are going through green card process (through my employer sponsorship) and waiting for interview (expecting some result within 6-10 months at maximum = She has EAD to work anywhere). She did some observation with a friend dentist in Canada but hasn't got any proof and can't get anyway (She agreed to the friend for not asking any paper for observation).

We are in MN and she has somne concerns that she has left the dentistry long ago and that will haunt her acceptance to any program.

Is that true for admission to any IDP or GPR/AEGD programs? If yes, how can she fix it?

Is there anyone to help please?

 

[xsdf]

Hello everyone,

I am writing this on behalf of my wife: She is busy in her prep for NBDE part 2; she has passed part 1 in August. I am also writing on her behalf to impede anything that can reduce her morale (just in case if there's any). Anyway, she is concerned about her credentials and wish to know more about the chances to get accepted in any program in US.
Her concern is that she left practicing dentistry in 2005 and never got back to the dentistry. She has 3.5 (highest according to ECE and 3.25 comprehensive)GPA during dental school. She got house job (equivalent to postdoctoral GPR/AEGD in US) for a year and then she practiced full time for three years. We moved to Canada where she passed dental assisting (written) exam and then moved to USA. We are going through green card process (through my employer sponsorship) and waiting for interview (expecting some result within 6-10 months at maximum = She has EAD to work anywhere). She did some observation with a friend dentist in Canada but hasn't got any proof and can't get anyway (She agreed to the friend for not asking any paper for observation).

We are in MN and she has somne concerns that she has left the dentistry long ago and that will haunt her acceptance to any program.

Is that true for admission to any IDP or GPR/AEGD programs? If yes, how can she fix it?

In my opinion, year of graduation does not matter as long as she has continued working in the field. To strengthen her profile now she can start working as a dental assistant here or join any dental preceptor ship program. Get the letter from US practitioner. It will help her. Do as much volunteer and research activities.

 

[eng_elect_17yrs]

In my opinion, year of graduation does not matter as long as she has continued working in the field. To strengthen her profile now she can start working as a dental assistant here or join any dental preceptor ship program. Get the letter from US practitioner. It will help her. Do as much volunteer and research activities.

@xsdf
Thanks for your input; she has left dental practice since our first baby (it was 2005). Then, we moved to Canada and we have three kids so she was a busy mom. She passed the dental assistant exam in Alberta Canada but did not attempt the clinical exam and then we moved to USA. So she has no exposure to clinics in North America as a dentist.

Letter from a practioner = Is it equivalent to the letter from a dentist if she is shadowing/observing any dentist in USA? (She is working with a dentist as an observer)

 

[xsdf]

@xsdf
Thanks for your input; she has left dental practice since our first baby (it was 2005). Then, we moved to Canada and we have three kids so she was a busy mom. She passed the dental assistant exam in Alberta Canada but did not attempt the clinical exam and then we moved to USA. So she has no exposure to clinics in North America as a dentist.

Letter from a practioner = Is it equivalent to the letter from a dentist if she is shadowing/observing any dentist in USA? (She is working with a dentist as an observer)

Hey. Yeah letter from observership experience is fine. It would be more valuable if she works as a dental assistant and get the letter from that experience.