Hi,
I think you have been mislead. I dont care,what the students at UIC address themselves as, they will not be considered as DDS degree holders. When the program says that they offer only the certificate program then that is just what it is. The students can address themselves (delude themselves) anything they want, it does not make them a DDS degree holder. Dont fall in the trap. About the new law, it will hold true only for students who hold a DDS degree not for people who have only a certificate. The point is to equalize any differences that may exist between foreign dental graduate and a regular DDS holder so that the foreign dental graduate will have the eligibility to appear for licensure exams and prcatice in the US. If you see the licensure requirements in the ADA webpage, it clearly states that, to eligible to appear for licensure one has to have a DDS degree to be eligible for licensure. Hence, a certificate will not be recognized as a DDS degree in any other state. I hope I have cleared your doubts.