Day of DAT

[whathashizzyDDS]

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So, when I applied to take the DAT I used my first and my last name but did not register with my middle name. My middle name shows up on my ID. Will this be an issue? Do I need to reregister or change my name?

 

[UndergradGuy7]

So, when I applied to take the DAT I used my first and my last name but did not register with my middle name. My middle name shows up on my ID. Will this be an issue? Do I need to reregister or change my name?

http://www.ada.org/files/siteSupport/dat_checklist.pdf

Only thing I could find.

 

[Div2388]

That is actually a great question. I didn't even think about that. I believe I did the same thing and am taking it next week. Does anyone know the answer to this?

 

[Div2388]

Just called Prometric and all I could get on the issue is an automated voice telling me to bring two forms of I.D. I'm going to make a visit to the center I'm taking my test at today and see if I can get any answers there. I'll let you know what they say.

 

[herkulease]

the ADA and prometric people are screwed up and seriously are incapable of running a decent registration system.

I'm gonna think there won't be any issues.

My dentpin profile has my middle initial.

when I paid for test the confirmation information doesn't show my middle initial.

when the email me it shows my middle initial.

when I registered with prometric the confirmation no middle name.

I had to call DTS and they said that's fine. it's on my file with them.

check your dentpin profile. if its on there you'll be fine.

 

[LuckMC11]

yea herkulease that happened to me too, i put my full middle name adn only my middle initial came up lol

 

[Div2388]

Just talked to the Prometric center near me. They said having a middle initial on my I.D., but not on my registration, will not be an issue. I would call the center you are taking your test at just to be sure though.

 

[ellebelle7]

It's fine if your name shows up on your ID as John F Smith and John Frank Smith. I know I had a problem because I entered my full middle name and only the initial is on one of my IDs and it's spelled out correctly on my other form. I'm taking the DAT in one week. Good luck!

 

[JustwantDDS]

Honestly, always call and check because I have an issue with my last name and they told me that you have to have everything match 100% 🙁

 

[whathashizzyDDS]

UPDATE 6/20/10: So, I called ADA to check this out and IT WILL BE AN ISSUE if you dont have A MATCHING ID with the name on your DENTPIN.

UPDATE 6/20/10: Someone posted this up there http://www.ada.org/files/siteSupport/dat_checklist.pdf

HERE IS HOW TO FIX IT:

1. go to this site and print it http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/denpin_request_form.pdf

2.Fill everything out and STATE what needs to be changed (I pointed to my middle name and noted that this needs to me added on there)
-I put URGENT on top (lol dont know if that helped, I was freaking out)


3. You will need a copy of the ID YOU ARE GOING TO BE USING ON TEST DAY (DL, Passport...) that has proof of your full legal name.

4. Fax the form you just filled out along with a copy of your ID.

PS: Fax number is on bottom right of the form you just filled out

 

[senpai]

I think it would prob be easier to just legally change your name, dropping your middle name and getting a new license than having to deal with those idiots. But I guess the question is who are the bigger idiots...government and the freakin DMV, or the ADA and Prometric???
Atleast the Prometric people don't yell at you as much as the people here at the DMV in so cal, so I guess its a toss-up...

 

[Div2388]

So, I called ADA to check this out and IT WILL BE AN ISSUE if you dont have YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME..

HERE IS HOW TO FIX IT:

1. go to this site and print it http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/denpin_request_form.pdf

2.Fill everything out and STATE what needs to be changed (I pointed to my middle name and noted that this needs to me added on there)
-I put URGENT on top (lol dont know if that helped, I was freaking out)


3. You will need a copy of the ID YOU ARE GOING TO BE USING ON TEST DAY (DL, Passport...) that has proof of your full legal name.

4. Fax the form you just filled out along with a copy of your ID.

PS: Fax number is on bottom right of the form you just filled out

If they want your full legal name, then why is it an option to only put your middle initial on that form you linked? ADA + Prometric = nightmare. Maybe that will be on the QR section...

 

[whathashizzyDDS]

If they want your full legal name, then why is it an option to only put your middle initial on that form you linked? ADA + Prometric = nightmare. Maybe that will be on the QR section...

From my understanding of what was told to me. WHATEVER APPEARS ON YOUR ID SHOULD MATCH YOUR NAME

 

[Div2388]

So, I called ADA to check this out and IT WILL BE AN ISSUE if you dont have YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME..

From my understanding of what was told to me. WHATEVER APPEARS ON YOUR ID SHOULD MATCH YOUR NAME

So to recap: They want you to register with your full legal name and you must have two forms of identification that match that name exactly?

1) http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/denpin_request_form.pdf This official DENTPIN form has the option to only put your middle initial.

2) I don't know of anyone with a picture I.D. that has their full middle name(s) on it. Atleast in Illinois, a state I.D. only has the middle initial on it.

It would appear to me that this is a futile circle where nobody is allowed to take the test. My suggestion: Call the Prometric center where you are taking the test and find out what will and will not be an issue since they are the ones that ultimately decide whether you are allowed to take the test or not.

Even though the ADA holds the ultimate decision of whether or not your scores are valid, it would appear that it is impossible to follow their stipulations provided that both statements above are correct (which they should be considering they both came from official sources).

I'm not trying to argue with anyone. I just wanted to point out:
A) How stupid and unorganized the registration system is.
B) The fact that NOBODY IS TAKING THE DAT OR GETTING ACCEPTED INTO DENTAL SCHOOL THIS YEAR!!!!!! 😛

 

[Parle G]

When I registered for my DENTPIN, I didn't put a middle initial or my middle name, and also when registering for DAT, I didn't either; however, on my ID they do have my middle initial..will this be an issue?

 

[whathashizzyDDS]

When I registered for my DENTPIN, I didn't put a middle initial or my middle name, and also when registering for DAT, I didn't either; however, on my ID they do have my middle initial..will this be an issue?

To be on the safe side, I would change it. Even though if you called your testing center and see if its okay and they said it was, still change it because you dont need anymore stress of having to arguing "he said she said" BS. So to make everything a smooth flow day I would change it. 😉

 

[Parle G]

I totally agree! So I can use the procedure you outlined above to fix this, correct? thanks 🙂

 

[rickblas]

I just went through this problem! I have my middle initial on both of my IDs I am using, but I registered for the DAT with only my first and last name. I then called the testing center phone number on prometric's website that lead me to ADA? etc. and they told me I needed to change it, and they gave me a fax number. They then told me to write a letter saying I want to add "middle initial" to my name, my dentpin, and a copy of the IDs I am using addressed to some woman named "Judy." So I sent all that in and called them back and they said they processed the change. However, I asked them for an email confirmation or something just to make sure I don't show up on test day and nothing was changed, and they told me to call my specific prometric testing center to make sure it got updated with them.

So I just got off the phone with my prometric center just now and in fact the name was not updated with my middle initial and the lady just said "They made you go through the hassle of adding a middle initial??" all surprised and said that if my first and last name are properly matching my registration first and last name that the middle initial doesn't matter 👎. So basically, I believe it depends on your specific prometric center if it matters but the overall consensus from ADA themselves is that everything must match even up to your middle initial. I just hope i don't show up on test day and then my center suddenly makes it a problem...but I doubt...I will play the "he said/she said" game if I have to!

 

[Technicolor12]

Same story of rickblas. I registered for the DENTPIN using only my first and last name, but my ID shows my middle name. ADA told me to update my information so I faxed my request to update my DENTPIN with my driver's license to them. Right after this called my prometric center asking if the middle initial even matters and they said no. For people who haven't registered for their DENTPIN yet, make sure to put your middle name or initial on it so ADA doesn't recommend a change later on.

 

[drgummybear]

i hate to revive an old thread, but when you guys took the DAT did your unofficial score report have your first, middle, and last name?? i just had to go through the whole process of adding my middle name to my application too, but on the score report it still just had my first and last name.

 

[Moonie87]

i hate to revive an old thread, but when you guys took the DAT did your unofficial score report have your first, middle, and last name?? i just had to go through the whole process of adding my middle name to my application too, but on the score report it still just had my first and last name.

My score report had my last name followed by first only, no middle name.

 

[drgummybear]

ahh okay, thanks moonie 🙂

 

[nateriver]

i put my whole middle name not just the initial, but my license is just the initial . is that a problem?

 

[swindoll]

No, it's not a problem. Check out the DAT guide! 😉 The only problem is that you revived this super old thread that has nothing to do with your question.