DMD Vs. Certificate

[Shiko]

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Hey everyone ,
My question goes to Foreign Trained Dentists in Canada currently applying for Qualifying programs or Degree completion programs in Canadian Dental Universities .
How would your title affect your career after graduation ? Whether you graduate with a Dental Degree (DMD) or a Certificate , Does that put any restrictions or limitations to your future ?

Thanks for your help .

 

[BlueToothHunter]

If you don't get a DMD from a Canadian university, then you would not be able to call yourself "Canadian graduate" ever. A certificate is strictly not a degree. So some employers may look at you as just a foreign trained dentist with a seal of approval from a Canadian course. If you want to be called a "Canadian dentist" (whatever that would imply) then going after the Canadian dental degree (regular or advanced standing route) would be highly recommended.

I know in California, some foreign trained dentists with California licenses are having hard time getting employed because most associate/dental positions require you to be an "ADA-accredited school graduates ONLY".

 

[bridge]

Hi
I would like to add something here. Very soon, if the talks are true, all Canadian schools would be giving degrees even the ones that are not doing so far. So relax and try your best to get in the program rather than worry about certificate or degree.

All the best

 

[D(M)ental]

Also after spending (what feels like) a gazillion dollars,why do you wanna restrict yourself?To my understanding a certificate allows you to practice in a particular state/province only...and for me thats toooo much restriction.

 

[cheer_up]

Hi

If you just want to practise dentistry in Canada only, then it doesn't matter whether you have a certificate or a degree as you're entitled to practise freely anywhere in Canada, provided you pass the provincial test in the province or territory that you want to practise in. You'll not be looked upon any differently from the ones that got their degree in Canada. This is the case for all the foreign trained dentists who were licensed to practise dentistry in Canada until the emergence of the Advanced Standing and the Qualifiying Program about 7 years ago. None of these people have a degree, as they only had to do a few practical tests and the Canadian Board Exam, which then they would be awarded a certificate once passed. All the foreign trained dentists that I know of with a certificate are doing very well and they're treated just like the dentists who got their degree in Canada.

The only restriction that I know of is that if you get a certificate from a Qualifying Program, it is not recognized, at the moment, by the ADA. Now, I'm not sure if this means you will not be able to practice in the States if you only have a certificate as opposed to a degree If this is the case then, it doesn't make any sense to me as the Qualifying Program is exactly the same as the Advanced Standing Program in Canada as both have the same duration and requirements. The only difference is the name ie. a certificate or a degree. I think this is the reason why, as Bridge said, all the schools that offer the Qualifying Program will eventually change to the Advanced Standing Program if all the discussions go through.

 

[Shiko]

Hey all ,
Thanks for the valuable information . As confusing as this is ,there's only one way to get there . I don't care whether I'm a DMD or BDs as long as I'm practising Dentistry .
Hang in there , we'll sure get somewhere .

take care