Do I need to take the DAT ?

[huguesseattle]

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Hi

I own a french DDS, since 1991.
After 2 unsuccessful attempts to join the postgraduate program in prosthodontics in UW (one with interview, the other one denied...) I gave up and I decided to apply to the school of dentistry, back to the old days !
I took and passed my NB part 1 last summer (proud)
I plan to take Part 2 next summer (scared)

DO I NEED TO TAKE THE DAT to apply in a US dental school, even if I already have a french DDS ?

thank you

 

[dragonj]

I think your best way of finding out is to call up a dental school and ask the dean or someone in admissions because I'm not sure that any of us would know about foriegn students admissions.

My guess is that they probably would like you to take it because then they can compare your academic skills to the other applicants in a standardized manner.
Good luck, dragonj

 

[DesiDentist]

hugues:

No, you do not need to take the DAT. You should only take the DAT if you want to enter the four year program which you should not be doing. Instead, you should be entering an advanced standing program (2-3 years). For the advanced standing program you need to take the NBDE 1 like you did. Some schools like Tufts' advanced standing requires the NBDE 2.

If you want to restart then you should be aware that in the US the prerequisites for dental school is a year of organic chemistry, general chemistry, biology and physics. So you will need to complete those requirement before you take the DAT (except physics).

However, I think you should apply to schools with advanced standing programs (UW does NOT have one).

I would advise you to look at the International/advanced standing dental forum for more detailed help.

I wish you the best.

DesiDentist