Easiest way to become a USA dentist - (specialty preferred)

[MattBiggar80]

Hi dental students and dental residents!

I am trying to seek your advice on how to become a dentist in the US.

I am intersted in applying to specialty or residency program. I am a foreign trained dentist and I want to get into the easiest program. I would prefer to get into a specialty than to be a regular general dentist.

My GPA from ECE is low, so I am curious what would be a program that typically has empty seats.

I heard rumors that prosthodontics is easier to get into than, say, ortho which is ultra competitive.

I also heard there are seats that go unfilled because the price tag is so high. Is this true? do you know of any programs?

Thank you

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[Destiny11]

Troll.... We don't need anymore dentists in the US, especially not someone with a low GPA and is only looking for something easy.

 

[The OMFS]

Troll.... We don't need anymore dentists in the US, especially not someone with a low GPA and is only looking for something easy.

The biggest scam is when they are licensed to practice after they do specialize in Perio or Pros (which aren't hard to get into) without any sort of DMD/DDS advanced standing programs. The system is flawed.

 

[ProstheticTooth]

Well those responses weren't too kind. He is already a dentist, no need to bash him. If he does a residency, he will have proved himself. Just do research and call various programs. Good luck 🙂

 

[The OMFS]

Well those responses weren't too kind. He is already a dentist, no need to bash him. If he does a residency, he will have proved himself. Just do research and call various programs. Good luck 🙂

Not trying to be mean but think about it. A lot of US-trained dentists (including international dentists who go through 2-years of advanced standing) take out anywhere between 200-500k in loans to go to dental school, and then take out more loans depending on the specialty and the program they get in to.

I don't know how much people take out overseas, but I know it's nowhere close to the amount of debt US-trained dentists are in. Foreign trained dentists who bypass the whole DMD/DDS advanced standing and get their license via AEGD, Perio or Pros, they will be in considerably less debt.

Not sure how that's fair. It's clearly a loop hole.

 

[YF786]

Not trying to be mean but think about it. A lot of US-trained dentists (including international dentists who go through 2-years of advanced standing) take out anywhere between 200-500k in loans to go to dental school, and then take out more loans depending on the specialty and the program they get in to.

I don't know how much people take out overseas, but I know it's nowhere close to the amount of debt US-trained dentists are in. Foreign trained dentists who bypass the whole DMD/DDS advanced standing and get their license via AEGD, Perio or Pros, they will be in considerably less debt.

Not sure how that's fair. It's clearly a loop hole.

In other countries, no one gets loans so easily like the U.S. In a way it's really good for them because they end up not having to pay off loans all their lives but at the same time it's not fair to others in here if they are allowed so easily to come and practice here. Also, I have experienced it first hand in the country that I was brought up in, the dental school had only one spot available per year for students that were not from the country. Even that one spot wasn't guaranteed to non citizens because a citizen student could literally "buy" the seat meaning pay a lot more than everyone else and buy their admission.
The U.S. needs to give the students that graduated here more opportunities in comparison to the ones that are not U.S. graduates. It's seen in every field here and it needs to be changed.

 

[738177]

The biggest scam is when they are licensed to practice after they do specialize in Perio or Pros (which aren't hard to get into) without any sort of DMD/DDS advanced standing programs. The system is flawed.

Wait they don't have to go through the 2 year advanced standing programs ? Pretty sweet deal for them if that's the case.
I was under the impression that those programs are mandatory for all foreign dentists, general or specialists.

 

[Holyhik]

Not trying to be mean but think about it. A lot of US-trained dentists (including international dentists who go through 2-years of advanced standing) take out anywhere between 200-500k in loans to go to dental school, and then take out more loans depending on the specialty and the program they get in to.

I don't know how much people take out overseas, but I know it's nowhere close to the amount of debt US-trained dentists are in. Foreign trained dentists who bypass the whole DMD/DDS advanced standing and get their license via AEGD, Perio or Pros, they will be in considerably less debt.

Not sure how that's fair. It's clearly a loop hole.

Without advance standing, they have limited choices when choosing state to practice. Also, I don't see the reason why you said Prosth (3 years), Perio (2-3 years) cause less debt than advance standing programs (2-3 years). Most schools put relatively the same annual tuition regardless of which program. There are some schools where you can do residency training with very cheap tuition but most of them are impossible for foreign-trained dentists anyway.

 

[The OMFS]

Without advance standing, they have limited choices when choosing state to practice. Also, I don't see the reason why you said Prosth (3 years), Perio (2-3 years) cause less debt than advance standing programs (2-3 years). Most schools put relatively the same annual tuition regardless of which program. There are some schools where you can do residency training with very cheap tuition but most of them are impossible for foreign-trained dentists anyway.

I don't disagree with that, but let's consider the following scenario and assume that tuition costs 100k/year.

Case 1: US trained dentist (4 years): 400k + Perio/Pros Residency (3 years): 300k = 700k, 7 years
Case 2: Licensed dentist from overseas + Advanced Standing (2 years): 200k + Perio/Pros Residency (3 years): 300k = 500k, 5 years + time and money spent to obtain foreign dental degree
Case 3: Licensed dentist from overseas + Perio/Pros residency (3 years): 300k = 300k, 3 years + time and money spent to obtain foreign dental degree

Those that go through advanced standing, they dedicate more time and money. But's it's unfair when foreign dentists try to bypass advanced standing, and spend considerately less time and money to cut their way to the much easier route.

 

[Big_G]

Let me preface this by saying that I am a foreign trained dentist who was recently accepted into a US pros program. I didn't do it because I wanted to get in to practice in the US, in fact doing an advanced standing program is probably the easier route, and it opens more doors for you in terms of the number of states that you can potentially practice. I did it because I am interested in prosthodontics and have been for some time. Is it a nice bonus that I might be eligible to practice in the US afterwards (in 8 states only)? Yes. I still have to sit NBDE and WREB or one of the regional examining boards. To my mind specialty training is probably better value (why should I have to sit through all of the lectures and tutorials and clinics that I already suffered through once?)

Would you be happy if a foreign graduate could skip the advanced standing program and obtain a license for 250K? I certainly don't think I would pay it but it might be more fair to everyone. Time is also money as they say. I don't think anyone who knows anything about a pros residency (of any repute) would describe it as an easy route. I'm not offended by anything you've said OMFS, I can see your point of view, but you seem annoyed about a relatively tiny percentage of all licensees nationwide. What I would be more annoyed about is the debt that would have to be accrued to become a dentist in the US in the first place. That level of debt is unsustainable. The universities certainly have something to answer for and the state boards that allow more training spots to be created. The rules of supply and demand do not, thus far, seem to apply to dental school. People going in do not seem to realise that dentistry isn't a cakewalk and is quite a competitive industry once qualified. Also, that you can make good money, but you work hard for it.

To the OP, best of luck convincing program directors of your virtuous intent. You may pull the wool over someones eyes long enough to get in to a program but you may be found out soon thereafter. Everyone I've spoken to about pros residency is that it is vocational, if you don't really want to be there you won't stick it out long enough to become a prosthodontist.

 

[Holyhik]

Let me preface this by saying that I am a foreign trained dentist who was recently accepted into a US pros program. I didn't do it because I wanted to get in to practice in the US, in fact doing an advanced standing program is probably the easier route, and it opens more doors for you in terms of the number of states that you can potentially practice. I did it because I am interested in prosthodontics and have been for some time. Is it a nice bonus that I might be eligible to practice in the US afterwards (in 8 states only)? Yes. I still have to sit NBDE and WREB or one of the regional examining boards. To my mind specialty training is probably better value (why should I have to sit through all of the lectures and tutorials and clinics that I already suffered through once?)

Would you be happy if a foreign graduate could skip the advanced standing program and obtain a license for 250K? I certainly don't think I would pay it but it might be more fair to everyone. Time is also money as they say. I don't think anyone who knows anything about a pros residency (of any repute) would describe it as an easy route. I'm not offended by anything you've said OMFS, I can see your point of view, but you seem annoyed about a relatively tiny percentage of all licensees nationwide. What I would be more annoyed about is the debt that would have to be accrued to become a dentist in the US in the first place. That level of debt is unsustainable. The universities certainly have something to answer for and the state boards that allow more training spots to be created. The rules of supply and demand do not, thus far, seem to apply to dental school. People going in do not seem to realise that dentistry isn't a cakewalk and is quite a competitive industry once qualified. Also, that you can make good money, but you work hard for it.

To the OP, best of luck convincing program directors of your virtuous intent. You may pull the wool over someones eyes long enough to get in to a program but you may be found out soon thereafter. Everyone I've spoken to about pros residency is that it is vocational, if you don't really want to be there you won't stick it out long enough to become a prosthodontist.

I totally agree with you. Prosth residency is not easy at all, especially when compared to advanced standing program. I am finishing Prosth residency next month so I understand what you tried to say.

 

[The OMFS]

Doesn't matter if there 8 states that you can practice to begin with. Many states offer licensure by credentials via reciprocity. Schools are accepting FTDs because Pros is not competitive although the residency itself I'm sure is challenging. Programs have to fill their spots.

My argument stands. You are entitled to yours.

 

[mounika]

Let me preface this by saying that I am a foreign trained dentist who was recently accepted into a US pros program. I didn't do it because I wanted to get in to practice in the US, in fact doing an advanced standing program is probably the easier route, and it opens more doors for you in terms of the number of states that you can potentially practice. I did it because I am interested in prosthodontics and have been for some time. Is it a nice bonus that I might be eligible to practice in the US afterwards (in 8 states only)? Yes. I still have to sit NBDE and WREB or one of the regional examining boards. To my mind specialty training is probably better value (why should I have to sit through all of the lectures and tutorials and clinics that I already suffered through once?)

Would you be happy if a foreign graduate could skip the advanced standing program and obtain a license for 250K? I certainly don't think I would pay it but it might be more fair to everyone. Time is also money as they say. I don't think anyone who knows anything about a pros residency (of any repute) would describe it as an easy route. I'm not offended by anything you've said OMFS, I can see your point of view, but you seem annoyed about a relatively tiny percentage of all licensees nationwide. What I would be more annoyed about is the debt that would have to be accrued to become a dentist in the US in the first place. That level of debt is unsustainable. The universities certainly have something to answer for and the state boards that allow more training spots to be created. The rules of supply and demand do not, thus far, seem to apply to dental school. People going in do not seem to realise that dentistry isn't a cakewalk and is quite a competitive industry once qualified. Also, that you can make good money, but you work hard for it.

To the OP, best of luck convincing program directors of your virtuous intent. You may pull the wool over someones eyes long enough to get in to a program but you may be found out soon thereafter. Everyone I've spoken to about pros residency is that it is vocational, if you don't really want to be there you won't stick it out long enough to become a prosthodontist.

hi Big G i am applying to prosthodontics programs this year would you answering few of my questions in this regards??

 

[mounika]

firstly i want to thank you for your advice. i would like to ask you few questions related to schools for prosthodontics programs. Please, can you kindly help me with these.

 

[Big_G]

PM sent mounika

 

[Firm]

Not trying to be mean but think about it. A lot of US-trained dentists (including international dentists who go through 2-years of advanced standing) take out anywhere between 200-500k in loans to go to dental school, and then take out more loans depending on the specialty and the program they get in to.

I don't know how much people take out overseas, but I know it's nowhere close to the amount of debt US-trained dentists are in. Foreign trained dentists who bypass the whole DMD/DDS advanced standing and get their license via AEGD, Perio or Pros, they will be in considerably less debt.

Not sure how that's fair. It's clearly a loop hole.

Yep. You forgot to add in the 4 years of undergrad. Foreign schools are usually 6 years total instead of 8. Nobody really gets kicked out of a residency program. If you get in, you'll graduate, even if you don't know anything.

 

[Big_G]

Yep. You forgot to add in the 4 years of undergrad. Foreign schools are usually 6 years total instead of 8. Nobody really gets kicked out of a residency program. If you get in, you'll graduate, even if you don't know anything.

Surely board certification in ones chosen area of specialty will differentiate one from the those who drift through residency.

 

[cacazor]

This suddenly makes a lot of sense.
No wonder why my classmates feel like our perio residents are particularly bad