Help me figure out this process.

[Axxident]

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Hi!
I'm 17 years old and I live in Sweden and I'm currently in high school. I'm thinking of becoming a dentist and my dream since a couple of years has been to live and work in the U.S for almost my entire life. Dentist seems to be a good profession with a generally high salary (much better than in Sweden where the salary is around $70,000 for a General Dentist).

I have so many questions though.

1. Should I apply for the swedish education with free tuition and then take the advanced standing program for the licensing progress or should I apply to an american university right away? I'm quite scared of the tuition fees 🙁

2. If I choose to specialize in Sweden, can I work as a specialist after getting a license in the U.S or do I have to respecialize in the U.S?

3. How common is it for licensed FTDs to get a normal job as a dentist? (Not working as a DA or hygienist)

4. Is it difficult to become a specialist in the U.S if I graduate from an american university?

I'm really happy for all the help I can get and thanks in advance! 🙂

/Jakob

 

[Axxident]

Does anyone have any tips?

 

[oralcare123]

Get free education in Sweden, because you are not able to borrow $500 000 in the States. Get the highest GPA you can and good references. After or during the last 6mnths pass you NBDE 1 and 2, TOEFL and apply for 2 year program, designed to complete foreign dental education.
With high GPA you may be able to specialize in the USA, but there is a cost and competition for that. You may have to work for some time to save or to become a permanent resident to be able to borrow
If you get licensed as a dentist you will find a job with no problems, unless you would want to practice in saturated areas.
You would not be able to work in the States with a degree from Sweden, even with specialty

 

[Axxident]

Get free education in Sweden, because you are not able to borrow $500 000 in the States. Get the highest GPA you can and good references. After or during the last 6mnths pass you NBDE 1 and 2, TOEFL and apply for 2 year program, designed to complete foreign dental education.
With high GPA you may be able to specialize in the USA, but there is a cost and competition for that. You may have to work for some time to save or to become a permanent resident to be able to borrow
If you get licensed as a dentist you will find a job with no problems, unless you would want to practice in saturated areas.
You would not be able to work in the States with a degree from Sweden, even with specialty

Thank you so much for the response! I was worried that no one would answer for a while.

By GPA, do you mean at the university or now in high school? From what I've looked at, I'll land a GPA of around 3.6, probably. That's in high school, though.
Which areas are the most saturated ones? I know that the larger cities are, but is there generally a huge difference from state to state? I'd like to live in a state with a climate that's not like what we have here in sweden (think canada) so I guess somewhere in the southern half of the US.

If I get licensed in, say California, how long will it take to be able to apply for a license in another state? You can apply for a license if you've worked in the country for a while, right?

Regarding your last answer, I meant that if I've specialized in Sweden, would I be able go through the licensing process and then get to call myself a specialist? Or would I have to respecialize in the US? 🙂

 

[oralcare123]

You need a high GPA from the dental school in Sweded to have higher chances to be accepted for the FTD program. Same goes for your specialty from Sweden - chances to be accepted would be higher, but you would not be able to practice, unless you study more and get specialized in the USA.

If you get licensed by education after finishing FTD program it takes about 2 months and you do not need to work in order to get licensed in another state.
Southern California is very saturated. Same is New York. Do not know where else.
It is still possible to go through exam process in Canada after you get your degree in Sweden. To be licensed in Canada you do not need to study extra, it is difficult and you only get a license, not a degree

 

[Axxident]

You need a high GPA from the dental school in Sweded to have higher chances to be accepted for the FTD program. Same goes for your specialty from Sweden - chances to be accepted would be higher, but you would not be able to practice, unless you study more and get specialized in the USA.

If you get licensed by education after finishing FTD program it takes about 2 months and you do not need to work in order to get licensed in another state.
Southern California is very saturated. Same is New York. Do not know where else.
It is still possible to go through exam process in Canada after you get your degree in Sweden. To be licensed in Canada you do not need to study extra, it is difficult and you only get a license, not a degree

Okay, thank you.
In that case I think I'll graduate in Sweden and maybe work for 2 years (good or bad idea?) and then try to get licensed in the US.

But if I acquire a license, can I practice in just about any clinic? Since I won't yet be a citizen, I've gotten the impression that you only can practice in special clinics that has a specific type of insurance. Is this true?

 

[oralcare123]

Immigration is another issue. There are different ways, you would have to consult government office for that. Employer can sponsor you, I am not sure if someone will be willing to go through this trouble at this time.
To study in USA you definitely need funds and it helps to have experience, since admission committee may frown upon someone who has a desire to immigrate, rather then just get an education

 

[Axxident]

Immigration is another issue. There are different ways, you would have to consult government office for that. Employer can sponsor you, I am not sure if someone will be willing to go through this trouble at this time.
To study in USA you definitely need funds and it helps to have experience, since admission committee may frown upon someone who has a desire to immigrate, rather then just get an education

Yeah, is it uncommon for a foreign dentist to be sponsored by an employer? I was kind of hoping that this wouldn't be an issue because if immigration won't work then the rest isn't going to work out either 🙁

 

[oralcare123]

You have plenty of time for the research - I am just not the right person to help in this. I immigrated to Canada and then got permanent residency in the USA through Diversity program or green card lottery. Look, plenty of people come to study on visa and plan to stay. Do you think all of them go back? I think none .

 

[Axxident]

You have plenty of time for the research - I am just not the right person to help in this. I immigrated to Canada and then got permanent residency in the USA through Diversity program or green card lottery. Look, plenty of people come to study on visa and plan to stay. Do you think all of them go back? I think none .

Yeah, you're absolutely right. I'm extremely thankful for all your help!
I still have about two years left before it's tme to apply to the university and I'm sure I'll find whatever info I'm looking for. It's just that I have googled this subject a lot and I've not yet found any success stories of FTD's whom have managed what I'm dreaming of.

Well, once again, thank you for the help you've given me!

/ Jakob

 

[archi56]

A lot of students from different fields come to US every year and many of them are able to find employers who sponsor their work visa and permanent residency. There are corporate dental chains who hire dentists and sponsor their work visa.
The only issue is, you are talking and planning about 8-10 years from now, and no one can predict what situation will be at that time.

 

[oralcare123]

Yeah, you're absolutely right. I'm extremely thankful for all your help!
I still have about two years left before it's tme to apply to the university and I'm sure I'll find whatever info I'm looking for. It's just that I have googled this subject a lot and I've not yet found any success stories of FTD's whom have managed what I'm dreaming of.

Well, once again, thank you for the help you've given me!

/ Jakob

The ones who succeeded do not spend much time here.

 

[Axxident]

A lot of students from different fields come to US every year and many of them are able to find employers who sponsor their work visa and permanent residency. There are corporate dental chains who hire dentists and sponsor their work visa.
The only issue is, you are talking and planning about 8-10 years from now, and no one can predict what situation will be at that time.

The ones who succeeded do not spend much time here.

Yes, you're right the both of you. Who knows what could have happened in 10 years.

When applying for a license at the boards, do you need to have a special VISA or is this possible to do on a regular visit? (I don't know the name of the "vacation VISA")
I've heard from a swedish forum, where I have written a similar topic, that you need to have an employer which have already sponsored your H1-B to be able to apply to the board.

 

[oralcare123]

People take board exams even before graduation. they get the letter from the dean of the school if they are ready. Do not know much more