Hi there,
first, i think your on the right track for having found this website and reaching out to people. Though, I am not an internataional student, I have friends who are or have completed training to become dentists in America. This is what i have learned through conversation with them about being foreign dentists trying to get license in America.
If you have completed dentistry in your country, and would like to get licensed as a dentist in America you will need :
1. letters of reference ( these will be your professors, dean/president or your detnal school who can say really good things about you)
2. you will need to take NBDE part 1. as for good scores, they vary from school to school. generally, people try to score for mid 80's or above.
3. you will need to contact dental schools in america to find out if they have Internation dental program (program for individuals who are dentist in their own country but now need to be dentist in america). It is generally a 2 year program, where you will be a student and learn the American standards and procedures of dentistry. So, you will pay tuitiion. i'm not sure about scholarships or loans - you can ask about them.
4. you will also need to write like one page 'personal statement'. the exact details of what you need to write could be available on your application. don't worry about this part too much, but take it very seriously. so make sure that you write in proper english.
5. you will also need to take a english as a foreign language test. i think it is 'TOEFL" for short. The purpose of this test is to see how well you understand english. i am not sure about what is the score range for this exam.
After you have scored decently on these exams, you will be in good condition to apply for admission into an international dental program at dental schools.
generally, this program is 2 years long. it is during your 2 year program (international dental program) that you will take NBDE part 2, as well as the dental license exam.
now, after graduating from this program, you can apply for residency. residency can be for general dentistry (AEGD or GPR). other residency are also available if you want to specialize for example, if you like doing root canals then you can go for endontist residency, if you like working with dentures then you can do prosthodontists. It is at this point, that you will get paid to learn more!
I can not speak for everyone or everyschool, but I know that you do not have to be a citizen to apply. If you have particular questions about your visa status, try taking to a few dental schoools that have international program. a easy way to reach a list of the dental schools in america is on
www.ada.org website.
now if you are interested in studying for TOEFL test or the national dental boards part 1. there are several study tools available:1. Kaplan (it helps students to prepare for all kinds of tests) 2. Princeton Review (also offers may preparation programs) 3. Board Review Series Books (there is one book for each subject on the test. you just buy the books and study them. Oh, to study, you do not have to be in America.
sorry, I odn't know too much about studying for TOEFL.
I don't know which schools are easy, but you can go to ada.org and get a listing of the dental schools. then, go to the website to see the average scores for there students.
I just let you know, my understanding of this process. please do not get mad or upset. i hope this helps or has at least given you some information.
hello , i am a dentist from Palestine/middle east , i am looking to work in the states , can any body help me in this and tell me what to do step by step , i knew that i can do the NBDE 1 and then go to the residency programme , but can any body tell me what score should i get in the NBDE exam , and i dont have the citizen or the green card , is it possible to have work visa ? and will they pay me in the GPR programme even i am not citizen ? and after this programme can work in the sates ?
and whivh state is the easiest ?
plz help me ,
this is my e mail
[email protected]
muiadqasem@yahoo
thnx
