International Dentist (India) Seeks Career Guidance in US - Repost

[cathyb]

Hello

I am an International Dentist from India, currently based in Chicago, IL. I am interested in pursuing higher education in Dentistry in the US, but I am thoroughly confused on which path to take. I have a few questions that I am seeking answers to. If anyone of you experts could kindly guide me in choosing the right direction, I would be deeply grateful

1. Is it true that without doing DDS, you can have license to practice in the states if international students do certificate or post graduation programs ..e.g. MS in Perio & MS in Endo

If yes...then what are the ways of improving your resume so that you stand out ?

2. Is DDS better or Post Graduation programs better? Which one is more cost effective?

3. What are the career opportunities after you do post grad programs?

4 . Are International students given license to practice with the post grad degree and without the DDS degree?

5. Mainly I would like to know what are the ways of improving your resume Apart from having research publication,good TOEFL score,many volunteer activities...

6.Any short cut method for international dentists to enter into residency programs..??

7. Can low GPA scorers like 3.1, expect a call from residency programs or DDS programs??

8. What needs to be highlighted in the resume for a fresh graduate to stand out for both Residency and DDS programs?

Thanks a lot in advance.

I am really lost and in desperate need of some expert guidance.

Regards
Cathy

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[cathyb]

Anyone, please?

 

[oralcare123]

You need an experience working as a dentist, a few years best

 

[Meggers287]

Advanced Standing applicant... Free Practice for 7 days, Free Equipment rental, Free access to our on-line programs, 5% Discount on Tuition http://www.dugganinstitute.com/early-registration-rewards/

 

[nbdeexam1]

Hello guys,
I am ready to teach students struggling to give NBDE exam. If you need tutoring please be free to inbox me.I have completed NBDE part 1 and part 2 and dental school in US. I love teaching and interacting with people.

 

[leonisminora]

Cathyb,

Yes, doing an accredited specialty/residency is a much better way for an internationally-trained dentist to be licensed in the US, contrary to what you might read on this board. My advice to you is to do your research and go through the state board websites of the states you wish to practice in and look up the current rules and regulations concerning foreign trained dentists for licensure.

If yes...then what are the ways of improving your resume so that you stand out?

Your resume can be improved by accumulating a lot of work experience in India before you arrive in the US. As silly as this may sound, many residency program directors consider that foreign work experience to be valuable.

Make sure your NBDE 1 and 2 pass scores are ready and in hand before you apply. Students from India typically do well in the NBDE but suck at TOEFL and in many cases, do not meet the individual reading/writing/speaking scores required for the program. So make sure your TOEFL scores are above 110 on the iBT.

Is DDS better or Post Graduation programs better? Which one is more cost effective?

PG is most cost-effective. You will be spending upwards of $300,000 for you 2-3 year DDS program whereas you will get paid a salary for some of your residency programs. For those residency programs where you are required to pay a tuition, on average, it usually works out to $60,000 per year. Multiply that by 3 years and you would have paid $180,000 to complete the specialty.
Specialty jobs will pay you much more than what you will get paid as a general dentist straight out of DDS school.

What are the career opportunities after you do post grad programs?

If you do a GPR or AEGD program and depending on your visa situation, you will either be working for a corporate or a community health center who will sponsor your H1-B visa. If you have an EAD or GC or citizenship, you will naturally tend to drift towards a busy private practice or buy into a practice.

If you do a specialty, there is a good chance smaller corporates and certain private practices will hire you.

Are International students given license to practice with the post grad degree and without the DDS degree?

Yes, if you meet the different criteria of different states. Certain states will give you an unrestricted license if you complete a residency or specialty. Some will, some won't. If you're not specific about which state you want to live in, and you really don't care, then why should it matter? You're not going to live and work in all 50 states.

5. Mainly I would like to know what are the ways of improving your resume Apart from having research publication,good TOEFL score,many volunteer activities...

Work experience is key, apart from research and TOEFL. Personal communication with the program's faculty, glowing letters of recommendation from famous faculty members in India, Hands on experience /continuing education etc must all be documented. Write a well-thought-out letter of interest. But above all, just be a pleasing, well-spoken personality with not too bad grades. You'll be fine.

6. Any short cut method for international dentists to enter into residency programs..??

No shortcuts to make the cut
Assuming you are in the US already, take the NBDE Part 1, Part 2 and TOEFL. Then apply. Keep communicating with the faculty members about your interest in the program, preferable do a site visit. Write thank you notes after the interviews. Pray hard before and on Match day. When you get into the program, get permission from one of the state boards to sit for the regional board exams (CDCA or WREB or both). When that score comes in, complete your application with that State Board and get your license.

Can low GPA scorers like 3.1, expect a call from residency programs or DDS programs??

Typically, residency programs don't care too much GPA or which evaluating agency prepares your GPA. Anything above 3.0 is fine. But TOEFL is something they obsess over.

8. What needs to be highlighted in the resume for a fresh graduate to stand out for both Residency and DDS programs?

See above.

Of course, this is just a summary of the things you need to expect, and there is so much more involved in the process to licensure. I still believe that residencies are the way to go.

Do PM me if you need more information. Good luck!

----------------

Hello

I am an International Dentist from India, currently based in Chicago, IL. I am interested in pursuing higher education in Dentistry in the US, but I am thoroughly confused on which path to take. I have a few questions that I am seeking answers to. If anyone of you experts could kindly guide me in choosing the right direction, I would be deeply grateful

1. Is it true that without doing DDS, you can have license to practice in the states if international students do certificate or post graduation programs ..e.g. MS in Perio & MS in Endo

If yes...then what are the ways of improving your resume so that you stand out ?

2. Is DDS better or Post Graduation programs better? Which one is more cost effective?

3. What are the career opportunities after you do post grad programs?

4 . Are International students given license to practice with the post grad degree and without the DDS degree?

5. Mainly I would like to know what are the ways of improving your resume Apart from having research publication,good TOEFL score,many volunteer activities...

6.Any short cut method for international dentists to enter into residency programs..??

7. Can low GPA scorers like 3.1, expect a call from residency programs or DDS programs??

8. What needs to be highlighted in the resume for a fresh graduate to stand out for both Residency and DDS programs?

Thanks a lot in advance.

I am really lost and in desperate need of some expert guidance.

Regards
Cathy

 

[Nikendo]

Hi I am a dentist from India with a masters degree (MDS) in Endodontics. My scores however haven't been great in either BDS or MDS. I scored an aggregate of 55.75 in BDS and 60 in MDS (minimum pass marks being 50 in both). I passed both BDS & MDS without any attempts.I have one year experience as a consultant endodontist since my PG got over and have been a senior lecturer since March 2015. I also have done a 2 week certificate course in current concepts in american dentistry from NYU, New York. I am not sure about the GPA scenario and I have a feeling based on my marks my GPA won't be good. I think it will somewhere around 2 for BDS & 2.3 for MDS. I am planning on taking NBDE part I in 3 months but is it really worth it or is my GPA going to ruin my chances of getting accepted into any dental school there? I took TOEFL in March 2014 and score 102 in it.

Please let me know your views on this. I would appreciate any and every advice I get from you guys. Thanks a lot!

 

[dentalpx]

no hope without good gpa sevre competition

 

[Dr.Ahmed87]

Cathyb,

Yes, doing an accredited specialty/residency is a much better way for an internationally-trained dentist to be licensed in the US, contrary to what you might read on this board. My advice to you is to do your research and go through the state board websites of the states you wish to practice in and look up the current rules and regulations concerning foreign trained dentists for licensure.

If yes...then what are the ways of improving your resume so that you stand out?

Your resume can be improved by accumulating a lot of work experience in India before you arrive in the US. As silly as this may sound, many residency program directors consider that foreign work experience to be valuable.

Make sure your NBDE 1 and 2 pass scores are ready and in hand before you apply. Students from India typically do well in the NBDE but suck at TOEFL and in many cases, do not meet the individual reading/writing/speaking scores required for the program. So make sure your TOEFL scores are above 110 on the iBT.

Is DDS better or Post Graduation programs better? Which one is more cost effective?

PG is most cost-effective. You will be spending upwards of $300,000 for you 2-3 year DDS program whereas you will get paid a salary for some of your residency programs. For those residency programs where you are required to pay a tuition, on average, it usually works out to $60,000 per year. Multiply that by 3 years and you would have paid $180,000 to complete the specialty.
Specialty jobs will pay you much more than what you will get paid as a general dentist straight out of DDS school.

What are the career opportunities after you do post grad programs?

If you do a GPR or AEGD program and depending on your visa situation, you will either be working for a corporate or a community health center who will sponsor your H1-B visa. If you have an EAD or GC or citizenship, you will naturally tend to drift towards a busy private practice or buy into a practice.

If you do a specialty, there is a good chance smaller corporates and certain private practices will hire you.

Are International students given license to practice with the post grad degree and without the DDS degree?

Yes, if you meet the different criteria of different states. Certain states will give you an unrestricted license if you complete a residency or specialty. Some will, some won't. If you're not specific about which state you want to live in, and you really don't care, then why should it matter? You're not going to live and work in all 50 states.

5. Mainly I would like to know what are the ways of improving your resume Apart from having research publication,good TOEFL score,many volunteer activities...

Work experience is key, apart from research and TOEFL. Personal communication with the program's faculty, glowing letters of recommendation from famous faculty members in India, Hands on experience /continuing education etc must all be documented. Write a well-thought-out letter of interest. But above all, just be a pleasing, well-spoken personality with not too bad grades. You'll be fine.

6. Any short cut method for international dentists to enter into residency programs..??

No shortcuts to make the cut
Assuming you are in the US already, take the NBDE Part 1, Part 2 and TOEFL. Then apply. Keep communicating with the faculty members about your interest in the program, preferable do a site visit. Write thank you notes after the interviews. Pray hard before and on Match day. When you get into the program, get permission from one of the state boards to sit for the regional board exams (CDCA or WREB or both). When that score comes in, complete your application with that State Board and get your license.

Can low GPA scorers like 3.1, expect a call from residency programs or DDS programs??

Typically, residency programs don't care too much GPA or which evaluating agency prepares your GPA. Anything above 3.0 is fine. But TOEFL is something they obsess over.

8. What needs to be highlighted in the resume for a fresh graduate to stand out for both Residency and DDS programs?

See above.

Of course, this is just a summary of the things you need to expect, and there is so much more involved in the process to licensure. I still believe that residencies are the way to go.

Do PM me if you need more information. Good luck!

----------------

If you do a GPR or AEGD program and depending on your visa situation, you will either be working for a corporate or a community health center who will sponsor your H1-B visa. If you have an EAD or GC or citizenship, you will naturally tend to drift towards a busy private practice or buy into a practice.

If you guy a sponsor from a corporate or a community health center will this granted H1 B visa straight forward without the need to go into the pool of those 20,000 lottery haphazard selection?

 

[Dr.Ahmed87]

If you do a GPR or AEGD program and depending on your visa situation, you will either be working for a corporate or a community health center who will sponsor your H1-B visa. If you have an EAD or GC or citizenship, you will naturally tend to drift towards a busy private practice or buy into a practice.

If you guy a sponsor from a corporate or a community health center will this granted H1 B visa straight forward without the need to go into the pool of those 20,000 lottery haphazard selection?

If you got a sponsor *