Looking for some basic info on Indian BDS to US DMD/DDS please

[HinduHammer]

Hi, I'm a US MD Physician and had a question abut a relative with a BDS Degree from India. She got her BDS from a pretty decent school in India and is currently studying for NEET exam there.

She may come to the USA as her almost-fiance is an American citizen. If she does, what are the chances she can realistically practice dentistry in the US? The guy is telling us that all she has to do is take the NBDE and apply for admission and that almost everyone who applies gets the DDS/DMD admission somewhere. Is this true?

A cursory google search wasn't helpful in telling me how difficult it would be for a BDS dentist in India who came here to actually gain admission into DDS/DMD school- what are the chances she could do it? What are the critical factors (does indian GPA matter)? Do her NEET scores matter? Once she gets here, is the only thing that matters her NBDE Scores? How fierce is the competition? Any answers to these questions or links to explanatory threads or articles showing the steps to get into dental school and how competitive it is, what factors are most important, would be much appreciated. Thanks. (And PS yes I did search but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.)

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[nbde4dds]

It's doable, competition is fierce but dedication and hardwork takes one a long way. MDS from India would boost her resume, a masters from US like an MPH would be helpful as well. It is difficult but not impossible. Yes, GPA matters, TOEFL scores are important. Well rounded resume + great SOP + great recommendation letters + work exp in the US + visa status -> all of this play a critical role. She would need to work on her bench test skills (there are courses to take for that in US). In the end, hardwork+luck = admission in DDS program. My school received 2000 applications for international dentists program, 200 were called for bench test , from there 80 were selected for an interview and finally 26 got admitted.

 

[dentistrydmd]

NDBE scores don't exist. It is pass/fail. Performance at her dental school in India would be a significant factor.

 

[HinduHammer]

NDBE scores don't exist. It is pass/fail. Performance at her dental school in India would be a significant factor.

Thank you. She was in the top 20 at her class of 100. She said the toppers got marks of 72/73 of 100, and her marks were 63 and she was in first division.

She went to one of the best private colleges in the state of Uttar Pradesh (not a government college). Would these factors be a significant benefit, burden, or neither?

 

[HinduHammer]

It's doable, competition is fierce but dedication and hardwork takes one a long way. MDS from India would boost her resume, a masters from US like an MPH would be helpful as well. It is difficult but not impossible. Yes, GPA matters, TOEFL scores are important. Well rounded resume + great SOP + great recommendation letters + work exp in the US + visa status -> all of this play a critical role. She would need to work on her bench test skills (there are courses to take for that in US). In the end, hardwork+luck = admission in DDS program. My school received 2000 applications for international dentists program, 200 were called for bench test , from there 80 were selected for an interview and finally 26 got admitted.

Thank you. She was in 1st tier (scores of 63 when toppers in her class were 72/73) top 20 / 100 students. From one of the best private colleges in Uttar Pradesh. Would it help?

What is SOP?

How does one get work experience in the US exactly? Would she need to become a dental hygienist first or something? Yikes 200 / 2000.... what were the criteria your school used to weed out those first 1800? Thanks

 

[dentistrydmd]

Thank you. She was in the top 20 at her class of 100. She said the toppers got marks of 72/73 of 100, and her marks were 63 and she was in first division.

She went to one of the best private colleges in the state of Uttar Pradesh (not a government college). Would these factors be a significant benefit, burden, or neither?

That would be in the range of being competitive. It would also help if she had worked in her home country, won awards in her school. Also she can consider working as an assistant in the us while going through the applications. It will help for sure. Also getting involved in dental research or doing a masters in the us/Canada would aid in her acceptance.

 

[HinduHammer]

That would be in the range of being competitive. It would also help if she had worked in her home country, won awards in her school. Also she can consider working as an assistant in the us while going through the applications. It will help for sure. Also getting involved in dental research or doing a masters in the us/Canada would aid in her acceptance.

When you say working as an assistant - do you mean like a dental hygienist? would she need additional school or certification to do this job? Thanks

 

[dentistrydmd]

When you say working as an assistant - do you mean like a dental hygienist? would she need additional school or certification to do this job? Thanks

No. I mean as a dental assistant (working beside a dentist). You dont need additional certification in most places, though some jurisdictions will require certification to take radiographs. If you are a foreign dentist there may be exceptions to this.

You can also do sterilization, treatment coordination or other tasks in practices.