Need some advice. Foreign D.D.S. Programs

[DesertEagleMD]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi, I was interested in finding out some information for a few 2nd year friends of mine. They are U.S. citizens currently studying at a 5-year D.D.S. English Program in Hungary. I myself am a 3rd year medical student at this school. Let me give a little background info to the program for those not familiar.

The first two years of this program work in conjunction with the basic medical sciences. The denistry program stresses relevent dental practice into the following courses: Biophysics, Biochemistry, Genetics, Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, and Neurobiology. Also during the 1st two years they would be learning: Odontology, Preventive Dentistry, Dental Materials and Techniques.

The 3rd year would they would be finishing the basic sciences (Patho/PathoPhys/Micro) parallel with Oral Biology, Oral Sciences, and Propedeutics to Clinical Dentistry.

The 4th and 5th years is the continutation of Clinical Dentistry: Restorative Dentistry, Prosthetic Dentistry, Periodontology, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Paedodontics and Orthodontics. In both years, they will also be practicing.

So with this in mind, what are the steps needed for them to practice in the U.S.? Is it possible to transfer from a foriegn D.D.S. Program into an American Dental Program? I have also heard there is manadtory training required in the U.S. for all foreign graduates prior to practice? Would someone also please post a few website links where they can read more regarding what lies ahead for international graduate dentistry students. This would benefit them greatly.


Thank you in advance for your time and advice on this matter.

 

[saravs]

Hello!
They will have to enroll in a D.M.D/D.D.S program in one of the schools in the U.S and complete their advanced standing program before they get licensed here.
They might be able to practise in California although I am not sure of it.
This is a good website for information on Dentistry for the professionals, www.ada.org.
saravs

 

[DesertEagleMD]

Well thanks Saravs for the site! I'm now aware that ADA.ORG has some good info. 🙂 You're right about the advanced standing. In this situation as I know, and please correct me if I am wrong... they must regardless of citizenship, complete and have their D.D.S./D.M.D degree, take the TOEFL, NDME part 1 and/or finish NDME part 2. Besides the SDN, are there any other active international dental based reference sites/forums? Last question... Is it possible to transfer into an advance standing program in the U.S. by only completing the first 3 or 4 years (max) of the International 5 year English D.D.S. program? 😕 You can see the basic 5 year D.D.S. course outline in the 1st post of this thread. Wow 😱, the process seems totally different when compared to the situations for an international medical graduate seeking work in the United States... not that it's any easier of course! Thanks again for your responses!

 

[Meggs]

Originally posted by DesertEagleMD
Well thanks Saravs for the site! I'm now aware that ADA.ORG has some good info.

Besides the SDN, are there any other active international dental based reference sites/forums?

Last question... Is it possible to transfer into an advance standing program in the U.S. by only completing the first 3 or 4 years (max) of the International 5 year English D.D.S. program? 😕

Hi Desert Eagle,

First thing you NEED and HAVE to do is to contact the ADA, ask them for a Part I application package. In this package will come a booklet call "Dental Licensure in the US". It is a MUST READ.
Actually I think you can download a pdf file of this document from the ADA website.

Other dental links? yes, but not many are useful. You should do an internet search for this. But, take a look at this:

http://osamah.20m.com/DentalsiteHomePage.html
http://www.americandentalboard.com/

About your last question: Not usually, US dental schools aren't like their medical counterparts. US dental schools won't usually accept transfers from non ADA accredited schools.

Finally, if you and/or your friends are beggining this process, I really advice you to try to get first hand info. Don't take nobody's word for things. Check it yourself with the official organization involved.

Good Luck!

 

[saravs]

Such is life.... you would expect them to be more apprehensive about foreign trained medical graduates screwing up here as opposed to foreign trained dentists....all medical guys are required to do is give their exams and complete a period of residency..we have to actually go to school. Its not that going to school is a big deal, but the tuition is. I am paying something like 42 K per year....
Anyhow, I am pretty sure that you will not be able to join a advanced standing program without completing your previous dental course. There are several D.M.D/D.D.S degree holders from different countries in my class...some with even specializations in different fields, they are still required to do the D.M.D/D.D.S.
Nevertheless I am told that its worth it in the end.
Regards,
saravs