I want to be a light for any foreign trained dentist that wants to do OMFS. Foreign trained not from Canada, because Canada is different and IDK about that.
I feel naked posting this, but I see how people asked about this and I would like to give a perspective. This is MY journey and how I did it. There are other ways, look for mentors and create your own story.
Program Matched: Midwest 6 year-Post matched.
Dental School Attended: IDP West coast
Year Earned DMD/DDS: 2022
International Student (yes/no): Yes, foreign trained then got my DDS via IDP, US citizen
CBSE score: 86
Class Ranking/Size: 8/28
Externship(s)/where: At my home program and at Banner.
Research: No
Extracurriculars: OMFS honors student, OMFS interest group prez, and VP of IDP class.
Programs Applied to/Interview Invites/Interviews attended/Programs Ranked: 34/20/12/12
1. Only program that I know is for "International Dentist" is the 4 year at case western- however, IDK details for that program because I have my DDS, and did not apply or was interested in that option. Do the research.
2. You have to have your DDS or DMD in the USA, be a US citizen (depending on program some take permanent residents but being us citizen is preferred, IDK how that works, BUSCALA), be able to communicate clearly and effectively at a scientific level in English, (IDK about TOFEL- Never had to take it cause I am fluent in english and born and raised in the USA and my HS diploma is american).
3. No, you can not just be foreign trained, do dental boards and do OMFS. NO, YOU CAN NOT. I see soooo many people asking this and NO. YOU HAVE TO DO IDP TO GET DDS OR DMD. YOU NEED TO BE FULLY LICENSED IN THE USofA. Not, a AGED where you get a masters or like in NY where people get into advance standing and can practice. DDS or DMD. It is not like ortho or other residencies, where people get in without a DDS or DMD. I don't make the rules, I had to follow them.
4. CBSE is important. I took the exam 4 times, I knew I needed an above average score.
5. You will not be eligible to apply to some 6 years, if you do not have an american or canadian undergrad degree. Yes you will have your DDS/DMD from a CODA accredited school but since you have a BDS, that door will be closed because the med school has requirements. I tried and called and cried and begged and they were like you can go back to undergrad get the reqs if you really want to come here. So just look up each program and don't apply blindly to programs like me, to find out you were never eligible, gave 300 dollars for NOTHING. That could have been a plane ticket. Sucks to suck, but that is how you learn.
6. When in IDP get super involved in anything and everything OMFS. Study for CBSE. Get externships do what the "nationals" are doing, be in leadership.
My timeline: Graduated IDP 2022, Took a gap year 2023, Non cat 2024, studied for CBSE 2025, worked in at a community clinic and did extractions 2026. Technically 3 gap years.
If I could go back what would I do differently?
-CBSE: Less content and more questions, this was my biggest discouragement because I felt i was in purgatory. I had extracurriculars and a non cat but a 43 on CBSE. I wish I had figured out CBSE first then done a non cat. I did it backwards. I think that was one of the many reasons why I post matched vs matched. IDP is a lot, time for studying was hard, the nationals have time off or free time and you are in clinic catching up on CODA hours, still not an excuse, I played my own tiniest violin. I know of other IDP that did CBSE well and have matched at 4 year programs. It is possible.
I feel like every IDP story is different, this one is MINE. Make your own.
- Networking: I wish I had cultivated connections or done more to get my name out there. I felt intimidated/ insecure as I had nothing to stand on until I did well on CBSE. By the time I got my 86 I felt totally disconnected to the OMFS world. Keep your nose in the OMFS world if you take a gap year. I stupidly internalize IDP was never gonna make it, because that is what soooo many people told me. Good luck getting in OMFS being IDP. They dont want IDP. I get it, IDP has a vibe. Thank you God, I am here. I hope to see more IDP.
-Letters of Rec: I think my letter of recs were amazing, at some interviews you get to see your letters of rec and I was shocked and proud of the people that wrote them for me. I shed a tear or two from feeling humbled and it feels nice to see your mentors recommend you. I do think or wish I had created connections to have "Stronger" letters of rec from the OMFS world. I didn't know how to do that, with only 2 externship and a low CBSE score. So first thing make sure you have a competitive CBSE, be shameless and create connections and get them to write letters of rec. If they know the person or have worked with the person that wrote you the letter, you create security of your reputation. Also, make sure that letter is not just your CV but they can tell a story of your work. I only had 2 that spoke more of my work and character (1 omfs 1 perio), the other 2 were my CV in letter of rec format from OMFS.
-Externships: Do as many as you can. I know IDP is busy. If you decide to focus on OMFS post IDP. During one of my gap years, in retrospect, I should have externed. That creates connections, programs get to know you. Even if the website says D3/D4 call and ask, most likely they will say yes. This honestly was something I should have invested in.
-Gap years: I got asked alot about this on interviews... I needed to figure it out and that took time. I wish I had a better answer, I was honest. I was burnt out from my idp journey of doing dental school in mexico then I went straight into IDP, so it was 10 years straight of dental school, you know the grind of dental boards then bench test and all that jazz. I needed a year to live life and became me, outside of academics. Yeah, I know that was not the game to play during interviews. I am me, you like it or not...I post matched lol. I knew doing a non cat again and cbse was not gonna help me because I needed a high CBSE score. I took a year off. Did they like that I had gap years and was currently not in a non cat while on interviews, obviously not. I needed to pay bills and work, so I intentionally sought out a job where I could do extraction and surgical procedure that I felt confident in, that I learned during my non cat experience. I verbalized that on interviews. In those gap years, I grew and matured and honestly, I am thankful to start this journey at my prime age of 31. I am have confidence in my work, established financial stability, know my limits, got rid of the broke toxic boiz, learned how to have a healthy balanced life, grew independently and learned a lot about myself- so maturity. Everything happens at its own time. Just don't give up! Please keep going and do not let go if you know this is your purpose in life. You will get there.
Why did I post match with an 86?
I do not know, maybe I am the classic "Has a high CBSE but ****ty personality" Literally was told: "You did not match with an 86? You must have an attitude problem" "Oh you seem normal, weird that you post matched".... Um oKaY?
What I do know: I am happy where I post matched. I did get invited by this program but could not attend due to having other interviews. If you work hard, don't give up, life will place you where you need to be. I am from the southwest and it turns out that I have a community in the midwest from my university in Mexico, I originally trained at, who are in healthcare at the neighboring hospitals, there is a big community and hospital/ healthcare system of the worldview/religion I grew up in, friends of family that are in this city, that my mom was like x people are there. I am not alone. Community and connections are what add the extra sun in your gloomy day. I am beyond thankful to be where I am at. As of now, I have not even started the program but the genuine kindness and warmth from the upper residents and faculty to me has been amazing and comforting, I genuinely believe this program is the healthiest program for me and I will be able to continue to grow and be forged into the surgeon I aspire to be. It will be hard work, there will be challenges, it will be residency! Life has a beautiful way of working its self out.
Hope this helps anyone out there!
Si se puede cabrones
