*****Official PASS 2025 Endodontic Residency Interviews/Information***

[Mo K]

For international dentists,
for which schools you think that they have a better chance in endo residency program?

non... take my advice, if you don't have a license in the U.S. ... no one cares about you, no matter what you do here. I applied 2 cycles and interacted with a program director heavily and his residents and staff. even that didn't get me a spot in their residency.

I even turned down an AEGD admission when I saw my interaction with the director was going very positively. It turns out that no one cares about what you have as long as you don't have an AEGD/GPR residency or license in the U.S (besides your credentials in the U.S.).

I know people say that is normal, and I know that some people say that they applied 5+ times and they keep going.... but those who did are national students with a U.S. License... if you are an international, your odds are less than 1%. I am an international student and I am deeply frustrated with turning down an admission and a chance to get licensed in the U.S. yet not getting admission in the program that I anticipated the most.

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[WannabeEndo]

non... take my advice, if you don't have a license in the U.S. ... no one cares about you, no matter what you do here. I applied 2 cycles and interacted with a program director heavily and his residents and staff. even that didn't get me a spot in their residency.

I even turned down an AEGD admission when I saw my interaction with the director was going very positively. It turns out that no one cares about what you have as long as you don't have an AEGD/GPR residency or license in the U.S (besides your credentials in the U.S.).

I know people say that is normal, and I know that some people say that they applied 5+ times and they keep going.... but those who did are national students with a U.S. License... if you are an international, your odds are less than 1%. I am an international student and I am deeply frustrated with turning down an admission and a chance to get licensed in the U.S. yet not getting admission in the program that I anticipated the most.

to be honest I've seen a bit of the opposite, plenty of residents from the middle east especially in some programs, I think it really depends on the program, and this is not just endo, but other disciplines as well, even some of the faculty are international graduates of the programs themselves, so yes, the chances are significantly lower, which is why an AEGD/GPR would be a big boost to the CV, but it doesn't mean you have 0 chances imo

 

[Torshammer]

that is the reason why i said kids at hsdm kind of "cheated" the system by not having to worry about ranking...HSDM is expensive and most of those kids have options to go somewhere cheaper...they chose HSDm for a reason - they just wanted an easier route to specialize
One thing about HSDm is they dont spoon feed you that much compared to state school. you have to teach yourself a lot. They also do not have enough faculty to teach dental students separately; as a result, if the medical school skips or poorly teaches a class, the dental students have to teach themselves everything.
The medical school is also not very good at teaching because they love to ask physicians to teach basic science course...let me tell you, those guys are lousy at teaching. in my year, the medical school kind of skipped pharmacology...as a result, i had to teach myself pharm. I was in school when NBDE was still graded and you have to get 90 to have a shot t those competitive specialty... It is not easy to pass medical school courses and then do well on dental board... to be honest, you dont have to be A/ A+ students to do endo, ortho or even oral surgery. You have to be A+ students because those programs can afford to be picky...

HSDM kids have a stigma that they are not good at handskills. that is not true...they just have 2.5 years to do what other kids have 4 years to do. I was bad at drilling on plastic teeth because they were soo soft...we also had like 6 weeks from the first time that we touch the handpieces to the time we have to take competency. I would constantly get c or d if i did my dental school at a non P/F school. I didnt have much problems with real teeth

I think many people on SDN make a big deal out of the dental school graduation requirement. they also tend to believe that lack of experience cant be remedied with time and practice. Im doing about 1000 RCTs per year as specialist.. i highly doubt that the number of RCTs that I did as dental student would make or break me

I think people choose Harvard because they want to say they went to Harvard lol

 

[alice496]

non... take my advice, if you don't have a license in the U.S. ... no one cares about you, no matter what you do here. I applied 2 cycles and interacted with a program director heavily and his residents and staff. even that didn't get me a spot in their residency.

I even turned down an AEGD admission when I saw my interaction with the director was going very positively. It turns out that no one cares about what you have as long as you don't have an AEGD/GPR residency or license in the U.S (besides your credentials in the U.S.).

I know people say that is normal, and I know that some people say that they applied 5+ times and they keep going.... but those who did are national students with a U.S. License... if you are an international, your odds are less than 1%. I am an international student and I am deeply frustrated with turning down an admission and a chance to get licensed in the U.S. yet not getting admission in the program that I anticipated the most.

I think it is really tough, not impossible. Keep bonding as you want people to notice you, and to make them see that you’re worth it. I asked a program director what do they see or why is it so hard for international trained dentists and he said that they don’t know about the program in your country and they don’t have time to do research about it. You may have learned dentistry differently than in the US… so they won’t risk it. Apparently the best way to enter a residency program would be after an advanced standing program.
You can also do a preceptorship and work just harder than everyone else

 

[MidwestOwl]

I think people choose Harvard because they want to say they went to Harvard lol

it definitely does not hurt.. the H school in boston always has the highest entrance stats for pre-doc...way different than the H one in DC

 

[MidwestOwl]

non... take my advice, if you don't have a license in the U.S. ... no one cares about you, no matter what you do here. I applied 2 cycles and interacted with a program director heavily and his residents and staff. even that didn't get me a spot in their residency.

I even turned down an AEGD admission when I saw my interaction with the director was going very positively. It turns out that no one cares about what you have as long as you don't have an AEGD/GPR residency or license in the U.S (besides your credentials in the U.S.).

I know people say that is normal, and I know that some people say that they applied 5+ times and they keep going.... but those who did are national students with a U.S. License... if you are an international, your odds are less than 1%. I am an international student and I am deeply frustrated with turning down an admission and a chance to get licensed in the U.S. yet not getting admission in the program that I anticipated the most.

i would take any promises from program directors/ chair with a grain of salt unless the promises/ wince wince are on paper, signed by the admission dean. When i was at one of my endo interviews, the chair basically told me that hey John, I really want to accept you but we have one more round of interview - I cant give you an acceptance now. If "another program put a gun to your head asking you to take the offer before we finish our 2nd round, call me and let me know. - i can work out a deal"..i did what he asked me to do when i got my first acceptance...to never hear from him again...
some program directors are nice, some are not nice, some are downright nasty...we all paid a lot of money to fly out to interview,, some dont even bother to send us a rejection email. they all play the game to pick the best candidates...
i knew some foreign trained who got accepted...but most of the time, they had to do something undesirable such as oral path, radiology and then do endo later... Some came to the school to be a pre-doc faculty and then later apply - dental schools love cheap labor. Some did research with department chair to get a chance to mingle. others had to pay for an expensive internship. Yes, if program directors have a choice, they will pick a US grad first.

 

[Mo K]

The moral of the story; don’t waste your time on extreme uncertainty. I am not applying for Endo anytime soon until I get the license in the U.S.

 

[TargetEndo]

For international dentists,
for which schools you think that they have a better chance in endo residency program?

I am/was an international dentist (have an advanced standing DDS from USA but still was considered "international" at a lot of endo programs despite having US work experience) when I applied. I didn't get calls from any "cheap" schools despite the DDS. Your best chances are the more expensive schools with bigger programs - UOP, USC, NYU, Columbia, BU, Penn, etc. Unless if you have a ton of research/publications/contacts, don't even bother applying to the cheaper schools - It's pointless.

 

[TargetEndo]

For international dentists,
for which schools you think that they have a better chance in endo residency program?

Schools like UTHouston (almost every year), UCLA (via the "ACT" program), UIowa, CWRU, oftentimes give a spot by default to one of the preceptors that they have. You might consider doing that to improve your chances.

 

[Asquared2]

Anyone heard back from USC?

 

[endooooo]

Anyone know what Columbia interviews are like?

 

[endooooo]

Just got an interview- curious how many interviews they sent? Just don’t want to get my hopes up unnecessarily lol

 

[princeafrica]

Just got an interview- curious how many interviews they sent? Just don’t want to get my hopes up unnecessarily lol

No need to worry about that. Just focus on what you can control and put your best foot forward and things find their way of working out eventually

 

[dent1024]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine might have some advice. I finished up my AEGD at the end of June and, a few weeks ago, was very fortunate to accept an Endo residency position for next year (starting June 2025).

I've interviewed at some offices for a general dentistry position until then, but all have responded stating they're looking for a longer term associate. What have people with these awkward ~10 month gaps before residency done? Perhaps it would be worth it to apply for another state dental licensure, where Locum Tenens options might be more available. If nothing else, is it okay to be out of practice until residency begins?

 

[Mo K]

I mean no body is going to ask you where you practiced since you already got in

Hi everyone - I was wondering if anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine might have some advice. I finished up my AEGD at the end of June and, a few weeks ago, was very fortunate to accept an Endo residency position for next year (starting June 2025).

I've interviewed at some offices for a general dentistry position until then, but all have responded stating they're looking for a longer term associate. What have people with these awkward ~10 month gaps before residency done? Perhaps it would be worth it to apply for another state dental licensure, where Locum Tenens options might be more available. If nothing else, is it okay to be out of practice until residency begins?

 

[endo135]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine might have some advice. I finished up my AEGD at the end of June and, a few weeks ago, was very fortunate to accept an Endo residency position for next year (starting June 2025).

I've interviewed at some offices for a general dentistry position until then, but all have responded stating they're looking for a longer term associate. What have people with these awkward ~10 month gaps before residency done? Perhaps it would be worth it to apply for another state dental licensure, where Locum Tenens options might be more available. If nothing else, is it okay to be out of practice until residency begins?

You can do whatever you want. In corporate most people leave before a full year so you can do that. Dont burn bridges with a private practice in a city you want to practice after residency though

 

[TargetEndo]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine might have some advice. I finished up my AEGD at the end of June and, a few weeks ago, was very fortunate to accept an Endo residency position for next year (starting June 2025).

I've interviewed at some offices for a general dentistry position until then, but all have responded stating they're looking for a longer term associate. What have people with these awkward ~10 month gaps before residency done? Perhaps it would be worth it to apply for another state dental licensure, where Locum Tenens options might be more available. If nothing else, is it okay to be out of practice until residency begins?

Corporate or locum is your best bet. Congrats on your admit!

 

[bahter]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine might have some advice. I finished up my AEGD at the end of June and, a few weeks ago, was very fortunate to accept an Endo residency position for next year (starting June 2025).

I've interviewed at some offices for a general dentistry position until then, but all have responded stating they're looking for a longer term associate. What have people with these awkward ~10 month gaps before residency done? Perhaps it would be worth it to apply for another state dental licensure, where Locum Tenens options might be more available. If nothing else, is it okay to be out of practice until residency begins?

Congrats on getting in. I am in the same situation. I just chose not to disclose that I got in. I am purposely not doing larger cases such as overdentures and clear aligners. I feel like I am being deceitful, but I also cannot be unemployed for 10 months.. on top of the 2 years that's to come. Like others mentioned, locum is also a good option. My friend who graduated years back also did DSO until he started. My logic is disclosing your acceptance can backfire and may rob you of opportunities to make a little bit of money.

 

[TrustYourEAL]

Congrats on the acceptances! I would consider looking into FQHCs near you. Some of them have higher turnover or have sites that are less desirable and would be more than happy to do a short term hire. In my experience, many have a 30 day notice period, so you don’t have to mention your acceptance, although I recommend giving at least 60 days notice so they can coordinate patient care in your absence.

 

[Torshammer]

Congrats on getting in. I am in the same situation. I just chose not to disclose that I got in. I am purposely not doing larger cases such as overdentures and clear aligners. I feel like I am being deceitful, but I also cannot be unemployed for 10 months.. on top of the 2 years that's to come. Like others mentioned, locum is also a good option. My friend who graduated years back also did DSO until he started. My logic is disclosing your acceptance can backfire and may rob you of opportunities to make a little bit of money.

Agreed. Just don't mention that you'll be leaving soon.

 

[Lasvegaspreendo]

Anyone here from Puerto Rico on interviews? Holding out hope on my last school.

 

[dent1024]

Anyone here from Puerto Rico on interviews? Holding out hope on my last school.

Last year's interview invitations were sent via email on Wed, September 6th, so it might be a few more weeks – good luck!

 

[Lasvegaspreendo]

Last year's interview invitations were sent via email on Wed, September 6th, so it might be a few more weeks – good luck!

Awesome! I still have hope. I have a friend there trying to talk me up, but I’m fluent in Spanish and have a ton of clinical experience. I also help in endo on Friday mornings at my local dental school.

 

[Lasvegaspreendo]

My big drawback is that I have a low GPA since our clinic wasn’t graded, and in school I only wanted to do GP, just the romance of GP faded when I started working and my favorite days were when I was doing endo, now I do 5-15 cases a week.

 

[mainNXI]

any more invites from USC?

 

[TrustYourEAL]

any more invites from USC?

It's highly unlikely based on what I've heard from the program

 

[Hawkeye-DDS]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine might have some advice. I finished up my AEGD at the end of June and, a few weeks ago, was very fortunate to accept an Endo residency position for next year (starting June 2025).

I've interviewed at some offices for a general dentistry position until then, but all have responded stating they're looking for a longer term associate. What have people with these awkward ~10 month gaps before residency done? Perhaps it would be worth it to apply for another state dental licensure, where Locum Tenens options might be more available. If nothing else, is it okay to be out of practice until residency begins?

Find an emergency dental nearby and work 2-3 days a week. They need you even if short term

 

[patricklin27]

A lot of things to consider. How much are you making as a GP and how much potentially you can make as an endodontist? Is it worth the headache for the re-application? Can you get into one that’s cheaper? Cheaper programs means nothing if they don’t think you got what it takes to be their resident. I would think it twice before turning down a program that recognizes your potential.

If you make around 300k as a GP, is it even worth doing endo?

 

[patricklin27]

Any tips of making my application more competitive next year?


Im 6 years out of school and applied to 15 schools and no interviews.
My GPA in dental school was around a 3.0 and I applied late may this year. No major CE courses or ADAT taken or volunteering

Do you think taking ADAT will help my application? Also considering volunteering at an emergency dental clinic at a dental school and taking multiple CE endo courses. What other suggestions do you guys suggest to do?

 

[WannabeEndo]

If you make around 300k as a GP, is it even worth doing endo?

if you like it, then absolutely!

 

[CFish]

If you make around 300k as a GP, is it even worth doing endo?

I'd say 2 things:
1 - if you like/love root canals more than other aspects of dentistry, then yes its worth it, even if you have to re-apply.
2 - I make $300k as an associate GP, and while doable, unless you want to become an owner/multisite owner it is not sustainable. Even if you do transition to own, then depending on where you own you're not guaranteed to make that much, plus once you start hiring associates its a crapshoot whether you'll get a good one or not/how long they will stay. Not to mention all the work that comes with ownership (hiring/firing/staff calling out sick, etc...). GP, isn't for everyone, ownership isn't for everyone.

I've been practicing 10 years and would rather re-apply the next 5 years to get in and do Endo for another 20 before I retire than do GP for another 25 years. Plenty of other associates would be happy doing basic dentistry and make $150-200k their whole lives.

 

[Torshammer]

If you make around 300k as a GP, is it even worth doing endo?

Yes, you can make significantly more than 300k as endo, or work much less and make 300k. It's also only 2 years compared to other specialties.

 

[gorilla3]

Anyone able to update the program list? What schools still haven't filled their class yet? Received a rejection from UoP today. Didn't they not interview yet?

 

[mainNXI]

Any tips of making my application more competitive next year?


Im 6 years out of school and applied to 15 schools and no interviews.
My GPA in dental school was around a 3.0 and I applied late may this year. No major CE courses or ADAT taken or volunteering

Do you think taking ADAT will help my application? Also considering volunteering at an emergency dental clinic at a dental school and taking multiple CE endo courses. What other suggestions do you guys suggest to do?

I think ADAT would definitely help you to show programs you would be able to handle their “academic rigor” if you can score well enough on it.

 

[Mo K]

Anyone able to update the program list? What schools still haven't filled their class yet? Received a rejection from UoP today. Didn't they not interview yet?

I thought UPENN sent out invites… I am not aware if they did or didn’t.

 

[mainNXI]

I thought UPENN sent out invites… I am not aware if they did or didn’t.

UOP is university of pacific

 

[patricklin27]

I think ADAT would definitely help you to show programs you would be able to handle their “academic rigor” if you can score well enough on it.

Say you score low on the adat, are you required to report the score?

 

[patricklin27]

I'd say 2 things:
1 - if you like/love root canals more than other aspects of dentistry, then yes its worth it, even if you have to re-apply.
2 - I make $300k as an associate GP, and while doable, unless you want to become an owner/multisite owner it is not sustainable. Even if you do transition to own, then depending on where you own you're not guaranteed to make that much, plus once you start hiring associates its a crapshoot whether you'll get a good one or not/how long they will stay. Not to mention all the work that comes with ownership (hiring/firing/staff calling out sick, etc...). GP, isn't for everyone, ownership isn't for everyone.

I've been practicing 10 years and would rather re-apply the next 5 years to get in and do Endo for another 20 before I retire than do GP for another 25 years. Plenty of other associates would be happy doing basic dentistry and make $150-200k their whole lives.

Why do you think doing 300k as an associate every year is not sustainable?

 

[ktbur]

Any acceptances from USC yet?

 

[CFish]

Why do you think doing 300k as an associate every year is not sustainable?

It's a lot of work and the amount of production/hours/days you have to do year over year for that is tiring. I like to hustle, and maybe some associates who love GP and are better than me can keep it up for more than a decade, but I don't think anyone wants to hustle that hard in their 50s or 60's, which is why most that make that much after a while move into ownership or something else.

Now if you're really successful and you get to a point where you're doing all-on-x, lots of implants and big cases, then sure, probably easier than the medicaid kids I see to make that 300k+, but if thats the route someone wants to go then endo probably isn't in their sights.

shoot, I know places you can go near the border and make $400-500k and probably not do any molar endo or other complex dentistry if you're willing to live there. always trade offs to making money.

I guess when I say "not sustainable as an associate" it's because in the end if you're good enough/hustle hard enough to produce like that, you're eventually going to "specialize" in something, whether its implants, sleep medicine, ownership, etc. so you're not doing regular GP everyday for 30+ years for someone else

 

[ToothTroop]

Any offers from Columbia?

 

[WannabeEndo]

Anyone able to update the program list? What schools still haven't filled their class yet? Received a rejection from UoP today. Didn't they not interview yet?

I guess the rejections are for people who didn't even make the interview round. I got that too. Nice of them to at least send something I guess instead of completely ghosting, but I believe they also want to get sign ups for the CE stuff they do, so in a way they're giving you options to boost your CV for the next cycle if you still want to apply

 

[Smileartist2024]

non... take my advice, if you don't have a license in the U.S. ... no one cares about you, no matter what you do here. I applied 2 cycles and interacted with a program director heavily and his residents and staff. even that didn't get me a spot in their residency.

I even turned down an AEGD admission when I saw my interaction with the director was going very positively. It turns out that no one cares about what you have as long as you don't have an AEGD/GPR residency or license in the U.S (besides your credentials in the U.S.).

I know people say that is normal, and I know that some people say that they applied 5+ times and they keep going.... but those who did are national students with a U.S. License... if you are an international, your odds are less than 1%. I am an international student and I am deeply frustrated with turning down an admission and a chance to get licensed in the U.S. yet not getting admission in the program that I anticipated the most.

this is simply not true lol

you can literally check the list of the residents and there are healthy mix of international dentists

 

[mainNXI]

Say you score low on the adat, are you required to report the score?

Not at all, you don’t have to report. It will cost you per school after to send your scores tho

 

[Mary1984]

Any acceptances from USC? Does anyone have any idea when they will send out the acceptances?

 

[rb19]

Thinking about printing out all my rejection emails and wallpapering my bathroom with them. Gonna keep the motivation up

 

[SirBrotherJam]

I think ADAT would definitely help you to show programs you would be able to handle their “academic rigor” if you can score well enough on it.

He needs an “in.” Him killing the adat isn’t going to turn may heads and everything else he mentioned is substandard aside from clinical experience. Being frank, it’s not impossible, but a stretch.

 

[rb19]

How does one secure an "in?" I was thinking of writing a best selling autobiography. Hopefully the story will be compelling enough. Heck, I'll even take depressing and pitiful enough. Shopping some titles. I was thinking, "By word of mouth: the navigation of life's canals"

 

[faded2122]

How does one secure an "in?" I was thinking of writing a best selling autobiography. Hopefully the story will be compelling enough. Heck, I'll even take depressing and pitiful enough. Shopping some titles. I was thinking, "By word of mouth: the navigation of life's canals"

it’s unreal and tough. An “in” I def agree with in some situations. Reach out to dental schools, see If you can volunteer in the academic setting. Never know who you can meet there that may help you. Take CE, be knowledgeable on up to date trends, topics, and talk to local specialists. Reach out to programs and schedule a “visit or tour” prior to the cycle start (can be like a one on one with the PD before the cycle in some schools).

If you get interviews and not accepted or don’t get any interview, update the programs on the growth of your app. They may respond, may not. Go to the AAE and network and get good CE. Going to just meet PDs is good but from my experience it was awkward waiting in a line with other endo hopefuls, waiting to talk to them and the conversation was not memorable for either party. Or chase them around the venue all day. I’m not one for begging or annoying anyone so I ended up just taking CE. Some people will disagree. I think it would be better to have an “in” with someone at the AAE that may know a program director and personally introduce you. Getting that “in” is challenging but can be done with just getting yourself out there. Sitting in your GP practice doing tons of endo ain’t gonna do it. Unfortunately. Politics.

 

[EndoEndoBoBendo]

Any tips of making my application more competitive next year?


Im 6 years out of school and applied to 15 schools and no interviews.
My GPA in dental school was around a 3.0 and I applied late may this year. No major CE courses or ADAT taken or volunteering

Do you think taking ADAT will help my application? Also considering volunteering at an emergency dental clinic at a dental school and taking multiple CE endo courses. What other suggestions do you guys suggest to do?

To be fair, with so many applicants applying for so few seats, I think it's a "stretch" for a lot of us applying!
You have more gp experience than the vast majority of applicants/intervewees that I have met, so that is an advantage! What you need to do is strengthen the weak points.

Obviously you can't change the 3.0 gpa, but I do think that getting a good ADAT score will cushion that aspect of your application. I am in a similar situation, I had a pretty bad class rank and the first year I applied I didn't get any interviews. I took the ADAT spring of this year and heard back with some interviews. It was actually brought up by multiple interviewers and one of them even said that it's a good thing I took the ADAT! So I wouldn't brush it off if I were you, I'm glad I took it.

Then next place I would look at is personal statement and letters of rec.
Take more endo CE, definitely attend AAE. Research beforehand the names of the program directors and find their picture in a directory so you can go out of your way to find them and introduce yourself. Go to the table clinics and speak with the current residents at the programs you are applying to.
I also think working as an adjunct faculty at a dental school would look really good. The more you can do to supplement your application and round it out, the better!