Overseas Dental

[Jaba]

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Hello

I am a student from canada and just finished my BSc in Biology. I have wrote the DAT a few times now and cant seem to master it even though I studied quite extensively for it. I have a cGPA and sGPA of around 3.2 for each and it hasn't been able to gain me even an interview at a canadian or american school.

because of my frustration, I have tried applying overseas (australia, NZ, UK) and have gained admission at several dental schools (BDS program). I am aware that if I were to go overseas and want to come back to North America, I would have to do anywhere from 2+ years of repeated DDS/DMD here (last 2 years I think).

I have received admissions to a few schools in UK and I heard their dental programs are pretty good as well. However, I would like to definately practice in North America afterwards. I am therefore not sure which route I should go:

1. UK dental (5 yrs) + 2 yrs in USA/Canda = 7 yrs, (possibly more if I dont get back into a 2 yr program right away).

2. Masters (2 yrs) + 4 yrs of USA or Canada dentistry= 6 years (although it is not certain that I would get into dentistry here after a masters...

I find that if I at least go to UK dental, I would be a dentist after the 5 years whereas if I do a masters I am still not guaranteed anything.

I neeed help making a choice. I feel that sometimes no matter how much I try on this continent, I am not able to get into dental.... not even an interview!!!


HEL!P!
Thanks

 

[La fea]

Hello

I am a student from canada and just finished my BSc in Biology. I have wrote the DAT a few times now and cant seem to master it even though I studied quite extensively for it. I have a cGPA and sGPA of around 3.2 for each and it hasn't been able to gain me even an interview at a canadian or american school.

because of my frustration, I have tried applying overseas (australia, NZ, UK) and have gained admission at several dental schools (BDS program). I am aware that if I were to go overseas and want to come back to North America, I would have to do anywhere from 2+ years of repeated DDS/DMD here (last 2 years I think).

I have received admissions to a few schools in UK and I heard their dental programs are pretty good as well. However, I would like to definately practice in North America afterwards. I am therefore not sure which route I should go:

1. UK dental (5 yrs) + 2 yrs in USA/Canda = 7 yrs, (possibly more if I dont get back into a 2 yr program right away).

2. Masters (2 yrs) + 4 yrs of USA or Canada dentistry= 6 years (although it is not certain that I would get into dentistry here after a masters...

I find that if I at least go to UK dental, I would be a dentist after the 5 years whereas if I do a masters I am still not guaranteed anything.

I neeed help making a choice. I feel that sometimes no matter how much I try on this continent, I am not able to get into dental.... not even an interview!!!


HEL!P!
Thanks

I would choose #2.
#1 can be a pretty frustrating path too. Especially if you are serious about practicing in North America.

 

[Jaba]

I would choose #2.
#1 can be a pretty frustrating path too. Especially if you are serious about practicing in North America.

I am thinking that too... however, once you have a dental degree (i.e from UK) than shouldn't the entrance tests for USA programs not be that difficult?

 

[La fea]

I am thinking that too... however, once you have a dental degree (i.e from UK) than shouldn't the entrance tests for USA programs not be that difficult?

Theoretically yes! The National Board is, per say, not impossibly hard. But the path is v competitive. Just go through the threads, see for yourself.
The final decision is yours. Good Luck.

 

[Jaba]

Theoretically yes! The National Board is, per say, not impossibly hard. But the path is v competitive. Just go through the threads, see for yourself.
The final decision is yours. Good Luck.

I have looked into it a bit further. However, I am now skeptical to make any decision because the NBDE 1 and 2(i think) are going to become pass/fail. If schools in USA therefore look at these scores for accepting students, then what will be the new basis for admissions after Jan2010??

Is there a large emphasis placed on the GPA as well that one achieved in dental school ?

I would love to go to the UK to study, but I know i want to practice in the USA/Canada. I am just very scared that it would take years to get back in.....

 

[Dr.Millisevert]

I have looked into it a bit further. However, I am now skeptical to make any decision because the NBDE 1 and 2(i think) are going to become pass/fail. If schools in USA therefore look at these scores for accepting students, then what will be the new basis for admissions after Jan2010??

Is there a large emphasis placed on the GPA as well that one achieved in dental school ?

I would love to go to the UK to study, but I know i want to practice in the USA/Canada. I am just very scared that it would take years to get back in.....

If I were you I would ask myself these questions:

1. What is more important to me.. becoming a dentist or working as a dentist in the US or Canada?

2. Could I see myself living the rest of my life in another country? (..if for some reason you can't get back to work in North America).

(btw: you will still make a good living as a dentist in the UK and you will be able to come back and visit on holidays all the time).



If you can see yourself living overseas for the rest of your life (potentially) and that idea seems good to you. Then I say go for it. If you don't think you could handle that.. then stick it out and keep applying to local schools. 👍

 

[La fea]

If I were you I would ask myself these questions:

1. What is more important to me.. becoming a dentist or working as a dentist in the US or Canada?

2. Could I see myself living the rest of my life in another country? (..if for some reason you can't get back to work in North America).

(btw: you will still make a good living as a dentist in the UK and you will be able to come back and visit on holidays all the time).



If you can see yourself living overseas for the rest of your life (potentially) and that idea seems good to you. Then I say go for it. If you don't think you could handle that.. then stick it out and keep applying to local schools. 👍

well said 👍👍

 

[La fea]

I have looked into it a bit further. However, I am now skeptical to make any decision because the NBDE 1 and 2(i think) are going to become pass/fail. If schools in USA therefore look at these scores for accepting students, then what will be the new basis for admissions after Jan2010??

Is there a large emphasis placed on the GPA as well that one achieved in dental school ?

I would love to go to the UK to study, but I know i want to practice in the USA/Canada. I am just very scared that it would take years to get back in.....

We enter unknown (for now) territory.
Although should u choose to go abroad for Dental Studies, by the time you are done, some system should be in place. 😎

 

[Jaba]

We enter unknown (for now) territory.
Although should u choose to go abroad for Dental Studies, by the time you are done, some system should be in place. 😎

thanks! and yea, i would prefer to stay on this continent because I have my family here and I am just used to the lifestyle etc. I am sure other countries are just as good, but I cant leave everything behind just because I want to become a dentist.

There is currently too much uncertainty with the NBDE for Jan 2010 and I dislike the fact that everything could be completely different again for applying into the states.

I have written the DAT a few times now and I guess I will just have to modify my studying techniques. I know they only take the most recent ones, i'm just very scared they will see how I did on all of them. I will look into masters programs for now and hope to God that I get in sometime after.

This sound good?