Hey,
Heres is some information from the ADA. I do know it limits you to a few states (18) but i guess it is still a much cheaper route and worth trying. If anyone has tried this let us know. Pls. also maintain this thread for only the related information.
You can practice Dentistry in Texas/ other 18 states if you do the following.
1. Complete a 2 yr. Specialty Program/ Masters degree. The Specialty Programs include
Pedodontics;
Orthodontia,
Prosthothetics,
OMFS and
Dental Public Health which will be relatively easy to get admission to. The clinical subjects are always hard to get admission to. If you are interested in the Clinical masters look into the websites of PASS and MATCH for further details.
2. Take National Dental Board Exams ( NDB Part 1 and Part 2)
3. Take another regional Exam
What this basically means is that if you get to Texas or any of the below mentioned 18 states and complete your MS, you can practice in Texas State without have to do Advanced Standing( the 2 -3 yr. program which is very expensive.) During Masters you will get University funding.( clinical and non clinical)
Here is the Url which has most of the links to the individual state boards
http://www.studentdoctor.net/dental/state_boards.html
( Taken from ADA International Student Handbook)
Eighteen states and the District of Columbia require graduates of unaccredited dental schools to obtain some additional training in dentistry in an ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited program.
ALABAMA
ARIZONA
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
ILLINOIS
LOUISIANA
MAINE
MICHIGAN
MISSISSIPPI
NEW YORK
OHIO
OREGON 2
SOUTH DAKOTA
TEXAS 4
UTAH 3
VERMONT
WASHINGTON
WISCONSIN
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Currently two states, California and Hawaii, require foreign graduates to first pass the written National Board Dental Examinations and then a special preclinical exam known as a ?bench test? prior to qualifying to take the state or regional clinical exam. Those in California who fail the bench test three times are required to attend a two year program at a CDA accredited dental school. Starting in 2004, California will no longer administer the bench test. Only applicants who have graduated from a foreign dental school approved by the Dental Board of California or applicants who have completed two years additional training in a dental school approved by the Dental Board of California will be eligible for a California dental license. Applicants in Hawaii who do not pass the exam after the first attempt must graduate from an accredited or approved dental school as required of all other applicants. Wisconsin and the District of Columbia also require passage of a bench test, but only in addition to completion of additional education or training in accredited U.S. dental programs as well as the national and clinical exams. Some states, such as Louisiana, will license an international dental graduate by credentials after having been licensed and practicing in another state for some period of time.
1 Delaware--Applicants for licensure must complete a general practice residency or 3 years of practice in another state.
2 Oregon has created a pathway to licensure for international dentists in addition to completion of a 2-year pre-doctoral accredited program. An international dentist, who has completed an ADA accredited specialty program and has passed the Western Regional Board Examination, will qualify to sit for the Oregon specialty exam. Interested persons must contact the dental board for specific information.
3 Utah--If International Credentialing Associates, Inc fails to certify that the foreign school from which the applicant graduated met CDA?s accreditation standards at the time of attendance the applicant will be required to graduate from a CDA accredited dental program.
4 Texas ?International dental graduates can complete a 2-year ADA CDA recognized dental specialty program to qualify for clinical exam.
5 Minnesota Must allow foreign-trained graduates to take licensure exam if the Board determines their training is equivalent to that provided by an ADA CDA accredited dental school.
Source: ADA Department of State Government Affairs August 2002
