I get lots of emails and comments asking the same questions again. So I realized I would have to put up a frequently asked questions post. 

I also get emails of a very personal nature that involve me making a life altering decision for the person contacting me such as:

• “Should I get married to this person as he/she will need to come to the US as a foreign dentist?”
• I am XX years of age/have multiple practices/been working for 20+ years/ have family and now want to move to the US. Is it a good idea?”
• What should my next step in life be?

Unfortunately, I can’t and shouldn’t be the one answering these kind of questions for you. Please understand that these life altering questions need only you and your family’s input.

So here are the most common questions. Please note that if the comments/emails ask these kind of questions – I will revert you to this post.

1. “I am graduating/I am a dentist from XYZ country with dental degree/masters/PhD/many years of experience. How can I work in USA as a dentist/specialist?”

Regardless of your education/experience (however prolific), unless you have a dental degree from a dental school that is approved by Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), your degree will not be accepted in the USA. The list of schools (American and Canadian) having CODA approval can be found here. 

2. “I have a Canadian dental license, can I practice dentistry in the USA?”

If your acquired your dental degree by graduating from a CODA approved Canadian dental school, then yes, your degree is valid in the USA. Foreign dentists who acquired the Canadian dental license through the exam route or graduating from international dental programs are not eligible for US licensure in this manner.

3. “Do i need to take the NBDE exams to apply to the programs?”

Some of the dental program require you to complete one or both of the NBDE exams before you apply. Nevertheless, you need the NBDE exam results when applying for any clinical exam that is a requirement to getting state licensure. So, even if you get accepted into a dental program without completing both exams, before you graduate, you will have to complete them so that you will be eligible for any of the clinical exams (WREB, NERB, CITA, ADEX etc). I would advise you to finish it before you start school, school is busy enough as it is, you wouldn’t want to study for the NBDE’s while you are in the program.

4. “If I don’t want to do further studies but still work in some capacity in the dental field, what are my options?”

You can always apply to faculty positions in dental schools (I do not know of faculty positions). You will have to look them up on University websites and email the University to ask if they will consider a foreign dentist as faculty. Attach your resume and a cover letter explaining your educational background and why you would like to teach to the email so they have a better idea of you as an applicant. If they accept foreign applicants, they will send you an email with instructions on how to apply. I must say though, it has become harder to find faculty positions because Universities are refusing to sponsor H1b work visas.

Another option is work as a dental assistant in dental clinics. Some states allow foreign dentists to work like this without additional training and by obtaining some certifications. Look up the state requirements on this link. Dental Hygienists require a four-year training just like a conventional dental program.

Other options include possibly working in dental labs as a technician, as a consultant for companies like Invisalign (esp orthodontists), dental office managers/front office staff, research assistant in universities etc. You can also acquire MPH, Ph.D., MBA and eventually help with practice acquisitions, practice management, give seminars regarding dental marketing etc. A lot of this depends on your immigration status – if you have a green card/citizenship then you have more freedom. Otherwise, you will need someone to sponsor you for a work visa so that limits where you can work.

5. “What must I do to get  a limited Faculty license in XYZ state?”

First, you must have an offer of employment for a Faculty position before you can apply for the limited dental license. 

6. “How easy is it to find a job after going through a US dental program?”

If you need a work visa (H1b visa), you would probably find it easier to find work with corporate dental companies as they are used to applying for work visas and know the process well (are not intimidated by it). Some private clinics may offer to do so but may not know the process so you will have to be on top of it (keep an eye on when to apply/renew). If you were on a student visa, you will have approx. a year of OPT (Optional Practical Training) when you can practice without a work visa. During your time on OPT, you must use your time wisely to find the employer who will eventually be willing to apply for your work visa.

7. ” Would I be able to pay off my student loans/live comfortably on what I earn as a dentist?”

It would depend on where you work and what the stipulations on your work contract is like. General dentists make anywhere between $70,000 to $250,000 a year. After taking into account your expenses,  student loans, house mortgages, car payments, childcare expenses etc), it is not as high paying as it once was.

University Faculty jobs pay must less but have good benefits (med insurance, dental insurance, retirement funds, free continuing education, opportunities for growth/promotion, pension etc).

You will not be able to open up/own a dental practice until you have a Green card/citizenship. If you are on a work visa, you can have your employer apply for your Green card  and depending on which country you were born in, it may take a while for you to get it.

8. “How much does a dental program cost and how much would my monthly payments be after I graduate?”

Dental programs like the 2-3 year Advanced Standing programs cost close to $100,000/year for tuition on average + $20,000/year for living expenses. So you may graduate with $250,000 to $400,000 in student debt and a have a monthly repayment amount of $2000 to $4000. If you make $10,000 average per month, you can make out how difficult it would be to make ends meet. Have a realistic idea of what you would be able t o earn and if you can afford to live off the remainder of your salary once the student loan repayment is paid.

If you are a permanent resident/US citizen, the tuition will be considerably less for you if you apply to colleges in the state that you live in (in-state tuition). You may also be able to apply for federal loans which have better rates/ private loans without a cosigner if you have a good credit score.
If you are not a citizen/ green card holder, you would be able to apply for a private loan to cover your program costs as long as you have someone with a US Green card/Citizenship to co-sign the loan for you. Interest rates are higher for private loans and repayment will most likely start within 6 months of graduation.

9. Can I apply directly to a dental specialty program? Can I practice as a Specialist after graduating from such a program?

Yes you can. I am proof of that. As long as it is a CODA approved specialty and is recognized by the state that you want to get licensed in. Find the list of CODA approved specialty programs here. I do not know all the specialty programs that accept foreign dentists – you will have research that for yourself. It will be stated either on the program website or contact the program directly regarding this question.

Once you graduate from a specialty program, certain states will allow you to apply for state licensure. I have elaborated on this in this post.

If you are not a green card holder/US citizen and need a work visa – you will have to work as an employee. It is harder to find jobs as an employee when you are a Specialist. Normally, Specialists work as independent contractors that travel to different clinics and work as needed. Very rarely can a general dental practice handle/afford to employ a Specialist full-time. This means either being employed by corporate dental chains/multiple private dental clinics/University.

10. “Which option is better for a foreign dentist – IDP or GPR/AEGD or Specialty?”

The easiest way is still applying for IDP programs just based on the sheer number of seats available and the resultant freedom to practice anywhere in the US.

If you are set on doing a Specialty, I would say to do your research regarding which programs accept foreign dentists and try to visit the program/do an externship with them before applying to the program. This lets them see you as a candidate and gives you an advantage over those who just send in their applications. Some specialties like OMFS, Pedodontics and Orthodontics are much harder to get in without a US DDS.

1 or 2yr AGED/GPR/CODA approved Implant Residencies etc…these will let you practice in certain states and also look good on your resume if you want to still apply for International dental programs/specialties. GPR/AEGD is less expensive that IDP because there is really no structured educational program. It’s similar to the senior house surgency program in India, you are there to work. No one is going to teach you or guide you like they would in an IDP program. AEGD programs are loosely structured with a few classes and are therefore usually tuition-based programs (easier to get into). In GPR you will usually get a stipend (around $50,000/year) and are usually hospital/clinic-based, therefore gives preference to US citizens/permanent residents who have an existing US license.

Search for CODA approved IDP/AEGD/GPR and Specialty programs here.

I hope this post will be useful to many. I am blown away by how much this blog has helped people. I ask that each one visiting/reading these posts also contribute/correct if there is new/incorrect information posted here.

All the best!