Internationally educated dentists graduates who want to practice dentistry in the United States or qualify for an advanced education program that requires such licensure will need to apply for admission with advanced standing to a U.S. basic dentistry program.  Dentists are required to complete a D.D.S./D.M.D. or equivalent certificate at a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) before they are eligible to apply for some graduate/postgraduate programs, or for licensure in any U.S. jurisdiction. The ADA currently only accredits programs in the United States and Canada; programs completed elsewhere will not be accepted as equivalent.

About half of U.S. dental schools offer admission at an advanced level for internationally educated dentists wishing to complete a U.S. first professional degree. Admission would be granted to the second or third year of the basic dental education program.  Application requirements are similar to those for graduate and postgraduate programs, generally requiring submission of documentation on previous education, successful completion of the National Board Part I examinations, and a high TOEFL score.
 
Entry to such programs is possible in July or in September; applicants should start the admissions process at least one year before their planned entry date and submit online applications by January 1.  Admission requirements vary by institution but will include English proficiency, good knowledge of dentistry as practiced in the United States, and successful completion of the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I.  International applicants must have their studies evaluated by a credential evaluation firm to determine that they are eligible to take the NBDE.

Each U.S. state has its own licensure process. In addition to educational requirements, all states require licensure candidates to pass both parts of the National Board Dental Examinations.  The tests in Part I, commonly required for advanced dental education, cover the basic biomedical sciences and dental anatomy.  Part II covers clinical dental subjects, pharmacology, behavioral science, dental public health, and occupational safety.  Some states may require completion of additional written tests. 

All states also require a clinical examination in which the candidate performs dental procedures on patients.  Some states have a preclinical requirement for internationally educated dentists, in which candidates demonstrate procedures on mannequins before they can qualify for the clinical examination.  To locate licensing boards for individual states and learn more about their requirements, visit the ADA site’s section on licensure.