Student Support
Pursuing a DDS degree requires a significant investment of time, effort, intellectual focus, and financial resources — and at UB, we truly recognize and value that commitment. Whether you’re adjusting to dental school or simply need someone to talk to, we’re here to support you.
It’s completely normal if you’re unsure about your plans after dental school. This is just the beginning of your journey! At the UB School of Dental Medicine, we don’t expect you to have all the answers right away. Our goal is to introduce you to the wide range of career options available after graduation and guide you as you explore them.
Exploring Career Pathways
- Our administration works closely with students to create actionable steps for developing a career plan.
- If you’re uncertain about your future, we can support you through a process of self-discovery, helping you identify your skills and interests, explore various career paths, and outline a plan to move forward with confidence.
Career Counseling
- Career counseling is coordinated through the Office of Student Affairs. The Associate Dean is responsible for providing individual career counseling to our students.
- Students can discuss professional goals, residency interests, resumes, and personal statements and have their PASS application reviewed with the associate dean for student affairs.
- The Associate Dean also completes and submits the PASS Institutional Evaluation Form for all students who apply to PASS programs.
From your first year through graduation, you’ll receive ongoing career guidance to help you discover your interests, build your professional skills, and prepare for life after dental school.
D1
Connect and Learn
- Residency is a hot topic, and, as D1s, now is the perfect time to start learning.
- Your peers—especially D2s, D3s, and D4s—are your best resource right now, so we encourage you to connect with them to gain initial insights.
- Throughout the curriculum, dental students gain valuable insight into the different types of residency programs available after graduation. By learning about both general and specialty residencies, students are able to assess their clinical interests, long-term career plans, and professional strengths.
D2
Self-Assessment & INBDE
- Begin identifying your clinical and professional interests for future specialization or residency choices.
- Reflect on which procedures you enjoy most, the types of cases that challenge or excite you, and whether you prefer general practice or a specific specialty.
- Begin learning about the INBDE and preparation. Administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), its primary purpose is to assist state boards of dentistry in evaluating candidates to determine if they possess the entry-level knowledge and cognitive skills necessary to safely practice general dentistry.
D3
Residency Application Process
- A key component of preparation involves making an educated decision about a specialty, which requires extensive shadowing and externships to gain exposure and build mentorship connections—especially with faculty who will write letters of recommendation.
- Students must also research and prepare for specialty-specific standardized tests, such as the ADAT or CBSE, well in advance.
- The formal application itself, typically through the ADEA PASS system, involves compiling a strong curriculum vitae (CV), drafting a compelling personal statement, and coordinating letters of evaluation, all while navigating strict deadlines that can vary significantly between specialties and programs.
D4
Post Application & ADEX
- Interview invitations for dental residency programs typically begin to be sent out in the late summer and early fall, generally starting in August or September.
- Match Day is when the official results of the National Matching Service (NMS) are released. You will be notified of the single program to which you have been matched (if any). It is an exciting, emotional, and decisive day that concludes the application cycle.
- If interested, take the ADEX Dental Examination (administered by the American Board of Dental Examiners/CDCA-WREB-CITA) is a comprehensive, multi-part examination required for initial licensure to practice dentistry in the majority of states across the United States.
The School of Dental Medicine offers a variety of career services to support students in achieving their post-graduation goals.
CLD 847: Advancement into the Professions
- During the D3 year, students enroll in a course designed to prepare them for the transition from dental school to professional practice.
- Through weekly sessions, students gain guidance on résumé writing, crafting personal statements, navigating the PASS application process, understanding state licensing requirements, and participating in the Dental Match Program.
- The course also features guest presentations from practicing dentists who share insights on various career and practice opportunities within the profession.
Lunch and Learn Seminars
- The School of Dental Medicine offers Lunch and Learn Seminars as a key professional development opportunity for our students.
- Previously approved and highly valued seminars have focused on essential nonclinical areas, including Financial Investment Planning, Debt Management, Professional Liability, Life/Disability Insurance, Student Loan Repayment, Navigating Dental Contracts, and Working with a Dental Support Organization (DSO).
Residency Fair
- The Office of Student Affairs coordinates an annual Residency Fair, offering third-year students the opportunity to connect directly with residency directors and program representatives.
- Each year, more than 20 programs from across the New York and New Jersey region participate, providing valuable insight into program structures, application expectations and postdoctoral opportunities.
- In addition to in-person networking, students can explore program materials and resources in advance to help guide their conversations.
Faculty Mentorship
- Dental faculty mentorship offers DDS students crucial guidance that extends far beyond clinical instruction.
- Effective mentorship establishes a long-term, supportive relationship where experienced faculty members share their wisdom, clinical expertise, and professional networks to help mentees navigate the complexities of their careers.
- Faculty mentors are key in helping mentees define their niche, whether in private practice, academia, or research. They provide confidential advising on challenging patient cases, offer insights into work-life balance, and help refine essential non-clinical skills, such as leadership, communication and ethical decision-making.
New York State 8th District Dental Society Mentorship
- The Eighth District Dental Society is a professional association whose members consist of dentists from eight counties of Western New York: Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans.
- There are approximately 950 members. Each member is also a member of the American Dental Association and the New York State Dental Association.
- The Eighth District Dental Society is organized for the purpose of encouraging improvement of the health of the public, to promote the art and science of dentistry, and to represent the interests of the members of the profession and the public which it serves.
Externships
- Students interested in pursuing an externship opportunity are encouraged to seek guidance from the Office of Student Affairs, which provides support and resources throughout the application process.
- Externships allow students to gain hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings, explore specialty interests, and strengthen their professional network.
- To support participation, students are allotted approved time away from clinic to complete these experiences without compromising their academic responsibilities.
UB Dental Alumni Job Opportunities
- The UB Dental Alumni Job Opportunity website serves as a dedicated platform connecting current students and recent graduates with employment opportunities across the dental profession.
- Maintained in partnership with the UB School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association, the site features listings for associate positions, partnerships, practice sales, and other career openings submitted by alumni and practitioners nationwide.
- Students are encouraged to explore the site regularly to learn about available positions and gain insight into various practice settings.
- This resource not only supports career placement but also strengthens the professional network between UB dental students and alumni in the field.
Match Days
- On Phase I & Phase II Match Days, the Office of Student Affairs provides emotional and post-match procedural support for our students.
- A school-wide celebration is held on Phase II Match Day for all D4 students.
Phone: 716-829-6925
Fax: 716-829-2731
Email: sdmadmit@buffalo.edu
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F
DDS Admissions
School of Dental Medicine
315 Squire Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214