Admissions
Learn everything about the admissions requirements to the IDP Program here, including extra resources to help succeed in the admissions process.
All applicants must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for admission to our International Dentist Program. All completed applications that meet our admission requirements will receive a full file review.
International Academic Dental Degree
Applicants must:
- Be a graduate of an international dental school.
- Have earned the dental degree
- Hold a final diploma prior to applying to our program.
- Have satisfactorily completed an academic program of study of not less than four years, culminating in a degree, diploma, or certificate in dentistry recognized by the appropriate civil authorities of the country in which the school is located.
Provisional dental degrees and/or certificates are not sufficient for admission to our International Dentist Program.
INBDE or NBDE Required
Integrated National Dental Board Exam or National Dental Board Exam
Applicants must meet the Integrated (INDBE) or National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) requirements.
Applicants must have either passed Part I of the NBDE or the Integrated NBDE by our June 1, 2026, application deadline to be considered. The official passing grades must be reflected in the CAAPID application portal by June 1.
Those students who have passed either Part II of the NBDE or the Integrated NBDE [INDBE] will be given preference over those applicants who have only passed Part I of the NBDE.
INBDE or NBDE
Score Submission
You must make arrangements to submit official INBDE scores to CAAPID directly. Our committee must see your official INBDE scores in the CAAPID portal by our June 1, 2026, admissions deadline.
Self-reported NBDE or INBDE will not be considered.
The committee will not know if you passed INBDE in your online CAAPID application unless you submit official INBDE scores in the CAAPID portal. Please refer to the ADA website for additional NBDE information.
No INBDE or NBDE exam expiration date.
We do not have an INBDE or NBDE exam expiration date. If you have already passed INBDE, Part I NBDE, and/or Part II NBDE, you do not need to retake the exam for admission consideration.
INBDE Resources
All applicants must meet the Integrated [INDBE] or National Board Dental Examination [NBDE] requirements. The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations offers many resources and tools for candidates seeking to complete the INBDE, including test information, sample questions, recorded webinars, and candidate guides.
NBDE Part I
Our program requires candidates to pass Part I NBDE to be eligible to apply. Our committee must see your official NBDE scores in the CAAPID portal by our June 1, 2026, admissions deadline.
Self-reported NBDE Part I scores will not be considered.
The committee will not know if you passed NBDE Part I in your online CAAPID application unless you submit official NBDE scores in the CAAPID portal.
NBDE Part 2
Applicants who have passed NBDE Part II or the Integrated NBDE will be given preference for admission.
You must make arrangements to submit official NBDE Part II scores to CAAPID directly. Our committee must see your official NBDE scores in the CAAPID portal by our June 1, 2026, admissions deadline. Self-reported INBDE or NBDE Part II will not be considered.
The committee will not know if you passed NBDE Part II in your online CAAPID application unless you submit official NBDE scores in the CAAPID portal.
You can still be considered for the program if you have not taken NBDE Part II. However, preference is given to those applicants who have passed Part II or the Integrated NBDE.
TOEFL Requirements
All students must meet our TOEFL Requirements in order to be considered to the International Dentist Program.
Bench Test Information
Bench Test and Interviews will take place in September and October 2026. Those candidates offered the opportunity to Bench Test and interview will receive exact dates.
Unfortunately, the Bench Test Preparation Course is no longer offered at our dental school.
Citizenship
IDP applicants may be foreign nationals (those requiring a visa), U.S. citizens, or U.S. permanent residents. However, all IDP students are strongly encouraged to review the American Dental Association Licensure process to gauge their ability to practice in the United States.
Communication Skills
An important consideration in the selection process for the International Dentist Program is the applicant’s effectiveness and clarity in verbal communication.
It is essential both for completion of the academic program and for effective communication with patients in the clinics.