# International Dentist Programs in the US: Requirements, Costs, and All 47 Programs Compared

URL: https://dentovio.com/international-dentist-programs

Last updated: 2026-11-08

International dentist programs, formally advanced-standing DDS or DMD programs, let dentists trained outside the US join a CODA-accredited dental school partway through and graduate with a US dental degree. The ADEA CAAPID Program Finder listed 47 such programs on November 8, 2026. They run 24 to 45 months (most 24 to 30), take between 1 and 100 students a year, and nearly all require a passed INBDE, a TOEFL score (most ask for 4.5 or 5 on the new 1–6 scale; Florida 4.0, Temple 5.5), and an ECE or WES course-by-course evaluation. 36 of the 47 hold a bench test and 11 accept only US citizens or permanent residents. Published 2026–27 rates run from $92,287 a year in tuition (LSU) to $191,190 a year in projected tuition and fees (Ohio State, non-resident). Tuition and fees for the whole program start around $225,000 to $280,000 (UTHealth Houston, Loma Linda, LSU), and full cost of attendance runs about $280,000 to $470,000 (Pittsburgh to Tufts). A CODA-accredited DDS or DMD meets the education requirement for licensure in every state; most states require it for foreign-trained dentists.

## Key facts

- **Programs:** 47 — Advanced-standing DDS/DMD programs listed in the ADEA CAAPID Program Finder, November 8, 2026.
- **Length:** 24 to 45 months — Most run 24 to 30 months. Florida's DAT-based track is the longest at 45.
- **Yearly cost:** $92,287 to $191,190 — 2026–27: LSU tuition at the low end; Ohio State non-resident projected tuition and fees at the high end.
- **Bench test:** 36 of 47 — NYU, Boston University, Tufts, Penn, Columbia, UCSF, Pacific, Rutgers, UIC, Meharry, and Florida do not hold one.
- **Citizenship limits:** 11 programs — Accept only US citizens or permanent residents, including Penn, Ohio State, and UTHealth Houston.
- **Biggest classes:** BU 100 · Pacific 57 · UIC up to 52 — Several programs take 10 or fewer students a year.

## What an international dentist program is

The ADA describes advanced-standing programs as "designed for internationally-trained dentists who wish to get a license to practice dentistry in the U.S." Instead of starting as a first-year dental student, you join the DDS or DMD program with **advanced standing** and finish in about two to three years. You graduate with the same degree as every other student in the school.

Schools give these programs different names, which matters when you search their websites:

| Name | Schools |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Standing DDS/DMD | NYU, Boston University, Columbia, Rutgers |
| ASPID | USC |
| PPID | UCLA |
| PASS | Penn, Minnesota |
| DIS | Tufts |
| IDS | Pacific (Dugoni) |
| ITDP | Michigan |
| IDEP | UTHealth Houston, UT Health San Antonio |
| IDP / International Dentist Program | Loma Linda, Western University, Indiana, others |

Every program in the ADEA CAAPID list is part of a **CODA-accredited** dental school. Boston University states its DMD "meets the educational requirements for dental licensure in each state," and Tufts that graduates "are eligible for licensure to practice dentistry in the United States." The degree does not license you by itself: you still pass the INBDE and the clinical exam your state accepts, and apply to the state board.

## Do you actually need a US DDS?

In most states, yes. The ADA puts it plainly: "In the majority of states, completing an advanced dental education program does not satisfy the educational requirements for licensure if the initial dental degree was obtained from a non-accredited program. Most states require that graduates of international dental programs obtain additional general dentistry education at the predoctoral level and receive a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree."

But not in all of them. Several states license foreign-trained dentists after a CODA-accredited residency instead. Virginia, for example, accepts at least a 12-month post-doctoral advanced general dentistry program, and Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky accept two years of GPR or AEGD training. California does not: a foreign-trained dentist there must still earn a DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited or Board-approved school before any other route opens. A residency route takes one or two years instead of two or three and often costs far less, but the license may only be valid in that state. Compare both before you spend $300,000 or more:

- [AEGD and GPR residencies for international dentists](https://dentovio.com/aegd-gpr-programs-for-international-dentists/index.html.md): which states accept a residency, and which programs take foreign graduates.
- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-licensure/index.html.md): the route each state publishes.

Two state rules apply even after a DDS. **New York** requires a clinically based residency of at least one year for every new licensee (NYU notes this), and Columbia warns that New York also counts years of education before the advanced-standing program. Check your target state's rules before choosing a school.

## Admission requirements, program by program

Almost every program asks for the same core file, but the thresholds differ:

**1. A passed INBDE.** 45 of 47 profiles list it. Most schools want it passed **before you apply**: Indiana says it "must be taken prior to submitting your CAAPID application," and Howard that it must be "completed, scored and passed prior to application deadline." The INBDE is reported as pass/fail; no school states a numeric target. Older NBDE Part I and II results are still accepted by many schools (Columbia's profile still requires them). UCSF lists the board exam as optional but "strongly recommended," and Florida uses the DAT instead.

**2. TOEFL.** Nearly every CAAPID program requires it; Ponce does not. Since January 21, 2026 the score is on a 1–6 scale. Minimums: 4.0 at Florida; 4.5 at Boston University, Pacific, UIC, and Western; 5 at NYU, UCLA, Minnesota, and Colorado; Temple asks for 5.5 (100 on the old scale). Some schools also set section minimums. Penn sets no minimum but its January 2026 class averaged 102, and UIC's last class averaged 101. Penn and Touro do not accept IELTS. Details in the [CAAPID guide](https://dentovio.com/adea-caapid-application-guide/index.html.md#toefl).

**3. Credential evaluation.** A course-by-course ECE or WES report, sent to CAAPID. 25 programs accept ECE only. Your ECE GPA matters: Pacific will not consider 1.99 or lower, Minnesota sets 2.5, and UIC calls for a "highly competitive" GPA.

**4. Clinical experience.** Boston University weighs "clinical experience practicing dentistry" and US dental assisting or hygiene experience. A.T. Still Missouri requires at least two years of unsupervised practice in your home country. Minnesota, UIC, and UAB prefer letters from US dentists, and UMKC requires one.

**5. Citizenship and visa status.** 11 programs accept only US citizens or permanent residents: A.T. Still Missouri, Ohio State, UAB, Florida, UMKC, Nebraska, New England, Oklahoma, Penn, Pikeville, and UTHealth Houston. UIC takes applicants already in the US on a visa that allows study, not tourist visas. See [visas](#visas).

## Bench tests, interviews, and what makes an applicant competitive

**Bench tests (36 of 47 programs).** These are hands-on tests on a typodont or manikin, usually after an interview invitation. Formats that schools publish:

- **Pikeville:** Class I and Class II cavity preparations and a PFM crown preparation.
- **Ponce:** operative, fixed prosthodontics, and RPD design.
- **Indiana:** all procedures on a typodont with air-turbine handpieces ($400 fee).
- **LSU and Nebraska:** manikin-based psychomotor testing.
- **Temple:** a bench test, an OSCE, and CASPer.
- **Howard:** calibration on preclinical manikins after admission; Howard rescinds the acceptance if you are unsuccessful.

Some schools sell preparation courses (Pittsburgh, LSU, UTHealth Houston). Pittsburgh says plainly that its course "will not guarantee admission." The programs **without** a bench test are NYU, Boston University, Tufts, Penn, Columbia, UCSF, Pacific, Rutgers, UIC, Meharry, and Florida.

**Screening and interviews.** CASPer, a situational-judgment test, is required at UCLA and Pacific and used at Temple. NYU, Columbia, Minnesota, and UT Health San Antonio use Kira Talent video screens. NYU follows with an in-person candidate day, and Boston University interviews over Zoom.

**What schools say they weigh:** clinical experience, US dental experience (assisting, hygiene, or observing), scholastic record, research and teaching, specialty training, and a first-attempt board pass (Boston University gives preference to first-attempt passes, and Buffalo and Touro prefer applicants who have passed the INBDE or NBDE Part II).

**How many to apply to.** ADEA reports that applicants apply to 9 to 10 programs on average and that almost half are reapplicants. Narrow your list by citizenship eligibility first, then evaluator, TOEFL threshold, and bench test, before cost and location.

## What international dentist programs really cost

Published 2026–27 figures from each school's own cost page. The program totals are our sums of one year's published rates; schools raise them every year (Tufts says by "usually between 4-6%").

| School | Published 2026–27 figures | Approximate program total |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LSU | $92,287 tuition per year, 3 years | ~$277,000 tuition |
| Loma Linda | Tuition and fees $29,597 (3 mo), $115,338 (11 mo), $116,288 (11 mo) | ~$261,000 tuition and fees |
| University of Pittsburgh (out-of-state) | Budgets: first summer $55,692, D3 $122,119, D4 $103,544 | ~$281,000 total cost |
| Boston University | Cost of attendance $170,235 and $154,932 (tuition $101,676 a year) | ~$325,000 total cost |
| UCLA | Annual fee $120,968; projected budgets total about $388,000 | ~$388,000 total cost |
| NYU | Cost of attendance $87,455 (6 mo), $174,999, $170,780 (tuition $111,240 a year) | ~$433,000 total cost |
| Ohio State (non-resident) | Tuition and fees $63,730, $191,190, $191,190 | ~$446,000 tuition and fees |
| Tufts | Total cost of education $113,708, $185,946, $172,535 (tuition $121,908 a year) | ~$472,000 total cost |
| Pacific (Dugoni) | Tuition $135,700 for 2026–27 | — |
| UTHealth Houston | IDEP total about $225,000 in the catalog, plus a bridge program ($25,000 in the catalog, about $40,000 on the program page) | ~$225,000 + bridge |

Then add the cost of applying: about $3,500 to $5,500 for ten programs including the INBDE ($1,325), the TOEFL (priced by test country), ECE ($199), CAAPID ($264 + $115 per added program), and supplemental fees ([itemized here](https://dentovio.com/adea-caapid-application-guide/index.html.md#costs)). Accepted students often pay a seat deposit: $5,000 at Columbia and LSU.

For F-1 students, schools ask for proof of first-year funds before issuing an I-20: about $95,000 at USC per its ADEA profile ($93,000 on USC's own page).

## All 47 international dentist programs, compared

Every row comes from that program's [ADEA CAAPID Program Finder](https://programs.adea.org/CAAPID/programs) profile, read November 8, 2026, sorted by state. Seats marked "estimate" are the schools' own estimates. Minnesota, New England, and Touro already show 2027–28 deadlines.

| Program | State | Degree | Length | Seats | Bench test | US citizen or green card only | Evaluation accepted | Deadline (2026–27 profile) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| UAB School of Dentistry | AL | DMD | 30 months | 24 | Yes | **Yes** | ECE | April 30, 2026 |
| Loma Linda University School of Dentistry | CA | DDS | 27 months | 32 | Yes | No | ECE or WES | June 1, 2026 |
| UCLA School of Dentistry | CA | DDS | 25 months | 30 | Yes | No | ECE | June 30, 2026 |
| UCSF School of Dentistry | CA | DDS | 36 months | 20 | No | No | ECE or WES | June 15, 2026 |
| University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry | CA | DDS | 24 months | 57 | No | No | ECE | June 12, 2026 |
| USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry | CA | DDS | 24 months | 34 | Yes | No | ECE or WES | July 31, 2026 |
| Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine | CA | DMD | 26 months | 20 | Yes | No | ECE or WES | July 20, 2026 |
| University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine | CO | DDS | 24 months | 40 | Yes | No | ECE | January 29, 2027 |
| Howard University College of Dentistry | DC | DDS | 24 months | Up to 10 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE or WES | July 31, 2026 |
| Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine | FL | DMD | 39 months | 35 | Yes | No | ECE or WES | June 5, 2026 |
| University of Florida College of Dentistry | FL | DMD | 45 months | Up to 2 (estimate) | No | **Yes** | ECE or WES | October 1, 2026 |
| University of Iowa College of Dentistry | IA | DDS | 30 months | Up to 4 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE | July 31, 2026 |
| Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine | IL | DMD | 27 months | 6-10 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE | June 5, 2026 |
| UIC College of Dentistry | IL | DMD | 28 months | Up to 52 (estimate) | No | No | ECE | June 15, 2026 |
| Indiana University School of Dentistry | IN | DDS | 30 months | 16 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE | May 15, 2026 |
| University of Louisville School of Dentistry | KY | DMD | 28 months | 1 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE or WES | May 15, 2026 |
| University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine | KY | DMD | 25.5 months | 10 | Yes | **Yes** | ECE | October 1, 2026 |
| LSU School of Dentistry | LA | DDS | 36 months | 5 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE | August 15, 2026 |
| Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine | MA | DMD | 24 months | 100 | No | No | ECE | October 15, 2026 |
| Harvard School of Dental Medicine | MA | DMD | 29 months | 8 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE or WES | May 5, 2026 |
| Tufts University School of Dental Medicine | MA | DMD | 29 months | 30-35 (estimate) | No | No | ECE | May 29, 2026 |
| University of New England College of Dental Medicine | ME | DMD | 29 months | 2 (estimate) | Yes | **Yes** | ECE or WES | June 1, 2027 |
| University of Michigan School of Dentistry | MI | DDS | 28 months | 20 | Yes | No | ECE | May 30, 2026 |
| University of Minnesota School of Dentistry | MN | DDS | 29 months | 18 | Yes | No | WES | May 4, 2027 |
| A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health | MO | DMD | 28.5 months | 10 (estimate) | Yes | **Yes** | ECE | June 1, 2026 |
| UMKC School of Dentistry | MO | DDS | 29 months | 9 | Yes | **Yes** | ECE or WES | June 1, 2026 |
| UNC Adams School of Dentistry | NC | DDS | 29 months | 8 | Yes | No | ECE | May 23, 2026 |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry | NE | DDS | 29 months | 4-6 (estimate) | Yes | **Yes** | ECE or WES | June 1, 2026 |
| Rutgers School of Dental Medicine | NJ | DMD | 27 months | 40 | No | No | ECE or WES | September 16, 2026 |
| UNLV School of Dental Medicine | NV | DDS | 24 months | Up to 12 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE | June 1, 2026 |
| Columbia University College of Dental Medicine | NY | DDS | 30 months | 25 (estimate) | No | No | ECE | August 1, 2026 |
| NYU College of Dentistry | NY | DDS | 28 months | 30-40 (estimate) | No | No | ECE | June 1, 2026 |
| Touro College of Dental Medicine | NY | DDS | 24 months | 5 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE or WES | August 1, 2027 |
| University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine | NY | DDS | 24 months | 20 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE | June 1, 2026 |
| The Ohio State University College of Dentistry | OH | DDS | 28 months | 4 | Yes | **Yes** | Not specified | July 31, 2026 |
| University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry | OK | DDS | 29 months | 18 | Yes | **Yes** | ECE | June 5, 2026 |
| Penn Dental Medicine | PA | DMD | 29 months | 20 (estimate) | No | **Yes** | ECE | June 1, 2026 |
| Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry | PA | DMD | 24-36 months | 30 | Yes | No | ECE | July 15, 2026 |
| University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine | PA | DMD | 24 months | 5-10 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE or WES | June 19, 2026 |
| Ponce Health Sciences University | PR | DMD | 26 months | 30 | Yes | No | ECE or WES | November 1, 2026 |
| University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine | PR | DMD | 25 months | 20 | Yes | No | ECE or WES | October 1, 2026 |
| Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry | TN | DDS | 24 months | 10 | No | No | ECE or WES | November 1, 2026 |
| UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry | TX | DDS | 29 months | 20 | Yes | No | ECE | June 9, 2026 |
| UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry | TX | DDS | 27 months | 5 | Yes | **Yes** | ECE | October 30, 2026 |
| VCU School of Dentistry | VA | DDS | 33 months | 10 | Yes | No | ECE or WES | January 29, 2027 |
| University of Washington School of Dentistry | WA | DDS | 30 months | 20 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE or WES | June 1, 2026 |
| Marquette University School of Dentistry | WI | DDS | 36 months | Up to 5 (estimate) | Yes | No | ECE | January 1, 2027 |

How to apply to all of them through one application, with every deadline in date order: [the ADEA CAAPID application guide](https://dentovio.com/adea-caapid-application-guide/index.html.md).

## Visas: what the schools say

This is what programs publish, not immigration advice. Confirm your situation with the school's international office.

- **Programs that state they admit F-1 students:** Michigan ("those requiring an F1 visa"), Minnesota, Western University, and Tufts (applicants "eligible for a student visa"). Harvard "offers visa sponsorship for accepted students," and Boston University's international office assists with I-20 and DS-2019 forms.
- **UCLA:** "does not take visa status into consideration during the application process," but admitted F-1 students must document first-year funds.
- **UIC:** applicants must already live in the US on a visa that allows study; tourist visas do not qualify.
- **UT Health San Antonio:** citizens, permanent or conditional residents, and anyone with a legal US visa status may apply.
- **US citizens and permanent residents only:** 11 programs, listed under [requirements](#requirements). Nebraska states it "does not sponsor student visas."

## A realistic timeline from foreign degree to US license

1. **Months 0–3:** create your DENTPIN, order an ECE course-by-course evaluation ($199), and decide your target states. State rules decide whether you need a DDS at all.
2. **Months 3–12:** pass the INBDE ($1,325 per attempt for non-CODA graduates) and the TOEFL ($280). Gain US clinical exposure if you can: assisting, observing, or research.
3. **March to June of the application year:** apply through [ADEA CAAPID](https://dentovio.com/adea-caapid-application-guide/index.html.md). The largest cluster of deadlines falls in late May and June; others run to January.
4. **Summer to winter:** interviews and bench tests; offers and deposits.
5. **Following January to July:** start the program (most start dates are January or May to July).
6. **24 to 36 months later:** graduate, pass a clinical licensure exam your state accepts, and apply for the license.

From starting your paperwork to holding a license, plan on **four to five years** for most applicants, longer with reapplication. Working in dentistry while you wait? See [foreign-trained dentist to US dental hygienist](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-to-dental-hygienist/index.html.md).

## Frequently asked questions

### How many international dentist programs are there in the US?

The ADEA CAAPID Program Finder listed **47** advanced-standing programs on November 8, 2026. A few schools run international programs outside CAAPID, so check schools you are interested in directly.

### What is the cheapest international dentist program?

By published 2026–27 rates, UTHealth Houston (about $225,000 for the program in its catalog, plus a bridge course, US citizens and permanent residents only), Loma Linda (about $261,000 in tuition and fees over 27 months), and LSU ($92,287 a year for 3 years) are among the lowest, and Pittsburgh's out-of-state budgets total about $281,000 including living costs. Compare full cost of attendance, not tuition alone: Pittsburgh's D3 tuition line is $37,296, but its D3 budget is $122,119.

### How long are international dentist programs?

24 to 45 months. Most run 24 to 30 months; UCSF, LSU, and Marquette take 36, Nova Southeastern 39, and Florida 45.

### Which international dentist programs have no bench test?

NYU, Boston University, Tufts, Penn, Columbia, UCSF, Pacific, Rutgers, UIC, Meharry, and Florida, per their ADEA profiles. The other 36 hold one.

### Can I apply to international dentist programs on an F-1 visa?

Many programs admit F-1 students, including Michigan, Minnesota, Western University, Tufts, and Harvard. 11 programs accept only US citizens or permanent residents, including Penn, Ohio State, and UTHealth Houston.

### Do I need to pass the INBDE before applying?

At most programs, yes. Indiana and Howard require a passed result before the application or deadline. UCSF lists it as optional but strongly recommended, and Florida uses the DAT.

### What TOEFL score do international dentist programs need?

4.5 to 5 on the new 1–6 scale at most schools (roughly 90 to 100 on the old scale). Florida accepts 4.0 and Temple asks for 5.5. Admitted classes at Penn and UIC averaged 101 to 102 on the old scale.

### Can I practice in the US without an international dentist program?

In some states. Several license foreign-trained dentists after a CODA-accredited residency (Virginia accepts a 12-month advanced general dentistry program; Ohio and Indiana require two years), but most require a US DDS or DMD.

## Plan your route

Free route check for up to three states: https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-roadmap/index.html.md

## Related guides

- [ADEA CAAPID application guide](https://dentovio.com/adea-caapid-application-guide/index.html.md)
- [AEGD and GPR residencies for international dentists](https://dentovio.com/aegd-gpr-programs-for-international-dentists/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist to US dental hygienist](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-to-dental-hygienist/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-licensure/index.html.md)
- [The INBDE for internationally trained dentists](https://dentovio.com/inbde/for-international-dentists/index.html.md)

## Sources

- [ADA — licensure for international dentists](https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/licensure/licensure-for-the-international-dentists)
- [ADEA CAAPID Program Finder](https://programs.adea.org/CAAPID/programs)
- [Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC60-21-200 — dentist education requirements](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency60/chapter21/section200/)
- [Ohio Administrative Code 4715-18-01 — graduates of unaccredited dental colleges](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4715-18-01)
- [NYU — advanced standing DDS](https://dental.nyu.edu/education/dds-program/advanced-standing.html)
- [NYU — dentistry cost of attendance 2026–27](https://bulletins.nyu.edu/graduate/dentistry/cost-attendance/)
- [Boston University — advanced standing admissions](https://www.bu.edu/dental/admissions/as/)
- [Boston University — advanced standing cost of attendance](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/osfs/cost-of-attendance-bot/as-coa/)
- [Tufts — DIS cost of attendance](https://dental.tufts.edu/admissions/financing-your-education/cost-attendance/dmd-dis-cost-attendance)
- [UCLA — PPID tuition and costs](https://dentistry.ucla.edu/academics-admissions/programs-for-international-dentists/professional-program-for-international-dentists-ppid/tuition-costs)
- [University of the Pacific — DDS tuition and fees](https://www.pacific.edu/dental/academic-programs/doctor-of-dental-surgery/tuition-and-fees)
- [Loma Linda — International Dentist Program](https://llu.edu/academics/programs/school-dentistry/international-dentist-program-dds)
- [University of Pittsburgh — IASP budgets](https://www.dental.pitt.edu/education/international-advanced-standing-program/budgets)
- [Ohio State — advanced standing international](https://dent.osu.edu/academics/programs/doctor-dental-surgery/advanced-standing-international)
- [LSU School of Dentistry — international program](https://www.lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/admissions/iedp/default.aspx)
- [UTHealth Houston — IDEP catalog](https://catalog.uth.edu/dentistry/programs/doctor-dental-surgery/idep/)
- [Columbia — advanced standing program](https://www.dental.columbia.edu/education/dds-program/advanced-standing-program-internationally-trained-dentists)
- [USC — ASPID](https://dentistry.usc.edu/educational-programs/advanced-standing-program-for-international-dentists-dds/)

Educational information only, not legal, immigration, or admissions advice. Requirements, fees, and deadlines change every cycle; confirm each one with the program, ADEA, JCNDE, or the state dental board before you apply or pay.

Dentovio is an independent publisher. It is not affiliated with ADEA, the ADA, JCNDE, CODA, any dental school, or any state dental board.