Requalifying abroad.......?

Question

I am a dental graduate from India settled in Toronto. Is it easier to requalify in Canada or the U.S? and if so how?

Answer 1

Hope this helps!

US:

Each state has its own requirements and application process. State licensure requirements are subject to change. It is very important to know the requirements in the state where you wish to become licensed prior to applying to an educational program to make sure it will meet the educational requirement. Likewise, it is important to verify which clinical licensing examinations are accepted by the state board before taking an exam. Contact the state boards of dentistry directly for this information. For contact information for the state boards of dentistry go to www.aadexam.org. Select “State Boards” and then “Administrators.” Some state board websites have online licensure applications.

Following is a brief summary of the steps involved for internationally-trained dentists to become licensed.

1. Determine the state(s) where you wish to obtain a license and contact the state board(s) of dentistry to obtain specific licensure requirements and a sample application.

2. Take the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) Part I administered by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). The National Board Part I examination is a requirement for licensure, but it is also required for acceptance into an advanced standing/supplemental program. Some programs may also require Part II. As part of the application process for the NBDE, you will be required to have your credentials evaluated by the Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) to determine your eligibility for the examinations. Contact the ECE (1-414-289-3400; www.ece.org) or the ADA (www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/index.asp; 1-800-232-1694) for more information.

3. Apply to an accredited dental education program with advanced standing to earn a DDS or DMD degree, or to a supplemental or qualifying program that grants a certificate. Some schools offer an International Dentist Program (IDP), which is a separate program and different than advanced standing. Most IDPs also grant a DDS or DMD, but a few offer a certificate of completion, which may not be recognized by all licensing jurisdictions for the purposes of licensure.

4. Following the completion of the educational program, take the National Board Dental Examination Part II.

5. Take the appropriate clinical licensing examination administered by a state or regional clinical testing agency. Or, in New York licensure applicants must also complete a CODA-accredited postgraduate program that is at least one year in length; New York does not have a clinical examination requirement.

6. Request an application from the state board of dentistry where you wish to become licensed. Carefully review the application and identify and complete any additional requirements, such as completion of a course or test on local jurisprudence.

7. Apply for a license.

CANADA:

Canadian Qualifying Programs are two-year supplemental university programs for graduates of non-accredited dental programs.  They are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.  These programs grant a Certificate of Qualification in Dentistry rather than a dental degree to individuals who complete the program.  The program is designed to assist students in preparing for the Canadian licensing examinations and in complying with eligibility requirements for licensure in Canadian provinces by ensuring that the educational experiences of the students are comparable to Canadian graduates.  

As in the U.S. supplemental programs, the Qualifying Programs familiarize the international dentist with the oral healthcare delivery system in Canada., the techniques and procedures used by Canadian dentists, standards of oral healthcare and the characteristics of the oral health needs of Canadian citizens.

For more information about dental education and licensure in Canada, contact:

Canadian Dental Association

1815 Alta Vista Drive

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada K1G 3Y6

Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

www.cda-adc.ca/