How to Improve your Application?

International Dentist program is very competitive. To improve your application, schools consider various factors on a student application.

One of the most important experience is Volunteering and Work experience in the USA.

1.Volunteering Experience

You can look up for Volunteering opportunities in your location using the next link

https://www.volunteermatch.org/

2.Working as a Dental Assistant

You can work as a Dental Assistant if you have a valid work visa. However, the requirements to get registered as a Dental Assistant changes state to state.

You can find all the requirements on this website

https://www.danb.org/

3.Shadowing Experience

You can gain experience by Shadowing any Dentist locally in the state of your residence. If you do not have a valid visa to work, talk to any local dental office. Ask them if they are okay with you shadowing them. This will help you understand the work process in a Dental Office here in the USA.

4.Observership

Many Dental Schools now offer preceptorship and observership programs. These programs let International Dentists shadow and watch dentists. They also allow observation of dental students during the course. It will let you interact with the current students and also the teaching staff.

Tuition fees, length of the program and requisitions to apply vary from school to school. You can check the program details on the website of the School of your preference.

4.Bench Test Preparation courses

Most of the schools are now offering Hands on training courses for their bench test or practical test.

These are mostly 3 days to a week long classes. Where International Dentists attend lectures and get to practice cavity preparations/crown preparations on a typodont in the school labs.

This is again a great opportunity for prospective students to experience dental school atmosphere. It also lets one prepare for the bench test if offered an interview.

Participants get awarded CE credits on successful completion of the program.

Check your school of interest for more details like the dates, tuition, duration of the program.

There are some accredited programs which offer there hands on courses.

Some of the prominently known classes are:

https://stevensondentalsolutions.com/bench-prep-course-overview/

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https://dugganinstitute.us/2023-outline-schedule/#student

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5.Continuing Educational Courses (CEs)

A lot of schools have requirements where students should finish some basic CEs in the last two years. Check the school requirements.

There are many online, in-person CE courses offered by schools (for fee)

There are free CE courses offered many dental product companies like Colgate, Oral-B. Check their websites as well.

6.Working as a RDH

Florida is the only state that allows Internationally trained Dentists to work as Dental Hygienists. You have to register yourself with the Florida Board of Dentistry.

These are just a few ways to enhance your resume, but the possibilities are not limited. Each international dentist brings their own unique experiences, and dental schools evaluate a variety of factors when considering applicants. Best of luck on your journey!