US Residencies · The Study Boards
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics for International Dentists
What the program is, whether you can apply with a dental degree from outside the US, what it costs to apply, and every Orthodontics program in the ADEA PASS directory that says it will consider you.
0
Programs in PASS
0+
Positions Listed
2-3 yrs
Program Length
0
Consider Non-CODA Grads
The Program
What Orthodontics Training Involves
Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics diagnoses and corrects the position of the teeth and jaws, using braces, clear aligners, appliances and growth modification, often together with oral surgeons for jaw surgery cases.
Programs run roughly two to three years. Many award a master’s degree alongside the certificate, which usually means a research project. Unusually, a large share of programs ask for the GRE.
Typical Length
24 to 36 months
Award
Certificate, 48 of 67 offer a master’s
In the Match?
Yes — Phase I
Specialty Organization
American Association of Orthodontists
What you train in
- Diagnosis and treatment planning from records, cephalometrics and 3D imaging
- Fixed appliances and clear aligner therapy
- Growth modification in children
- Combined orthodontic and surgical treatment
The Honest Answer
Can an International Dentist Apply?
What the PASS directory says
37 of the 67 Orthodontics programs listed in ADEA PASS say they will consider graduates of non-CODA dental schools. Of those, 24 sponsor a visa, 10 accept you if you arrange your own visa, and 3 only enrol US or Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The other 30 programs expect a DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited school, which for most internationally trained dentists means finishing a US advanced standing program first.
Step by Step
How to Get In
- Get your DENTPIN, then your ECE evaluation. Most programs want a course-by-course evaluation of your dental degree from international applicants, and the name on it must match your DENTPIN.
- Pass the INBDE. 57 of the 67 programs list the INBDE or the older NBDE among their required tests.
- Take the GRE if your programs ask for it. 40 of the 67 orthodontic programs list it, usually because the program includes a master’s degree.
- Consider the ADAT. 6 of the 67 programs list it as a required or accepted test.
- Prove your English. 36 of the 67 programs list the TOEFL, and it is usually required for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Apply through ADEA PASS with your personal statement, CV and letters of evaluation, and pay any program supplemental fee.
- Register for the Postdoctoral Dental Match. Orthodontics is part of Phase I; 59 of the 67 programs participate.
- Interview, then sort out your visa if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident.
Real Numbers
What It Costs to Apply
Fees checked in September 2026. Counts come from the 67 Orthodontics listings in ADEA PASS.
Cost ItemAmountTypeWhat It Covers
DENTPIN
$0
Verified
Free to register with the ADA. Get it before anything else.
ECE Course-by-Course Evaluation
$199
Verified
Plus $45 for the first extra copy and $30 for each further copy ordered together.ECE fees
INBDE
$890 + $435
Verified
Exam fee plus the processing fee for graduates of non-CODA schools. Listed by 57 of 67 programs.JCNDE
ADEA PASS Application
$199 + $92 each
Verified
For the 2026–27 cycle: $199 for the first program, $92 for each additional one.ADEA PASS
Postdoctoral Dental Match
$100
Verified
One registration fee covering Phase I and Phase II.National Matching Services
Program Supplemental Fees
Varies
Varies
22 of the 67 programs charge their own fee on top of PASS. Check each listing.
Tuition or Stipend
18 of 67 pay a stipend
Info
The other 49 programs charge tuition, set by each program. Confirm the figure with the program before you apply.
Where You Can Apply
Orthodontics Programs That Consider Non-CODA Graduates
Every program below says in its ADEA PASS listing that it will consider graduates of dental schools outside CODA accreditation. Programs that sponsor a visa are listed first. Click any row to open its official PASS page.
ProgramStateLengthVisaFunding
Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental MedicineCertificate, Masters, Other
Massachusetts
36-60 mo
Sponsors visa
Tuition
Georgia
36 mo
Sponsors visa
Tuition
Temple University, Kornberg School of DentistryCertificate, Masters
Pennsylvania
26 mo
Sponsors visa
Tuition
University of Illinois Chicago College of DentistryCertificate, Masters
Illinois
30 mo
Sponsors visa
Stipend
North Carolina
33 mo
Sponsors visa
Stipend
University of PennsylvaniaCertificate, Masters, Other
Pennsylvania
26-36-60 mo
Sponsors visa
Tuition
University of Rochester Eastman Institute for Oral HealthCertificate, Masters
New York
24 months (optional 36 month program available upon request)
Sponsors visa
Tuition
University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioCertificate, Masters
Texas
35 mo
Sponsors visa
Stipend
Columbia University College of Dental MedicineCertificate, Masters
New York
36 mo
Own visa needed
Tuition
University at Buffalo School of Dental MedicineCertificate, Masters
New York
36 mo
Own visa needed
Tuition
Hudson Regional Hospital – CTOR AcademyCertificate
New Jersey
36 mo
US / Canadian status only
Tuition
University of California, San FranciscoCertificate, Masters
California
36 mo
US / Canadian status only
Stipend
University of Florida, GainesvilleCertificate, Masters
Florida
35 mo
US / Canadian status only
Stipend
Taken from the ADEA PASS program directory in September 2026. Programs update their listings every cycle, so confirm eligibility, visa sponsorship and fees on the program’s own page before you apply. “Own visa needed” means the program accepts non-US applicants but will not sponsor the visa itself.
How We Help
Study Boards Programs for This Application
ProgramPriceForWhat You Get
INBDE Premium Boards
$499 / 6 months
Exam
Master Files, the Champion RQ Series, the Master Test Series and two full 2-Day Simulation Exams. Enroll
TOEFL iBT 2.0 Course
$499
English
45 days, mentor-reviewed, built for the January 2026 ETS format. Weekly option $39. Enroll
Master the CAAPID/PASS Application
$1,800
Application
Personal statement, letters of recommendation, CV, a profile call with Dr. T and three mock interviews, for one cycle. See the program
Research Gate
Free to apply
Profile
Guided research toward a peer-reviewed publication, which residency programs value. $499 in total if selected, in payments of $250. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Most do not. Only 18 of the 67 orthodontic programs in PASS offer a stipend; the rest charge tuition, which can be substantial. Check each program before applying.
For 37 of the 67 programs, yes, if your visa situation matches what the program accepts. Everywhere else you will need a US DDS or DMD first. The full route is on our US guide.
At minimum the INBDE ($890 plus $435 for non-CODA graduates), an ECE evaluation ($199), the TOEFL, and PASS ($199 for the first program plus $92 for each additional one), plus $100 for the Match. Program fees and tuition come on top. Our full cost breakdown has every figure with its source.
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp, and our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp to look at your profile and your target programs.
Check Everything Yourself
Sources
- ADEA PASS program directory — program counts, positions, lengths, degrees, required tests, stipends, supplemental fees and international eligibility, checked September 2026.
- National Matching Services — which specialties are in the Match and the $100 registration fee.
- ADEA PASS fees, JCNDE, ECE and ETS — application and exam fees.
- National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards — the twelve recognised specialties and their organizations.
For planning only. Program details change every cycle; always confirm eligibility, deadlines, fees and visa sponsorship with the program before applying. This page is not legal or immigration advice.