DDS in the USA After BDS: The 2026 Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Dentists
Your BDS does not convert into a US degree, but it is the ticket into one. Most Indian dentists earn a DDS or DMD through a two to three year Advanced Standing program (IDP), then sit a licensing exam. AEGD, residency and teaching are other routes. Here is every step, in order, with the real 2026 fees.
The short answer
You cannot practise in most US states on a BDS alone. Once you clear the US boards you have several routes, and the most common is earning a US dental degree.
BDS does not convertMost US states require a degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). An Indian BDS is a real dental degree, but it sits outside that system.
Advanced Standing (IDP) is the main routeUS dental schools run programs for internationally trained dentists. You join partway through, study two to three years, and graduate with a DDS or DMD.
DDS and DMD are the sameDoctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Dental Medicine are one qualification with two names. The school decides which letters you get.
Four routes for Indian dentists after the US boards
A BDS alone does not give you a US licence in most states. But once you clear the INBDE, Advanced Standing is not your only option.
Advanced Standing (IDP)Advanced Standing programs, usually called IDP (International Dentist Program), place you partway through a US dental school. In two to three years you earn a DDS or DMD, the degree every state accepts for a full licence. You apply through ADEA CAAPID.
AEGD residencyAdvanced Education in General Dentistry is a one to two year residency. In some states, completing an AEGD can lead to a limited licence to practise; the rules differ by state, so check with the dental board of the state you want. You apply through ADEA PASS. See AEGD programs that accept international dentists.
Specialty residencyYou can also apply directly to residency programs, such as orthodontics, periodontics or prosthodontics, through ADEA PASS. This route is more competitive, and only some programs accept dentists from schools outside the US. See every residency type.
TeachingDental schools sometimes hire internationally trained dentists as teaching faculty. You apply directly to the schools that are looking for teachers, and teaching experience helps. This depends completely on whether a school has an opening.
How to start a DDS in the USA: 8 steps
The steps overlap, but this is the order that avoids wasted months.
How to prepare: our full plans
Every exam on this roadmap has a preparation plan built by The Study Boards. Start with the one you need next.
Our full INBDE preparation planSee exactly what you will study, module by module, then pick a schedule that fits your life.
TOEFL course for the 2026 formatA mentor-led course built for the TOEFL iBT format introduced in January 2026, with reading, listening, writing and speaking practice.See the TOEFL Course
Master the CAAPID applicationOne-to-one help with your profile, personal statement, CV, letters and interviews, so your application stands out.See the CAAPID Program
Prepare for the bench testWhat schools test at the hands-on bench exam and how to practise for it, step by step.How to Prepare for the Bench Test
Where are you now? Your next three moves
Pick the option that fits you best.
1. Create your DENTPIN now and check the spelling against your passport.
2. Start INBDE preparation alongside your internship, a few hours a week.
3. Collect your mark sheets and ask how your university sends official transcripts to ECE.
1. Order your ECE course-by-course evaluation.
2. Build an INBDE study plan and book a test date to give yourself a deadline.
3. Plan the TOEFL for after the INBDE, so the scores are fresh when you apply.
1. Take the TOEFL if you have not already.
2. Shortlist programs and check each one’s TOEFL minimum and requirements.
3. Start your personal statement and line up your letters of recommendation before the cycle opens.
1. Submit early in the cycle; many programs review applications as they arrive.
2. Get your personal statement and CV reviewed by someone who knows CAAPID.
3. Start bench test practice now, before the invitations arrive.
What it costs in 2026
Fees for the exams and application are fixed. Program costs vary hugely by school, so compare carefully.
| Stage | Item | 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | INBDE (international candidate) | $1,325 |
| Credentials | ECE course-by-course evaluation | $199 |
| English | TOEFL iBT | Set by ETS for India; check ets.org |
| Application | ADEA CAAPID, first program / each extra | $264 / $115 |
| Visa | SEVIS fee + visa application fee | $350 + $185 |
| Program | Advanced Standing (IDP), all-in with living costs | About $250,000 to $450,000, usually financed with a loan |
| Licence | ADEX Dental Examination | $2,995 + facility fee |
Want the full breakdown, including instrument kits and living costs? Read what it actually costs to apply to US dental schools and is it actually worth it.
6 mistakes that cost Indian dentists a year
Name mismatchesA DENTPIN or exam record that does not match your passport exactly can get you turned away on exam day.
Late transcriptsWaiting for official transcripts can stall the ECE report and miss early application review.
Applying before the INBDEMost programs want the INBDE passed. An application without it is usually wasted money.
Too few programsSeats are limited and competition is heavy. Applying to only one or two schools is a big risk.
A generic statementA personal statement that could belong to anyone does not get you invited.
Ignoring the bench testMany applicants prepare for exams for a year and for the bench test for a week. Do not be one of them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise in the USA with only a BDS?
Is a DDS better than a DMD?
Does an MDS shorten the route?
How long does the whole journey take?
Do I need research publications to get in?
DDS in the USA: pick your country
Not sure where to start? See every country on one page and pick yours.
From BDS to DDS, With The Study Boards
INBDE prep built by US-licensed dentists, a mentor-led TOEFL course for the new 2026 format, and one-to-one help with your CAAPID application, personal statement and bench test. Trusted by 15,000+ dentists.
Not sure what your next step is?
Message us on WhatsApp. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will look at where you are and tell you exactly what to do next.
Current as of 5 October 2026. Sources: JCNDE 2026 INBDE Candidate Guide (fees), ECE and ADEA CAAPID applicant instructions (evaluation and application fees, 2026-27 cycle opening date), Dental Council of India BDS structure, US Department of State and DHS (visa and SEVIS fees), schools’ own published 2025-27 cost of attendance, ADEX (licensing exam fee). Requirements vary by program and change often; confirm with each school and state dental board before you apply. Educational content, not legal or immigration advice.