DDS in the USA for Pakistani Dentists: The 2026 Roadmap From BDS to DDS/DMD
A Pakistani BDS will not convert into a US degree, but it gets you into one. Most Pakistani dentists earn a DDS or DMD through a two to three year Advanced Standing program (IDP) at a US dental school, then pass a licensing exam. AEGD, residency and teaching are other routes. Here are the four phases, in order, with the real 2026 fees.
Your Pakistani BDS in a US application
The BDS in Pakistan is a four-year degree followed by a one-year house job, regulated by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC).
Year-wise transcriptsYour university must send official transcripts for the credential evaluation. Request them early.
Degree certificateYour BDS degree, with your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
House job certificateProof that you completed your one-year house job.
PM&DC registrationYour registration record. Keep a copy ready for applications.
Four routes for Pakistani 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.
The four phases from BDS to DDS
Each phase unlocks the next. Most delays come from starting a phase before the one before it is finished.
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
Budget for the application stage
These fees come before tuition. Applying to six programs is a common plan.
TOEFL fees are set by ETS for Pakistan, and school supplemental fees run about $75 to $150 each. Tuition is the big number: plan for roughly $250,000 to $450,000 all-in, depending on the school and the city. See our honest cost and timeline breakdown.
After graduation: getting licensed
ADEX Dental ExaminationThe computer-based DLOSCE plus hands-on clinical exams. $2,995 plus a facility fee. Read the ADEX exam explained.
State dental boardEach state issues its own licence and may add a law and ethics exam. Choosing your state early can shape where you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be in the US to start?
Can I practise in the US with my BDS?
Is a DDS the same as a DMD?
I have an FCPS or MDS. Can I skip the program?
Which exam should I start with?
DDS in the USA: pick your country
Not sure where to start? See every country on one page and pick yours.
Your BDS to DDS Journey, Guided by The Study Boards
INBDE prep built by US-licensed dentists, a TOEFL course for the new 2026 format, and one-to-one CAAPID application and bench test help. Trusted by 15,000+ dentists.
Want a plan for your own situation?
Message us on WhatsApp. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will help you map out your exams and application timeline.
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), PM&DC published BDS structure, US Department of State and DHS (visa and SEVIS fees), schools’ own published 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.