DDS in the USA for Bangladeshi Dentists: How to Go From BDS to a US Dental Degree in 2026
Bangladeshi dentists cannot practise in most US states on a BDS alone. The most common route is a two to three year Advanced Standing program (IDP) that ends in a US DDS or DMD, and AEGD, residency and teaching routes exist too. Use the checklist below to track every step from Dhaka to a US licence.
Your Bangladeshi BDS, seen from the US
The BDS in Bangladesh is five years of study in four phases (since the 2017-18 session; earlier graduates studied four years), followed by a one-year compulsory rotatory internship, regulated by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC).
It is a real dental degreeYour clinical training counts. What it lacks for US licensing is accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
You earn the US degreeAn Advanced Standing program places you partway through a US dental school. You graduate with a DDS or DMD, the same as US students.
DDS equals DMDTwo names for one degree. The school decides which you receive.
Four routes for Bangladeshi 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.
Your BDS to DDS checklist
Tap each item as you complete it. Work through them roughly in this order.
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
What it costs
| Item | 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| ECE course-by-course evaluation | $199 |
| INBDE, international candidate | $1,325 |
| TOEFL iBT | Set by ETS for Bangladesh; check ets.org |
| ADEA CAAPID, first program / each extra | $264 / $115 |
| SEVIS fee + US visa application fee | $350 + $185 |
| Advanced Standing (IDP) program, all-in | About $250,000 to $450,000, usually financed with a loan |
| ADEX Dental Examination | $2,995 + facility fee |
For the full picture, read what it actually costs to apply to US dental schools.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start the process while doing my internship?
Can I practise in the US with my BDS?
Does an MDS help?
Where do I take the INBDE?
DDS in the USA: pick your country
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From BDS to DDS, With The Study Boards
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Current as of 5 October 2026. Sources: JCNDE 2026 INBDE Candidate Guide (fees), ECE and ADEA CAAPID applicant instructions, BMDC 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.