Tufts Dental School for International Dentists: The DIS Program (2026 Guide)

  • Dr. T
  • October 14, 2026
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School guide · Tufts University School of Dental Medicine · Updated October 2026

Tufts Dental School for International Dentists: The DIS Program (2026 Guide)

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine takes internationally trained dentists through its Dental International Student (DIS) Program, a 29-month Advanced Standing track that starts every January and ends with a US DMD degree. You apply only through ADEA CAAPID; the last cycle opened on March 5, 2026 and closed on May 29, 2026, for a January 2027 start.

29months, January start, DMD degree
30places a year (Tufts’ own figure)
90minimum TOEFL iBT, no exceptions
Nobench test; virtual interview instead

At a glanceRequirementsSelection and timelineAm I ready?Cost and loansHow to prepareOther routesFAQ

How The Study Boards helps you get into Tufts

  • INBDE first: our INBDE Premium Boards course gets your pass ready before the CAAPID window closes, with faculty-written Modules, 35,000+ questions, nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time and a Pass Guarantee.
  • Personalised to you: the course is extremely personalised. It learns from the way you are studying, red lines and assignments are given to you on the go, and faculty are there to assist you.
  • TOEFL 90: our TOEFL course for dentists is built for the score Tufts will not bend on.
  • File, interview and hands: our CAAPID program, interview preparation with Dr. T and bench preparation with Dr. Kaur cover the rest of what Tufts judges.
The facts in one place

Tufts DIS Program at a glance

From Tufts’ own pages and the ADEA CAAPID listing, checked in October 2026.

Dental International Student (DIS) Program, Boston
DegreeDMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine)1
Length29 months, five semesters2
Start dateJanuary (January 4, 2027 for the current class); orientation in December35
Class sizeAbout 30 a year; ADEA lists 30 to 35 as an estimate15
How to applyADEA CAAPID only, then a $150 Tufts fee once Tufts confirms your file2
Last deadlineMay 29, 2026; reviewed on a rolling, first-come basis2
INBDEPass required; NBDE Parts I and II also accepted25
English testTOEFL iBT 90+ only; no IELTS, no MyBest scores23
Credential evaluationECE course-by-course; WES not accepted2
Bench testNone; Tufts wants proof you keep your hand skills sharp5
InterviewBy invitation, virtual through Kira Talent, early June to July2
Tuition (2026-27 rates)$60,954 + $121,908 + $121,908 for the three billing years4
Total cost of education$113,708 + $185,946 + $172,535 (2026-27, subject to change)4
Loans for international studentsPrivate loans, usually with a US citizen or permanent resident co-borrower; merit aid open to all4

What the 29 months look like

Tufts started the program in 1956. You are exempt from the basic science courses that the old NBDE Part I covered, such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and oral histology. After an intensive introduction to US practice, you join the third-year DMD class in the school’s clinics.1

Months 1 to 7Preclinical: prosthodontics, operative, endodontics, implants, oral surgery and more
Months 8 to 12Patient clinic and first rotations
Months 13 to 29Clinic rotations: pediatric, special care, public health, emergency, oral surgery

When you graduate, you can sit the clinical licensing exams that US states require.1

What Tufts asks for

Requirements in detail

Tufts dentistry admissions are strict on the details. An 89 on the TOEFL or a WES report instead of ECE means your file is not considered.

A dental degree from your home countryThe DIS program is only for dentists with a degree from an accredited college or university. If you are still finishing, you can apply, but you must show proof of graduation before you start.3 Transcripts that are not in English need an official, certified translation.

A passing INBDE resultTufts prefers the INBDE but still accepts NBDE Parts I and II.2 The INBDE costs $1,325 for internationally trained dentists ($890 plus a $435 processing fee) as of October 2026.8 Start with our INBDE Premium Boards course and the INBDE and CAAPID timeline, because the INBDE result must be ready before the CAAPID window closes.

TOEFL iBT, 90 or higher, from one sittingEvery applicant must take it, whatever their country or native language, even with a US degree. MyBest scores are not accepted, the Home Edition is. On the new 1 to 6 scale, Tufts accepts 4.5 to 5 as long as it equates to 90 or more. Scores must be under two years old; for the 2026 cycle that meant taken after June 1, 2024. Send scores to institution code 3902, department code 38.23 If you are short of 90, see our TOEFL course for dentists.

ECE course-by-course evaluationOrder it from inside CAAPID. ECE charges $199 for the course-by-course report. Tufts does not accept WES.27 Not sure which one you already have? Read WES or ECE: which do you need.

Three specific letters of recommendationOne from a faculty member or dean of your dental school, one from an employer (ideally in dentistry, after at least a year under their supervision), and one from a volunteer organization. Each must be in English, on letterhead, signed, and at least two paragraphs long. You may add one more in CAAPID, and up to two further letters can be emailed by the writer straight to Tufts as PDFs.2 Our letters of recommendation guide shows who to ask.

Proof that your hands are still workingThere is no bench test, but Tufts says applicants without US dental experience should show ongoing clinical skill work: volunteering in clinics, working as a dental assistant, continuing education, or bench preparation courses.25 An observership or a hands-on course on your CV answers this directly.

Not a US citizen or green-card holder?You can still apply, as long as you are eligible for an F-1 student visa. Tufts issues the I-20 only after you complete the international requirements below, including the deposit.23

From CAAPID to your first day

Selection steps and the application timeline

This is how the 2026 cycle ran. Tufts has not posted dates for the next cycle yet, so check the program page before you plan around them.

Before MarchGet the hard parts doneINBDE passed, TOEFL 90+, ECE ordered, three letter writers agreed.
March 5, 2026The Tufts application opens in CAAPIDSubmit early. Review is rolling and first come, first served. If CAAPID is new to you, follow our CAAPID login and application walkthrough.
After you submitTufts emails you and asks for the $150 feeA later email tells you your file is complete. Only then does the holistic review start.3
May 29, 2026DeadlineEvery document must have arrived. Incomplete files are not considered.2
Early June to JulyInterview invitations, by emailInterviews run on a rolling basis, virtually through Kira Talent. Once the class is full, other strong applicants may go on a waitlist.2
After your offerDeposit, funds and visaPay a non-refundable $10,000 deposit. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, show proof of $220,000 in funds before your I-20 is issued.2
Early fallPay first-year tuition in advanceRequired for applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents, by the date the Admissions Office sets.2
December to JanuaryOrientation, then day oneOrientation is in December; classes began on January 4, 2027 for this cycle.35

The interview matters more hereWith no bench test, the Kira Talent interview is your main chance to show who you are beyond paper. Practise speaking to a camera under a timer. Our guide to Kira Talent interviews for US dental schools and the five toughest dental school interview questions are good places to start.

Self-check

Am I ready to apply to Tufts?

Tick what is already done. Anything left unticked is your to-do list before the next CAAPID window.

Tufts’ own figures, 2026-27

Cost and financing

Tufts bills the DIS program over three academic years: a half year from January, then two full years. Tap a year to see the numbers.4

Tuition$60,954
Dental kit, supplies, lab kit, fees$26,367
Total billed by Tufts$87,321
Living costs (off campus), books, loan fees$26,387
Total cost of education$113,708

Tuition$121,908
Kit, sterilization, technology and other fees$10,327
Total billed by Tufts$132,235
Living costs, books, transport, licensure exam allowance, loan fees$53,711
Total cost of education$185,946

Tuition$121,908
Kit, sterilization, technology and other fees$9,938
Total billed by Tufts$131,846
Living costs, books, transport, loan fees$40,689
Total cost of education$172,535

Tuition, all three years$304,770
Total billed by Tufts$351,402
Average federal loan fees included in Tufts’ totals$10,462
Total cost of education$472,189

Federal loan fees apply only to federal borrowers, and international students borrow privately, so your figure is closer to $461,727 before your own loan costs. Living costs use Tufts’ Boston allowance of $3,650 a month off campus.

Before you are accepted, budget for the application stage too: the INBDE ($1,325), the CAAPID fee ($264 for your first program, $115 for each extra one), the ECE report ($199) and the $150 Tufts fee, plus your TOEFL.678 Our breakdown of what it costs to apply to US dental schools covers the full list.

How international dentists pay for it

Advanced Standing usually costs roughly $250,000 to $450,000 all-in, and Tufts sits at the top of that range. Almost everyone finances it with loans, so do not let the number stop you.

Tufts says international students may take private education loans, usually with a US citizen or permanent resident as co-borrower, and that merit-based aid is open to international and domestic students alike.4 Across the US, the common routes are private loans, co-signer loans with a US citizen or green-card holder, and a few international lenders that need no co-signer.

The step to plan early is the $220,000 proof of funds: pre-approved loans can cover no more than half, and the rest must be savings or checking balances.2 Read is becoming a US dentist worth it for the full picture.

We prepare you for each step

How to prepare: our full plan

Tufts judges five things: INBDE, TOEFL, written file, interview and hand skills. Here is how The Study Boards prepares you for each.

INBDE

INBDE Premium BoardsGet the result Tufts needs before the CAAPID deadline:

  • 12 sequenced course sections, from faculty-written Modules to Grand Tests
  • 35,000+ focused questions, answered by US-licensed dentists, not AI
  • Nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time
  • 99% first-attempt pass rate for students who complete the course, and a Pass Guarantee

See the INBDE Course Blueprint

CAAPID

Master the CAAPID ApplicationYour written file, built with our faculty:

  • Personal statement, letter review and CV, reviewed by a 5-faculty bench
  • Profile and school-selection strategy with Dr. T
  • 3 mock interview sessions included
  • Limited to 40 students per cycle

See the CAAPID Program

Interview

Interview preparationFor a virtual Kira Talent interview:

  • KIRA Interview Prep with Dr. T: two one-on-one sessions, including a timed mock
  • The 3-session program with Dr. Slesnick and Dr. T: two before your invites, one after your first real interview

See Interview Preparation

Hands

Bench test preparation with Dr. KaurTufts sets no bench test, but it names bench preparation courses as one way to show your hand skills. Many schools on your list will test you too:

  • 7 video sessions with Dr. Kaur, one preparation at a time
  • Your own preparations critiqued by US-licensed faculty
  • A practice week and a competency exam at the end

See Bench Test Preparation

TOEFL

TOEFL iBT course for dentistsTufts will not look at a score under 90:

  • 45 days, mentor-reviewed, built on the 2026 TOEFL format
  • Reading, listening, writing and speaking practice for the new task types

See the TOEFL Course

Call

Not sure where you stand?Share your INBDE status, TOEFL score and graduation year, and we will tell you honestly whether to aim for the next Tufts cycle.

Book a 10-minute call with Dr. T

Keep your options open

Other routes if Tufts is not the right fit

About 30 places a year is a small number, so most dentists apply to several programs.

DDS/DMD

Advanced Standing elsewhereOther US schools run 2 to 3 year programs to a DDS or DMD, mostly through ADEA CAAPID. Compare them in our full list of US dental schools and the Advanced Standing programs guide.

AEGD

AEGD programsSome states give a limited licence after an AEGD; the rules vary by state. You apply through ADEA PASS. Note that Tufts’ own AEGD and GPR take only US or Canadian dental graduates.9 See AEGD programs for international dentists.

PASS

Residency directlySpecialty residencies through ADEA PASS. This is more competitive for internationally trained dentists. Read CAAPID or PASS to choose.

Teach

TeachingSome dentists start in teaching and research roles at dental schools while they plan their next step.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Does Tufts dental school accept international dentists?
Yes. Tufts runs the Dental International Student (DIS) Program for dentists with a degree from their home country. It lasts 29 months and leads to a DMD. Non-US citizens can apply if they are eligible for an F-1 student visa.
Is there a bench test for Tufts advanced standing?
No. Both Tufts and the ADEA CAAPID listing say there is no bench test. Selection uses your CAAPID file and a virtual Kira Talent interview. Tufts does expect you to show you have kept up your clinical hand skills.
Does Tufts accept IELTS or a WES evaluation?
No to both. Tufts accepts only the TOEFL iBT, with a minimum of 90 from one sitting, and only an ECE course-by-course evaluation.
How much does the Tufts DIS program cost?
At 2026-27 rates, tuition is $304,770 and Tufts’ total cost of education is $472,189, including Boston living costs. Rates can change each year.
Can international students get loans for Tufts?
Yes, private education loans, usually with a US citizen or permanent resident as co-borrower. Merit-based aid is open to international students too. You still need to show $220,000 in funds after acceptance, with no more than half from pre-approved loans.
When is the next Tufts DIS deadline?
The 2026 deadline was May 29, 2026, for a January 2027 start. Tufts has not posted the next cycle’s dates yet. Plan to have your INBDE and TOEFL done before CAAPID opens in spring, because review is rolling.
Your Tufts application starts with the INBDE

INBDE Premium Boards by The Study Boards

Modules, Master Files, Grand Tests and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time, with US-licensed dentists answering your questions. Finish the course on time, score 60% or more on every TSB test and still do not pass? The Pass Guarantee refunds the course and your exam registration fee.

12 course sections35,000+ questions99% first-attempt pass ratePass Guarantee

See the Blueprint

US Dental Schools for International DentistsEvery Advanced Standing program, side by side.Bench Test Exercises by SchoolWhat other schools on your list ask you to prepare.

Planning to apply to Tufts?

Message us on WhatsApp. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp and help you plan your INBDE, TOEFL and CAAPID around the next cycle.

Message the Admin Team on WhatsApp

References

  1. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dental International Student Program: history, 29-month structure, curriculum, exemptions, class of 30. dental.tufts.edu
  2. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. DIS Program Application Requirements: 2026 dates, CAAPID, $150 fee, rolling review, Kira Talent interviews, $220,000 funds, $10,000 deposit, ECE, letters, TOEFL. dental.tufts.edu
  3. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Frequently Asked Questions about International Dental Program. dental.tufts.edu
  4. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Financial Aid Forms and Cost of Attendance for DMD/DIS Students, 2026-27. dental.tufts.edu
  5. ADEA CAAPID. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine program listing (updated August 3, 2026). programs.adea.org
  6. ADEA. ADEA CAAPID: Prepare to Apply, 2026-27 application fees. adea.org
  7. Educational Credential Evaluators. ADEA CAAPID Application Instructions. ece.org
  8. Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. INBDE 2026 Candidate Guide: fees. jcnde.ada.org
  9. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. PASS Application: AEGD and GPR eligibility. dental.tufts.edu

Current as of October 2026. Program details, dates and costs are from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and ADEA CAAPID; 2026-27 costs are subject to change. Confirm everything with Tufts Admissions ([email protected]) before you apply. The Study Boards is not affiliated with Tufts University.

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