University at Buffalo International Dentist Program (IDP): 2026 Guide

  • Dr. T
  • October 16, 2026
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School guide · University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine · Updated October 2026

University at Buffalo International Dentist Program (IDP): 2026 Guide

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine runs the International Dentist Program (IDP), a two-year track that starts in May with an 11-week summer course and ends with a US DDS. You apply through ADEA CAAPID; the next cycle opens in March 2027 and closes on June 1, 2027, for a summer 2028 start.

24months, May start, DDS degree
About 20places a year (ADEA estimate)
4.5TOEFL minimum on the new scale
In personbench test first, then interview

Who this guide is for: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali dentists with a BDS, and other internationally trained dentists, who want a US DDS or DMD and are working through the INBDE, TOEFL and CAAPID.

At a glanceWhat UB looks forRequirementsSelection and timelineAm I ready?Cost and loansHow to prepareOther routesFAQ

How The Study Boards helps you get into Buffalo

The facts in one place

UB International Dentist Program at a glance

From the University at Buffalo’s own pages and the ADEA CAAPID listing, checked in October 2026.

International Dentist Program (IDP), Buffalo, New York
DegreeDDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)1
LengthTwo years: an 11-week summer course, then DDS Years 3 and 41
Start dateMay; May 1, 2027 for the current class18
Class sizeAbout 20 (ADEA estimate)8
How to applyADEA CAAPID, plus a $100 UB supplemental fee3
Next deadlineJune 1, 2027, no exceptions; reviewed in order received2
INBDEINBDE or NBDE Part I pass required; INBDE or Part II preferred3
English testTOEFL iBT 4.5 (or 86 on the old scale); no IELTS5
Credential evaluationECE only; WES not accepted34
Bench testYes, in person in Buffalo, before the interview3
InterviewIn person, with faculty, only after you pass the bench test3
Tuition (2026-27 estimate)$72,420 a year for non-New York residents; summer fee $95,0006
Total cost (2026-27 estimate)$95,000 + $118,076 + $117,881, plus summer living costs6
LoansThree separate loans if you borrow; UB does not state international eligibility7

The summer course covers dentures, restorations, endodontics, implantology, periodontics, pediatrics, impressions, and anesthesia and medical emergencies. In Year 3 you spend three full days a week in clinic, and Year 4 adds selectives. UB’s DDS program is accredited by CODA without reporting requirements.1

Read this before you write a word

What UB focuses on

Each card gives the fact from UB’s own pages, then our advice on what to do with it.

Hand skills come firstThe bench test assesses clinical knowledge and hand skill proficiency. Only candidates who pass it go on to the interview. UB gives bench test details only to invited candidates.3Our advice: treat the bench test as the first gate. Practise standard operative and crown preparations under time well before you are invited.
Clinic time and researchYear 3 students spend three full days a week in the clinic. UB calls research an integral part of the experience, and IDP students can find research mentors.1Our advice: in your essay, show both: the clinical volume you handled at home, and any research, audit or case report you completed.
Grades read in contextThere is no minimum GPA. UB considers all your academic performance and knows that grades differ between countries.4Our advice: do not apologise for your marks. Let your INBDE pass, TOEFL and letters show your current level.
Letters from people who know youNo Dean’s letter is needed. Letters can come from anyone, but UB recommends academic faculty or dental professionals who can speak to your academic qualifications, professional experience and personal qualities.34Our advice: choose a teacher and an employer who have watched you treat patients, and check the letters are no older than three years.
INBDE over Part I aloneUB accepts NBDE Part I, but applicants who passed the INBDE or NBDE Part II get preference. The ADAT is not considered.34Our advice: spend your effort on the INBDE, not on extra exams UB will not read.
No preference by citizenshipUB evaluates every IDP application the same way, whatever your country, and helps admitted students with the I-20.4Our advice: your country is not a disadvantage here. Your file, bench work and interview decide it.

What UB asks for

Requirements in detail

Only documents in the CAAPID portal are reviewed. Do not send anything to UB directly.4

A completed dental degreeYour ECE evaluation must show a completed degree by the June 1 deadline. Provisional degree certificates are not accepted.4
INBDE or NBDE Part IA pass on NBDE Part I or the INBDE is required; INBDE or Part II passers are preferred. Self-report the result in CAAPID and have official scores sent there.38 The INBDE costs $1,325 for internationally trained dentists as of October 2026.11 Start with our INBDE Premium Boards course and the INBDE and CAAPID timeline.
TOEFL iBT, recent and in one sittingMinimum 4.5 for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026 (86 for tests taken January 1 to 20, 2026). For 2028 entry, scores must be dated January 1, 2026 or later; candidates with January to April 2026 scores will be asked for a newer test before interview day. Your most recent scores must meet the minimum; UB will not combine sittings. Home Edition accepted; IELTS not accepted. Send scores to CAAPID, code B451.45 Our TOEFL course for dentists is built for this.
ECE course-by-course evaluationRequired, sent to CAAPID. UB does not accept WES and will not review a file without ECE.34 See WES or ECE: which do you need.
Exactly three lettersThrough CAAPID only, dated within three years (2024 to 2026 for the 2027 cycle). No extra letters are accepted.3 Our letters of recommendation guide helps you choose.
$100 supplemental feePaid online by the deadline, once your CAAPID status shows Complete.34

From CAAPID to your first day

Selection steps and the application timeline

The 2026 cycle is in its bench test and interview stage now. This is UB’s published timeline for the next cycle.2

March 2027Applications open in CAAPIDCompleted files are reviewed in the order received. If CAAPID is new to you, follow our CAAPID login and application walkthrough.2
June 1, 2027DeadlineEverything, including official TOEFL and board scores and the $100 fee, must be in CAAPID. No exceptions.23
July to August 2027Bench test and interview offersSent by email until all spots are filled, not always in application order.2
From September 2027Bench test, then interview, in BuffaloIncludes an orientation to the school. Those who pass the bench test interview with faculty on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning, so you must stay in Buffalo. You pay a nonrefundable bench test fee and your own visa and travel costs.23
From November 2027DecisionsOffers usually begin two to three weeks after all interviews end and continue into spring 2028.23
May 2028Summer program beginsThen Years 3 and 4 of the DDS.1

Plan the trip earlyThe bench test and interview are in person. If you need a US visitor visa, start that process before the June deadline. Our guide to how dental schools evaluate your bench test explains what examiners look for.

Self-check

Am I ready to apply to UB?

Tick what is already done before June 1, 2027.

UB’s own estimates, 2026-27

Cost and financing

UB lists the summer program fee and the Year 3 and Year 4 budgets. Non-US citizens cannot qualify for New York State tuition, so these are the non-resident figures. UB says the 2026-27 costs are not final. Tap a stage.6

Summer program fee (instruction, reduced supply purchase, one set of electric handpieces)$95,000
Total billed$95,000

Housing, food, transport and personal costs for the summer are not included.

Tuition, non-resident$72,420
CMS fee$10,000
Other fees, handpieces, supplies, books, software$9,754
Housing, board, transport, personal$25,902
Total$118,076

Tuition, non-resident$72,420
CMS fee$10,000
Other fees, including the ADEX fee and residency applications$9,559
Housing, board, transport, personal$25,902
Total$117,881

Summer fee plus Years 3 and 4$330,957
Plus your summer living costsNot listed

Our sum of UB’s 2026-27 estimates, which UB says are not final and may change.

Before you are accepted, budget for the INBDE ($1,325), the CAAPID fee ($264 for your first program, $115 for each extra one), the ECE report ($199), the $100 UB fee and the bench test fee, plus your TOEFL and travel.91011 Our breakdown of what it costs to apply to US dental schools covers the rest.

How international dentists pay for it

Advanced Standing usually costs roughly $250,000 to $450,000 all-in, and UB sits in the middle of that range. Almost everyone finances it with loans, so plan for it rather than fear it.

UB says IDP students who borrow need three separate loans: one for the summer, certified by the dental school, and one for each of Years 3 and 4, certified by the university’s financial aid office. Its pages do not say which loans international students can get.7 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. Read is becoming a US dentist worth it for the full picture.

We prepare you for each step

How to prepare: our full plan

UB judges your INBDE, TOEFL and file first, then your bench test, then your interview. Here is how The Study Boards prepares you for each part.

INBDE

INBDE Premium BoardsGet the pass UB needs before the CAAPID deadline:

  • 12 sequenced course sections, from faculty-written Modules and Master Files 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
  • $299 for 3 months, $499 for 6 months, $899 for 12 months, or $39 a month

See the INBDE Course Blueprint

CAAPID

Master the CAAPID ApplicationYour written file and school list, 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 preparation with Dr. TUB interviews in person with faculty, only after the bench test:

See Interview Preparation

Hands

Bench test preparation with Dr. KaurUB’s bench test decides who reaches the interview:

  • 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 dentistsUB needs 4.5 from your most recent TOEFL, with no combining:

  • 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 UB cycle.

Book a 10-minute call with Dr. T

Keep your options open

Other routes if UB is not the right fit

About 20 places a year, so most dentists apply to several programs.

DDS/DMD

Advanced Standing elsewhereOther US schools run 2 to 3 year Advanced Standing 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. 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.

If you are also weighing Canada, the AFK route through the NDEB is a separate path with its own exams; our NDEB AFK exam guide explains it.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can an Indian BDS graduate apply to the University at Buffalo IDP?
Yes. UB’s IDP is for internationally trained dentists and evaluates every application the same way regardless of country. You need a completed degree shown on an ECE evaluation, an INBDE or NBDE Part I pass, a TOEFL of 4.5 or more and three letters, all through ADEA CAAPID.
Do Pakistani dentists need the INBDE for UB?
You need a pass on the INBDE or NBDE Part I. UB gives preference to applicants who have passed the INBDE or NBDE Part II, so the INBDE is the stronger choice.
Does UB accept WES or IELTS?
No to both. UB accepts only an ECE course-by-course evaluation and only the TOEFL.
Is there a bench test at UB?
Yes. Invited candidates take an in-person bench test in Buffalo, and only those who pass it are interviewed. UB shares the bench test details only with invited candidates.
When is the next UB IDP deadline?
June 1, 2027, for the summer 2028 start. Applications open in March 2027 and are reviewed in the order received.
Does UB consider the ADAT?
No. UB says it does not consider ADAT scores, even if they appear in your CAAPID application.
Your UB 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 UB?

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. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. IDP Program Overview: length, summer course, Years 3 and 4, research, accreditation. dental.buffalo.edu
  2. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. How to Apply: Application Timeline. dental.buffalo.edu
  3. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Application Instructions: ECE, boards, letters, $100 fee, bench test and interview. dental.buffalo.edu
  4. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. IDP FAQ. dental.buffalo.edu
  5. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. TOEFL Requirements. dental.buffalo.edu
  6. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Cost: 2026-2027 IDP Program Estimated Cost of Attendance. dental.buffalo.edu
  7. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Financial Aid: IDP loans. dental.buffalo.edu
  8. ADEA CAAPID. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine program listing (updated May 14, 2026). programs.adea.org
  9. ADEA. ADEA CAAPID: Prepare to Apply, 2026-27 application fees. adea.org
  10. Educational Credential Evaluators. ADEA CAAPID Application Instructions. ece.org
  11. Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. INBDE 2026 Candidate Guide: fees. jcnde.ada.org

Current as of October 2026. Program details, dates and costs are from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and ADEA CAAPID; 2026-27 costs are estimates UB says are not final. Confirm everything with UB IDP Admissions ([email protected]) before you apply. The Study Boards is not affiliated with the University at Buffalo.

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