University of Pikeville Advanced Placement International Dental Program: The New Kentucky Route to a DMD

  • Dr. T
  • October 16, 2026
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UPIKE Tanner College of Dental Medicine · New program · Updated October 2026

University of Pikeville Advanced Placement International Dental Program: The New Kentucky Route to a DMD

The University of Pikeville’s Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) runs a new Advanced Placement International Dental Program: a bridge course, then entry into year two of its three-year curriculum, about 25 months in all, ending with a DMD degree. You apply through ADEA CAAPID with a passed INBDE.12

Two facts shape everything here. There are only 10 places, and TCDM considers only applicants who can study in the US without F-1 visa sponsorship from the university.12

10places in the first international class
25.5 monthsbridge, then years 2 and 3
No F-1sponsorship from the university
Yesdexterity test: Class I, II and PFM prep

At a glanceWhat TCDM looks forRequirementsAm I ready?Selection stepsCostHow to prepareOther routesFAQ
Where the 2026 cycle stands (October 2026)The application deadline was 1 October 2026 and has passed. TCDM’s own timeline puts virtual interviews in September to November 2026, admission offers in November to December 2026, and the first day of class on 12 April 2027.1 If you missed it, plan for the next cycle. This first cycle opened on CAAPID on 1 July 2026.2

Who this guide is for: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali dentists (BDS), and other internationally trained dentists, who already live in the US with a status that lets them study (citizen, green card or other authorisation) and want a US DDS or DMD.

The Study Boards

How The Study Boards helps you get into Pikeville’s program

  • INBDE first: TCDM needs your pass before the deadline. Our INBDE course gives you 35,000+ questions, faculty-made Modules and Master Files, the test series and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time. 99% of students who complete the course pass on their first attempt.
  • Built around you: the courses are extremely personalised. Red lines and assignments are given on the go, the course learns from the way you study, and faculty assist you.
  • TOEFL 90 with 20 in every section: our TOEFL course for dentists works on your weakest section, because one low section fails the rule.
  • Application, hands and interview: the CAAPID application program builds your essays and school list, bench test prep with Dr. Kaur covers the Class I, Class II and PFM preparations TCDM tests, and interview prep with Dr. T gets your spoken English ready for the on-campus interview.

Questions are answered by US-licensed dentists, not AI.

The facts in one place

Pikeville’s program at a glance

From UPIKE’s Dental Medicine page, the TCDM 2026-27 Course Catalog and the ADEA CAAPID listing, checked 15 October 2026.

ProgramAdvanced Placement International Dental ProgramTanner College of Dental Medicine, Pikeville, Kentucky
Degree and lengthDMD, 25.5 monthsBridge course, then years 2 and 3
Places10ADEA CAAPID listing
Next class starts12 April 2027Bridge course DEN 640
How to applyADEA CAAPIDPlus a TCDM fee (amount not published)
2026 cycle1 July to 1 October 2026This deadline has passed
Board examINBDE passOr NBDE Parts I and II
EnglishTOEFL iBT 90, 20 per sectionComputer-based only; no waivers
Credential reportECE course-by-courseSent to CAAPID
Bench testYes, on campusClass I, Class II and PFM crown prep
InterviewVirtual, then on campusSpoken English assessed in person
Who can applyCitizens, green-card holders, others authorisedNo F-1 sponsorship from UPIKE
Tuition, 2026-27$88,000 a yearPlus $8,350 clinical/preclinical fee
Deposit if accepted$2,000Due within 14 days
AccreditationCODA “initial accreditation”Per the TCDM catalog

Sources: UPIKE Dental Medicine page, TCDM Course Catalog 2026-27 and ADEA CAAPID listing.123

What the 25 months look like

You start with DEN 640, Clinical Foundations for the Advanced Placement International Dentist: a 10-credit, 212-hour preclinical course covering ethics, diagnosis, radiology, periodontics, restorative, prosthodontics, endodontics, pain control and medical emergencies. From summer 2027 you join the DMD class in year two, with courses in implantology, fixed prosthodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry and digital dentistry, then finish year three with them.3

A brand-new collegeTCDM’s DMD program is new: the university planned its first predoctoral class for June 2026, and CODA has granted the program “initial accreditation”.34 International students joining in 2027 will enter year two alongside that first class. A new school has no graduates or licensing results yet, so weigh that against its small class and new facilities.

Read this before you apply

What Pikeville focuses on

TCDM’s mission is to educate dentists “to address the oral health needs of Central Appalachia and beyond”, with a focus on underserved populations. That shapes who fits.3

1

Rural and underserved careThe catalog names community outreach, teledentistry, mobile oral health care and community-based research. Final-year rotations include community health centres, special-needs and pediatric clinics, addiction recovery centres and FQHCs.35

2

Public health research and technologyFaculty-mentored research focuses on public health, population health, digital dentistry and practice transformation. The curriculum includes digital dentistry and the responsible use of AI tools in diagnosis and planning.3

3

Hand skills, tested in personEveryone invited to the on-campus interview must pass a dexterity assessment: Class I and Class II restorative preparations and a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown preparation.23

4

Fluent spoken EnglishTCDM evaluates spoken English during the in-person interview, on top of TOEFL 90 with no section under 20.2

5

Recent board resultsThe catalog asks for a board pass within five years of application; the CAAPID listing says ten. Plan on five.23

6

US status limitsOnly US citizens, permanent residents, or people otherwise authorised to study without F-1 sponsorship from the university are considered.12

Our advice: how to use this in your essays and interviewShow service. In your CAAPID statement and interview, talk about rural camps, public health work, special-needs or pediatric patients and any community clinic experience, and say plainly that you want to serve communities like Central Appalachia. Mention digital dentistry or research if you have it. Practise speaking clearly about cases, because your English is judged in the room. TCDM has no past international classes, so it has not published what a successful applicant looks like; this is our reading of its mission.

What TCDM asks for

Requirements in detail

All materials go through ADEA CAAPID before the deadline. The DAT is not required.3

INBDE

Pass the INBDE before the deadlineA pass on the INBDE, or NBDE Parts I and II, sent to CAAPID before the deadline. For international candidates the INBDE costs $890 plus a $435 processing fee, $1,325 in total.28

TOEFL

TOEFL iBT 90, 20 in each sectionReading, listening, speaking and writing all 20 or more, taken within the last two years, computer-based only, sent to CAAPID. No exceptions or waivers.2

ECE

ECE course-by-courseOfficial transcripts through CAAPID, plus an ECE course-by-course evaluation. ECE charges $199 for this report.27

2 LORs

Two signed letters on letterheadIn English, through CAAPID. TCDM prefers one professional letter and one from the dean or a senior administrator of your dental school.2

Status

Authorised to study in the USCitizen, permanent resident, or otherwise authorised for the length of the program, without F-1 sponsorship from UPIKE.23

Check

Background check and feesAdmission depends on a clear background check. CAAPID charges $264 for the first program and $115 for each extra one; TCDM adds its own fee.236

Tick as you go

Am I ready to apply to Pikeville?

Tick each item. Anything left is your to-do list before the next cycle opens.

New to CAAPID? Our CAAPID application walkthrough shows every screen.

From application to first day

How Pikeville selects its international class

TCDM’s published timeline for the class starting April 2027. Dates are subject to change.1

CAAPID applicationOpened in July 2026, deadline 1 October 2026. TCDM processes files from July to September and follows up on missing documents.
Virtual interviewFor selected candidates, September to November.
On-campus interview and dexterity testFinalists come to Pikeville. Spoken English is assessed, and you complete Class I, Class II and PFM crown preparations.2
Offer and $2,000 depositOffers go out November to December; the deposit is due within 14 days.
Bridge course from 12 April 2027Then year two from summer 2027.

The application cycle on a timeline

1 July 2026CAAPID opens for TCDMFirst cycle for this program.
1 October 2026DeadlineBoard results and TOEFL must be on file.
Now: October to November 2026Interviews under wayVirtual first, finalists on campus.
November to December 2026Offers$2,000 deposit within 14 days.
12 April 2027Classes beginBridge course, then year two.

Missed this cycle? If TCDM repeats the pattern, the next window opens around July 2027. Use the time for the INBDE and TOEFL. Our INBDE and CAAPID timeline lays out the months.

2026-27 figures from TCDM

What the program costs

TCDM publishes one tuition figure for its DMD program. It does not publish a separate total for the international track.3

Tuition, 2026-27Billed by semester; subject to change each year$88,000 a year
Clinical/preclinical fee2026-27$8,350 a year
Deposit on acceptanceDue within 14 days$2,000
Years two and three at 2026-27 ratesOur estimate; the bridge term is extra and not priced separatelyabout $192,700

TCDM also gives each student the “TCDM Advantage” at no extra cost: an iPad, scrubs, loupes, a white coat, textbooks and ASDA membership.3 Living costs in Pikeville are not published in the catalog.

How people actually pay: loansBecoming a US dentist through Advanced Standing usually costs somewhere between $250,000 and $450,000 all-in, and almost everyone finances it with loans. Because TCDM only takes applicants who are already authorised to study in the US, many will qualify for US federal aid; the catalog asks every student seeking federal aid to file the FAFSA.3 Others use private loans, often with a US citizen or green-card co-signer, and a few international lenders need no co-signer. Ask TCDM’s Office of Financial Aid what fits your status.

Weigh it against a US dentist’s income: is becoming a US dentist worth it?

We help with every stage

How to prepare: our full plan for Pikeville

Ten seats, an on-campus bench test and a spoken English check. Here is how The Study Boards prepares you for each.

INBDE

Pass the INBDE first timeOur INBDE Premium Boards course: 35,000+ questions, Modules and Master Files, test series and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time. Plans are $299 for 3 months, $499 for 6 months, $899 for 12 months, or $39 a month.

  • Pass Guarantee: finish on time with no overdue days, score 60%+ on every test, and if you still do not pass, we refund the course fee and the exam registration fee.

See the INBDE Blueprint

Bench

Class I, Class II and PFM prep with Dr. KaurThese are exactly the preparations TCDM names. Our bench test course with Dr. Kaur trains them step by step. Read crown preparation for the bench test and how bench tests are evaluated.

See Bench Test Prep

CAAPID

Essays and a school listMaster the CAAPID Application builds a statement that shows service and fit with TCDM’s mission, checks your letters and plans a school list beyond 10 seats.

See the CAAPID Program

Interview

Interview prep with Dr. TThe 3-session program with Dr. Slesnick and Dr. T covers virtual and in-person interviews and clear spoken answers.

See Interview Prep

TOEFL

90 overall, 20 in every sectionOur TOEFL iBT course for dentists is a 45-day, mentor-reviewed program for the January 2026 format.

See the TOEFL Course

Keep your options open

Other routes if Pikeville is not the right fit

If you need an F-1 visa, or want a school with graduates on record, look wider. Passing the INBDE opens four routes.

1

Advanced Standing at another schoolTwo to three years to a DDS or DMD through ADEA CAAPID. Compare programs in our Advanced Standing programs guide and full list of US dental schools, and shortlist with the CAAPID directory method.

2

AEGD through ADEA PASSSome states give a limited licence after an AEGD; rules vary by state. See AEGD programs for international dentists.

3

A residency through PASSMore competitive for international applicants. Read CAAPID or PASS: how to pick.

4

TeachingSome international dentists join a US dental school in a faculty or academic role. Rules vary by school and state.

If you are also weighing Canada, the AFK route through the NDEB is where that path starts.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can an Indian BDS graduate apply to Pikeville’s international dental program?
Yes, if you are a US citizen, a permanent resident, or otherwise authorised to study in the US without F-1 sponsorship from the university. A BDS holder living in India who would need an F-1 visa from UPIKE is not eligible. You also need a board pass, TOEFL 90 with 20 per section and an ECE report.23
Do Pakistani dentists need the INBDE for Pikeville?
Yes. You need a pass on the INBDE, or NBDE Parts I and II, reported to ADEA CAAPID before the deadline. The catalog asks for a pass within five years of applying.23
What is on the Pikeville bench test?
Applicants invited to the in-person interview complete a dexterity assessment: Class I and Class II restorative preparations and a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown preparation.23
Is the 2026 application still open?
No. The deadline was 1 October 2026. Interviews run to November and offers to December, for a 12 April 2027 start.1
Is Tanner College of Dental Medicine accredited?
Yes. TCDM’s catalog states that CODA has granted its DMD program “initial accreditation”, the status given to new programs before they graduate students.3
How does The Study Boards help with a Pikeville application?
The Study Boards prepares you for the INBDE, TOEFL, the CAAPID essays and school list, the Class I, Class II and PFM bench preparations with Dr. Kaur, and the interview with Dr. T.
Invited to Pikeville’s dexterity test?

Bench Test Preparation with Dr. Kaur

Practise the Class I, Class II and crown preparations a school like TCDM tests, with feedback on every step.

Class I and II prepsCrown preparationEvaluation criteria

See Bench Test Prep

Bench Test Exercises by SchoolWhat each CAAPID school asks you to prepare.CAAPID Letters of RecommendationWho to ask, and how.

Planning to apply to Pikeville?

Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp. We will plan your INBDE, TOEFL and bench work around TCDM’s next cycle.

Message the Admin Team on WhatsApp

References

  1. University of Pikeville. Dental Medicine: Advanced Placement International Dental Program section, eligibility, timeline, deposit, mission. upike.edu (checked 15 October 2026)
  2. ADEA CAAPID. University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine program listing (updated 1 July 2026). programs.adea.org (checked 15 October 2026)
  3. University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine. Course Catalog 2026-27: mission, accreditation, international admission requirements, tuition, curriculum. upike.edu (PDF) (checked 15 October 2026)
  4. University of Pikeville. UPIKE announces relocation plans for Tanner College of Dental Medicine (31 May 2024): first class planned for June 2026. upike.edu (checked 15 October 2026)
  5. University of Pikeville. Program Requirements (DMD): clinical rotations and recruitment focus. upike.edu (checked 15 October 2026)
  6. ADEA. ADEA CAAPID applicants: 2026-27 fees. adea.org (checked 15 October 2026)
  7. Educational Credential Evaluators. Services and Fees. ece.org (checked 15 October 2026)
  8. JCNDE. INBDE Candidate Guide: $890 fee plus $435 non-CODA processing fee. jcnde.ada.org

Current as of 15 October 2026. Program details and costs come from the University of Pikeville and ADEA CAAPID. The two-year cost figure is our estimate from TCDM’s yearly rates. Where the catalog and the CAAPID listing differ, we say so; confirm with TCDM before you apply. This guide is independent and is not endorsed by the University of Pikeville.

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