Advanced Standing Programs for International Dentists: How They Work (2026)

  • Dr. T
  • October 14, 2026
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US pathway for international dentists · Updated October 2026

Advanced Standing Programs for International Dentists: How They Work (2026)

An Advanced Standing program, often called an International Dentist Program or IDP, lets a dentist trained outside the US earn a US DDS or DMD in about 2 to 3 years instead of 4. You apply through ADEA CAAPID, almost always after passing the INBDE, and you graduate on the same footing as a US-trained dentist.

46Advanced Standing programs listed on ADEA CAAPID for 2026-27
24 to 39months, depending on the school
$264CAAPID fee for your first program, $115 each after
$250K to $450Ktypical all-in cost, almost always financed

What it isHow admission worksTimelineCostAll 46 schoolsOther routesPrep plansFAQ
The short answerIf you want a full licence to practise general dentistry in the US, an Advanced Standing program is the most reliable route. The American Dental Association says every state requires the INBDE, and that a residency alone does not meet the education requirement for licensure in most states. This guide is the hub for our school-by-school series: start here, then open the guide for each school you shortlist.4
How The Study Boards helps

How The Study Boards helps you get into an Advanced Standing program

The Study Boards prepares you for every hurdle on this path, with faculty beside you from the boards to the interview:

  • INBDE: faculty-created modules, 35,000+ focused questions, Grand Test mock exams and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time, so you pass on your first attempt, which schools such as Boston University prefer.
  • TOEFL: a 45-day course on the 2026 TOEFL format.
  • CAAPID: personal statement, CV, letter review, a strategy session with Dr. T and mock interviews.
  • Bench test: preparation with Dr. Kaur, one procedure at a time, with feedback on your own work.

Our courses are extremely personalised: red lines and assignments are given to you on the go, the course learns from the way you study, and faculty are there to assist you. See our full plan.

The basics

What is an Advanced Standing or IDP program?

It is a shortened US dental school program for dentists who already hold a dental degree from another country.

US states license dentists who graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). A BDS from India or Pakistan, or a DDS from Mexico or Nepal, is not CODA-accredited. So most internationally trained dentists go back to dental school in the US. Because you already know dentistry, the school places you “with advanced standing”, usually into the second or third year of its DDS or DMD program.4

Name

Many names, one ideaSchools call it Advanced Standing, International Dentist Program (IDP), ASPID, International Dental Studies or Program for Advanced Standing Students. They all lead to the same US dental degree.

Degree

A full DDS or DMDThe DDS and DMD are equal degrees. The letters depend on the school, not on the quality of the program.

Time

About 2 to 3 yearsMost programs run 24 to 36 months. Nova Southeastern runs 39 months. Many start with a short preparatory term, then you join the regular third- and fourth-year class.

Who runs the applicationsThe American Dental Education Association (ADEA) runs CAAPID, the Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists. You fill in one application and ADEA sends it to every program you choose.2 For a step-by-step tour of the portal, read our ADEA CAAPID login and application walkthrough and the full 13-step CAAPID guide.

Step by step

How admission works

Every school sets its own rules, but almost every application follows these eight steps.

Get your DENTPIN

ADEA asks you to get a DENTPIN before you start the CAAPID application. You also use it for the INBDE. How to register for a DENTPIN.2

Pass the INBDE

Almost every program wants a pass on the INBDE (or the older NBDE) before you apply or by its deadline. Some, such as Boston University, prefer a first-attempt pass. The fee for international candidates is $1,325. Follow our INBDE Course Blueprint to pass on your first attempt.710

Take the TOEFL iBT

Since January 21, 2026, TOEFL reports use a 1 to 6 scale. Minimums vary by school. Boston University, for example, asks for 90 on the old scale or 4.5 on the new one, and many schools ask for 5. Our TOEFL course for dentists is built on the 2026 format.7

Get a course-by-course credential evaluation

CAAPID asks for an electronic course-by-course evaluation of your dental degree from ECE or WES. Many schools want ECE only; Boston University does not accept WES. ECE’s Course by Course report costs $199 (pricing as of February 15, 2026). WES or ECE: which one you need.35

Submit the CAAPID application

The 2026-27 cycle opened on March 5, 2026. You add transcripts, a personal statement, a CV and letters of evaluation (Boston University asks for three). The fee is $264 for the first program and $115 for each extra one. Most programs also charge their own supplemental fee.28

Pass the bench test

Most programs test your hand skills on a typodont or manikin. Nova Southeastern, for example, may ask for amalgam and full metal crown preparations, and charges a $3,000 bench test fee. Read what the dental bench test is and how to prepare for it.11

Interview

Interviews are by invitation. Some are online, some on campus, and several schools (including NYU, Columbia and Indiana) use a recorded online video assessment first. How to prepare for the dental interview.11

Accept your offer

Schools ask for a deposit to hold your seat. The University of Washington and Penn, for example, each ask for a $5,000 nonrefundable deposit.11

Your application checklist

When things happen

A typical timeline (for a 2027 start)

Plan backwards from the deadline. Most deadlines fall between April and June, so your exams must be done the year before.

12 to 18 months before you applyINBDE, TOEFL and ECEPass the INBDE first; it takes the longest. Order your ECE evaluation early, because it depends on your dental school sending documents. Our INBDE and CAAPID timeline maps this out month by month.
March 5, 2026CAAPID opensSubmit early. Penn, for example, reviews applications on a rolling basis.8
April to June 2026Most deadlinesUAB closed on April 30, Indiana on May 15, and NYU, Penn and Washington on June 1, 2026.
Summer to autumn 2026Bench tests and interviewsBoston University interviews from about May to November. Buffalo holds its bench test with interviews in September and October.7
Later deadlinesA few schools stay open longerBoston University closes on October 15, 2026, Marquette on January 1, 2027, and VCU on January 29, 2027.
January to August 2027Classes startMany programs start in January (NYU, Penn, UAB, Washington). Others start in spring or summer (Pittsburgh in May, Pacific and Boston University in July, Marquette in August).

The money question

What an Advanced Standing program costs

Plan for roughly $250,000 to $450,000 all-in, including tuition, fees, instruments and living costs. Almost everyone finances it.

Real figures from school websites

NYU, full program, total estimated direct expenses (2026-27 rates)about $309,835
University of Iowa, estimated total, tuition, fees and program costs (2025-26 projection)$286,776
University of the Pacific, tuition per year (2026-27)$135,700
Ohio State, estimated tuition and fees, non-resident (2026-27 projection)about $446,110
Typical all-in range, including living costs$250,000 to $450,000

Before you even start, the application stage costs money too: the INBDE ($1,325), an ECE evaluation ($199), the CAAPID fee ($264 plus $115 per extra program), school supplemental fees, and bench test fees from a few hundred dollars up to $3,000. Applying to 10 programs costs $1,299 in CAAPID fees alone.2511

How people pay for itAlmost every international dentist finances the program with loans. The usual routes are private education loans, co-signer loans with a US citizen or green-card holder, and a few international lenders that need no co-signer. Some schools say so plainly: Penn, for example, does not consider its Advanced Standing students for university funding. It is a large number, but it is a planned, normal loan on this path, and the degree it pays for is the one that opens every state. Read is becoming a US dentist worth it for the full numbers.11

The full list

US schools that run Advanced Standing / IDP programs

Built from ADEA’s official CAAPID Program Finder, then checked on each school’s own website on October 14, 2026.

ADEA lists 47 programs for the 2026-27 cycle. One of them, the University of Florida, is not an Advanced Standing program: its internationally educated dentists join year one of the full 4-year DMD and must take the DAT, so we have left it out. That leaves 46. Of these, 28 confirm a bench test on their own site, 8 list none, and 10 need a check on the school’s site.1

Yes school site confirms a bench testNo ADEA lists none and so does the schoolCheck the school’s site not confirmed on the school’s own site
School State Program and degree Length Bench test 2026-27 cycle
A.T. Still University (Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health) MO Advanced Standing International Dentist TrackDMD 1 semester + 2 years Yes$1,500 skills fee Closed (June 1, 2026)Starts January 2027
Boston University MA DMD Advanced StandingDMD 2 years No Open until October 15, 2026Starts July 2027
Columbia University NY Advanced Standing Program for Internationally Trained DentistsDDS 2.5 years No Closed (August 1, 2026, per ADEA)School page shows no year
Harvard MA Advanced Standing International Dentist TrackDMD About 2.5 years Yesfinal on-campus round Closed (May 5, 2026)Starts January 2027
Howard University DC International Dentist ProgramDDS 24 months Check the school’s siteADEA: manikin evaluation after admission Closed (July 31, 2026, per ADEA)School page shows no year
Indiana University IN International Dentist ProgramDDS 30 months minimum Yes$400 fee Closed (May 15, 2026)Starts January 2027
Loma Linda University CA International Dentist ProgramDDS 27 months minimum Yesdexterity test Closed (June 1, 2026, per ADEA)School page shows no year
LSU LA Internationally Educated Dentists ProgramDDS 3 years Yesmanikin bench test Closed (August 15, 2026)Starts July 2027
Marquette University WI Advanced Standing Program for Foreign-Trained DentistsDDS 3 years Yes Open until January 1, 2027Starts August 2027
Meharry Medical College TN International Track ProgramDDS Check the school’s site Check the school’s siteschool lists a technical exam fee; ADEA says no Open until November 1, 2026, per ADEANot confirmed on school page
New York University NY Advanced Standing Program for International DentistsDDS 28 months No Closed (June 1, 2026)Starts January 2027
Nova Southeastern University FL International Dental ProgramDMD 39 months Yes$3,000 fee Closed (June 5, 2026, per ADEA)School page shows no year
Ohio State University OH International Dentist Track (new)DDS 28 months Yes Closed (summer 2026)First class starts spring 2027
Ponce Health Sciences University PR Advanced Standing Track for Internationally Trained DentistsDMD 26 months Check the school’s siteADEA: Yes Secondary deadline October 31, 2026Bilingual English and Spanish
Rutgers NJ Internationally Educated DMD ProgramDMD 27 months No Closed (September 16, 2026, per ADEA)School page now shows the 2027 cycle
Southern Illinois University IL International Advanced Placement ProgramDMD 27 months Yes$450 fee Closed (June 5, 2026)Starts February 2027
Temple University PA Advanced Standing Program for Internationally Trained DentistsDMD 2-year or 3-year track Yesskills assessment Closed (July 15, 2026, per ADEA)Admissions page out of date
Touro College of Dental Medicine NY International Dentist ProgramDDS 2 years Yes Check the school’s siteADEA dates do not match
Tufts University MA Dental International Student ProgramDMD 29 months No Closed (May 29, 2026)Starts January 2027
UAB (Alabama at Birmingham) AL International Dentist ProgramDMD 30 months Yeshand-skills exercise Closed (April 30, 2026)Starts January 2027
UCLA CA Professional Program for International DentistsDDS 2 years Check the school’s siteschool: skills assessment for finalists Closed (June 30, 2026)Starts 2027
UCSF CA International Dentist PathwayDDS 3 years Check the school’s siteADEA: No Closed (June 15, 2026, per ADEA)School page shows no year
UMKC (Missouri-Kansas City) MO Advanced Standing International Dental ProgramDDS 29 months Yes$2,500 fee Closed (June 1, 2026, per ADEA)US citizens and permanent residents (ADEA)
UNC Chapel Hill NC ASPIDDDS 29 months Yes$300 fee Closed (May 23, 2026)Starts January 2027
University at Buffalo NY International Dentist ProgramDDS 2 years Yesin person, with interview Closed (June 1, 2026)Next cycle opens March 2027
University of Colorado CO Advanced Standing International Student ProgramDDS 2 years Yes Open until January 29, 2027This intake starts January 2028
University of Illinois Chicago IL DMD Advanced StandingDMD. Only applicants already living in the US with a status that allows study 28 months NoUIC FAQ and ADEA Closed (June 15, 2026)Starts January 2027
University of Iowa IA Iowa Dental Advanced Standing ProgramDDS 30 months Yeson interview day Closed (July 31, 2026)Starts January 2027
University of Louisville KY Advanced Standing for Internationally Trained DentistsDMD 28 months Yesin person Closed (May 15, 2026)Takes 0 to 3 students, not every year
University of Michigan MI Internationally Trained Dentist ProgramDDS 28 months Yesschool: may be required Closed (May 30, 2026)Starts January 2027
University of Minnesota MN Program for Advanced Standing Students (PASS)DDS 29 months Check the school’s siteADEA: Yes Closed (March 26, 2026, per ADEA)School page shows no dates
University of Nebraska Medical Center NE Advanced Standing Dental ProgramDDS 29 months Yespsychomotor test Closed (June 1, 2026, per ADEA)US citizens and permanent residents
University of New England ME Advanced Standing Track for International DentistsDMD 29 months Yes$500 fee Not running in 2026-27 (per ADEA)Next cycle opens March 2027
University of Oklahoma OK ASPIDDDS About 2.5 years Check the school’s siteADEA: Yes Closed (June 5, 2026, per ADEA)US citizens and permanent residents
University of Pennsylvania PA Program for Advanced Standing Students (PASS)DMD 2.5 years Noschool: no bench exam Closed (June 1, 2026)Starts January 2027
University of Pikeville KY Advanced Placement International Dental ProgramDMD 25 months Check the school’s siteADEA: Yes Closed (October 1, 2026)Starts April 2027
University of Pittsburgh PA International Advanced Standing ProgramDMD 24 months minimum Yesin person Closed (June 19, 2026)Starts May 2027
University of Puerto Rico PR Advanced Placement ProgramDMD 5-week course + 2 years Yes$175 interview and bench fee Check the school’s siteInterview in Spanish
University of the Pacific (Dugoni) CA International Dental StudiesDDS 2 years Nonone for 2026-27, school states Closed (June 12, 2026)Starts July 2027
University of Washington WA International Dentist DDS ProgramDDS 30 months Yes3-day skills session Closed (June 1, 2026)Starts January 2027
UNLV NV 2-year DDS for non-CODA graduatesDDS 24 months Yes$500 fee Closed (June 1, 2026)Starts May 2027
USC (Herman Ostrow) CA ASPIDDDS About 2 years Yespractical exam at interview Closed (July 31, 2026, per ADEA)School page shows no year
UT Health San Antonio TX International Dentist Education ProgramDDS 29 months Yes$385 fee Closed (June 9, 2026)Starts 2027
UTHealth Houston TX International Dentist Education ProgramDDS 27 months Yes$300 fee Open until October 30, 2026, per ADEANot confirmed on school page
Virginia Commonwealth University VA International Dentist ProgramDDS 33 months Check the school’s siteADEA: Yes Open until January 29, 2027Starts July 2027
Western University of Health Sciences CA DMD International (International Dentist Program)DMD 26 months Check the school’s siteADEA: Yes Closed (July 20, 2026, per ADEA)School site now shows the 2027 cycle

“Closed” means the deadline for the class entering in 2027 has passed; most of these schools open again in March 2027. “Per ADEA” means the school’s own page shows no year, so the date comes from ADEA’s listing. Tap a school name to open its official program page. Our master dental school guide groups schools by region.

Still open as of October 14, 2026Boston University (October 15), UTHealth Houston (October 30, per ADEA), Ponce (secondary deadline October 31), Meharry (November 1, per ADEA), Marquette (January 1, 2027) and VCU (January 29, 2027). Colorado is open until January 29, 2027 for a class that starts in January 2028.
Read the fine printSeveral programs accept only US citizens or permanent residents, including UMKC, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The University of New England’s Advanced Standing track is not running in the 2026-27 cycle, according to ADEA. Rules on WES versus ECE, TOEFL scores and bench tests change every year, so confirm each one on the school’s own page before you pay a fee.

After the boards

Which route fits you?

Advanced Standing is not the only door. Tap the line that matches your goal.

I have passed the INBDE and want…

Pick an option above to see your route.
Best fit: Advanced Standing / IDP

Apply through ADEA CAAPID

  • You earn a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD in about 2 to 3 years.
  • It meets the education requirement in every state, so you can sit a clinical exam and apply for a licence wherever you want to live.
  • Next step: shortlist schools from the table above, then read our CAAPID guide.
Possible: AEGD or GPR

Apply through ADEA PASS

  • An Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) or General Practice Residency (GPR) usually lasts 12 months.
  • Some states accept a CODA-accredited residency for licensure, but rules vary and the ADA says most states still require a US DDS or DMD. Check your state board first.
  • Only some AEGD programs consider dentists without a US degree. PASS costs $199 for the first program and $92 for each extra one; the 2026-27 cycle runs May 13, 2026 to February 12, 2027.
  • Next step: AEGD programs for international dentists.
Possible, but competitive: specialty residency

Apply directly through ADEA PASS

  • Orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics and other specialties take some international dentists directly, but places are few and competition is strong.
  • Licensure after a specialty program is still set state by state, and often limited.
  • Many dentists do Advanced Standing first, then apply to a specialty as a US graduate.
  • Next step: CAAPID or PASS: how to pick the right path.
Possible: teaching

Join a dental school faculty

  • Some states give faculty a route to a licence. In Maryland, for example, a foreign-trained dentist who has completed a GPR or AEGD (or holds a recognised specialty) and has taught full time at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry for at least 7 consecutive years can be qualified to sit the ADEX exam and then apply for a general licence.
  • Rules differ in every state, so ask the school and the state board.
  • Next step: read you cleared the INBDE: your roadmap.

Sources: ADA licensure guidance, ADEA PASS 2026-27 cycle page and Maryland Chapter 326 (2023).469

We teach every exam on this path

How to prepare: our full plan

Four plans from The Study Boards, one for each hurdle. Questions are answered by US-licensed dentists, not AI.

INBDE

INBDE Premium Boards12 sequenced sections, 35,000+ focused questions, Grand Test mock exams and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time. 99% of students who complete the course pass on their first attempt.

See the INBDE Blueprint

CAAPID

Master the CAAPID ApplicationPersonal statement, CV, letter review, a profile strategy session with Dr. T and three mock interview drills, for one full cycle.

See the CAAPID program

TOEFL

TOEFL iBT Course for DentistsA 45-day course on the 2026 TOEFL format, with mentor feedback on your writing and speaking.

See the TOEFL course

Bench

Bench Test Preparation with Dr. KaurSeven live online sessions, one preparation at a time, from Class II amalgams to crowns and a bridge, with feedback on your own work.

See the Bench Test plan

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

What is an international dentist program (IDP)?
An IDP is a US dental school program for dentists with a foreign dental degree. It places you with advanced standing, so you earn a DDS or DMD in about 2 to 3 years instead of 4. “IDP dental”, “Advanced Standing” and “international dentist program” all mean the same kind of program.
Can a foreign dentist practise in the USA without an Advanced Standing program?
In a few states, yes, usually after a CODA-accredited residency or through a faculty route. But the ADA says that in most states a residency does not meet the education requirement, and a US DDS or DMD is needed. Advanced Standing is the route that works in every state.
Do I need to pass the INBDE before I apply?
For almost every program, yes: you need a pass before you apply or by the school’s deadline. UCSF is one exception; it lists the INBDE as optional but strongly recommended. Start with our INBDE Course Blueprint.
Is Penn’s “PASS” the same as ADEA PASS?
No. Penn and the University of Minnesota both call their Advanced Standing DDS/DMD programs “PASS” (Program for Advanced Standing Students). You apply to them through ADEA CAAPID. ADEA PASS is a different system, used for residencies such as AEGD, GPR and specialties.
Which Advanced Standing programs do not need a bench test?
For the 2026-27 cycle, Boston University, Columbia, NYU, Rutgers, Tufts, Penn, UIC and the University of the Pacific list no bench test (UIC takes only applicants already living in the US with a status that allows study). Pacific says it is not requiring a technical exam for this cycle only, so check again next year. Use the “No bench test” filter in the table above.
How much does a dental program for international dentists cost?
Plan for about $250,000 to $450,000 all-in, including living costs. Tuition alone is $101,676 a year at Boston University and $135,700 a year at the University of the Pacific (2026-27). Most students finance it with private or co-signed loans.
US Dental Schools for International DentistsEvery school, grouped by regionCAAPID Guide: 13 StepsFrom DENTPIN to offer letterWhat Is the Dental Bench Test?What schools test and howCAAPID or PASS?Pick the right path for your goal

Not sure which schools to shortlist?

Tell us your INBDE status, TOEFL score and budget. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp.

Message the Admin Team on WhatsApp

References

  1. ADEA. ADEA CAAPID Program Finder, list of participating programs, 2026-27 cycle. programs.adea.org
  2. ADEA. ADEA CAAPID applicants: what CAAPID is, DENTPIN, 2026-27 fees ($264 first program, $115 each additional). adea.org
  3. Liaison. ADEA CAAPID Quick Start Guide: course-by-course evaluation from ECE or WES, official transcripts. help.liaisonedu.com
  4. American Dental Association. Licensure for international dentists. ada.org
  5. Educational Credential Evaluators. Services and Fees: Course by Course $199, pricing as of 2/15/26. ece.org
  6. ADEA. Applying to ADEA PASS, 2026-27 cycle: dates and fees. adea.org
  7. ADEA CAAPID Program Finder. Boston University DMD Advanced Standing: INBDE, TOEFL, letters, interview. programs.adea.org
  8. Penn Dental Medicine. Program for Advanced Standing Students: 2026-27 cycle, no bench exam. dental.upenn.edu
  9. Maryland General Assembly. Chapter 326 (House Bill 1159), 2023: University of Maryland School of Dentistry faculty, qualifying for examination. mgaleg.maryland.gov
  10. JCNDE. INBDE 2026 Candidate Guide: fees for graduates of non-accredited programs. jcnde.ada.org
  11. Each school’s own program and cost-of-attendance pages, linked in the table above, checked October 14, 2026.

Current as of October 14, 2026. Deadlines, fees and requirements change every cycle. Always confirm the details on the school’s own website before you apply or pay a fee.

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