What to Do After BDS in Pakistan: FCPS, MDS, the US and Canada

  • Dr. T
  • October 16, 2026
  • 0 Comments
Career guide for Pakistani dentists · Updated October 2026

What to Do After BDS in Pakistan: FCPS, MDS, the US and Canada

After your BDS in Pakistan, finish your one-year house job and get full PMDC registration first; then choose between specialising at home (FCPS or MCPS through the CPSP, or a university MDS), becoming a licensed dentist in the US (INBDE, then a DDS/DMD through Advanced Standing) or Canada (the NDEB route that starts with the AFK). If your first goal is simply to get abroad, a study visa through a master’s degree is a real pathway too, but it is expensive and it does not make you a licensed dentist on its own.

Who this guide is for: Pakistani dentists with a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) from a PMDC-recognised college, house officers, and BDS graduates who are weighing FCPS against MDS, DDS or DMD abroad.

4 + 1years: BDS, then a one-year house job
6dental FCPS specialties at the CPSP
4 yrsfor a university MDS (e.g. DUHS)
2-3 yrsAdvanced Standing to a US DDS/DMD

How we helpPMDC firstFCPS, MCPS, MDSUS routesCanada routesVisa-firstPick your pathOur planFAQ
How The Study Boards helps you

One team for the INBDE, the AFK and your application

Whichever route abroad you choose, The Study Boards prepares you for each step. Our faculty are US-licensed dentists.

  • INBDE course: 35,000+ questions, faculty-written Modules, Master Files, test series and a nightly live test at 9 PM New York time. 99% of students who complete the course pass on the first attempt.
  • Plans: $299 for 3 months, $499 for 6 months, $899 for 12 months, or $39 a month.
  • For Canada: AFK and ADAT courses. For the US application: the CAAPID application program, TOEFL, bench test prep with Dr. Kaur and interview prep with Dr. T.
  • Personal guidance: the course is extremely personalised. Red lines and assignments are given on the go, the course learns from how you study, and our faculty assist you.

We run no live classes or lectures; the live part is the nightly test. See the INBDE course blueprint.

Step zero, whatever you choose

Finish the house job and get full PMDC registration

Every path below, at home or abroad, asks for proof that you are a fully registered dentist in Pakistan. Get this done before anything else.

Provisional registration before the house jobThe Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) requires provisional registration before your house job starts. House job time done before provisional registration does not count.1
One-year house jobFor BDS graduates, the house job is four 3-month modules: Prosthodontics, Operative Dentistry, Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, each with allied subjects, in a PMDC-approved hospital.1
Full (permanent) registrationAfter the house job you apply for full registration. The licence lets you treat common dental conditions, but you cannot call yourself a specialist until a postgraduate qualification is registered with the PMDC.1
Is the BDS becoming five years?Not for now. As of October 2026 the BDS stays a four-year degree followed by the one-year house job; in September 2026 the PMDC withdrew its notification moving dental education to five years. Watch pmdc.pk for any new notice.

Keep copies of your house job certificate and PMDC registration. US and Canadian applications ask for them, and your name must match your passport exactly.

Specialising in Pakistan

FCPS, MCPS or MDS: your options at home

Pakistan has two postgraduate systems for dentists: the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), which awards FCPS and MCPS, and universities, which award the MDS.

FCPS

Fellowship (CPSP)Six dental fellowships: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, and Paediatric Dentistry. Training runs 4 to 5 years, depending on the specialty.2FCPS Part I, then residency

MCPS

Membership (CPSP)Two years of training. Dental options: Operative Dentistry, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Prosthodontics and Family Dentistry.3Shorter, still a specialist status

MDS

Master of Dental Surgery (university)At Dow University (DUHS), the MDS is 4 years full time with 75 credit hours and a thesis.5 Programs ask for a PMDC-registered BDS, a one-year house job, full registration and an entry test.6Degree plus research

The CPSP holds its dental examinations alongside its medical ones, and trainees must also complete mandatory workshops (such as research methodology and communication skills) before the final exams.24 Check the current FCPS Part I prospectus on cpsp.edu.pk for dates, fees and eligibility.

Path Length after the house job What you get Lets you practise in
FCPS (CPSP) Part I exam + 4 to 5 years Specialist status in Pakistan Pakistan
MCPS (CPSP) 2 years Membership, specialist status Pakistan
MDS (university) 4 years (DUHS) Master’s degree and thesis Pakistan
US Advanced Standing INBDE + application + 2 to 3 years DDS or DMD The US (after a state clinical exam)
Canada (NDEB) AFK, ACJ, NDECC, then certification NDEB certificate Canada (provincial licence)
MDS vs DDS: the honest differenceAn MDS or FCPS makes you a specialist in Pakistan, but the US does not accept it as a licence to practise. A US DDS or DMD makes you a general dentist there. If you want to work abroad as a dentist, an MDS does not replace the INBDE and Advanced Standing; it can strengthen your application. Read BDS or MDS to DDS/DMD.

Becoming a dentist in the US

The four US routes after BDS

Most states do not license a dentist on a BDS alone. Almost every US route starts with the same exam: the INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination). For the full country guide, read DDS in the USA for Pakistani dentists.

1

Advanced Standing (IDP), through ADEA CAAPIDA 2 to 3 year program that ends in a DDS or DMD, the degree US states accept for a full licence. You apply through ADEA CAAPID with your INBDE result, an ECE evaluation, TOEFL and letters. Advanced Standing programs.The main route to practise

2

AEGD, through ADEA PASSAdvanced Education in General Dentistry. Some states give a limited licence after it; the rules vary by state. AEGD residency guide.Check the state’s rules first

3

Specialty residency, through ADEA PASSOrthodontics, endodontics, periodontics and others. More competitive. ADEA directs dentists who will not practise in the US to residencies through PASS.9 CAAPID or PASS?Strong scores and research help

4

TeachingSome dental schools hire internationally trained dentists, especially those with an FCPS, MDS or research, as faculty. Licence rules for faculty differ by state.Best with a specialty

What the application costs, as of October 2026

Item Fee
INBDE for international candidates $1,325 ($890 exam + $435 processing)7
ECE course-by-course evaluation of your BDS $199 base price8
ADEA CAAPID, 2026-27 $264 for the first program, $115 for each additional9
SEVIS fee once admitted (F-1) $35014

The program itself is the big cost: roughly $250,000 to $450,000 all-in with living costs. Almost everyone finances it with loans: private loans, co-signer loans with a US citizen or green-card holder, and a few international lenders that need no co-signer. It is a large number, but graduates do repay it as US dentists. See is it worth it?

Becoming a dentist in Canada

The Canada routes after BDS

The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) offers three ways into its Certification Process, which every candidate must pass before applying for a provincial licence.10

1

NDEB Equivalency ProcessThree exams: the AFK (Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge), the ACJ (Assessment of Clinical Judgement) and the NDECC. Then the Certification Process, which includes the Virtual OSCE.10 AFK exam guide.

2

Degree completion or qualifying programAccredited programs at Canadian dental faculties; finishing one makes you eligible for certification.10 Canadian degree completion programs.

3

BTDPC bridgeFrom 1 July 2026, graduates who finish a CDAC-accredited bridge program can apply for certification without the NDECC. You must have passed the AFK and ACJ and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.11 The bridge pathway.

The AFK is not held in Pakistan. The NDEB runs it in Canada and at Prometric centres in Australia and New Zealand, so plan the travel and visa early.22 You can still prepare for it from home while you work. Our full overview: how to become a dentist in Canada.

Getting there first

Visa-first routes: honest and practical

Many dentists mainly want to get to the US or Canada first and license later. They join a course that gives them an F-1 student visa or a Canadian study permit. These routes are financially exhausting, but they are a real pathway, and many people find work afterwards.

United States: F-1, then OPT, then a work visa

A master’s you can join without a US licenceAn MS, MPH (public health), MHA (health administration), dental public health, or an oral biology or research MS. These admit BDS graduates and lead to an F-1 visa.
OPT: up to 12 months of workAfter the degree, F-1 students can get up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training per education level. Only a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Program List adds a 24-month STEM OPT extension, and the employer must use E-Verify.12 Many MPH and MHA programs are not STEM-designated, so ask the school.
H-1B or another routeThe H-1B cap is 65,000 a year plus 20,000 for US master’s holders; universities and nonprofit research bodies are cap-exempt. A 2025 proclamation added a $100,000 payment for some new petitions; a court vacated the guidance in June 2026 and the case continues.13 Check USCIS before you plan on it.

What it costs: Columbia’s full-time MPH is 4 semesters, with 2026-27 tuition of $49,888 for two semesters plus about $8,391 in program fees, before New York living costs.15 The University of Minnesota charges non-residents $1,668 per MPH credit in 2026-27.16 Plan for six figures in total for a two-year US master’s.

Canada: study permit, then PGWP, then permanent residence

A master’s at a public institutionCanada plans up to 408,000 study permits in 2026. Since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public designated institutions do not need a provincial attestation letter.17 Western University estimates about $61,745 for its one-year MPH for international students.20
Post-Graduation Work PermitA master’s graduate can apply for a PGWP of up to 3 years, even if the program was under 2 years (minimum 8 months). Most applicants now need language test results.18
Permanent residenceCanadian work experience can lead to permanent residence through Express Entry, which manages the Canadian Experience Class and the federal skilled programs.19 As a PR you also qualify for the BTDPC bridge.
Read this before you pay a depositA visa route does not make you a licensed dentist. Your first jobs are often in research, public health, dental assisting or other non-clinical work, depending on state or provincial rules. To practise, you still need the INBDE and CAAPID in the US, or the NDEB route in Canada. This is not immigration legal advice: confirm the details with the school’s international office or an immigration lawyer.

The smart version: study for the INBDE or AFK while you are on the visa, so the licence route is moving at the same time. Can a foreign-trained dentist work as a hygienist?

Pick your situation

Which path fits you?

Choose an option above to see your next steps.
Pakistan

Finish the house job and full PMDC registration. Choose FCPS (4 to 5 years, CPSP) if you want the strongest specialist standing; MCPS (2 years) if you want a shorter route; MDS (4 years) if you like research and teaching. Keep the door open: an FCPS or MDS with research makes a strong US residency or teaching profile later.

United States

Start the INBDE now, order your ECE evaluation, take TOEFL, then apply through CAAPID for Advanced Standing. Add AEGD or residency through PASS as a second list. Plan for 4 to 5 years from INBDE to licence. INBDE and CAAPID timeline.

Canada

Start with the AFK, then the ACJ and NDECC, or a degree completion program. If you become a permanent resident, the BTDPC bridge can replace the NDECC. AFK course blueprint.

Visa first

Choose a master’s you would value even without dentistry, check whether it is STEM-designated, and budget for six figures. Study for the INBDE or AFK during the degree so you leave with a licence route already moving.

We teach these exams

How to prepare: our full plan

The Study Boards covers every exam and application step on this page.

INBDE

INBDE Premium Boards35,000+ questions, Modules, Master Files, test series, 2-day simulations and a nightly live test at 9 PM New York time. $299 / 3 months, $499 / 6 months, $899 / 12 months, or $39 a month.

  • 99% first-attempt pass rate for students who complete the course
  • Pass Guarantee: course fee and INBDE registration fee (about $1,000) refunded if you finish on time, score 60%+ on every test and still do not pass

INBDE Course Blueprint

AFK

AFK and ADAT for CanadaAFK Premium Boards for the NDEB Equivalency Process, and ADAT Premium Boards for Canadian programs that ask for it.

AFK Course Blueprint

CAAPID

Application, TOEFL, bench and interviewThe CAAPID application program, the TOEFL course, bench test prep with Dr. Kaur and interview prep with Dr. T.

Master the CAAPID Application

Docs

Paperwork for Pakistani dentistsECE course-by-course evaluation, transcripts sent by your university, house job certificate and PMDC registration.

DDS in USA for Pakistani Dentists

Tick as you go

Your after-BDS checklist

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

What to do after BDS in Pakistan?
Finish the one-year house job and get full PMDC registration. Then choose: FCPS or MCPS through the CPSP, an MDS at a university, the US route (INBDE, then Advanced Standing to a DDS or DMD), the Canada route (AFK and the NDEB process), or a study-visa route first.
Which is better after BDS: FCPS or MDS?
Both make you a specialist in Pakistan. FCPS is the CPSP fellowship, 4 to 5 years of training after Part I. MDS is a university degree, 4 years at DUHS, with a thesis. Choose FCPS for clinical standing, MDS if you lean towards research or teaching.
Can a Pakistani BDS dentist practise in the USA?
Not on the BDS alone in most states. You pass the INBDE, apply through ADEA CAAPID to an Advanced Standing program, earn a DDS or DMD in 2 to 3 years, then pass a clinical licensing exam. Some states give a limited licence after an AEGD.
Is MDS from Pakistan accepted in the USA?
It is not a US licence. It strengthens your CAAPID or PASS application and can help with residency or teaching posts, but you still need the INBDE and usually a US DDS or DMD to practise.
How can a Pakistani dentist go to Canada?
Through the NDEB: the AFK, ACJ and NDECC, then certification and a provincial licence. Degree completion programs and, for permanent residents, the BTDPC bridge are the alternatives.
Can I get a US visa after BDS without the INBDE?
Yes, through a master’s such as an MPH or MS on an F-1 visa. It is costly and it does not license you as a dentist. Most people who take this route also prepare for the INBDE during the degree.
For Pakistani dentists going abroad

INBDE Premium Boards by The Study Boards

Modules, Master Files and 35,000+ questions, with US-licensed dentists answering your doubts.

99% first-attempt pass rate*Nightly 9 PM NY live testsPass GuaranteeFrom $39 a month

See the Blueprint

DDS in USA for Pakistani DentistsDocuments, fees and the full US route.Advanced Standing Programs2 to 3 years to a DDS or DMD.How to Become a Dentist in CanadaAFK, ACJ, NDECC and the alternatives.BDS or MDS to DDS/DMDHow your degree fits the US route.

Not sure which path is yours?

Tell us where you are: house job, FCPS Part I, MDS or already abroad. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp.

Message the Admin Team on WhatsApp

References

  1. Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. Pakistan Registration of Medical and Dental Practitioners Regulations, 2023: provisional registration, house job (BDS modules), full registration, specialist rule. Checked 15 October 2026. pmdc.pk
  2. College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. Training Programs: FCPS (dental fellowships, 4-5 years, mandatory workshops). Checked 15 October 2026. cpsp.edu.pk
  3. CPSP. Training Programs: MCPS (2 years, dental disciplines). Checked 15 October 2026. cpsp.edu.pk
  4. CPSP. Examination Department. Checked 15 October 2026. cpsp.edu.pk
  5. Dow University of Health Sciences. MDS in Prosthodontics (4 years, 75 credit hours). Checked 15 October 2026. duhs.edu.pk
  6. Rawal Institute of Health Sciences. MDS Program (eligibility). Checked 15 October 2026. rihs.edu.pk
  7. JCNDE. INBDE 2026 Candidate Guide (fees for international candidates). jcnde.ada.org
  8. Educational Credential Evaluators. Services and Fees (Course by Course base price $199). Checked 15 October 2026. ece.org
  9. ADEA CAAPID. Prepare to Apply (2026-27 fees; PASS for residency) and Applicant Help Center, Application Fees. Checked 15 October 2026. adea.org · liaisonedu.com
  10. NDEB. Equivalency Process and pathways. Checked 15 October 2026. ndeb-bned.ca
  11. NDEB. New entry-to-practice pathway for internationally trained dentists, 25 June 2026. Checked 15 October 2026. ndeb-bned.ca
  12. USCIS. Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students. Checked 15 October 2026. uscis.gov
  13. USCIS. H-1B Specialty Occupations (cap, exemptions, 2025 proclamation status). Checked 15 October 2026. uscis.gov
  14. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I-901 SEVIS Fee. Checked 15 October 2026. ice.gov
  15. Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Tuition and Fees, 2026-27. Checked 15 October 2026. columbia.edu
  16. University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Tuition and Finances, 2026-27. Checked 15 October 2026. umn.edu
  17. IRCC. 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap, 25 November 2025. Checked 15 October 2026. canada.ca
  18. IRCC. Post-Graduation Work Permit: about the program. Checked 15 October 2026. canada.ca
  19. IRCC. Express Entry. Checked 15 October 2026. canada.ca
  20. Western University, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. MPH tuition. Checked 15 October 2026. uwo.ca
  21. The Study Boards. INBDE Premium Boards course blueprint. parmjitllc.com
  22. NDEB. Equivalency Process: dates and locations (AFK sites). Checked 15 October 2026. ndeb-bned.ca

Current as of 15 October 2026. *Pass rate refers to students who complete the INBDE Premium Boards course. Rules, fees and visa policies change; confirm with the PMDC, CPSP, your university, the JCNDE, ADEA, the NDEB, USCIS and IRCC before you act. Educational content, not licensing or immigration advice.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *