Foreign Trained Dentists Program Overview
College of Dentistry does not admit graduates of foreign dental schools to the DMD program with advanced standing or accept international transfer students.
For dentists with degrees from nonaccredited dental schools by American Dental Association whose goal is to practice dentistry in the United States, College of Dentistry offers two programs: two-year Certificate Program and the four-year DMD program. Florida residents have priority in admission to these two programs.
| FTD Program at a Glance |
| |
Two-Year Program |
Four-Year Program |
| Goal |
To practice dentistry in Florida |
To practice dentistry in the U.S. |
| National Dental Board Exam |
Part 1 and Part 2 |
Part 1 |
| Degree |
Certificate |
Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) |
| State Board Exam & Practice |
May take the board exam and practice dentistry in Florida
May be accepted by the dental boards of other states in the United States |
May take the board exam and practice dentistry in any state in the United States |
| Number of Applicants Accepted |
12 each year |
Up to 2 each year |
FTD Admissions
Two-Year FTD Certificate Program Admissions
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This two-calendar-year certificate program meets the educational prerequisites of the Florida Board of Dentistry and of the dental boards of several other states to take the state licensure examination.
Qualifications
- Be a United States citizen or have a permanent resident visa and proof of your status. Resident visas include: I-551 green card or permanent residential card; I-551C conditional permanent resident (permanent residency has been approved and the resident is awaiting official card in mail); I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (this is for someone who is married to a U.S. citizen, however, I-130 holders are NOT eligible for financial aid); I-94 with certain designations, such as "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Indefinite Parole," "Humanitarian Parole," or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant."
- Have documentation that the applicant completed a dental education program in another country. Official translated transcript certified by a course by course evaluation report with grade point average by the Education Credential Evaluators, Inc. (414) 289-3400 or www.ece.org.
- Score at least 213 on the computerized version of the TOEFL examination; visit www.toefl.org.
- Score at least 75 percent on all sections of Parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination within five years of the application date. Visit www.ada.org.
- Provide one personal and one professional letter of recommendation.
- Submit a 300 to 500 word essay with a summary providing the applicant's clinical experience and professional activities.
- Hold a dental license to practice in a foreign country.
Application Forms
Application Deadline
Application forms and all documentation must be completed by Nov. 1 before the anticipated starting date in June. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applicants who are currently enrolled in another dental school program will not be considered until their current program is completed.
Accepted candidates will enter in the summer term (June). The educational program is divided into two parts. The first year consists of preclinical psychomotor and didactic clinical science courses. Clinical experience begins as soon as students demonstrate competency. The second year consists of supervised patient treatment and advanced clinical science courses. The first year of the program is located in Gainesville and the second year is based primarily at the college's external clinic sites.
Students must purchase/lease all required instruments and textbooks and pay regular University of Florida College of Dentistry tuition and fees. Candidates must participate in an interview and laboratory exercise in Gainesville, Florida.
Send applications to:
Office of Admissions
University of Florida
College of Dentistry
P.O. Box 100445
Gainesville, FL 32610-0445
Four-Year DMD Program Admissions for Foreign Trained Dentists
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The four-year program leads to the D.M.D. degree.
Qualifications
- Be a United States citizen or have a permanent resident visa and proof of your status. Resident visas include: I-551 green card or permanent residential card; I-551C conditional permanent resident (permanent residency has been approved and the resident is awaiting official card in mail); I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (this is for someone who is married to a U.S. citizen, however, I-130 holders are NOT eligible for financial aid); I-94 with certain designations, such as "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Indefinite Parole," "Humanitarian Parole," or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant."
- Have documentation that the applicant completed a dental education program in another country. Official translated transcript certified by a course by course evaluation report with grade point average by the Education Credential Evaluators, Inc. (414) 289-3400 or www.ece.org.
- Score at least 213 on the computerized version of the TOEFL examination; visit www.toefl.org. TOEFL code number for the University of Florida-Collge of Dentistry is 8612.
- Score a minimum of 75 percent on all sections of Part I of the National Dental Board Examination within five years of the application date. Visit www.ada.org.
- Provide one personal and one professional letter of recommendation.
- Submit a 300 to 500 word essay with a summary providing the applicant's clinical experience and professional activities.
- Hold a dental license to practice in a foreign country.
Application Forms
Application Deadline
Application forms and all documentation must be completed by Nov. 1, ten months before the anticipated starting date the following August. Late applications will not be accepted.
Candidates may be required to participate in an interview and laboratory exercise in Gainesville.
Residents of the State of Florida have priority in admission. Foreign dental applicants seeking admission who are currently enrolled in another dental school program (advanced standing, certificate, graduate, general practice residency, or advanced education in general dentistry) must complete their current program prior to enrollment.
Accepted candidates will enter the regular first-year dental curriculum and must complete all degree requirements with members of the regular dental class. Students must purchase all required instruments and texts, and pay regular University of Florida College of Dentistry tuition and fees.
Send applications to:
Office of Admissions
University of Florida
College of Dentistry
P.O. Box 100445
Gainesville, FL 32610-0445
FTD Program Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions
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What states accept the certificate from the 2-year Foreign Trained Dentist program?
There are about 16 states that currently will accept the certificate from the 2-year Foreign Trained Program. However, these states can change their policies regarding the certificate. If you want to use the certificate to take a dental board exam in another state, it is your responsibility to contact the state dental board in that state to be sure that state will accept the certificate. We certify that the certificate you earn in the 2-year Foreign Trained Dentist program will allow you to take the Dental Licensure Exam in Florida only.
I took the National Dental Board Exam in the fall, but the results will not get to UF until in November. Can I still apply to the 2-year certificate or 4-year DMD programs?
Yes, as long as the scores will be received in our offices in November, you can apply to either of the above programs. I have a dental degree from another country and I would like to be able to practice dentistry in Florida. How do I become licensed to practice? Dentists must take and pass an exam given by the Florida Department of Health, in order to be licensed to practice dentistry in Florida. You can get more information about the licensure exam at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/dentistry/dn_home.html.
Dentists who have graduated from a school which is not accredited by the American Dental Association must complete a 2-year certificate course for foreign trained dentists before they can take the dental licensure exam or must earn a dental degree from an ADA accredited dental program.
Is financial aid available for the 2-year Certificate Foreign Trained Dentist Program or the 4-year DMD program for International Dentists?
Financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need as long as the applicant is a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. You will receive information about financial aid during the application and interview process. Acceptance into the program does not guarantee you are eligible for financial aid. I-130 holders are NOT eligible for financial aid. You are responsible for financing your dental education.
My application will be coming in late. Will you make an exception for me so I can still apply after the November 1 deadline?
No applications are accepted to our 2-year certificate program for Foreign Trained Dentists or our 4-year DMD program for International Dentists after the November 1 deadline.It is your responsibility to be sure we have received all of the parts of your application. You are welcome to contact our office by phone, fax or email in order to verify your application is complete.
I have only taken Part 1 of the National Dental Board Exam. Can I apply to the 2-year certificate program for Foreign Trained Dentists?
No. You must score a 75% or above on all sections of both Part 1 and Part 2 of the National Dental Board Examination in order to apply to the 2-year certificate program for Foreign Trained Dentists. However, you can apply to the 4-year DMD program for International Dentists with a score of 75% or above on Part 1 only.
I took the National Dental Board Exam several years ago. Do I have to retake the National Dental Boards to apply?
For the 2-year certificate program and the 4-year DMD program, National Dental Boards must have been taken within 5 years of the admissions starting date. If your scores are older than this, you must retake the National Dental Board Examination.
Are applicants from other states accepted?
Legal residents of the state of Florida are given priority in admission to both the 2 and 4-year programs. Residents of other states are eligible to apply, but do not receive preference in admission.
I have a translation and certification of my degree, but it is not a Course-by-Course report with a GPA (grade point average) from Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc.(ECE). Will you accept that instead?
No, your official transcripts, certificates and diplomas must be translated and certified in a Course-by-Course evaluation report with a GPA (grade point average) from ECE.
I have a dental degree from another country and I would like to study a dental specialty, like Orthodontics or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, in the United States. Can I practice dentistry in Florida after I complete my specialty residency?
You will be a dental specialist and be well educated to return to your home country to practice as a specialist after your residency is completed. But, you will not be eligible to take the exam for a license to practice dentistry in Florida after specialty residency training.
