What next after BDS in USA

As per American Dental Association (ADA- http://www.ada.org/), there are 55 dentists

per one lakh population currently which is expected to come down to 50 by 2035 as more

dentists are retiring than entering the profession over the next 25 years with the aging

population in USA.

Annual seats in DDS: 4900

USA still and will remain the best country for foreign dental graduates. With India being

the center of attraction in US economy, they need India as business partner more than

ever before.

The single most point, which comes to our mind when we plan to go to USA, is

whether my BDS is a recognized degree or not. As per American Dental Association

(ADA), BDS degree in India is classified as a Dental Degree from a regionally accredited

university. That means, all people who have BDS degree can take admission in Advanced

Standing Program for International Dental Graduates leading to DDS/DMD degree. So,

to state that your BDS is not recognized or your BDS has gone waste is not true. They do

consider you dentists but from a regionally accredited program. This classification

applies even to all European graduates also.

ADMISSION PROCESS for DDS:

Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists leading to DDS/DMD:

1) You need your BDS or MDS degree

2) You need to get your Transcript Evaluation done. The cost of evaluation is - $85, $135

or $165 depending upon your current status and aggregate in four years of dentistry

program in India.

4) You need to take National Dental Board Examination (NBDE) Part 1 (more info -  

http://www.ada.org/2667.aspx) examination. This examination is conducted throughout

the year across various centers in USA/Canada and costs $265. This exam is fully

computerized and contains 400 Multiple Choice questions (MCQ's) with no negative

marking.

For admissions, one needs greater than 85 percentile score in NBDE Part 1. The more the

score, the better it is.

5) Apply for US Visa. Initially you will go on a Visitors Visa (B1/B2) visa to USA. The

cost of this visa is around Rs 7000 at this moment.

6) If you score less than 85 percentile in NBDE Part 1, just forget your results and again

take your exam. Admissions these days are highly competitive and you need greater than

87 percentile to stand a chance. You can retake the exam after a gap of 90 days.

7) Other thing you need to take is TOEFL iBT (costing US $170). Remember, TOEFL

scores are valid for 2 years time while NBDE scores have 5 years validity. One should

score 100 and above in TOEFL iBt as this would make you eligible for all universities.

8) Now if you have scored well in Part 1 and TOEFL iBT, you are ready for applications

to various universities. The admissions are dependent upon a number of variables

(Overall Application is considered, admission is not based on single variable):

a) NBDE Part 1 score

b) TOEFL iBT score

c) GPA (Grade Point Average) – (Note - in India many people confuses percentage with

percentile and GPA is based on percentile, not on percentage.)

d) 3 Letters of Recommendation – (From your university professors who you think will

give you best recommendations)

e) A solid and professional Career Statement or Statement of Purpose

f) Original Transcripts signed by Dean/Principal of your college/university

g) Application submission

h) Personal Interviews

i) Resume

J) Paper/Poster presentation

9) Typically, yearly expenses are in the range of US $ 90,000 to 100,000 dollar. Then, if

you get admitted to DDS program, you will need a co-signer (can be a relative or a

friend) who is either a US citizen or Green card holder for your Student loan. Loans are

very easy (Citi Bank or Sallie Mae) and long term like 15-20 years. The loan amount

even covers your living expenses and if you have a spouse and children, they cover even

that. So, a two-year program will cost in INR 80 lacs to 95 lacs. The expenses covered

includes all Tuition fees; Health insurance; Dental instruments/material expenses; laptop

and its software charges; all lodging and boarding expenses including meals. No

payments are required while you are in school. There is no prepayment penalty.

Repayment begins 6-9 months after you leave school, or when you get a job. You can

have multiple co-signers’ also for a loan.

10) DENTISTS and SPECIALIST DOCTORS remain the most lucrative and best

salaried profession.

11) On an average, a DDS graduate starting salary range from $ 120,000 to $ 1,40,000.

As per ADA figures, annual average salary of a dentist across USA in 2006 was in

excess on $300,000.

12) In 2005, 5 % Americans had an annual salary in excess of one lakh dollar or more.

So, when you start your career in USA as a dentist, you straightaway belong to upper 5 %

income group bracket in USA. That is a big reward you get for all pains and hardships

associated with being a dentist.

13) Above all, US has a stable work permit in form of H1B followed by Green Card, and

then US citizenship.

Alternate Options:

(A) Masters in Public Health (MPH) or Masters in Hospital/Health Care

Administration (MHA)

The other option for DENTISTS and DOCTORS is to do Masters in Public Health

(MPH) or Masters in Hospital/Health Care Administration (MHA). These courses don't

cost a bomb but again, salary levels are low as compared to

dentists/physicians/specialists. But these degree courses does offer a good living in US.

Two admission sessions: SPRING (January) and Fall (July-August). One needs to apply

atleast 6 months before the start of the session for scholarships upto 100%.

The main thing needed is GRE and TOEFL and work experience. The fees for a typical

two-year course ranges from $ 22,000 to $ 45,000 depending upon ranking and location

of university.

On getting admission, you apply for F1 (Student visa). But all this again needs strong

documentation. The best part is US Immigration laws permit you to work 20 hrs /week

on-campus during fall and spring and 40hrs/week during summer. Effectively, your

earnings can take care of your monthly expenditure and also, you can get scholarships to

make your education free of cost, but everything needs to be planned before time and

application deadlines are very strictly adhered by universities. On completing the degree,

you get one year OPT (Optional Practical Training) followed by H1-B.

B) Masters or PhD in Clinical Research; Biomaterials; Dental Materials; etc.

These fields act as a stepping-stone for your career in dentistry. Again, GRE and TOEFL

are needed for these.

In case of PhD, a chance of getting full scholarship is high, which includes Research

Assistant (RA) or Teaching Assistant (TA).

In both cases (A and B), following are the variables. (Overall Application is considered;

admission is not based on single variable):

a) GRE

b) TOEFL iBT score

c) GPA (Grade Point Average) – (Note - in India many people confuses percentage with

percentile and GPA is based on percentile, not on percentage.)

d) 3 Letters of Recommendation – (From your university professors who you think will

give you best recommendations)

e) A solid and professional Career Statement or Statement of Purpose

f) Original Transcripts signed by Dean/Principal of your college/university

g) Application submission

h) Resume

i) Paper/Poster presentation

j) Interview (Optional, university may or may require).