Advanced Standing Dental Program
This program is for internationally trained dentists who are now a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and want to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from a program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Acceptance to the program is only available to qualified internationally trained dentists. The program is limited to nine students per cohort. Program length is 29 months.
After a semester-long didactic, laboratory and patient care orientation, students are fully integrated into the beginning of the third-year of our traditional four-year DDS curriculum during the Summer Semester. The program ensures the development and demonstration of the knowledge, skills and values expected of all DDS program graduates.
About the 2024 cohort:
- Countries where initial dental training was completed: Cuba, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Nepal
- Average dental school GPA: 3.72
- Passage of Integrated National Dental Board Exam: All students
- U.S. states of residence: California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina
Meet the 2024 advanced standing students
Admission Requirements
- Submission of application and documentation below to the American Dental Education Association Centralized Application for Advanced Placement of International Dentists (CAAPID)
- Submission of official documentation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (Individuals residing in the United States on a visa are not eligible)
- Submissions of official copies of all academic credentials (mark sheets, score cards, transcripts, graduation certificates, degree certificates) with course-by-course translation and evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES)
- Evidence of a dental degree with a minimum dental GPA of 3.0 GPA dental degree from a country that does not have a reciprocal agreement for recognition with the Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Transcript evaluation report on a course-by-course basis by Educational Credential Evaluators or World Education Services
- Passing score on parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination or Integrated National Dental Board Examination.
- Three letters of recommendation: one each from a dean and a faculty member of the dental school you attended and a practicing dentist in the United States
- A TOEFL (iBT) minimum score of 90. The “MyBest Score” and “Home Edition” for the TOFEL are not accepted
- Investigation of dentistry in the United States through shadowing and work experience
- Demonstration of commitment to community and volunteerism
- Strong personal character and interpersonal communication skills
- Upon request, submission of UMKC general application and non-refundable general application fee
Timeline of Cohort
- The CAAPID application will be open March 1 – June 1, the year before starting the program
- SOD Advanced Standing Dental Program Admission Committee will review applications and invite candidates in late June to participate in a personal interview and skills test
- The interview and skills test will take place the end of July and will be a multi-day visit to the School of Dentistry
- This will include: instrument check-out, procedural lectures, practice time, interview, and a skills bench-exam
- Candidates invited for an interview will be required to submit a fee of $2,500 to take the skills assessment tests (non-refundable)
- Offers for positions will be made starting August 1 and continue on a rolling basis until the class is filled
- The program requires enrollment in orientation and review courses beginning in January (spring semester)
- Successful completion of the spring semester will lead to joining the third-year cohort of the dental program during the summer term
Tuition and Fees
The educational fee, also known as tuition, is a flat rate that is not based on residency. The University of Missouri Board of Curators approves the educational fee in late Spring. Fees are subject to change annually.
2024-2025 Estimated tuition and fees
- Educational fee (Fall and Spring): $41,500/semester for five semesters
- Educational fee (Summer): $20,750/semester for two semesters
- Student Life Fee: $775 each semester
- Instructional and instrument fee: $3,200 each semester
- Books, manuals, lab equipment and lab materials: $3,500 first semester only
Although tuition and fees make up most of the costs of attending the program, there are other costs to consider. Learn about cost of attendance at Financial Aid and Scholarships.