Advanced Standing Programs

Quick primer — what almost every CAAPID advanced-standing program expects & offers

What “advanced-standing” means
Advanced-standing (also called International Dentist Program, Advanced Standing, ASPID, etc.) lets a dentist trained outside the U.S. enter a U.S. DMD/DDS/D.M.D. program with credit for prior training and finish in an accelerated curriculum (usually 2–3 years) to receive a U.S. degree and become eligible for state licensure.

Common admission requirements (CAAPID cycle)

  • CAAPID centralized application (transcripts, diploma copies, verified credentials).
  • Dental degree from an accredited foreign institution, with complete transcripts.
  • English proficiency (TOEFL or equivalent) for many schools.
  • INBDE or NBDE (where required) — some schools accept NBDE, others require INBDE; verify each school’s requirement.
  • Letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional).
  • CV / résumé, personal statement, application fee.
  • Some schools require a credential evaluation (e.g., WES) or submission of originals for verification.
  • Interview (often virtual or on-campus) — competitive programs often invite relatively few applicants.

What the program gives you

  • U.S. DDS/DMD degree on completion.
  • Clinical training in U.S. practice standards, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and often access to specialty clinics.
  • Preparation for licensure exams and clinical licensure (may require state board exams or clinical exams depending on state).

Common costs and finances

  • Tuition is frequently similar to or a little less than the full DDS/DMD tuition for U.S. students on a per-credit basis, but program length and clinic fees vary. Many programs do not offer extensive financial aid to international students; budget for tuition + living costs + exam fees. Scholarships are rare and competitive.

Clinical exposure & timeline

  • Program lengths usually range from ~24 to ~39 months. Shorter programs are typically very intense clinically. Expect condensed didactic and heavy clinical requirements.
  • Programs placed in large academic centers (NYU, UIC, UCSF, UCLA, Penn) tend to have high patient volume and varied specialty exposure. Smaller programs may offer more one-on-one mentorship and quicker hands-on experience.

Tips for applicants

  1. Certify transcripts & degrees early — CAAPID deadlines are strict.
  2. Pass INBDE/NBDE early (some schools expect results at the time of application).
  3. Get U.S. clinical exposure if possible (observerships, externships) and strong LORs.
  4. Tailor personal statements to each program: why that school, what you bring, and how you’ll adapt.
  5. Be realistic about finances and living costs in the program city.
  6. Prepare for interviews — many interviewers ask about clinical judgment, ethics, and adaptability to U.S. health systems.
  7. Confirm licensure path for the state in which you want to practice (state boards, clinical exam requirements vary).
SchoolStateDegreeProgram SizeProgram LengthApplication OpenApplication DeadlineProgram Start
A.T. Still Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral HealthMissouriD.M.D.10 (est.)28.5 monthsMar 6, 2025Jul 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
Boston University Henry M. Goldman SDMMassachusettsD.M.D.10024 monthsMar 5, 2026Oct 15, 2026Jul 26, 2027
Columbia University CDMNew YorkD.D.S.25 (est.)30 monthsMar 15, 2025Aug 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USCCaliforniaD.D.S.3424 monthsMar 6, 2025Jul 31, 2025May 4, 2026
Howard University College of DentistryDCD.D.S.Up to 10 (est.)24 monthsMar 6, 2025Jul 31, 2025May 1, 2026
Indiana University School of DentistryIndianaD.D.S.16 (est.)30 monthsMar 6, 2025May 17, 2025Jan 5, 2026
Loma Linda University SDCaliforniaD.D.S.3227 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 1, 2025Mar 30, 2026
Louisiana State University SDLouisianaD.D.S.5 (est.)28 monthsMar 6, 2025May 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
Marquette University SDWisconsinD.D.S.Varies36 monthsMar 6, 2025Jan 1, 2026Aug 1, 2026
Meharry Medical College SDTennesseeD.D.S.1024 monthsJul 7, 2025Nov 1, 2025Jun 1, 2026
New York University College of DentistryNew YorkD.D.S.30–4028 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
Nova Southeastern University CDMFloridaD.M.D.3539 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 13, 2025Apr 20, 2026
Rutgers School of Dental MedicineNew JerseyD.M.D.4027 monthsMar 17, 2025Sep 17, 2025Feb 2, 2026
Southern Illinois University SDMIllinoisD.M.D.6–1027 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 6, 2025Feb 9, 2026
Temple University Kornberg SDPennsylvaniaD.M.D.2024–36 monthsMar 6, 2025Jul 15, 2025Apr 1, 2026
University of Iowa CODIowaD.D.S.Up to 430 monthsMar 6, 2025Aug 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
UT Health San Antonio School of DentistryTexasD.D.S.2029 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 8, 2025Jan 5, 2026
Touro College of Dental MedicineNew YorkD.D.S.TBD24 monthsMar 5, 2026Aug 1, 2026May 3, 2027
Tufts University SDMMassachusettsD.M.D.30–3529 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 2, 2025Jan 1, 2026
University at Buffalo SDMNew YorkD.D.S.2424 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 15, 2025May 1, 2026
UAB School of DentistryAlabamaD.M.D.2430 monthsMar 6, 2025Apr 30, 2025Jan 1, 2026
UCLA School of DentistryCaliforniaD.D.S.3025 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 30, 2025May 6, 2026
UCSF School of DentistryCaliforniaD.D.S.2036 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 16, 2025Jun 15, 2026
University of Colorado SDMColoradoD.D.S.4024 monthsSep 19, 2025Feb 13, 2026Jan 4, 2027
University of Florida CODFloridaD.M.D.Up to 245 monthsJun 1, 2025Nov 1, 2025Aug 24, 2026
University of Illinois Chicago CODIllinoisD.M.D.Up to 5228 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 15, 2025Jan 1, 2026
University of Louisville SDKentuckyD.M.D.228 monthsMar 6, 2025May 15, 2025Jan 5, 2026
University of Michigan SDMichiganD.D.S.2028 monthsMar 6, 2025May 30, 2025Jan 2, 2026
University of Minnesota SDMinnesotaD.D.S.1829 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
University of Missouri–Kansas City SDMissouriD.D.S.929 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 1, 2025Jan 16, 2026
University of Nebraska Medical Center CODNebraskaD.D.S.4–629 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
University of Nevada Las Vegas SDMNevadaD.D.S.Up to 824 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 15, 2025May 4, 2026
University of New England CDMMaineD.M.D.229 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 17, 2025Jan 2, 2026
University of North Carolina Adams SDNorth CarolinaD.D.S.829 monthsMar 6, 2025May 23, 2025Jan 2, 2026
University of Oklahoma CODOklahomaD.D.S.1629 monthsMar 7, 2025Jun 7, 2025Jan 12, 2026
University of Pennsylvania SDMPennsylvaniaD.M.D.3029 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026
University of Pittsburgh SDMPennsylvaniaD.M.D.6–824 monthsMar 6, 2025Jul 7, 2025May 5, 2026
University of Puerto Rico SDMPuerto RicoD.M.D.2025 monthsAug 1, 2025Oct 15, 2025Jun 1, 2026
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni SDCaliforniaD.D.S.5724 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 13, 2025Jul 8, 2026
University of Washington SDWashingtonD.D.S.2030 monthsMar 6, 2025Jun 2, 2025Jan 5, 2026
UTHealth Houston SDTexasD.D.S.527 monthsJul 7, 2025Oct 31, 2025May 11, 2026
Virginia Commonwealth University SDVirginiaD.D.S.1033 monthsMar 6, 2025Feb 13, 2026Jul 1, 2026
Western University of Health Sciences CDMCaliforniaD.M.D.2026 monthsMar 6, 2025Jul 20, 2025Feb 3, 2025