The University of Michigan School of Dentistry Internationally Trained Dentist Program (ITDP) offers an opportunity for dentists who are graduates of foreign dental schools to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree.  The program of study includes didactic, laboratory, and comprehensive patient care experiences.  Graduates of the program will have acquired the requisite knowledge and skills to engage in contemporary dental practice in the United States.  Graduation from this program does not give automatic licensure to practice dentistry in the United States, since all states require new dental graduates to pass state or regional licensing examinations.  Graduates of the ITDP will be eligible to take most state and regional dental licensing examinations offered in the United States (a few states still require US citizenship for dental licensure).

The ITDP is an accelerated course of study that requires full-time, daily attendance for a minimum of two years (six fourteen week terms).  In some cases the program may be extended to meet individual student’s educational needs.  Student’s progression through the program is determined by the Guidelines for Scholarship and Promotion of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.  The ITDP program begins in May each year with an intensive one term didactic and preclinical course.  Following successful completion of this course, ITDP students will join the third year dental class for the fall and winter terms (terms two and three).  Candidates who are unsuccessful in the initial summer term may be denied further continuation in the program.  During the fourth term, ITDP students will take additional didactic and clinical courses as well as complete required clinical rotations, some of which will take place in other clinical sites within Michigan in addition to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.  ITDP students will join the fourth year dental class for the remaining fall and winter terms (terms five and six).  The achievement of passing evaluations in all coursework will result in the granting of the D.D.S. degree.

We accept 8 students per year to the ITDP program.

Admission

Prospective students should apply directly to the Internationally Trained Dentist Program.  You may access an application form by clicking here.  For admission to the class beginning in May 2008, the deadline for submission of the application and all supporting documentation is August 29, 2008.  An application fee of $175.00 is required and must accompany the application.  Only a money order or cashiers check will be accepted and should be made payable to the University of Michigan.  Personal checks or credit cards are not accepted. 

In addition to the application form, the following requirements must also be met before an application is considered to be complete:

  1. NEW: documented proof of proficiency in the English language; minimum TOEFL scores of 89 ibt (internet-based test), or 230 cbt (computer-based). We strongly encourage all applicants to submit the TOEFL ibt (internet-based test) for application year 2009. Computer based TOEFL results will continued to be accepted only for the 2009 application year. If computer based TOEFL scores are submitted, you may be requested to take a spoken English proficiency test. Paper-based TOEFL scores are not accepted.

    Beginning with the 2010 application cycle, ONLY the iBT (internet-based test) will be accepted.

  2. successful completion of the National Board Part I examination with an average score 84 or above, no section score below 75,
  3. three letters of recommendation (see details below),
  4. documented proof of license to practice from a Ministry of Health or appropriate governing body,
  5. complete official documents (transcripts) of all college and university course work, including dental education in the original language accompanied by a certified English translation when necessary, and
  6. certification of dental degree. 

Please direct any questions about the application or admission process to internationaldent@umich.edu

The Admissions Committee for the ITDP will review complete applications and qualified applicants will be invited for a personal interview.  A personal interview is mandatory for acceptance into the program and applicants must be able to secure the appropriate visa for travel to the University of Michigan.  The interview process consists of oral interviews, a written examination, and a technical, bench-top exercise.  Additional information on the personal interviews will be provided to invited applicants well in advance of the interview.  We plan to hold our interview in October, 2008 (no specific date set yet) for the entering 2009 class.  If you are selected to interview, you will be contacted by email, so be sure we have your correct email address.

Program Contact Information

University of Michigan
School of Dentistry
Internationally Trained Dentist Program
1011 N University, Rm G226
Ann Arbor, MI  48109-1078
Telephone = 734-763-1068
Fax = 734-647-6805
Email = internationaldent@umich.edu

Application Checklist
  1. Application Form
    Applicants will be notified via email of the receipt of the application and advised if information is missing. All information must be received by the posted deadline. The Admissions Committee will not review partial or incomplete applications.
  2. Application Fee
    A non-refundable application fee of $175 (US) must accompany the ITDP application. A cashiers check or money order, payable to the University of Michigan are the only acceptable methods of payment. This administrative processing fee is not applied toward any tuition.
  3. Certification of Degree
  4. Letters of Recommendation
    Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter should be from the Dean of the applicant's dental school. The second letter should be from a former dental school instructor able to evaluate the applicant's dental knowledge, skill, and potential for success in the ITDP. The third letter can be from someone of the applicant's choosing, preferably someone who can speak to the applicants personal character as well as their dental skills. All letters must be less than 1 year old by the date of submission.
  5. Official Transcripts and Course-by-Course Evaluation
    Original certified or notarized copies of original transcripts, grade records, examination results, and other academic records must be submitted with the ITDP application.

    In addition, an original or notarized copy of a WES, ECE, or AACRAO course-by-course credentials evaluation of the transcript must also be submitted. (See contact information for these organizations listed in the References Section).

    ECE = Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) Report
    WES = World Education Services, Inc
    AACRAO = American Association of Collegiate Registrars And Admissions Officers
  6. National Dental Board Examination- Part I
    Test results from Part I of the National Dental Board Examination must be submitted by the administrators of that examination directly to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry Admissions Office. An average score of 84 or above is required (no section score below 75).
  7. English Language Proficiency - TOEFL
    All applicants are required to submit results (official scores) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A notarized copy of your score report OR an original paper copy of your score report will be accepted. A minimum TOEFL examination score of 575 (paper test) or 230 (computer test) is required. Minimum scores do not guarantee acceptance
  8. Certification of Finances
    Qualified applicants that have been offered a position in the ITDP must complete a Confidential Financial Statement prior to final admission to the program. The certification is necessary for the University of Michigan to provide a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20A/B) that allows the applicant to apply for a student VISA in F-1 or J-1 status. The I-20A/B is only given to applicants granted final acceptance to the ITDP.
    NOTE: Notarized copies sent with the application should bear the original notary stamp.
     
    Applications should be sent to the address listed above.

Personal Interview

WE WILL CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE SELECTED TO INTERVIEW.  During the personal interview visit, the applicant will have the opportunity to meet with faculty members of the Admissions Committee, and will be required to complete an exercise called the Dental Assessment Examination.  The Dental Assessment Examination consists of a written examination on the various disciplines in dentistry as well as a practical examination on manikins.  There is a $250 (US) fee associated with the personal interview to cover costs associated with the administration of the Dental Assessment Examination.  The test fee is non-refundable and must be received prior to arriving for the personal interview.  This examination fee is not applied toward any tuition.  Only a money order or cashiers check will be accepted and should be made payable to the University of Michigan.

The Admissions Committee reviews the composite scores of applicants following the personal interview and Dental Assessment Examination.  Once decisions are made, offers of admission to the program will be sent to selected applicants until the program class has been filled.  Upon notification of acceptance into the ITDP, applicants are required to submit a nonrefundable $1,500 enrollment fee as directed in the acceptance letter.  This fee will be applied to the first year tuition.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees listed below should be considered an estimate as these fees are established by the University of Michigan and are subject to change based on institutional practice.  Tuition fees are set in July for the next academic year, thus, after July, the 2009 ITDP tuition will be adjusted.  The figures below are based on the 2007-08 academic year.

Year 1 Tuition Fees
Summer Term 2009 $20,636 $5,000
Fall Term 2009 $20,636 $1,418
Winter Term 2010 $20,636 $1,418
Total Year 1 $61,908 $7,836
 
Year 2
Summer Term 2010 $20,636  
Fall Term 2010 $20,636 $1,420
Winter Term 2011 $20,636 $1,420
Total Year 2 $61,908 $2,840

Foreign Applications

The University of Michigan cannot issue immigration forms to applicants for the purpose of coming to the United States for testing.  Applicants traveling from outside the United States should contact their U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a Visitor’s Visa marked “Prospective Student”.

References

For information on the National Board Dental Examination, contact:
         Joint Commission of National Dental Examinations
         211 East Chicago Avenue
         Chicago, IL  60611, USA
Telephone: in U.S. 800-621-8099
Telephone: outside U.S. 312-440-2678
Website: www.ada.org

For information on the TOEFL Examination, contact the Cultural Affairs Section of a U.S. Embassy/Consulate or:
         TOEFL/TSE Services Testing
         P.O. Box 6151
         Princeton, NJ  08541-6151
800-468-6335 (1800 – GO TOEFL)
further inquiries: 609-771-7550
website:www.toefl.org

Translated course-by-course transcript evaluation submitted by one of the following agencies:
         Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE)
         (414) 289-3400
         Website: www.ece.org

         World Education Services, Inc (WES)
         (305) 358-6688
         Website: www.wes.org

         American Association of Collegiate Registrars And Admissions Officers
        (AACRAO)
         (202) 293-9161
         Website: www.aacrao.org/credential/index.htm

Applicants are required to submit original, official, certified English translation of all documents that are not prepared in English (examples include: dental degree, transcripts, letters of recommendation).  Photocopies are not acceptable substitutes for original documents.  Each translator must provide an original declaration with each translation attesting to his/her fluency in the particular language translated into English.  The translator must also certify under penalty of perjury that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of his/her ability.  The following sources are recommended for translation services.  One of these options should be selected to submit the certified English translation of all documents requested.

1.  Translated and notarized by the applicants dental school
2.  A translator accredited by the American Translators Association (ATA)
         Website: atanet.org
         Telephone: (703) 683-6100
         Email: ata@atanet.org
3.  Certified or registered court interpreter.  Information is available through the Judicial Council at (415) 865-7530.  The court interpreter must sign the translation and declaration in the presence of a Notary Public.
         Website: www.courtinfo.ca.gov

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

This page is available for download as a PDF: Internationally Trained Dentist Program (ITDP).