Application Requirements
Step 1: Prerequisites and Application Requirements
The first step in the admissions process is to ensure you have met the application requirements in time to apply for your preferred year of entry
Step 2: Make Yourself a Competitive Candidate
Admission to the program is highly competitive so you should strive to not only meet but exceed the minimum requirements. View our Competitive Candidate page to review what the admissions committee recommends you do to maximize your candidacy.
Step 3: Preparing and Submitting your Application
The apply now page will provide you with step-by-step instructions as well as an application checklist. There are a number of supporting materials that make up your completed application, and it is essential that you print and carefully follow the checklist to ensure that you properly submit these pieces by the deadline.
Qualified applicants will be invited to an onsite interview. An additional fee will be assessed for onsite interview to cover costs of dexterity testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you navigate through the application process, and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions.
ADEA CAAPID Application
- A completed ADEA CAAPID (Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists) is a requirement for entry to the program.
Citizenship Status
- Both U.S. citizens and international students requiring an F-1 student visa may apply for admission.
Transcripts and Evaluations
All coursework completed at non-U.S. institutions (excluding English-speaking Canadian institutions) must be evaluated by either World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). No other evaluation agencies will be accepted.
The credential evaluation must:
- Be completed on a course-by-course basis
- Include letter grades, pass/fail, or credit/no credit designations
- Clearly specify whether each course is classified as undergraduate, graduate, or professional level
Applicants are responsible for requesting that the completed evaluation be sent directly to ADEA CAAPID by the evaluation service.
Accepted Evaluation Services:
World Education Services (WES)
P.O. Box 5087, Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
Phone: (212) 966-6311
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
101 W. Pleasant St., Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53212-3963
Phone: (414) 289-3400
Please ensure all foreign transcripts are submitted for evaluation well in advance of application deadlines to allow sufficient processing time. Official Transcripts are required, either from CAAPID, evaluation services, or institutions. Transcripts submitted by the applicant are considered unofficial.
Receiving transcripts from an approved service can take several months to complete. Therefore, we advise applicants to complete this step first in their application process. Applying to IDP without completed evaluation of transcripts from an approved service is not recommended.
Must be completed and submitted by application deadline of July 20, 2026.
English Language Proficiency
- Applicants must be proficient in English speaking and reading comprehension.
- All applicants whose native language is not English must submit official ETS TOEFL score results as part of the CAAPID application.
- A minimum score of 88 (Older Scale) or 4.5 (New Scale) for the Internet-Based test must be submitted at the time of application.
- TOEFL scores are valid for two years. Test dates prior to March 4, 2024, are NOT acceptable.
Exceptions:- The TOEFL exam will be waived for permanent and temporary residents of the United States who have completed at least six semester units, with a C or better, of College English/English Composition from an accredited institution in the United States. May not be an English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
- English courses taken from foreign countries whose native language is English will be accepted (e.g., Canada, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and the British West Indies).
- We do not accept TOEFL’s “The Best” score.
- We can accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition.
- If you retake the test prior to the to the deadline, we will accept the test that has been most recently submitted.
- Must be completed and submitted by application deadline of July 20, 2026.
Other Documentation
Any certification programs and/or trainings listed on application will require official documentation from the institution or training company. Only include programs for which official documentation can be provided.
National Board Dental Examination Requirements
- Applicants must have passed NBDE Part 1 and Part II, or the Integrated NBDE.
- Official NBDE score reports must be submitted via CAAPID application.
- Must be completed and submitted by application deadline of July 20, 2026.
Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)
- ADAT scores are accepted and will be considered, but are not required for admission to the program.
Letters of Evaluation
- Two letters of evaluation in English are required from dentists who can attest to your character, conduct, and professional ability. At least one of the letters must be from a dentist who is full-time faculty at a dental school.
- If the letter is not in English, provide the letter in its original language along with a certified English translation.
- Letters must be no more than one year old from the date the application is submitted, and are accepted through the ADEA CAAPID system.
- If the letter is from a person outside the United States, the letter must not be more than two years old.
- Must be completed and submitted by application deadline of July 20, 2026.
Supplemental Application
- A supplemental application must be electronically submitted by July 20, 2026.
- The non-refundable supplemental application fee of $200.00 must also be submitted by July 20, 2026.
Additional Requirements
- Qualified applicants will be invited to an onsite interview. An additional fee will be assessed for onsite interview to cover costs of dexterity testing.
Proof of Legal US Residency – If Required
- International applicants, or any other applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S., must provide proof of legal U.S. residency prior to matriculation.
- International students are required to provide proof of funding for one academic year before an I-20 (for F-1 Student Visa) will be issued. The program begins in February and finishes in May 2 years later.
- CASPer Exam Requirement
- The CASPer exam is not part of the admissions requirements for the Doctor of Dental Medicine – International Dental Program (DMD-IDP).