Study DDS in USA: How to pursue DDS in USA after BDS in India

Best DDS Universities in USA

It is worth noting that 10 universities in USA rank among the top 50 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2022 for dentistry. Here is a list of the top 5 universities for pursuing DDS in USA:

• University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• University of California - San Francisco
• Harvard University
• University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
• University of Pennsylvania

Take a look at the key details about the leading 5 DDS universities in USA for Indian students:

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The DDS at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, known as the no. 1 dental school in the US focuses on biomedical sciences and clinical care. The course requires you to complete 100 hours of dental shadowing before enrolling.

University Type	Public
QS World University Rankings 2023	25
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry)	5
Program Offered	DDS
Course Duration	4 years
Average Annual Program Fees	$70,331 per year

2. University of California - San Francisco

UCSF School of Dentistry is world renowned for oral and craniofacial health. Established in 1881, it is one of the oldest dental schools in California. The university also offers a 2-year DDS/ MBA program.

University Type	Public
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry)	9
Program Offered	DDS
Course Duration	4 years
Average Annual Program Fees	$11,442 per year

3. Harvard University

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine is recognized for its state-of-the-art facilities. Not only does the university rank 12th for dentistry, but also 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2023 speaking for its excellence.

University Type	Private
QS World University Rankings 2023	5
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry)	12
Program Offered	DMD
Course Duration	4 years
Average Annual Program Fees	$66,284 per year

4. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

UNC - Chapel Hill, a part of the University of North Carolina system offers the Doctor of Dental Surgery program to a small batch of around 80 students with nearly 20% enrollment of international students.

University Type	Public
QS World University Rankings 2023	102
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry)	19
Program Offered	DDS
Course Duration	4 years
Average Annual Program Fees	$67,162 per year

5. University of Pennsylvania

You can pursue a DMD at the Penn Dental School which is one of the 12 renowned schools of the University of Pennsylvania. The course will also give you the opportunity to pursue honors programs in research, community health, oral and maxillofacial surgery, radiological sciences among others.

University Type	Private
QS World University Rankings 2023	13
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry)	22
Program Offered	DMD
Course Duration	4 years
Average Annual Program Fees	$83,122 per year

Read: How To Choose A University Abroad?

Course Curriculum for DDS after BDS in USA

DDS course starts with the introduction to patient care and basic medical history that should be incorporated while planning treatment. The first 2 years of the course emphasizes on study of the laboratory and equipment while the next 2 years is all about clinical practice. Take a look at the table below to get an idea about the course curriculum for DDS after BDS in USA:

Course Duration	4 years
Course Content	Oral biology, operative dentistry, oral health, dental morphology, dental material science, basics of endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, oral medicine, etc.
Course Alternatives	Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)

Eligibility Criteria for DDS in USA for Indian Students

Fulfilling the eligibility criteria for DDS in USA for Indian students is quintessential for admission. Before applying, you must check the university website for information on exact admission requirements. Take a look at the general requirements for admission to DDS in USA for Indian students:

• Completed bachelor’s degree

• Entrance exam scores
• English language proficiency test scores

Discussed below are the details to fulfill the eligibility criteria for admission to DDS colleges in USA:

• Completed bachelor’s degree

DDS universities in USA mostly accept only those international students who hold a 4-year completed bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in USA or Canada. It is expected that you have at least 75-80% for admission.

• Entrance exam scores

All DDS colleges in USA ask for scores of the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). It is advisable to take the DAT at least one year before applying for admission.

Read: Entrance Exams For USA

• English language proficiency test scores

Since DDS universities in USA accept applications from candidates having a bachelor’s degree from USA or Canada, there is generally no need to submit proof of English language proficiency separately. Otherwise, you will have to provide a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or TOEFL score of 100.

Also Read
IELTS Accepting Universities in USA	TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA

How to Apply for a DDS in USA after BDS in India?

The process for applying to DDS in USA is slightly different than other courses. Here are the steps to be followed:

1. Start by shortlisting universities offering DDS in USA for Indian students.
2. Visit the official website of these universities and check for important details including deadlines, requirements, fees, funding and other relevant information.
3. You will have to apply for DDS in USA through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) and not directly to the university.
4. To complete your application, provide supplementary documents along with evaluations wherever necessary.
5. Wait for the admission decision and while you do so track the status of your application for updates.
6. After getting your acceptance letter, apply for the student visa to study in USA.

Documents Required for DDS in USA for Indian Students

You will need a set of documents to apply for a DDS in USA after BDS in India. A list of such documents that you must gather before applying to any university have been provided below:

1. Official transcripts showing completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree from USA or Canada
2. DAT test score
3. English language proficiency test scores
4. Proof of shadowing hours (i.e. assisting or working under a dentist)
5. Recommendation letters
6. Statement of purpose
7. Resume
8. Copy of passport
9. Proof of finances

DDS in USA Cost

When we talk about DDS in USA cost, there are 2 components to be considered - tuition fees and cost of living. The amount of investment required to get a DDS in USA for Indian students can be quite overwhelming, especially if you paid for your bachelor’s in USA too. Let us take a look:

Tuition Fees

On an average, DDS in USA for international students fees is around $55,000-65,000 per year. Applying to public universities can help you save a lot as the DDS fees in USA range between $15,000-35,000 per year.

Read: Cost Of Studying In USA

Cost of Living

The cost of living for an international student in USA has been estimated around $1,000-1,500 per month that adds up to $12,000-18,000 per year. The living cost is comparatively higher than several other countries for studying abroad. However, you need not be burdened as there are possibilities of lowering this cost by comparing various accommodation options, transportation, personal expenses and more.

Read: Cost Of Living In USA

Scholarships for DDS in USA

If you are worried about the hefty DDS fees in USA for Indian students, the good news is that there are several scholarships offered by dental schools as well as American Dental Education Association and other private organizations.

Take a look at the table below for the top 5 scholarship for DDS in USA:

Scholarship Name	Amount (in USD)
ADA Foundation Dental Student Scholarship	$2,500-10,000
Dental Trade Alliance Foundation Scholarship	$5,000
Kool Smiles Scholarship	$5,000
ADEA/GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Preventive Dentistry Scholarship	$2,500
ADEA/Crest Oral-B Scholarship for Dental Students Pursuing Academic Careers	$5,500

Career Opportunities after DDS in USA for Indian Students

With a DDS after BDS in USA, you can go for clinical practice. Further, there is scope of getting a specialization that is in demand such as oral and maxillofacial pathology, orthodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, endodontist, pediatric dentistry, etc.

Here is a table showing the popular job titles for dentists with a DDS in USA after BDS in India:

Job Title	Average Annual Salaries (in USD)
Dentist	$238,000
Endodontist	$284,000
Orthodontist	$279,000
Periodontist	$257,000
Prosthodontist	$284,000

Read: How To Find Jobs In USA?

Before finally entering the field of healthcare as a dentist, there is one last thing to do that is to appear for a written exam known as the National Board Dental Examination. Additionally, depending on the state where you will be practicing, you will also have to give a practical examination. Get in touch with our Yocket counsellors today for expert guidance and get a complete roadmap to fulfill your dream of becoming a dentist.

Frequently Asked Questions about DDS in USA for Indian Students

Ques. Is BDS from India recognized in USA?

Ans. BDS from India is not completely recognized in USA as dental schools in USA only enroll students with a 4-year bachelor’s degree from USA or Canada. To become a dentist in USA with a BDS from India, you can apply for a 2-year Advanced Standing Doctor of Dentistry program and clear the license test.

Ques. Is it possible to become a dentist in USA?

Ans. Yes, it is possible to become a dentist in USA. You will need a 4-year bachelor’s degree from USA or Canada and pass the DAT to be eligible to apply for DDS in USA and become a dentist.

Ques. How much is the DDS fees in USA for Indian students?

Ans. The DDS fees in USA for Indian students is around 40,00,000-55,00,000 INR per year.

Ques. Is DDS or DMD better?

Ans. Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry are one and the same thing. The training under both these courses are similar therefore you can pursue either of these courses.

Ques. How much does a dentist earn in USA?

Ans. On an average, an experienced dentist in USA earns around $238,000 per year. Even if you are working as an assistant under a dentist, you can expect a salary of $55,000-90,000 per year.