All You Need to Know about Dental Courses in USA for Indian Students

Wondering if it is worth pursuing dental courses in USA for Indian students? Here are the reasons why you must consider pursuing dentistry in USA after BDS in India:

• USA is home to 16 best dental colleges in USA that have found a spot in the QS World University Rankings 2024 for dentistry which included 70 universities across the world.
• Out of the 16 ranked universities, 14 are a part of the top 50 positions globally speaking for its excellence.
• You will get access to top notch facilities, equipment, faculty and exposure at dental schools in USA for international students needed for you to excel.
• In U.S. News and World Report 2024, dentists rank 9th in best-paying jobs in the US with a median salary of 155,040 USD per year.
• A projected rise in the employment for dentists is expected between 2020 to 2030 with an addition of nearly 9,800 jobs and overall 8.1% growth as per the data of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With 16 top dental schools in USA, you will have numerous options to enroll in a leading international dental program in USA. Take a look at the 5 most sought after dental universities in USA:

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
2. University of California, San Francisco
3. Harvard University
4. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
5. New York University

Let us take a closer look at the key details of these 5 universities offering dental courses in USA for Indian students:

1.  University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

When we talk about dentistry courses in USA, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor happens to be the most renowned university with the top position in the QS rankings for dentistry. The university offers a rigorous curriculum with state-of-art facilities requiring DDS students to fulfill 100 hours of dental shadowing.

2.  University of California, San Francisco

At University of California, San Francisco you can either pursue a DDS/ MBA combined degree or a full fledged DDS. The School of Dentistry at UCSF is not only the oldest but also well-known for oral and craniofacial health programs.

3.  Harvard University

The School of Dental Medicine at Harvard University provides multiple dentistry courses for international students in USA. It offers a MMS in Dental Education as well as a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry.

4.  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Adams School of Dentistry at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, which is the only program in the state. You can add this university to your list, especially if you are looking for an affordable MS in Dental Hygiene Education.

5.  New York University

Another renowned university offering dentistry courses in the USA is New York University. Here you can apply for Masters of Biology programs with specializations in oral biology, clinical research and biomaterials. You will become an alumni of a college of dentistry which is recognized for training over 10% of the USA’s dentists.

Suggested: How to shortlist a university?

Majority Indian students choose to pursue either a MDS or DDS in India since US universities only accept completed bachelor’s degrees from USA or Canada. Take a look at the course curriculum for dental courses in USA for international students:

• Course duration: A Master of Dental Surgery course in USA is 2 years in duration. A Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry takes 4 years to complete.
• Course content: The course content for an international dental program in USA includes a variety of subjects such as basics of endodontics, prosthodontics, oral biology, oral pathology, oral health dental material science, oral medicine, among others.

You must check the eligibility criteria for dentistry colleges in USA before applying. International students need to fulfill additional requirements with respect to test scores. The score cut-offs for the best dental universities in USA must also be noted.

1. Previously completed degree
2. Entrance exam scores
3. English language proficiency test scores

Take a look at the details to meet the eligibility criteria for admission to dental courses in USA for international students:

1.  Previously completed degree

A completed bachelor’s degree in dentistry will be sufficient to get admission to dentistry colleges in USA for pursuing an MDS in USA whereas if you are seeking admission to DDS in USA, your bachelor’s degree must specifically be from USA or Canada with 75-80%.

Suggested: Bachelor’s in USA

2.  Entrance exam scores

To apply for MDS courses in USA, universities may ask for GRE scores. A minimum score of 315 or above is recommended. Your Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is required for admission to DDS. You can take the DAT a year in advance before applying.

Suggested: USA entrance exams required

3.  English language proficiency test scores

International students from non-English speaking countries are required to submit proof of English language proficiency test scores of IELTS, TOEFL or related exams. You need to have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or above or TOEFL-iBT score of 90 or above to get into your choice of university. If you have a bachelor’s degree from Canada or USA, there is no need to submit these scores.

Here is how you can apply for dental universities in USA:

1. Shortlist the best dental colleges in USA for Indian students.
2. Go to the official university website and check for key details such as upcoming intakes, deadlines, eligibility criteria, documents required, fees and funding, etc.
3. You need to complete the online application for admission to dental universities in USA. To apply for DDS courses, you will find the application American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) portal.
4. Provide the documents required to complete the application for admission.
5. Wait for the admission decision; meanwhile, you can keep track of the status of your application.
6. If you are admitted, complete the enrollment process and apply for a student visa to study in the USA after receiving your acceptance letter.

Here comes a list of documents that you must keep handy to apply for admission to dental schools in USA for international students:

1. Copy of official transcripts of a 4-year bachelor’s degree completed in the USA or Canada
2. DAT test score
3. English language proficiency test scores
4. Letters of recommendation
5. Statement of purpose
6. Certificate showing proof of shadowing hours (i.e. assisting or working under a dentist)
7. Resume
8. Copy of passport
9. Proof of finances

Here are the two points to consider while planning to apply for dental colleges in USA for indian students:

Tuition Fees

You can expect the average tuition fees for dental studies in USA to be around 40,000 USD-50,000 USD per year for MDS and 55,000 USD-60,000 USD per year for a DDS degree. You can find affordable courses at public universities ranging between 15,000 USD-35,000 USD per year.

Suggested: Cost of studying in USA

Cost of Living

Roughly an international student in USA is required to have 1,000 USD-1,500 USD per month to cover monthly living expenses. This amount is higher than several other countries and adds up to 12,000-18,000 USD per year on average. The good news is that there is some scope to reduce the cost of living budget by comparing alternatives for accommodation, transportation and personal expenses.

Suggested: Living cost in USA

The cost of studying dentistry in USA is a huge burden for students but you can definitely get some support by applying for dentistry scholarships for international students in USA. We have prepared a list of popular scholarships that can contribute around 25-50% towards your tuition fees:

It is worth mentioning the career opportunities after dentistry courses in USA for Indian students. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, endodontists and prosthodontists are among the highest paid in this profession. Freshers after completing dentistry courses in USA can expect to earn a starting salary of 49,300 USD per year.

Take a look at the table below to get an idea about the career outlook after studying dentistry in USA:

Suggested: How to find jobs in USA?

Dentistry has a lot more to it in terms of specializations such as an endodontist, periodontist, orthodontist and more that you can consider advancing in your career. Speak to our Yocket counsellors today and get expert guidance and complete support to fulfill your dream of studying dentistry courses in USA.