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Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY asked Questions and Answers

Q.1.     What is the difference between a GME (Graduate Medical Education) Residency and a Postgraduate Dental Training Program?

A.1.      The difference is…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. Must have graduated from a dental school within the U.S. and/or Canada that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
  1. Graduated from a dental school outside the U.S. that is not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

 

Q.2.     What programs am I eligible to apply to?

A.2.      Your eligibility is based on where you obtained your dental degree.  So, if you obtained your dental degree from a dental school…

In the United States or Canadian that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

Outside the United States that is not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

  1. Eligible to apply for a GME Residency position.
  1. Eligible to apply for a foreign trained postgraduate dental training program
  1. Eligible for licensure in United States.
  1. Not eligible for licensure until after successful completion of:
    1. At least 2 or more years of advanced education in general dentistry training

PLUS

  1. A GME residency training program

PLUS

  1. Additional requirements per each individual State licensing board.  Information regarding the additional requirements can be found on the following websites:
  • New York State – Title 8, Article 133, Section 6604 of NYS Education Law and Part 61 of the Commissioner's Regulations.

(https://www.op.nysed.gov/title8/education-law)

  1. Receives a stipend (annual salary). 
  1. Tuition and fee-based. 
  1. See Prospective Application Letter for additional information. 
  1. See Prospective Application Letter for additional information. 

 

Q.3.     If accepted into your program of study what type of visa will I need to obtain…

A.3.      We sponsor and you will need to obtain an…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. F-1 Student Visas.  Upon acceptance, candidate will be instructed to complete a “New Student Request for an I-20/DS-2019” form.
  1. F-1 Student Visas.  Upon acceptance, candidate will be instructed to complete a “New Student Request for an I-20/DS-2019” form.
  2. Important – proof of full financial support is needed in order to submit and process a New Student Request for an I-20.
  3. Financial aid information can be found via the following links:

 

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/financial-aid/documents/eastman-dental-ineligible-document.pdf

 

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/financial-aid

 

 

Q.4.     Are Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores required for admission?

A.4.      GRE scores are…

GME Residency Program

 Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. Not currently required for admission to any Eastman Institute for Oral Health training program.  However, GRE scores may be required for admission to any other graduate program offered at the University of Rochester.
  1. Not currently required for admission to any Eastman Institute for Oral Health training program.  However, GRE scores may be required for admission to any other graduate program offered at the University of Rochester.

 

Q.5.     Is an English Language Proficiency exam (TOEFL (www.ets.org), IELTS (www.ielts.org), Pearson (http://pearsonpte.com/) required?

A.5.      An English language proficiency exam is…

 

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. Not required.
  1. Required if you are not a U.S. citizen and/or a permanent resident of the U.S.
  2. As of March 2015 a review is currently under way to determine which English proficiency exam will be accepted and what the standard will be.
  3. Therefore it is highly recommended that an exam not be taken yet and/or results be sent to EIOH yet as a part of your application as the requirements will be changing.
  4. School code: 9487

 

Q.6.     What licensure or permits are required to apply to your programs?

A.6.      Licensure and permits are…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. Not required to apply for any of the programs.  However, applicants accepted into certain GME Residency Programs must register with the NYS Education Department each year while in the program.  The EIOH Registrar’s Office coordinates this registration.
  1. Not required as the trainee is under the direct supervision of a licensed faculty member.

Q.7.     Do I need to take and pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) in order to apply?

A.7.      National Board Dental Examination are…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. All states within the U.S. require dental graduates to take and successfully pass Parts I and II of the NBDE as a part of licensure requirements. 
  1. Not required.

 

Q.8.     I have completed and submitted my application; can you tell me the status?

A.8.      Application status will be provided…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. Via email if applying directly to EIOH.
  2. Via PASS if applying directly through PASS. 
  1. Via email.
  2. Status updates will be provided up to the point where an application is considered complete.

 

Q.9.     Am I required to take and pass the North East Regional Boards (NERB)?

A.9.      The North East Regional Board (NERB) has changed to Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA).  CDCA…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. May be required to be licensed in the United States of America.
  2. This is dependent on the state in which the graduate wishes to practice.
  3. Additional information can be found on the following website: http://www.cdcaexams.org/.
  4. Effective January 1, 2007 NYS no longer requires a dental graduates to take the NERB (now refer to as CDCA).
  1. May be required to be licensed in the United States of America.  (Please refer to Q & A #2)
  2. This is dependent on the state in which the graduate wishes to practice.
  3. Additional information can be found on the following website: http://www.cdcaexams.org/.
  4. Effective January 1, 2007 NYS no longer requires a dental graduate to take the NERB (now refer to as CDCA).

 

Q.10.   What requirements are needed in order to apply to the AEGD Program?

A.10.    Requirements for the AEGD Program are…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. Obtained dental degree from a U.S. or Canadian dental school that is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

 

  1. Obtained dental degree outside the U.S.

 

 

Q.11.   Is financial aid available?

A.11.    For financial aid…

GME Residency Program

Training Programs for  Foreign Trained Dentists

  1. Please visit the URMC Financial Aid Office website

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/financial-aid/

Or call them at (585) 275-4523.

 

  1. Please review any and all of the following:


 

Review the following document:

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/financial-aid

 

URMC Financial Aid Office website:

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/financial-aid/

 

Call URMC Financial Aid Office at (585) 275-4523

 

  1. IMPORTANT – Any student requiring visa sponsorship who is not self-funded must provide proof of full financial support at the time of submitting and requesting an F-1 Student Visas.

 

Q.12.   I’m a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident but obtained my dental degree from outside the U.S., what programs am I eligible to apply?

A.12.    You are eligible to apply for any Program for Foreign Trained Dentists

Q.13.   Do you offer any externships or internships?

A.13.    Externships are available for 4th year dental school students only and are coordinated through the University of Rochester.  http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/registrar/visiting-students.cfm.  Internships are currently not available.  EIOH does offer Preceptorship opportunities.

Q.14.   I want to apply to your programs but I cannot access the application link on your website?

A.14.    Our application season runs each year from March through October (see chart).  Applications are not available outside of the noted months.

Q.15.   What academic requirements are there for the M.S., M.P.H. and Ph.D. programs?

A.15.    Information can be found on the URMC Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/prospective-students/.

Q.16.   How do I apply for the M.S., M.P.H. and Ph.D. programs?

A.16.    Information can be found on the URMC Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/prospective-students/.

Q.17.   What degree to I receive after completing one of your programs?

A.17.    We only grant certificates upon successful completion of our programs.


Requirements for Foreign Dental Graduates to Practice in the United States

Q. How do I become licensed to practice dentistry in the United States of America (U.S.A.)?

A. Licensure laws vary between states. Information on practicing throughout the U.S.A. may be found at the American Dental Association web site.

Q. How do I become licensed to practice dentistry in State of New York (NYS)?

A. Foreign dental graduates may be eligible to apply for licensure by completing the 2-year Training Program in General Dentistry which is ADA CODA approved. This program fulfills the clinical requirements for licensure in the State of New York which is equivalent to graduating from a CODA approved dental school. In addition to satisfactorily completing this 2-year Training Program foreign dental school graduates must also meet specific requirements for licensure as contained in Title 8, Article 133, Section 6604 of NYS Education Law and Part 61 of the Commissioner's Regulations. More information regarding NYS licensing requirements may be found on the NYS website.

EIOH Admission for Foreign Dental Graduates

Q. Are the programs open to foreign trained dentists?

A. General Dentistry, Orthodontics, Orofacial Pain, Prosthodontics and Periodontics offer programs to foreign trained dentists.

Q. Do I need a VISA ?

A. Yes, if you are not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.A. We only sponsor F-1 student visas. If visa sponsorship is required the candidate, upon acceptance, will be instructed to complete a “New Student Request for an I-20/DS-2019” form.

Q. Are Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores required for admission?

A. GRE scores are not currently required for admission to any Eastman Institute for Oral Health training program. However, GRE scores may be required for admission to any other graduate program offered at the University of Rochester.

Q. Are “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL) (www.ets.org) or the “International English Language Testing System” (IELTS) (www.ielts.org) required for admission?

A. Yes, all foreign dental graduates are required to take either the TOEFL or IELTS exam within two (2) years of the start of the program, unless the foreign dental graduate is a permanent resident or a citizen of the United States. A minimum score is currently not required. TOEFL School Code is 9487.

Q. What licensure or permits are required to apply to your programs?

A. None are required to apply for any of the programs. However, all applicants accepted in a GME (stipend paid) position must register with NYS Education Department each year while in the program. The EIOH Registrar’s Office will coordinate this registration with the accepted candidate. Foreign dental graduates must meet specific requirements for licensure as contained in Title 8, Article 133, Section 6604 of New York State Education Law and Part 61 of the NYS Regulations of the Commissioner, specifically §61.1 Professional Study of Dentistry.

Board Exams

Q. As a foreign dental graduate applicant do I need to sit for the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) in order to apply for a post-doctoral program?

A. No. However, all states within the United States of America require dental graduates to take and successfully pass Parts I and II of the NBDE as a part of licensure requirements. For more information related to NYS requirements please visit this website. For information related to other states within the U.S.A. please review their specific websites.

Q. Am I required to take a North East Regional Board (NERB)?

A. A dental graduate wishing to be licensed in the United States of America may be required to take a Regional Board depending on the state in which the graduate wishes to practice. Effective January 1, 2007 NYS no longer requires a dental graduate to take the NERB.

Application Process

Q. I have completed and submitted my application. Can you tell me the status?
A. Please call the Registrar's office at (585) 275-8315 to find out the status of your application.

Q. Are there opportunities for financial aid?
A. Contact the UR Financial Aid Office, or call (585) 275-4523 for details.

Q. Do you offer any externships or internships?
A. Externships are available for 4th year dental school students only and are coordinated through the University of Rochester.
 EIOH does offer Preceptorship opportunities.

UR Graduate Programs

Q. What academic requirements are there for the M.S., M.P.H. and Ph.D. programs?
A. Information can be found on the URMC Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website

Q. How do I apply for the M.S., M.P.H. and Ph.D. programs?
A. Information can be found on the URMC Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website