International Dentist Program — D.D.S.

The International Dentist Program, founded by Dr. Lloyd Baum in 1985, is designed to allow qualified dentists educated in countries outside the United States to earn the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in the United States. More than 500 students from 81 countries have graduated from the program.

The D.D.S. degree from a U.S. dental college is an educational requirement for eligibility to take the dental licensure examination in many states. The program has a minimum length of two academic years (27 calendar months), but may be extended, when necessary, to meet the particular needs of students.

Program learning outcomes

By the end of the program, the graduate should be able to:

1. Perform clinical decision-making that is supported by foundational knowledge and evidence-based rationales.
2. Promote, improve, and maintain oral health in patient-centered and community settings.
3. Function as a leader in a multicultural work environment and manage a diverse patient population.
4. Maintain physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual health in one's personal life.
5. Apply ethical principles to professional practice.

Regulations

The student is subject to the conditions of registration, attendance, financial policy, governing practices, and graduation requirements outlined in the Academic Policies and Information section and in the School of Dentistry general information section of this CATALOG.

Applications are available online at http://www.adea.org/. Requests for information are accepted by email or telephone.

Admission requirements

• Dental degree from a recognized international dental school.
• Successful completion of the National Dental Board Examination, Integrated or Part I and Part II.
• TOEFL examination, with a minimum score of 20 in each area of the Internet-based examination.  To be competitive, a score of 100 or higher is recommended.
• Dental school transcript (evaluated by an LLU-approved organization).

Other documentation is required, as outlined in the application.  All application material sent to the Office of Admissions becomes the property of the school.

Students currently enrolled in a similar program at another university are not eligible to apply and will not be accepted for admission.

Application procedure

1. CAAPID application. The Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (CAAPID) application is completed online by the applicant at http://www.adea.org/. It takes approximately four weeks for CAAPID applications to be processed and sent to the dental school where the applicant has applied.

2. Supplemental application. The applicant then receives an email invitation from LLU to complete an electronic supplemental application.

3. Supplemental application deadline. The applicant must return the completed supplemental application and materials within 30 days.  This includes an essay specific to Loma Linda University, a photograph, and the application fee of $150.

4. Transcripts.  Official transcripts and diploma or certificate with English translations and documentation of all postsecondary education must be mailed directly to LLU from all colleges/universities attended by the student. If the dental education was received in India, transcripts must be sent directly from the University and not the dental school college.  Applicants submitting a WES evaluation are exempt from submitting official transcripts to LLU.

5. Official foreign educational credential evaluation report(course by course evaluation) mailed directly from WES, ECE, or AACRAO; links available at www.llu.edu/apply/intltrans.html

6. Non-English language documents. Must be submitted in their original language along with an English translation.

7. Language. All classes are conducted in English, and patients treated in the clinic communicate in English. Applicants must demonstrate competence in both written and spoken English.

8. References. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from former teachers or mentors who can attest to applicant’s character, conduct, and professional ability.  Members of the applicant's family are excluded from writing the required letters of reference, although letters will be accepted for the file in addition to those required. Letters should be sent directly to CAAPID.

9. Photograph.  A recent passport size photograph uploaded through your supplemental application.

10. Deadline. To be considered, the CAAPID and LLU applications and all required documents must arrive at the School of Dentistry Office of Admissions by June 1.  All documents sent to Loma Linda become property of LLU.

11. Selection process

    • Screening:  Completed applications submitted before the application deadline will be given priority consideration by the Office of Admissions.

    • Admissions testing:  Is by invitation only and is conducted one or more Sundays in the fall.

    • Interview :  Based on admissions testing, applicants may be invited to interview .

    • Final selection:  The applicant's admissions testing results, interview and application file are presented to the School of Dentistry Admissions Committee for final selection. Thirty-two applicants are accepted each year for enrollment in the International Dentist Program which begins in the summer term.

12. Deposits. A student accepted into the International Dentist Program must submit a deposit of $4,000 USD to Loma Linda University within 30 days of acceptance. Deposits become part of the first term’s tuition. Failure to submit this deposit will result in the loss of the applicant’s position in the class.

13. Financial requirement. Students applying for or holding F-1 U.S. student visas are required by U.S. immigration regulation to pay for the first year's tuition and fees and provide documented evidence of sufficient funds for their second year prior to enrolling. For students eligible for government-sponsored financial aid programs, only the first term tuition is required at the initial registration.  

14. Financial aid. A financial aid advisor and financial aid programs are available. Applicants should contact the Office of Financial Aid by e­mail finaid@llu.edu; or by telephone, 909-/558-4509. Website information can be obtained at llu.edu/central/ssweb/finaid.

15. Pre-entrance health requirements/immunizations. It is expected that necessary routine dental and medical care will have been attended to before the student registers. New students are required to have certain immunizations and tests before registration. Forms to document the required immunizations are provided for the physician in the registration information made available electronically to the student by LLU. In order to avoid registration holds, the student is encouraged to return documentation forms to Student Health Service no later than six weeks prior to the beginning of classes.

For a complete list of required immunizations and tests, see Section II of this CATALOG under the heading "Health Care." Documentation verifying compliance with this requirement must be provided before registration can be completed.

For further information, consult the Student Handbook, Section V--University Policies--Communicable disease transmission prevention policy; or contact the Student Health Service office at 909/558-8770.

If a returning student is assigned to a clinical facility that requires a tuberculosis skin test, the student is required to have the test within the six months before the assignment begins.

Students in the International Dentist Program have the same benefits, including health-care coverage, as are described elsewhere in this CATALOG.

Curriculum for cohort starting Spring 2023.

¹

This course may be taken in the second, third, and fourth year. 

²

Fulfills service learning requirement

³

May be substituted with another 700-level RELT course in religion including RELT 716, 717, or 718.

Normal time to complete the program

Three (3) years (27 months) at LLU—full-time enrollment required