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.
By the end of the program, the graduate should be able to:
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.
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.
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.
Supplemental application. The applicant then receives an email invitation from LLU to complete an electronic supplemental application.
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.
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.
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
Non-English language documents. Must be submitted in their original language along with an English translation.
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.
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.
Photograph. A recent passport size photograph uploaded through your supplemental application.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Code | Title | Clock Hours | Total Units | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lec | Lab | Clinical | Total | |||
| Second Year | ||||||
| DNES 504 | Curricular Practical Training for IDP1, 2 | 60 | 60 | 0.0 | ||
| ENDN 831 | Endodontics I | 10 | 10 | 1.0 | ||
| ENDN 832 | Endodontics II | 60 | 60 | 2.0 | ||
| ENDN 834 | Endodontics III | 12 | 12 | 1.0 | ||
| IDPC 815 | Clinical Orientation I - IDP | 11 | 30 | 41 | 2.0 | |
| IDPO 725 | Patient Assessment and Data Management II | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPO 826 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 22 | 22 | 2.0 | ||
| IDPO 827 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 22 | 22 | 2.0 | ||
| IDPP 754 | Fundamentals of Periodontics | 22 | 22 | 2.0 | ||
| IDPR 701 | Operative Dentistry I | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPR 761 | Removable Prosthodontics I | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| Third Year (Term 1) | ||||||
| IDPC 816 | Clinical Orientation II - IDP | 30 | 30 | 1.0 | ||
| IDPC 817 | Clinical Orientation III - IDP | 30 | 30 | 1.0 | ||
| IDPC 826 | General Clinics | 180 | 180 | 6.0 | ||
| IDPO 720 | Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology for the IDP Program | 20 | 20 | 2.0 | ||
| IDPO 726 | Patient Diagnosis and Treatment Planning | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPP 756 | Pediatric Dentistry | 22 | 22 | 2.0 | ||
| IDPP 756L | Pediatric Dentistry Laboratory | 44 | 44 | 1.0 | ||
| IDPR 702 | Operative Dentistry II | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPR 704 | Introduction to Occlusion | 22 | 22 | 2.0 | ||
| IDPR 762 | Removable Prosthodontics II | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPR 763 | Removable Prosthodontics III | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPR 771 | Fixed Prosthodontics I | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPR 772 | Fixed Prosthodontics II | 11 | 33 | 44 | 2.0 | |
| IDPR 854 | Implant Dentistry for the IDP Student | 22 | 44 | 66 | 3.0 | |
| ORDN 801 | Minor Tooth Movement | 18 | 16 | 34 | 2.0 | |
| ODRP 807 | Oral Medicine I: TMJ/Orofacial Pain I | 12 | 12 | 1.0 | ||
| Third Year (Term 2) | ||||||
| DENT 800B | Dental Fundamentals III | 100 | 100 | 8.0 | ||
| DENT 810B | Professionalism, Mission, and Personal Development III | 35 | 35 | 3.5 | ||
| DENT 820B | Patient-Centered Care III | 360 | 360 | 12.0 | ||
| DENT 830B | Biomedical Sciences and Oral Ecosystems III | 50 | 50 | 5.0 | ||
| RELE 734 | Christian Ethics for Dentists | 20 | 20 | 2.0 | ||
| RELT 740 | World Religions and Human Health3 | 30 | 30 | 2.0-3.0 | ||
| Fourth Year (Term 1) | ||||||
| DENT 850A | Dental Fundamentals IV | 20 | 30 | 50 | 3.0 | |
| DENT 860A | Professionalism, Mission, and Personal Development IV | 35 | 35 | 3.5 | ||
| DENT 870A | Patient-Centered Care IV | 450 | 450 | 15.0 | ||
| DENT 880 | Biomedical Sciences and Oral Ecosystems IV | 20 | 20 | 2.0 | ||
| Fourth Year (Term 2) | ||||||
| DENT 850B | Dental Fundamentals IV | 10 | 30 | 40 | 2.0 | |
| DENT 860B | Professionalism, Mission, and Personal Development IV | 35 | 35 | 3.5 | ||
| DENT 870B | Patient-Centered Care IV | 450 | 450 | 15.0 | ||
| RELR 715 | Christian Dentist in Community | 20 | 20 | 2.0 | ||
| Total Units | 689 | 641 | 1470 | 2800 | 129.5-130.5 | |
This course may be taken in the second, third, and fourth year.
Fulfills service learning requirement
May be substituted with another 700-level RELT course in religion including RELT 716, 717, or 718.
Three (3) years (27 months) at LLU—full-time enrollment required
IDPC 815. Clinical Orientation I - IDP. 2 Units.
Introduces the electronic patient record, reviews radiology safety, discusses professional liability, and introduces clinical regulatory compliance in dentistry. Introduces partner activities involving data gathering, radiology, periodontic activities, and photography.
IDPC 816. Clinical Orientation II - IDP. 1 Unit.
Builds on IDPC 815. Continues instruction related to the electronic patient record; discusses patient-management techniques, treatment planning, and practice-management issues; discusses clinic policies and infection control. Discusses financial planning for patients, as well as quality assurance and improvement. Continues partner activities, interpretation of data, and case presentation—including periodontal diagnoses.
IDPC 817. Clinical Orientation III - IDP. 1 Unit.
Builds on IDPC 815 and IDPC 816. Continues instruction related to the electronic patient record, bridging the transition from preclinical to clinical experience. Discusses long-term assessment of care outcomes and professional relationships. Continues partner activities.
IDPC 826. General Clinics. 6 Units.
Provides direct patient care experience in urgent care, pediatric, service learning, and screening settings.
IDPC 827. General Clinics. 13 Units.
Provides direct patient care experience in urgent care, pediatrics, service learning, and screening settings.
IDPC 835. General Clinics. 19 Units.
Includes direct patient care through rotations in urgent care, pediatric, service learning, and screening blocks.
IDPC 836. General Clinics. 16 Units.
Provides direct patient care experience in urgent care, pediatric, service learning, and screening settings.
IDPC 845. General Clinics - Direct Patient Care. 18 Units.
Includes direct patient care.
IDPC 846. General Clinics. 16 Units.
Provides direct patient care experience in urgent care, pediatric, service learning, and screening settings.
IDPG 718. Communication Basics for the International Student. 1 Unit.
Student develops interpersonal competencies in the various professional communication roles expected of a dentist. Topics include team building, cross-cultural communication, dental fears and phobias, mental illness, and behavior change.
IDPG 845. Evidence-Based Dentistry. 2 Units.
Scientific methods in dental research. Includes critical evaluation of published articles, research design, statistical analysis, evaluation of results, design of research reports, extensive reviews of various topics.
IDPO 535. Oral Pathology and Diagnosis. 3 Units.
Graduate-level survey of pathology. Studies developmental, infectious, immunologic, neoplastic, and metabolic disorders of the head and neck. Includes epidemiology, etiology, clinical and/or radiographic features, microscopic features, and management of disease. Emphasizes differential diagnosis and management of dental lesions.
IDPO 720. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology for the IDP Program. 2 Units.
Emphasizes the integral role played by the radiographic examination in the diagnostic process in dentistry, in conjunction with the clinical examination. Reinforces the basic principles of oral and maxillofacial radiology.
IDPO 725. Patient Assessment and Data Management II. 2 Units.
Builds on IDPO 723 by continuing physical evaluation, data collection, and the problem-oriented dental record. Supervised clinical experience with fellow students as "patients." Student develops a treatment plan and presents it to the patient. Continued computer-based treatment plan management.
IDPO 726. Patient Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. 2 Units.
Discusses treatment options in treatment planning, with case-based treatment planning exercises. Introduces computer-based treatment plan management.
IDPO 826. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2 Units.
Reviews oral and maxillofacial surgery—including medical history pharmacology, instrumentation, procedures, dental emergencies, and complications. Includes a laboratory component.
IDPO 827. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2 Units.
Sequential course following IDPO 826. Reviews oral and maxillofacial surgery—including preprosthetic surgery, dental alveolar surgery, implant surgery, oral trauma, maxillofacial trauma, and preoperative infections. Reviews medications in the treatment of dentally related diseases and their potential interaction with total patient care. Emphasizes local anesthesia and nitrous oxide theory and technique. Includes clinical partner practice in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
IDPP 754. Fundamentals of Periodontics. 2 Units.
Overview of clinical periodontics—including etiology of periodontal disease, oral hygiene instruction, scaling, root planing, antimicrobial therapy, and a variety of surgical concepts and techniques. Anticipated results of therapy, including options of surgical versus nonsurgical approaches. Includes a laboratory component.
IDPP 756. Pediatric Dentistry. 2 Units.
Dental disease prevention (oral hygiene, diet, fluoride, pit and fissure sealants). Behavior management of the child dental patient. Diagnosis, treatment planning, and operative dentistry for children. Pediatric pulp therapy, dental arch-length management, local anesthesia and sedation for children. Medical aspects of pediatric dentistry.
IDPP 756L. Pediatric Dentistry Laboratory. 1 Unit.
Technique course that accompanies IDPP 756. Student performs operative procedures for amalgam and composite resin on simulated primary and young permanent teeth. Student performs pulpotomies on primary molar teeth and prepares primary teeth for stainless steel, open-faced stainless steel, and resin crowns. Fabricates unilateral and bilateral space maintainers.
IDPP 759. Periodontal Therapy. 2 Units.
Presents variations in periodontal diseases related to various host conditions. Overview of roles, limitations, and effects of surgical periodontal procedures. Includes: surgery outcomes compared with short- and long-range effects of conservative therapies; the role of dental health-care providers in periodontal therapy; and, special problems in periodontal care.
IDPR 701. Operative Dentistry I. 2 Units.
Reviews the basic principles and techniques used in cavity preparation and restoration of teeth with silver alloy. Lecture and laboratory course.
IDPR 702. Operative Dentistry II. 2 Units.
Extends basic principles and techniques of cavity preparation and restoration of teeth with aesthetic restorative materials. Studies the source, use, and manipulation of dental materials and their physical properties relative to dentistry. Lecture and laboratory course.
IDPR 704. Introduction to Occlusion. 2 Units.
Studies the temporomandibular joint, muscles of mastication, and the teeth in static and dynamic positions.
IDPR 761. Removable Prosthodontics I. 2 Units.
Reviews the basic clinical and laboratory removable prosthodontic procedures involved in the fabrication of removable prosthesis. Includes a laboratory component.
IDPR 762. Removable Prosthodontics II. 2 Units.
Reviews the laboratory phases of diagnosing, planning treatment for CD, immediate CD, and relines. Includes a laboratory component.
IDPR 763. Removable Prosthodontics III. 2 Units.
Biomechanics of removable partial dentures and their design and fabrication. Diagnosis and treatment planning for removable partial dentures. Clinical and laboratory procedures and sequencing of treatment for removable partial and complete dentures. Lecture and laboratory course.
IDPR 771. Fixed Prosthodontics I. 2 Units.
Reviews basic tooth preparation for single-casting restorations, tissue management, impression techniques, and temporary restorations. Lecture and laboratory course.
IDPR 772. Fixed Prosthodontics II. 2 Units.
Reviews the basic design and fabrication of multiple unit fixed partial denture, tissue management, impression techniques, and temporary restorations--including single units and fixed partial dentures. Lecture and laboratory course.
IDPR 854. Implant Dentistry for the IDP Student. 3 Units.
Scientific and technical foundation for implant surgery and expansion of basic implant procedures. Postplacement care, long-term maintenance, and clinical complications associated with dental implants. Emphasizes restoration of single implants, multiple quadrant posterior implants, and over-denture implants. Lecture and laboratory course.
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