Advanced Standing Program For International Dentists (DDS)

The Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists (ASPID) is tailored to meet the needs of dentists trained in other countries who want to earn a DDS degree.

ASPID student receiving instruction in the Sim Lab. | NATE JENSEN
ASPID student receiving instruction in the Sim Lab.
NATE JENSEN

Admission Requirements

Here’s what we require of applicants.

 

Must have earned a foreign Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or equivalent degree.

 

Must take a short practical examination in fixed prosthodontics and operative dentistry, which may also include a written dental exam. 

 

We will evaluate your methods, skills and artistic ability, as well as your interpersonal skills, critical thinking and English-language communication ability.

 

If you’re not a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, you: 

 

  • Must obtain a student visa to study at Ostrow and demonstrate the personal financial resources to pay for graduate study.
  • Must provide TOEFL scores. Scores 100 and above are preferred. Note: TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted.


Applicants must complete and pass National Board Exams Part I and Part II or the Integrated National Board Dental Exam.

Three letters of recommendation are required
  • Please submit one letter from the Dean of your dental school , one letter from a dental school faculty member/clinical instructor, and one letter from a dentist you have worked with
  • We strongly recommend letters written within the past two years
 

How to Apply

Here’s how to apply to the ASPID program:

 

1. Complete the online application using American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (CAAPID) by August 12.
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2. Submit your processing fee of $150 through our Online Payment Portal.

 

3. Visit the USC campus for an interview — by invitation only.

The interview includes a practical dental exam.

 

4. Apply for your student visa.

After you’ve been accepted to USC, we will issue a form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility, which you must present when you apply for a visa at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country. You must present to the USC Office of Graduate Admission a notarized statement documenting that you have the financial resources for your first year at USC. This document must be verified by a bank stamp or the U.S. Consul. If you wish to include a spouse and/or dependents on your visa, please attach a separate 8½ x 11-inch paper to your financial statement that includes:

 

  • Each dependent’s full name
  • Dates of birth
  • Country of citizenship
  • Country of birth
  • Relationship to you

 

You must document in your financial statement that you have additional funds of $13,403 for a spouse and $6,701 per dependent.

 

5. Meet our health requirements.

View the required health documentation.

Our two-year ASPID program gives foreign-trained dentists the skills necessary to practice in the United States.  | NATE JENSEN
Our two-year ASPID program gives foreign-trained dentists the skills necessary to practice in the United States.
NATE JENSEN

Class Profile

ASPID Class of 2025 Group Picture

ASPID CLASS OF 2025

 


Class Size

34 total class size
65% female, 35% male

 

Age Range

25-46

 

20 Countries Represented

Armenia, Bhutan, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Nepal, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam (spanning four continents)