AEGD Program for International Dentists

Are AEGD programs a good fit for International Dentists?

Most International Dentists who call on us, assume at first, that CAAPID is only way which they could secure licensure to practice in the US as a dentist.

Not true!

The Advanced Standing Programs (commonly referred to as the CAAPID process) that offer a DDS or DMD degree are only one among six potential pathways to get a license in the US.

A postdoctoral program (aka “residency”) is probably the second most popular route opted by International Dentists to eventually here practice in America. Among all the residencies out there, the AEGD has been particularly attractive for those who are foreign trained.

But why?

Here’s a brief summary -

• Similar application process to CAAPID and PASS AEGD
• Similar evaluation steps between CAAPID and PASS AEGD
• Shorter duration: AEGD programs are typically shorter by a year than Advanced Standing programs offered through CAAPID. The 2nd year in AEGD programs is usually on an opt-in basis
• Academic exposure: AEGD program, arguably, in some schools provide access to the same faculty and clinical resources as the Advanced Standing Programs
• Job flexibility: Access to similar job opportunities in the state where your school is. If you wanted to move states for work, AEGD programs aren’t a good option
• Lower cost! Dental programs fees don’t follow any linear regression and clearly no knows why an AEGD program is on average 60% lower than the CAAPID program fees at the same schools

I probably know what your thinking right now! Howcome so many things are in favor of the AEGD program, and yet most International Applicants continue to apply to CAAPID ones

Before I share that, let me quickly clarify the alphabet soup if you’re unfamiliar -

CAAPID (Common Application for International Dentists) is a portal through any dentists who completed their dental education in a country outside the US can apply to come here. These dentists get referred to by different names like “foreign-trained dentists”, “international dentist”, “immigrant dentist” etc. The program that you can apply to through CAAPID is either called an International Dental Program (IDP) or an Advanced Standing Program (ASP), both of which give you direct access to the final 2 years of American DDS/DMD programs. The DDS (Doctor or Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor od Dental Medicine) are degress you are conferred when you finish four years of dental school in the US, and become elgible to start practicing. The PASS portal is analogous to CAAPID, but offers access to all of America’s dental residency programs, AEGD being one among them. When you complete AEGD you are issued a certificate as opposed to a degree.

Hopefully, that helps you get the full context of what we’re discussing here.

Now, onto the key differences -

• An AEGD offers a certificate as opposed to an IDP program that offers a degree
• If you have the right immigration status to start a practice, then securing a health professional loan would be harder with an AEGD certificate
• AEGD programs sometimes have an optional second year, as compared to more rigid durations in an IDP program
• AEGD programs limit your geographic flexibility in finding a job. Let’s discuss this last point in great detail in our next paragraph

Why is the restrictive job covenant an important consideration for international dentists?

The vast majority of International Dentists graduating on an AEGD program, complete the course on a visa (i.e. F1 or J1 visa). U.S. employers, especially private practice owners tend to prefer students who do not required visa sponsorship for work authorization, given the extra paperwork and legal fees involved. International dentists are then limited to remote opportunities away from urban centers, and within clinics run by FQHCs and DSO-like corporate chains.

A limited dental license is given to dentists who are acquired by certain states to provide work authorization for those who take up teaching roles or work at Government run dental facilities. While this the license is restrictive in terms of where it lets you practice both intitutionally and geographically, it is great for those looking for job-security and lowered student loan burden.

As of 2023, there are twelve states that specify the training requirements a dentist must complete to get a license there and allow you to obtain one immediately after a residency program. This means licensure is NOT granted through reciprocity in these states. Those states are listed below -

• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Minnesota
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregan
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington

The states categorize their licensure process through either of two paths - initial licensure or speciality licensure. After completing the program requirements, you may be eligible to apply for licensure at a subset of these 12 states.

Even though you start working on one state, you could apply to work in a different U.S. state after 3 to 5 years. This process is called reciprocity, or is simple terms the understanding that clinical competence demonstrated in one states reciprocally proves your ability work in a new one. You will have to study each states’ reciprocal laws to confirm what works for you.

List of programs offering an AEGD, arranged by state (Source)

You’ll note that the vast majority of programs are offered by just one institutions and are prevalent across states - NYU Langone. Here is a map indicating NYU’s AEGD presence

What must you hope to learn in an AEGD program

This quadrants outline the typical curriculum arc of an AEGD program. At the outset, you will develop expertise in your clinical and patient management skills through -

• Providing services directly for specialized unmet needs
• Work in multidisciplinary and both preventative/emergency settings
• Focus on health promotion and disease preventions

Quadrants

Why should foreign-trained dentists study AEGD

• American Lens: You will begin visualizing and training in nuanced ways American institutions provide comprehensive care, including how they use data to develop a sound diagnosis, then plan treatment before delivering it
• Consumer perspective: You will earn first hand expsosure into the clinical, social and behavioral needs of patients. Insurance coverage often complicates how patients needs get presented and providers are constrained in the range of treatment options they can use
• Amp us exposure: You can definitely expect a knowledge update on ambulatory technology, workflow software, diagnostic AI, dental materials, and implant workflow. Multidisciplinary and hospital based dental care operates with very different constratints than traditional dental clinics can’t expose you to
• Bridge course: Becasue of the massive availability in options, an AEGD program can be a low friction entry-point into US dentistry, and you could use that first step and credibility to then apply to a formal residency (like endodontics or pediatric dentistry)

Application Instructions for International Dentists

Dentists who hold a BDS, DMD or DDS from an foreign dental school can apply for AEGD programs in the US. Most foreign dental schools are not CODA certified, but having your degree from a CODA certified school can open up more program opportunities for you

• Apply through the ADEA PASS Program, and submit a non-refundable application fee
• Must submit supplemental answers often directly with schools
• Non-Match. You will be notified if you’ve been admitted directly by the school
• Sometimes a 2-yr AEGD program comes attached with an MS in Oral Sciences
• Submit required documents including Official Transcripts, TOEFL score, INBDE exam results, ECE or WES GPA, Letters of Evaluation, Resume and Personal Statement, proof of home-country dental license and passport picture
• Some AEGD programs may require additional supporting materials such as a criminal background check, immunization records, or a health statement

There are three adiitional considerations for foreign-trained dentists when applying to AEGD

Visa Options

If you do not have a Permanent Resident Status or US Citizenship, you probably will have to choose amongst one of the following three visa options -

1. F-1 Student Visa: You would be one among 82% of students applying to AEGD programs with this visa. It allows the student to stay in the U.S. for the duration of the program, and allows you to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week.
2. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: This visa for students participating in educational and cultural exchange programs, including research and training programs such as AEGD.
   • The complication is that the J-1 mandates that you return to your home country for at least two years after completing your program.
   • There are some workarounds as mentioned here in the USCIS site, which you can use to apply for a waiver to their mandatory foreign rotation
3. H4 Visa: If your spouse is on a H1B visa, then you may be eligible to study on a dependent visa. This might be a little risky if your spouse’s H1B re-election cycle comes mid-way between your program or before you’ve applied and secured a job

Program Fees

According to the ADA, the average tuition and fees for a one-year AEGD program in the 2020-2021 academic year was $57,723 for residents and $85,230 for non-residents . The typical program for foreign-trained dentists ranges between $20k and $100k for only tuition and other academic expenses.

If you live on student budgets, you should be able to manage living on a budget of $1500 - $2500 per month depending on which city your program is based in. Students loans aren’t cheap with Federal Interest rates rising, and until there is another quantitative easing, you might want to spend less.

Competition

Out of 87 institutions offering an AEGD program each, we have about 939 total seats available according to ADA from statistics published after the academic year 2021-2022. Here is the racial and demographic split.

Assuming that most international applicants identify as either Asian or Hispanic, we see that they could represent more than 40% of the pool of totally admitted students. The competition to get into AEGD programs comes from both other foreign trained dentists and local students who’ve completed a DMD or DDS degree equivalent.

*Other - American Indian, Alaskan Native, Pacificic Islander or Hawaiin

AEGD programs received 7, 645 applications in total during the academic year 2021-2022. NYU Langone Group of Hospitals received about 930 applications (for its XXX satellite programs) followed by 300 applications received by San Antonio Veteran’s Medical Center. On average 6% of applicants were admitted into the schools they applied, and each dentist applied to 11 programs on average.

Here are detailed statistics on applicants and admits by each program and state

International Student Admissions Standards

Visa Requirements

Generally speaking, international students who are accepted into an AEGD program will need to obtain a non-immigrant visa to enter and study in the United States. Here are some of the most common visa types for international students:

• F-1 Student Visa: This is the most common type of visa for international students pursuing full-time academic programs in the United States. It allows the student to stay in the U.S. for the duration of their program and offers the option to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week.
• J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: This visa is designed for students participating in educational and cultural exchange programs, including research and training programs such as AEGD. The J-1 visa requires that the student return to their home country for at least two years after completing their program.
• H-1B Visa: This visa is for foreign workers in specialty occupations and may be an option for international dentists who have completed their AEGD program and wish to work in the U.S.

It is important for international students to consult with the school they plan to attend and the U.S. Department of State to determine which visa is best suited to their needs and circumstances.

English Proficiency

International students requiring visa sponsorship from the Office of International Services (OIS) must demonstrate English proficiency. Proficiency is most often verified through the TOEFL or IELTS English Language Proficiency tests. For students whose native language is English, the TOEFL requirement may be waived.

Financial Responsibility

International students who require visa sponsorship must ensure they have sufficient funding to cover the cost of the program and living expenses while in Baltimore. Financial responsibility may be proven by a variety of methods. These include the following:

• Personal or family funds
• Government or international organization sponsorship

The documentation must state the name of the person or organization that will sponsor the student and specify the amount of financial support provided to the student.

If using personal or family funds, a bank statement from within the past six months must be provided. Additionally, if the applicant is receiving financial support from a friend or family member, that person must also write a letter specifying the exact amount of funding he or she will provide during the program.

The expenses of a married student are considerably more than that of a single student. In addition to funds for his or her own expenses, the married student must show an additional $5,000 per year for each dependent. A dependent is classified as a spouse and/or children under the age of 21. Prior to processing visa paperwork, the OIS requires evidence of the minimum financial support amount committed to the applicant's education.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance is required for all University of Maryland students. The applicant must prove that he or she has coverage equivalent to the University of Maryland’s minimum requirements, or purchase the policy offered by the University of Maryland to all students.