International Dentist Track

The advanced standing international dentist track at A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) is designed to enable qualified dentists educated outside the United States to earn a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) from an American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited program.

Acceptance to the track is only available to qualified internationally trained dentists. The track offers up to ten seats per cohort. Upon successful completion of a specifically constructed, non-degree-seeking, semester-long didactic and clinical simulation course, international dentist students will join ATSU-MOSDOH's traditional cohort of students in the D3 and D4 years, culminating in the award of the DMD degree.

Admission Requirements

(Beginning with the January 2027 cohort.)

  • US Citizen or permanent resident.
    • Individuals residing in the United States on a visa are not eligible.
  • Graduate of a foreign dental school granting a BDS, DDS, DMD degree or equivalent.
  • Official copies of all transcripts from all schools (colleges, universities, and dental schools) attended, in addition to official copies of diplomas and/or degrees, and/or dental specialty certificates from the applicant’s dental school.
  • Minimum dental school GPA of 3.0 evaluated by ECE.
  • Three letters of recommendation from a supervisor or a shadowing dentist, another dental professional, and an individual of the applicant’s choice.
    • Letters of recommendation must be written in English on official letterhead and signed by the letter writer.
    • Letters of recommendation may not be from a family member.
  • Passing score on both parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) will not be required.
  • English language proficiency is required.
    • All non-native English-speaking applicants must take the TOEFL (iBT) with a minimum score of 90 (before January 2026) or 4.5 (after January 2026).
    • Only computer-based TOEFL scores are accepted (no paper-based).
    • The “MyBest Score” and “Home Edition” for the TOEFL are accepted.
    • Only scores from TOEFL exams taken after July 1, 2021 will be considered.
    • The testing agency must submit original TOEFL scores directly to ADEA CAAPID.
  • Certified copy of professional license to practice dentistry, current or expired.
  • Applicants must have a minimum of two years of unsupervised experience practicing dentistry in their home country.

Application Process

Step one: Complete the Centralized Application for Advanced Placement of International Dentists (CAAPID) application

  • The primary application process begins in March of the year before anticipated enrollment.
  • Log in to the ADEA CAAPID portal to complete the online application.
  • Deadline for submission: June 1st

Step two: Complete the ATSU-MOSDOH ASID secondary application

  • Qualified candidates will be invited to complete a secondary application once they have completed the primary ADEA CAAPID application.
  • Deadline for submission: July 1st
  • Application review will begin once the secondary application and all supporting documentation are submitted.

Step three: Application review

  • The admissions committee will review completed applications once a complete application is on file. A complete application includes:
    • CAAPID application
    • Secondary application and $150 application fee
    • Required letters of recommendation
    • Board Scores
    • Course-by-course evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators
    • TOEFL scores
    • License to practice dentistry, current or expired
  • Selected applicants will be invited to an in-person interview and skills test at the St. Louis, Missouri, clinic in August/September.

Step four: The interview & skills test

  • The interview and skills bench test will be held at the St. Louis Dental Center.
  • A $1,500 non-refundable fee is required to sit for the skills assessment test.

Step five: Acceptance

Upon receiving an offer of admission, students are granted a specified time period to notify ATSU-MOSDOH of their intention to enroll. Admission offers will be made on a rolling basis until the class is filled.

Accepted students must submit the following to Admissions prior to matriculation:

  • Signed admission agreement
  • Non-refundable deposits
  • Copies of official transcripts from every institution attended
  • Immunization record
  • Criminal background check through the University approved vendor
  • Proof of health insurance form

Matriculation is subject to the satisfactory completion and verification of all academic and admission requirements.

Step six: Matriculation

  • New Student Orientation and Classes begin in the first week of January for the ASID non-degree seeking semester.
  • Successful completion of the spring semester will lead to joining the D3 cohort of the dental program in June.