Internationally educated dentists graduates who want to practice dentistry in the United States or qualify for an advanced education program that requires such licensure will need to apply for admission with advanced standing to a U.S. basic dentistry program.  Dentists are required to complete a D.D.S./D.M.D. or equivalent certificate at a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) before they are eligible to apply for some graduate/postgraduate programs, or for licensure in any U.S. jurisdiction. The ADA currently only accredits programs in the United States and Canada; programs completed elsewhere will not be accepted as equivalent.

More than forty U.S. dental schools offer admission at an advanced level for internationally educated dentists wishing to complete a U.S. first professional degree. Admission would  allowing dentists completion of the first professional degree in one or two years versus about four years for the full program.

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) in 2009 introduced the Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (ADEA CAAPID). From June through December each year, dentists can apply for advanced standing through this online system, submitting a single application and set of credentials (evaluated for equivalency by an agency approved by ADEA) for the programs to which they want to apply. 

Application requirements are similar to those for graduate and postgraduate programs, typically requiring submission of documentation on previous education, successful completion of the National Board Part I examinations, and a high TOEFL score.

See the ADEA CAAPID Web site for more information.