Doctor of Dental Surgery Program: | |
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION WITH ADVANCED STANDING THE DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY PROGRAM:
POLICY FOR ADMISSION WITH ADVANCED STANDING The University of Maryland Dental School does not have a specific program designed for candidates seeking admission to the DDS program with advanced standing. However, it may be possible for exceptionally talented graduates of a non-US/non-Canadian dental schools or dental students currently enrolled in US/Canadian dental schools, to gain admission to the University of Maryland’s Doctor of Dental Surgery program, with advanced standing. Candidates should be aware that the application process is complex, given the nature of assessing candidates’ performance in different curricula at other institutions. Furthermore, all admissions considerations are contingent on space availability within the program. This policy specifically addresses admissions requirements for two categories of candidates for admission with advanced standing: - Transfer students
- Internationally trained dentists
Transfer Students Eligibility In order to be eligible for consideration for transfer, applicants must be currently enrolled in a US or Canadian dental school, and in good academic and professional standing. First consideration will be given to applicants whose personal circumstances compel them to transfer. Application Process
Requests for application should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Completed applications should be returned no later than March 1st, along with the following: - A detailed letter describing the reason for the transfer request
- The $350 application fee (payable to the University of Maryland Dental School)
- A letter from the Dean of the dental school, verifying that the student is currently enrolled and is in good academic and professional standing
- Official undergraduate transcript
- DAT score report
- Official dental school transcript
- National Board score report (where applicable)
- Current dental school catalog
Preliminary Review
After required materials have been submitted and preliminarily reviewed, the Committee on Dental Recruitment and Admissions makes a determination regarding a personal interview. Candidates being seriously considered for admission are interviewed. Review by Departments
Based on the outcome of the preliminary interview, candidates who are recommended for possible admission by the Committee on Dental Recruitment and Admissions are requested to provide copies of all course syllabi for courses completed and in progress at the current dental school. Dental School department chairs (or their designees) review the course syllabi and, if necessary, communicate directly with candidates when further clarification is needed. Department chairs/designees then provide the Office of Academic Affairs with the recommendations regarding placement within the curriculum. Admissions and Placement Decisions
The Committee on Dental Recruitment and Admissions makes the final decision regarding admission. The Committee on Predoctoral Advancement and Graduation develops specific recommendations regarding placement or modification to the student’s curriculum or course requirements to accommodate individual needs. The Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs notifies applicants regarding admission decisions and, if indicated, placement decisions. Space must be available within the projected class in order for an offer of admission to be extended.
Internationally Trained Dentists
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for admission with advanced standing as an internationally trained dentist, applicants must have successfully completed the DDS degree (or its equivalent). Additionally, candidates must have passed Parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination. Application Process
Requests for application should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. The completed application should be returned no later than January 1st of the year of desired matriculation, along with the following: - A detailed letter describing the reason for seeking admission with advanced standing
- The $350 application fee (payable to the University of Maryland Dental School)
- Official reports of National Board Part I and Part II scores
- Results of a TOEFL, if English is not the native language
- Clear, legible photocopies of the dental degree (DDS equivalent), course transcripts, and grades or examination scores, with certified English translations
- A course-by-course evaluation of academic credentials, performed by a recognized evaluation service
- Three letters of recommendation from former faculty members or recent professional contacts
Preliminary Review
After required materials have been submitted and preliminarily reviewed, the Committee on Dental Recruitment and Admissions makes a determination regarding a personal interview. Candidates being seriously considered for admission are interviewed by members of the Committee on Dental Recruitment and Admissions. After the preliminary interview, the Committee makes a determination whether the candidate should be invited to complete the comprehensive skills analysis, conducted by the departments. For candidates invited to continue with the application process, the fee for the skills assessment is $2,000, payable on or before the date of the first departmental assessment.
Review by Departments
Candidates receive a list of Dental School department chairs (or designees) who meet with the candidates and conduct academic and preclinical skills assessments. The Dental School reserves the right to modify or waive all or part of the skills assessment, based on the backgrounds of individual candidates. Candidates contact the faculty directly to make arrangements for their evaluations. Department chairs/designees then provide to the Office of Academic Affairs recommendations regarding admission and, where appropriate, placement within the curriculum. Admissions and Placement Decisions The Committee on Dental Recruitment and Admissions makes the final decision regarding admission. The Committee on Predoctoral Advancement and Graduation develops specific recommendations regarding placement or modification to the student’s curriculum or course requirements to accommodate individual needs. The Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs notifies applicants regarding admissions decisions and, if indicated, placement decisions. Space must be available within the projected class in order for an offer of admission to be extended. THE DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY PROGRAM:
PRE-CLINICAL AND CLINICAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING ADMISSION WITH ADVANCED STANDING The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the skills levels of candidates for admission to the Doctor of Dental Surgery program with advanced standing. Results of the evaluation will facilitate proper placement in the curriculum. Based upon the results of the evaluation, the faculty will make admissions and placement recommendations to the Committee on Dental Recruitment and Admissions. Final placement arrangements will be coordinated between the Office of Admissions and the Office of Academic Affairs.
The evaluation may consist of the following component procedures: I. DIAGNOSTIC SCIENCES AND PATHOLOGY: Two hours
Written and/or oral examination II. ENDODONTICS: One-half day
Access openings on maxillary and mandibular incisors, maxillary and mandibular premolars, and maxillary and mandibular molars Complete access, instrumentation, and obturation on a maxillary incisor and a maxillary or mandibular molar. Written examination III. ORAL-MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY: Two hours
Written examination IV. ORTHODONTICS: One-half day
Diagnosis and treatment plan development from orthodontic records Fabrication of components of an orthodontic appliance Written examination V. PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: Three hours
Written evaluation VI. PERIODONTICS: One-half day
Clinical examinations in the areas of plaque control, scaling and root planing, and periodontal treatment planning Written examination VII. RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY: Initial meetings to review general knowledge levels with perclinical course directors in Operative Dentistry, Fixed Prosthodontics and Removable aProsthodontics prior to any "bench exams". OPERATIVE DENTISTRY: Two hours Class III composite resin restoration Class V amalgam and composite resin preparations Class II (MOD) amalgam restoration Class II composite resin preparation FIXED PROSTHODONTICS: One half day Onlay preparation and wax up 3 unit posterior bridge preparation with a porcelain-fused-to-metal preparation on the most anterior retainer and an all-metal preparation on the posterior retainer, and completion of a self-curing acrylic interim restroation. REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS: One-half day Complete denture set-up Partial denture design, including surveying working casts, and writing laboratory prescriptions for different Kennedy classifications. | 
