Group of International Dentist Program students in white lab coats standing in front of a building.
Last updated on May 14, 2026.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine

The UB International Dentist Program offers a dynamic curriculum, diverse post-graduation career pathways, and meaningful research opportunities designed to support your goals.

he International Dentist Program (IDP) is for the internationally trained dentist who seeks to practice dentistry in the United States. The IDP is two years in duration, beginning in May, with an intensive preparatory summer course, followed by the third and fourth years of our Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program. Graduates receive a DDS degree and are eligible to participate in the various licensure examinations.

Program Size
20 (estimate)
Program Length
24 months
Application Open
March 5, 2026
Application Deadline
June 1, 2026
Program Start
May 1, 2027
Apply Now

Program Contact

Luke Ramey Director of Admissions

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine

315 Squire Hall

Buffalo, NY 14214

716-829-6926

idp@buffalo.edu 7168292926
Matt Blum Director of Student Services
idp@buffalo.edu 7168292926
Apply Now

The International Dentist Program (IDP) is for the internationally trained dentist who seeks to practice dentistry in the United States. The IDP is two years in duration, beginning in May, with an intensive preparatory summer course, followed by the third and fourth years of our Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program. Graduates receive a DDS degree and are eligible to participate in the various licensure examinations. 

Program Information

Degree Awarded D.D.S.
Program Size 20 (estimate)
Program Length 24 months
Application Open Date March 5, 2026
Application Deadline June 1, 2026
Program Start Date May 1, 2027
Supplemental Application No
Supplemental Fee Yes
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or hold U.S. legal permanent resident status (green card) No
Bench Test Yes
Program Website dental.buffalo.edu

Application Requirements

Required Standardized Tests

  • NBDE
  • INBDE
  • TOEFL

Supplemental Requirements

  • Requires supplemental fee

Transcript Evaluation and Instructions

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

  • Official Education Credential Evaluations must be sent directly to CAAPID. 
  • Please do not send ECE evaluations to the admissions office directly. 

Letters of Evaluation Instructions

  • Applicants must submit three Letters of Evaluation through the ADEA CAAPID portal. (Do not send directly to the school.)
  • Applicants can choose their own refererees to submit recommendations. We do not require a Dean's letter. 
  • Letters can come from academic faculty, dentists, or other professionals who can best attest to your skills, abilities and personal attributes.

TOEFL Requirement Instructions

  • All applicants whose native language is not English (as indicated in their ADEA CAAPID application) are required to take the TOEFL within two years of the start of the program (May 2025 for 2027 admission).  

The minimum TOEFL score for admission consideration is either:

    • 86 or better for IBT scores taken between January 1, 2025 through Januray 20, 2026 or;
    • 4.5 or better for IBT scores taken January 21, 2026 or later.
  • You must make arrangements to submit official TOEFL sores to ADEA CAAPID directly. 
  • Our committee must see official TOEFL scores in the CAAPID portal by the June 1, 2026 admissions deadline. 
  • Self reported TOEFL scores will not be considered. 
  • Applicants should not send official TOEFL score reports to our admissions office. 
  • TOEFL score reports dated from January 1 – April 30, 2025 will be considered for review by the Admissions Committee. If selected to bench test and interview, candidates with January 1 – April 30, 2025 scores will be asked to submit an updated TOEFL prior to their interview day to meet our admissions requirements and submission time frame (two years from the start of the program). 

National Board Requirement Instructions

  • Program requires passage of NBDE Part I or Integrated NBDE (INBDE) to be considered for admission.
  • Applicants who have passed NBDE Part II or INBDE will be given preference for admission.
  • You must make arrangements to submit official NBDE scores to ADEA CAAPID.
  • You must self-report NBDE scores in the ADEA CAAPID portal.
  • The Committee will not know if you passed NBDE Part I and Part II or the INBDE in your online ADEA CAAPID application if you don’t self-report and submit official NBDE scores.

Other Requirement Instructions

https://dental.buffalo.edu/education/idp-admissions/how-to-apply.html