University of Pikeville – Tanner College of Dental Medicine
- Kentucky
- upike.edu
Program Contact
The University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine Advanced Placement International Dental Program is designed for internationally trained dentists seeking the opportunity to practice dentistry in the United States while earning a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree. This 25-month program begins with a comprehensive 10-credit-hour bridge course that prepares students for successful entry into the second year of a three-year predoctoral dental education program. Upon completion of the bridge course, students join the D.M.D. cohort and progress through the remainder of the curriculum alongside their classmates, graduating at the conclusion of the third year. The program emphasizes excellence in clinical education while fostering innovation, advanced technology, scholarly research opportunities, and a strong commitment to service. Completion of the program enables graduates to meet the educational requirements to pursue dental licensure in the United States by qualifying to sit for applicable licensing examinations, subject to state or jurisdictional requirements.
Program Information
| Degree Awarded | D.M.D. |
|---|---|
| Program Size | 10 |
| Program Length | 25.5 months |
| Application Open Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | October 1, 2026 |
| Program Start Date | April 12, 2027 |
| Supplemental Application | No |
| Supplemental Fee | Yes |
| Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or hold U.S. legal permanent resident status (green card) | Yes |
| Bench Test | Yes |
| Program Website | upike.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
- NBDE
- INBDE
- TOEFL
Supplemental Requirements
- Requires supplemental fee
Citizenship and Immigration Eligibility
Only US citizens, lawful permanent residents, or otherwise legally authorized to study in the United States without requiring the F1 visa sponsorship from the university will be considered for the program.
Transcript Evaluation and Instructions
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
-
Official Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts of their dental education through ADEA CAAPID.
-
Course-by-Course Evaluation: A detailed, course-by-course evaluation of the transcripts must be submitted through the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). This evaluation must be provided by an accredited credentialing organization to assess the equivalency of the applicant’s education in the United States.
Letters of Evaluation Instructions
-
Number of Letters: Two (2) Letters of Evaluation are required for the application.
-
All letters must be submitted in English via ADEA CAAPID.
-
Letter Requirements:
-
Each letter must be signed by the evaluator and include their official letterhead (from the evaluator’s affiliated organization, school, or dental practice).
-
Preferred Letter: It is preferred that one professional evaluation and one evaluation from the Dean or senior administrator of dental school is submitted.
TOEFL Requirement Instructions
-
Test Requirement: All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) within last two years.
-
Minimum Score: Total score of 90, with no less than 20 in each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing).
-
No Waivers: No exceptions or waivers will be granted for the TOEFL requirement.
-
Submission Instructions:
-
TOEFL scores must be sent directly to ADEA CAAPID.
-
Only computer-based TOEFL scores will be accepted; paper-based TOEFL scores will not be considered.
National Board Requirement Instructions
-
Eligibility Criteria: To be considered for admission, applicants must have completed and passed the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Parts I and II prior to the application deadline.
-
Pass result is required.
-
Alternative Exam: Alternatively, applicants may have passed the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE).
-
Score Submission: Official scores for the NBDE or INBDE must be submitted through ADEA CAAPID.
-
Board exam result must be taken within last 10 years.
Other Requirement Instructions
1. Fluent in spoken English which will be evaluated during in person interview
2. Dexterity testing of all applicants invited for interview will be done which will include Class I, Class II cavity preparation and a PFM crown preparation.
3. Only US citizens, lawful permanent residents, or otherwise legally authorized to study in the United States without requiring the F1 visa sponsorship from the university will be considered for the program.