20 STEPS TO DDS : THE AMERICAN DREAM
20 Steps to USA as a Dentist - NBDE & DDS - By a Doctor who have done it herself.
Hi to all the docs. This article is written by By DR. ROLI RAJVANSI.
DENTALORG.COM has brought to you all many articles on How to Settle in USA after BDS , NBDE & DDS .But the current article is perhaps one of the best articles on the topic as it is written & explained by one the dental surgeons who herself cleared all the hurdles , formalities , exams and finally joined DDS . She is THE perfect example of how consistent effort , planning & managing the available resources can bring success.
Very Important See all the Slides – In the last there are official links to get the NBDE preparation materials that will be very – very helpful in the preparation of your exams.
20 STEPS TO DDS : THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR DENTAL GRADUATES
THE AMERICAN DREAM
“Dreams are not those that we see in sleep, but those that don’t let us sleep”
DDS is a dream which so many of us budding dentists and established dentists wish to live. With this dream in my eyes too, I started on this long journey during my internship. But every step seemed to be clouded with doubts and queries.
I was blessed to have some great senior friends to guide. I can never thank them enough. So, to express my gratitude, I am here to pen down my experience which I hope benefits you all and atleast answers some of the queries you may have.
Article
Like most of us, I was also confused with-‘What after BDS?’ DDS or MDS?
I wanted to go-in for DDS but then the million dollar question was still unanswered.
YES!!!…The question of d million dollars which is needed to do DDS!!!
1st thing to do : (DIRECT ROUTE )
Well this is first thing you all should be make sure- that you have a co-signer from US to help you with loan if you need one to pursue your studies.
MPH Route : (INDIRECT ROUTE )
Some people prefer to go by the route of BDS-MPH
(Master’s in Public Health)-DDS. So, if you wish to opt for this route then you need to take GRE.
Benefits of MPH Route : You would be in US, so easier to take your exam and for application procedure and interviews later for DDS
You would have MPH as US degree to enhance your resume .
Disadvantages– More investment is needed in terms of both money and time . I didn’t go through this process, so, can’t really guide much with it.
(THE AUTHOR TOOK THE DIRECT ROUTE)
I took the direct route. I am describing you the steps I took on the path to DDS
STEP 1
Arrange for the following study materials-
Kaplans review notes
Dental Decks
ASDA Question Papers
These are a must!!!….Other than that…your textbooks you used during BDS would always be there to refer back to.
Other books are – First Aid book
First Aid Question Bank
Dentessentials
The preparation time varies from anytime between 4 months to 1 year. This is purely one’s own discretion.
I relied on self-study only…with my great teachers and seniors to guide me all along.
See Next Slide for Step 2 to 14
Click Next
STEP 2 :
USA has GPA system and not percentage. So, you need to get your BDS marks converted into GPA. Information for this process can be found on- www.ece.org.
STEP -3
Apply for DENTPIN through www.ada.org
STEP – 4
Then book a date for your NBDE Part-1 exam through www.prometric.com
STEP – 5
Then take date for Visitor visa interview at the embassy near you. You need to take exam date before visa interview so that you can show them a proof that you are going for exam and would be back after that.
STEP – 6
Prepared for 15 days for TOEFL and took the exam.
Books for Toefl- Kaplans and/or Barrons and/or Princeton
Website for registering for TOEFL exam-www.ets.org
STEP – 7
Continued my preparation for NBDE post-TOEFL exam.
STEP – 8
Went to USA to take my exam 1 week before my scheduled date for NBDE part 1
STEP – 9
The exam D-day came, those grilling 8 hours got over!!! And after that I was in no state to evaluate how the exam went …so then the eternal wait began the wait for the RESULT. It took 5 weeks for my result. By God’s grace, I cleared the exam with good score.
Exam Day In Author’s Own Words
EXAM DAY !!
I had an egg sandwich and took an orange juice near my friend’s apartment, I was really tensed but
was keeping myself cool !!
Before hand i took two big snickers for my lunch 🙂
My friend told me that I am gonna do well, I felt relaxed and my friend left me near the Prometric centre.
When I entered there was a guy who told hi and received me asking for my identification. Then I gave my passport and a Govt. Id card but there was no sign on that so he asked me other so i gave my pan card. Then he let me go in and I was relaxed.
Second entrance I found one lady she was checkin documents and took my biometrics (finger scanning) then she told me I got one break for 1 hr and can take breaks between exam too but the time won’t be stopping for us. So I decided to take only one scheduled break.
Final stage I was into a room with computers. I did not find anyone there. I was all alone ! I was like, the whole of my one year studying they gonna decide on this day ! It was a mixed feeling.
I kept myself cool and answered whatever I knew and just guessed if i didn’t know the answer and kept my time proper for the rest of the exam…
I calculated my time and solved the questions according to that.
3.5 hrs 200 questions – 1 min 1 quest … for each hour u can check whether you are slow or not.
So that u can cope up if want. I was on time but I didn’t knew many questions.
Got a break I was relaxing !! I was watching people coming at different timings, I guess some GRE takers.
It was now time to make myself ready for the 2nd half of the exam.
Started with my other half….
same 3.5 hrs 200 questions
This time I found i knew some answers 🙂
I finished the exams and was very relieved.
Now it was the wait to for the results.
And when the results came, I had passed.
Time to Party !!!!!
I PASSED
STEP – 10
Some schools like NYU and Columbia are now asking for DAT exam and NBDE part 2.
Since I didn’t take these exams, so I can’t advice on them. But details on both can be found on- www.ada.org
STEP – 11
Then begins the never ending process of CAAPID applications.
Decide which Universities you plan to apply to, that is your own decision depending on your priorities. All the details needed on the documents required by each University and the CAAPID application and also deadlines for each can be found on –http://www.adea.org/
STEP – 12
Then start working on drafting your resume and ‘statement of purpose’. Also get Recommendation letters from Dean of your University where you did BDS and also from some of your professors. Another Recommendation letter is needed from your current employer.
Once you are done with your documents, fill the CAAPID online application and send the required documents to each University you are applying to. You also need multiple sealed copies of your TOEFL,ECE and NBDE reports to send to Universities, so order for them.
STEP – 14
Once you have sent out all your applications, another cycle of prayers and wait begins. Wait to get INTERVIEW calls from Universities, which generally starts in September.
Once you get the call for Interview, prepare for your Bench exam and Interview. Bench exam varies from school to school. Generally it consists of preparation of Class 1, Class 2 cavities and Crown preparations like PFM.
See Next Slide To See
Step 15 to 20
STEP – 15
Do your best on the exam. Maintain your calm…Don’t panic!!!
STEP – 16
Then begins another eternal wait…Wait for RESULT of Interview!!!
STEP – 17
Soon all your prayers would be heard
ACCEPTANCE LETTER !!!
Your dream finally coming true……
STEP – 18
Then begins the happy cycle of paperwork- medical tests, fee, I-20 form etc, which vary slightly from school to school and your school will help you with these at each stage.
STEP – 19
Then make an appointment for –‘STUDENT VISA’ at the nearest US embassy.
Make sure to take all your documents along with you.
STEP – 20
Then start the ‘Student loan’ process if you are applying for one.
Your schools financial aid office will guide you with it.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Make sure to perform well during your BDS course , as the percentage you score, when later converted to GPA , has high significance on your resume.
Ways to enhance your Resume-
Attend CDEs and conferences
Paper presentations
Poster presentations
Research projects
Voluntary work
HOPE THIS HELPS…..ALL THE BEST!!!
CREDENTIALS :
DR. ROLI RAJVANSHI
B.D.S (Manipal University)
Pursuing DDS at
HERMAN OSTROW SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The article was forwarded by
Dr.Vivekananda Rege
( Dental Surgeon to the Governor of Maharashtra )
What doctor Dr.Rege has to say about Dr.Roli Rajvansi :
” YOUR American DREAM…………coming TRUE !
One Indian student Herself shows you how to go ahead with DDS in US of America ! I salute her for being so SELFLESS as to help others too !…….Roli Rajvanshi…. U r GREAT !….vsr… 😀 “
Useful Links for Foreign Dental Students
Wanting to be a Dentist in USA
An Advice to all Aspirants
You all by now, know the value of Study Materials in the preparation of NBDE. Also keep in mind that every year the question sets are updated with new additions. When you are planning for DDS, then why act miserly and try to download old, outdated version of study materials. They are not going to be of help any way. Also its not easy to get the scanned online versions. Even if you do manage to get some papers from some of your seniors – they will be very old versions.
Check out these Books that will help you in your preparation. These are selected few popular books and every NBDE aspirant must have them.
The Official Steps – Guide for International Dentists to Work in USA by
American Dental Association
Two Best Selling Books on NBDE Test Papers by Mosby. Another two books and useful guides published by Mosby are: Mosby’s Review for the NBDE, Part I and Mosby’s Review for the NBDE, Part II. They also have very good reviews.
Kaplan Study Materials is also one of the best in the Market for Review of NBDE Preparation
The Very Popular NBDE First Aid Series
Once of the Most Popular Preparing Materials – Dental Decks
See Next Slide to Read other Useful Articles Providing Information on NBDE – DDS
& NBDE Question Book Links
Press Next
Other Must Read Articles on NBDE / DDS
NBDE FAQS : THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS | DENTALORG.COM
For many Indian & Asian students who have finished their Dental Graduation , going abroad to countries like USA & CANADA and settling there as a professional dentist , is a big dream . But before venturing in to any such journey a clear cut & definite idea about all the rules , regulations and finances is very necessary .
NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL EXAMS – ROUTE TO DDS | DENTALORG.COM
When it comes to license requirements or application to international or advanced standing programs for foreign trained dentists, NBDE is by far considered the common denominator and the first step in this long process. As of now the NBDE exam consists of two parts and it’s administered by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE).
NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL EXAMS – ROUTE TO DDS | DENTALORG.COM
When it comes to license requirements or application to international or advanced standing programs for foreign trained dentists, NBDE is by far considered the common denominator and the first step in this long process. As of now the NBDE exam consists of two parts and it’s administered by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE).
WHAT IS THE COST OF DDS – DENTISTRY IN AMERICA ? | DENTALORG.COM
But before venturing in to any such journey a clear cut & definite idea about all the rules , regulations and finances is very necessary . If one enters such a venture without proper planning & resources , it can cause lot of tensions .
WELCOME TO UNITED STATES | DENTALORG.COM
Hey Doctors ,welcome back …. So this article is all about NATIONAL BOARDS DENTAL EXAMS (NBDE) starting from peer pressure, books, strategy till the applications form, evaluations and everything. The day we dream about doing DDS, a stream of questions just comes out from our mind like syllabus, books , procedure and then we end up with discouragements and underestimations due to ample of unanswered questions…..
NBDE – DDS : The Cost and the Opportunities | DENTALORG.COM
For Indian/foreign dentists to practice in America,DDS is a must and then again DDS is not all that easy.Here is a little information that will help the aspiring ones settle down easily.Certain colleges in the US that offer Advanced Standing Program (DDS/DMD) to foreign trained dentists require at least NDEB (National Dental Examining Board) Part I.
Links for NBDE PART 1 & PART 2
PREPARATION MATERIALS/BOOKS
An Advice to all Aspirants
You all by now, know the value of Study Materials in the preparation of NBDE. Also keep in mind that every year the question sets are updated with new additions. When you are planning for DDS, then why act miserly and try to download old, outdated version of study materials. They are not going to be of help any way. Also it’s not easy to get the scanned online versions. Even if you do manage to get some papers from some of your seniors – they will be very old versions.
Check out these Books that will help you in your preparation. These are selected few popular books and every NBDE aspirant must have them.
The Official Steps – Guide for International Dentists to Work in USA by
American Dental Association
Two Best Selling Books on NBDE Test Papers by Mosby. Another two books and useful guides published by Mosby are: Mosby’s Review for the NBDE, Part I and Mosby’s Review for the NBDE, Part II. They also have very good reviews.
Kaplan Study Materials is also one of the best in the Market for Review of NBDE Preparation
The Very Popular NBDE First Aid Series
Once of the Most Popular Preparing Materials – Dental Decks
DISCLAIMER : This article just provides the basic information. Please note the regulations keep changing from time to time. So always refer with the Official Website for any verification. Also always visit the embassy directly in person to discuss all the latest regulations and costs. Never pay any unverified 3rd Party asking you Money in exchange for making your entry easy to USA. Always follow the official route.
