Advanced AEGD Program for Internationally-Trained Dentists
The University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) offers an Advanced Program for Internationally-Trained Dentists (observership) program in General Dentistry. This Advanced General Dentistry program is a continuing education program and offers a formalized, structured, and hands-on short-term educational experience for internationally-trained dentists. This program follows the schedule of the Advanced General Dentistry residency program, participants attend classes/seminars with the AEGD residents.
The Advanced General Dentistry Program certificate awarded for this program is a continuing education program certificate, equivalent to 124 hours of continuing education credits. This is not the same certificate as the postgraduate program certificate.
Length of Program
This is a fixed-duration program of six months.
Schedule
- Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
- The school may also close for severe weather events.
Benefits to Internationally-Trained Dentists
Advanced Program for Internationally Trained Dentists in General Dentistry Program offers many benefits to internationally-trained dentists including:
- Introduction to comprehensive care including analysis of clinical data to formulate sound diagnosis and treatment planning and formulation of differential and definitive diagnosis.
- Introduction to updated dental materials
- Exposure to implant workflow
- Exposure to U.S. dental clinic practices
- An opportunity to practice and perfect the English language, including technical language, skills
- Help in deciding whether or not to pursue a formal residency in the U.S.
Components of the program include (Didactic, and some will involve hands-on):
- Pre-clinical simulation exercises on teeth for crowns, bridges, and cavity preparation & endodontics
- Digital Implant Planning (In vivo Anatamage, DTX Studio suite)
- Digital laboratory Scanning (Medit, Cerec)
- CAD/CAM Design (Medit, CEREC)
- Laboratory Milling & Sintering process (Cerec, Ivoclar Vivadent)
- Surgical & Prosthetic Principles
- CBCT Technology
- Literature Review & Evidence-Based Dentistry
To Apply
Students may submit their application and documents via the Advanced Program for Internationally-Trained Dentists Application.
Deadline for submission of applications
June 1 for the Fall semester
October 1 for the Spring semester
Admission process
Upon submission of all required documentation, the applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee. As required, an in-person, phone or virtual interview may be scheduled with the applicant. Admission criteria to the Advanced AEGD Program includes, but is not limited to academic achievements, demonstrated interest in general dentistry, TOEFL scores, performance in previously attended academic programs, clinical experience, and letters of recommendation.
Application Requirements
- Completed application
- Application fee ($160.00 USD)
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Personal statement/letter of intent
- Notarized copy of dental school diploma/degree
- Original transcripts/translated into English
- ECE/WES course-by-course evaluation
- TOEFL score reports
- Three letters of recommendation
- Passport biographical page
- J-1 Visa (minimum requirement), H-4 and O-3 Visas accepted
English Language Test Requirements:
- TOEFL (minimum 80 internet-based test, 550 paper based)*
- IELTS (minimum 7.0 total bandwidth score) please attach results*
*Scores from these exams must be no more than two years old at the time of submission of the J-1 request.
Program Fee
Six months: $30,000.00 USD
A non-refundable deposit of 5,000 USD is required to hold your place in the program and must be received within 10 business days of the acceptance notification. The formal acceptance packet will be sent upon receipt of the deposit. The balance of the full tuition is due one month before the start of the program.
Six Month Extension
In the event that the participant would like to remain for an additional six months of advanced training, the participant can submit an application for an extension to the Admissions Committee. If approved, the participant can remain in the program for an additional $30,000.
International Student Admissions Standards
International Students who require J-1 visa sponsorship to attend the University of Maryland must demonstrate English proficiency and financial responsibility before the Office of International Services (OIS) can issue the appropriate visa document for the program of study.
English Proficiency
International students requiring visa sponsorship from the Office of International Services (OIS) must demonstrate English proficiency. Proficiency is most often verified through the TOEFL or IELTS English Language Proficiency tests. For students whose native language is English, the TOEFL requirement may be waived.
Financial Responsibility
International students who require visa sponsorship must ensure they have sufficient funding to cover the cost of the program and living expenses while in Baltimore. Financial responsibility may be proven by a variety of methods. These include the following:
- Personal or family funds
- Government or international organization sponsorship
The documentation must state the name of the person or organization that will sponsor the student and specify the amount of financial support provided to the student.
If using personal or family funds, a bank statement from within the past six months must be provided. Additionally, if the applicant is receiving financial support from a friend or family member, that person must also write a letter specifying the exact amount of funding he or she will provide during the program.
The expenses of a married student are considerably more than that of a single student. In addition to funds for his or her own expenses, the married student must show an additional $5,000 per year for each dependent. A dependent is classified as a spouse and/or children under the age of 21.
Prior to processing visa paperwork, the OIS requires evidence of the minimum financial support amount committed to the applicant's education.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance is required for all University of Maryland students. The applicant must prove that he or she has coverage equivalent to the University of Maryland’s minimum requirements, or purchase the policy offered by the University of Maryland to all students.
Cancellation policy
To participate in this program, you must be pre-registered with the Office of Continuing Dental Education. No refunds of any tuition paid will be made after the program has started.
Contact Information
For application inquiries, please contact:
Keith Groves, DMin, MPC
Executive Director of Continuing Education
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore Street, Suite 6207
Baltimore, MD 21201
Email: kgroves@umaryland.edu
Michelle Howell, BS
Associate Director of Continuing Education
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore Street, Suite 6207
Baltimore, MD 21201
Email: mhowell@umaryland.edu
For program inquiries, please contact:
Mary Anne Melo, DDS, MSc, PhD, FADM
Chair, Department of General Dentistry
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Email: mmelo@umaryland.edu
Qoot Alkhubaizi, BSc, BChD, MS
Program Director
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore Street, Office 2213
Baltimore, MD 21201
Email: galkhubaizi@umaryland.edu