5 best Master of Dental courses in the US

An introduction to the masters in dentistry in USA

Dental courses in the USA for international students are an excellent entry point into a career in health and medicine. Students benefit from studying dentistry in the United States, as it is the first step toward a successful career. You can apply for a Master of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, depending on your qualifications. If you are a dentistry student in India, you must enroll in the Advanced Standing Doctor of Dentistry program to become a dentist. This guide on Master of Dental courses in the US provides context about the best dental colleges, courses, their requirements, benefits, and more!

Why study dentistry courses in the United States?

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider studying dentistry in the United States-

• The United States has 16 best dental colleges that have earned a spot in the QS World University Rankings 2023 for dentistry, which included 70 universities from around the world.
• 14 of the 16 ranked universities are among the top 50 in the world, demonstrating their excellence.
• You will have access to top-tier facilities, equipment, faculty, and exposure at dental schools in the United States for international students, which will allow you to excel.
• Dentists rank 11th in the best-paying jobs in the United States by U.S. News and World Report 2023, with a median annual salary of 158,940 USD.
• According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, an increase in dentist employment is anticipated between 2020 and 2030, with an addition of nearly 9,800 jobs and an overall 8.1% growth.

Best Master in Dental courses in the US

With 16 top dental schools in the United States, you will have numerous options for enrolling in a leading international dental program. Take a look at the top 5 dental schools in the United States-

Dentistry course at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor

When it comes to dentistry courses in the United States, the University of Michigan– Ann Arbor is the most popular university, holding the top spot in the QS rankings for dentistry. The university provides a rigorous curriculum with cutting-edge facilities and requires DDS students to complete 100 hours of dental shadowing.

Programs offered

• MS in Dental Hygiene (2 years)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS- 4 years)

Average program fees

• 33,320 USD per year for MS
• 70,331 USD per year for DDS

Dentistry course at the University of California, San Francisco(UCSF)

You can pursue a DDS/MBA combined degree or a full-fledged DDS at the University of California, San Francisco. The School of Dentistry at UCSF is not only the oldest but also well-known for its programs in oral and craniofacial health.

Programs offered

• Doctor of Dental Surgery, DDS/ MBA (2 years)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery, DDS (4 years)

Average program fees

• 37,240 USD per year for DDS/MBA
• 11,442 USD per year for DDS

Dentistry course at the Harvard University

Harvard University’s School of Dental Medicine offers a variety of dentistry courses to international students. It provides courses such as a Master of Science in Dental Education as well as a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry.

Programs offered

• Master of Medical Science, MMS in Dental Education (2 years)
• Doctor of Dental Medicine, DMD (4 years)

Average program fees

• 67,610 USD per year for MMS
• 66,284 USD per year for DMD

Dentistry course at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

The Adams School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the only program in the state that offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. You should add this university to your list if you are looking for a quality MS courses in Dental Hygiene Education.

Programs offered

• MS in Dental Hygiene Education (22 months)

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (4 years)

Average program fees

• 31,345 USD per year for MS
• 67,162 USD per year for DDS

Dentistry course at the New York University

New York University is another well-known university in the United States that offers dentistry programs. You can apply for Master of Biology programs in oral biology, clinical research, and biomaterials here. You will graduate from a dental school that has trained over 10% of the highly successful dentists in the United States.

Programs offered

• Master in Biology – Oral Biology, Clinical Research, and Biomaterials

Course duration

• 2 years

Average program fees

• 60,251 USD per year

Course curriculum for dental courses in the USA

US universities only accept completed bachelor’s degrees from the United States or Canada. The majority of international students choose to pursue an MDS or DDS or equivalent in their home country. 

Take a look at the course curriculum for international students taking dental courses in the United States-

Course duration 

A Master of Dental Surgery program in the United States lasts two years. A Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry program lasts four years.

Course material

An international dental program in the United States includes a variety of subjects such as endodontics, prosthodontics, oral biology, oral pathology, oral health, dental material science, and oral medicine, among others.

Eligibility criteria for dentistry colleges in the USA

Before applying to dental schools in the United States, you should review the eligibility requirements. International students must meet additional requirements in terms of test scores. You must note the cut-off scores for the best dental universities in the United States and you must apply accordingly.

Previously completed degree

A completed bachelor’s degree in dentistry will be sufficient for admission to dentistry colleges in the USA for pursuing an MDS. Please note that your bachelor’s degree must specifically be from USA or Canada with 75-80%.

Entrance exam scores

Universities in the United States may require GRE scores when applying for MDS programs. A minimum score of 315 or higher is advised. Admission to DDS requires your Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores. You can take the DAT within a year before applying.

English language proficiency test scores

International students from non-English-speaking countries must provide proof of English language proficiency test scores from IELTS, TOEFL, or other similar exams. To be admitted to your preferred university, you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher, or a TOEFL-iBT score of 90 or higher. There is no need to submit these scores if you have a bachelor’s degree from Canada or the United States.

Key takeaways

• Dental courses in the US are an excellent gateway to a career in health and medicine for international students. Studying dentistry in the United States is the first step toward building a successful career in the medical field. 
• The US provides high-ranking Dentistry courses along with exceptional facilities, equipment, and faculty. You can get high-income jobs after completing post-graduation in dentistry in the US.
• Dental courses at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, Harvard University, University of California and New York University are some of the top-ranking courses available at acclaimed universities.

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FAQs

Q1. Which are the best dental course to do after graduation in the USA?

Ans- Best dental courses in the US after completing graduation- Master of Science in Dentistry – Periodontics, Certificate in Endodontics/Master of Science in Dentistry, Master of Science in Dental Hygiene, Master of Science in Dentistry, Graduate Certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), Graduate Certificate in Endodontics, Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences.

Q2. Is a BDS degree from India valid in the USA?

Ans-  The United States doesn’t fully recognize BDS degree from India because dental schools in the United States only accept students with a four-year bachelor’s degree from the United States or Canada. To become a dentist in the United States with a BDS from India, you need to apply for a two-year Advanced Standing Doctor of Dentistry program and pass the license exam.

Q3. Which is the best country to work in as a dentist?

Ans- Switzerland is the best place to live and work for dentists. The country provides better salary compensation, paid leave, and affordable cost of living.