Foreign Dentists Getting Certified Here in the States

[one...two...tree 2,762]

We were invited over to one of Jinky's distant relatives for Christmas Eve, and her husband is a dentist (graduated from the same university as Jinky, but 10 years earlier). He just got certified within the last year to practice here in the states - he started getting certified back in 2000! It was great to meet him and he gave Jinky some valuable information on the process.

The good news is that she doesn't necessarily have to attend 2 years of university here to practice. Each state is different and currently California has closed off from accepting any more foreign dentists, but they can re-open the state board exams again in the future.

In the meantime, he suggested to take the national board exam - which is in 2 parts. She can take the exams as often as she wants without penalty. Once she passes, she'll get a beautiful national certificate recognizing her as a dentist here in the US, although each state has it's own specific requirements. Then she can wait to see if California re-opens their state board exams to foreign dentists, and in the meantime, she can be an RDA (registered dental assistant), with an expected wage of about $25/hr. She can also attend a local college to become an RDH (Hygienist). The husband of her relative said that he knows a hygienist here that makes about $400 a day, though they may only work 3 or 4 days a week. That will actually be great for us with raising the children.

It's a relief to have found another dentist coming from the same background (even same university) who gave us a clear direction on what to do with Jinky's career here as a foreign dentist.

Edited December 26, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[Nagishkaw 510]

People shouldn't leave their toothbrushs dry and lonely, and teeth shouldn't be unbrushed and unwanted. If anyone doesn't have a dentist, try strapping a notepad around your neck with a pen attatched to it, and gesture a lot.

[Ta Ta 1]

That's good news Steven and I wish Jinky all the best for the future.

[rjp44 1]

We were invited over to one of Jinky's distant relatives for Christmas Eve, and her husband is a dentist (graduated from the same university as Jinky, but 10 years earlier). He just got certified within the last year to practice here in the states - he started getting certified back in 2000! It was great to meet him and he gave Jinky some valuable information on the process.

The good news is that she doesn't necessarily have to attend 2 years of university here to practice. Each state is different and currently California has closed off from accepting any more foreign dentists, but they can re-open the state board exams again in the future.

In the meantime, he suggested to take the national board exam - which is in 2 parts. She can take the exams as often as she wants without penalty. Once she passes, she'll get a beautiful national certificate recognizing her as a dentist here in the US, although each state has it's own specific requirements. Then she can wait to see if California re-opens their state board exams to foreign dentists, and in the meantime, she can be an RDA (registered dental assistant), with an expected wage of about $25/hr. She can also attend a local college to become an RDH (Hygienist). The husband of her relative said that he knows a hygienist here that makes about $400 a day, though they may only work 3 or 4 days a week. That will actually be great for us with raising the children.

It's a relief to have found another dentist coming from the same background (even same university) who gave us a clear direction on what to do with Jinky's career here as a foreign dentist.

I'm glad you found such a great source of info for your situation. We will face somewhat the same problem as my wife is a CPA in Manila. We know that she would have to pass the test for a specific state, but, as in your case, each state has different requirements as to credit hours required from a university.

[eau_xplain 2]

That's great news Steven!

[skiptex 225]

My future better half is a Dentist in Venezuela for the last 8 yrs.. what are the requirements to be a Dentist ASSISTANT.. not hygenist or dentist..

i know i am resurecting an OLD thread.. but getting idea of what she would have to face if she intended to say in her field.. in some way..

Edited September 28, 2011 by skiptex