• Phase one: Submission of applications

ADEA CAAPID is our official application portal. UAB's application cycle opens when ADEA opens the annual cycle (usually early March) and closes at midnight on the last day of April. Candidates must have all application materials submitted by this deadline. Due to our tight timeline, no extensions can be offered.

• Phase two: Bench Test

Around eighty candidates will be selected from Phase One applications to participate in a Bench Test. This occurs in early June at the UAB School of Dentistry. Candidates will receive information about UAB's program, tour the school, and then demonstrate their hand skills by completing a series of exercises on manikins

• Phase three: Interviews

Around 40 Phase two candidates will move forward to Phase three's personal interviews. These occur via Zoom and offer candidates approximately 45 minutes with the program directors where their diagnostic, treatment planning, communication, and other clinical skills will be tested. Additionally, candidates will have the opportunity to share parts of their dental history and accomplishments.

Up to 24.

This is a 30-month program. The program starts in the spring term, which begins the first week in January, and is 5 terms long. The first preparatory term involves preclinical training, classroom sessions, and small group seminars. Students then complete 2 years in clinical training integrated with traditional track students. Students graduate in early June.

Once you complete the program, you are eligible to take most state or regional licensing exams in the US or Canada, including the exams accepted for Alabama licensure. Slight variations exist from state to state, so you may wish to check with individual states to confirm eligibility.

No. We are striving for a diverse group of students with a variety of clinical backgrounds. Work experience, research experience, and interview skills are all important, as well as grades.

These are not required for admission; however, if you have DAT or GRE scores you may include these in your application.

The ADAT is not required for admission; however, if you have taken the ADAT you may include this score in your application.

Many things, including but not limited to: letters of evaluation, your personal statement, your CV, your interview, extracurricular activities, knowledge of dentistry as a career, and work history.

This is a complex question. Applications are reviewed competitively with the goal of admitting the best candidates out of each year's applicant pool. Each candidate must decide for themselves if their application offers them a competitive edge. If the applicant pool one year has many candidates with strong grades and extensive experience, then those candidates will be more competitive than others who have high grades but little experience or extensive experience but low grades. Our program considers applicants who have just completed dental school, and some have been admitted without private practice experience, just like our program has considered candidates with below average grades and extensive experience. The process is competitive and unique to each applicant pool. In general, work experience both as a dentist in your home country and as an assistant/hygienist in North America improves a candidate's competitive edge.

Invitations to Phase Two, the Bench Test, are typically offered shortly after the application cycle closes (often the end of April, beginning of May). Invitations to Phase Three, Individual Interviews, are extended 1-2 months after the Bench Test. Letters of acceptance for the program are extended by early Fall.

D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) and D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degrees are equivalent degrees. The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry awards the D.M.D. degree.

Yes. This will be scheduled following the application deadline.

Applicants are required to take the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT). A minimum 94 iBT score and a score of 20 or above in each of the four skill areas is required. TOEFL scores are evaluated on a competitive basis within that year's applicant pool, and TOEFL scores of accepted candidates have averaged over 100 in recent years. TOEFL scores more than two years old may not be accepted. Candidates who completed secondary school in the United States or Canada may request a waiver for the TOEFL.

Applicants must possess an immigration status at the time of application that is eligible for post secondary education. Applicant's visa status should allow time to complete the program without renewal requirements. All applicants who meet these criteria will be evaluated on their professional merit and not visa status. Applicants outside the US will likely require a F1 student visa to apply to the program. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have specific questions about your visa type and eligibility to study in the US.