8 Best Cheapest Dental Schools in the USA| International Students

Like any other professional institution, dentistry schools are expensive, especially for an international student who aspires to attend dental school in the US. It is usually challenging to obtain financial aid because you are not a citizen of the United States or Canada, but then, articles like this one help you in locating the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students.

This career choice is a service-based work that is highly regarded and has a bright future. The dental services market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4 percent globally by 2028, according to a Grand View Research analysis. This covers endodontics, dentures, orthodontics, laser dentistry, periodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and dental implants. In the USA, this growth is estimated to be up to 5.3 percent.

We have assembled a list of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for international students so you wouldn’t have to give up on your dreams to study dentistry in the USA and become a dentist. In this article, we will be sharing this list with you and we will be answering questions you may have as regards studying dentistry in the USA as an international student.

Table of Contents

What are the Dental School Requirements for International Students in the USA?

There are three types of international applicants for dental schools in the United States. They include:

Students who are applying to a DDS or DMD program at a US dental school after completing their high school studies
Students who want to transfer their credits and finish their degrees in the USA while enrolled in a dental school at a foreign university.
Students who already hold a dental bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution

The good news is that regardless of where you fall, you can apply to the majority of dentistry schools in the United States and Canada if you are an international student. The not-so-bad news is that you will need to submit an additional requirement to apply. This is regardless of if the school is listed as part of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students or not. The requirements to enroll in a dental school in the USA includes:

1. To be fluent in the English language and to prove it by taking the TOEFL or submitting some other proof of your language ability. If you would like to enroll in any of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students, you should note this since it is a requirement specific to international students.

2. Complete the prerequisite biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics courses with labs.

3. Applicants to DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine degree) programs approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in a science course. This is because dentistry in the USA is a postgraduate degree.

4. Additionally, American institutions require applicants to take the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) as part of the admission process. The DAT consists of four tests with English-language multiple-choice questions.

Every institution that would be included in our list of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students has its requirements for considering the DAT when making admission decisions.

Exams can be taken all year round at various sites across the USA and the test can be taken either between a student’s junior and senior years of undergraduate study or during their junior year.

What is the Cost of Dental Schools in the USA?

Depending on where you go to school, dentistry schools will cost you differently. A dental student can anticipate spending between $210,625 (for public schools) and $353,008 (for private schools) over four years. These expenses can be overwhelming if you are going straight from undergrad to dental school and we hope that our list of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students provides you with cheaper options to consider.

It is important though to keep in mind that the four years you invest in dentistry school will pay off for the rest of your life. You’ll be better prepared to make choices that enhance your future and lay the groundwork for a fulfilling career with the correct resources and research.

What is the salary of a dentist in the USA monthly?

Dentists in the USA earn an average monthly salary of $16,088 as of July 1, 2023.

Although ZipRecruiter reports monthly earnings for dentists as high as $28,000 and as low as $3,042, the bulk of dentist salaries in the United States now falls between $12,500 (25th percentile) and $19,125 (75th percentile). The wide variation in average compensation for dentists (up to $6,625) implies that there may be numerous options for career growth and higher income which is not based on the college you attend but on experience, region, and skill level. This means that whether you consider the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students or not, ensuring you gather the right experience and improve your skill level will attract career growth and a higher income.

How long do dental schools in the USA take?

The typical dental health school curriculum lasts four years. Here is a breakdown of what the four years will entail:

First and second years: biological science studies; start of simulation-based clinical instruction.

The majority of the first two years, even in the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students, are devoted to studying fundamental biological sciences that contain information on the anatomy, physiology, and disorders that can impact the human body.

Additionally, students frequently learn about how to offer care for a variety of groups and may work with patients to deliver very fundamental oral healthcare. Practicing treatments on dental and oral anatomy models make up the majority of their training outside of the required seminars in the first two years.

Third and fourth years: mostly clinical.

Direct patient care and clinical study are the main components of the final two years of dental school, along with some practice management teaching. To guarantee that they have a wide range of expertise in caring for all types of patients, students will learn how to treat youngsters as well as elderly, chronically ill, disabled, and special care patients.

Students frequently rotate among different clinics, hospitals, and other off-campus community settings while working under the guidance of a clinical instructor at many schools. Students will have the chance to collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals and students, which will help them understand the value of a team approach to providing healthcare.

Although many dental schools, including the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students, follow a similar overall structure, their curricula frequently vary to accommodate the demands of a population that is continuously evolving.

Top 8 Best Cheapest Dental Schools in the USA for International Students

#1. East Carolina University

There is no specific program available at the ECU School of Dental Medicine for dentists with international training. Internationally trained dentists who are North Carolina residents are eligible to apply for first-year enrollment to the Doctor of Dental Medicine program and must meet the same criteria as all other applicants. The school has an in-state tuition of $7,297 and an out-of-state tuition of $23,574. The school’s graduation rate is recorded to be 66%.

Find more information about ECU; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

#2. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry grants non-US trained dentists the chance to obtain a D.M.D. degree through the International Dental Program (IDP). Qualified students combine with traditional students to complete the last two years of the D.M.D. curriculum after a rigorous six-month preparatory period. The school has an in-state tuition of $8,568 and an out-of-state tuition of $20,400. The school’s graduation rate is recorded to be 62%.

Find more information about the University of Alabama; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

#3. University of Buffalo

For foreign-trained dentists who want to practice dentistry in the United States, the School of Dental Medicine provides the international dentist program (IDP). The IDP lasts for two years and starts in May after intensive summer training. Graduates earn a DDS degree and are qualified to sit for the numerous licensing tests offered across the nation. The school has an in-state tuition of $10,782 and an out-of-state tuition of $28,702. The school’s graduation rate is recorded to be 74%.

Find more information about the University of Buffalo; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

#4. Southern Illinois University

An eligible dentist who has graduated from an overseas dental school may pursue a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree at our university through the overseas Advanced Placement Program (IAPP) at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM). The bearer of this degree will be qualified to sit for licensing exams and get a license to practice in the United States.

The ninth class will enter the program in 2023, with classes starting on February 12th, 2024.

Also, there will be a minimum of 6 advanced placement students in the class. The school has an in-state tuition of $12,219 and an out-of-state tuition of $12,219. The school’s graduation rate is recorded to be 52%.

Find more information about Southern Illinois University; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

#5. University of California, Los Angeles

To be admitted to the UCLA School of Dentistry, international undergraduate students who qualify for a student visa must fulfill all pre-dental prerequisite requirements at a recognized U.S. college or university. The school has an in-state tuition of $13,258 and an out-of-state tuition of $43,012. The school’s graduation rate is recorded to be 92%.

Find more information about UCLA School of Dentistry; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

#6. University of Puerto Rico

The University of Puerto Rico has a reasonably priced dentistry program, and its School of Dental Medicine is renowned for having cheaper tuition costs than many other dental schools in the US.

Internationally trained dentists can enroll in the Advanced Placement Program at the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine, which leads to a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. The program is divided into a five-week summer course and two years of full-time dental coursework, which includes both the third and fourth years of dental school. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the curriculum is taught in Spanish, and fluency in that language might be necessary.

Find more information about the University of Puerto Rico; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

#7. University of Mississippi

International students who meet the necessary criteria are welcome to enroll at the University of Mississippi. No matter where they reside, applicants who do not have U.S. citizenship are deemed “international” and must tick the box for “international student” on their online applications. The school has an annual tuition of $32,102.00.

Find more information about the University of Mississippi; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

#8. University of Iowa

The professional DDS program in Iowa has a competitive admissions process. For the 80 available slots in the class, roughly 1,000 people apply each year.

A minimum of 90 semester hours (three academic years) of required courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and biochemistry must first be finished by applicants at an authorized college. Before entering, the majority of students obtain a bachelor’s degree. The school has an in-state tuition of $54,786 and an out-of-state tuition of $79,924.

Find more information about the University of Iowa; one of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students

FAQS

Is there any entrance exam for dentists in the USA?

66 dental schools in the United States and 10 in Canada accept the Dental Admission Test (DAT). It is intended to give dentistry school programs a way to evaluate applicants’ chances of succeeding. The exam has a $525 cost and lasts 4.5 hours.

What is the lowest GPA to get into dental school?

To get accepted into a respected dentistry school, you must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. You can locate good institutions that accept students with a 2.75 GPA whereas nationally rated schools require a 3.5 or more to boost your admission success. You can gain admission to a reputable school as long as you can demonstrate your value in other crucial non-academic areas.

What Dentist is best paid?

Dentist Private Practice has an annual salary range of $362,500-$387,500
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon has an annual salary range of $312,500-$400,000.
Maxillofacial Prosthodontist has an annual salary range of $312,500-$400,000 per year.

Conclusion

The demand for dental services in the USA is anticipated to increase in the coming years as a result of an aging population and greater awareness of the value of dental health, making it a promising field for those considering a career in dentistry. We hope that this list of the cheapest dental schools in the USA for International students was helpful to you.

Reference

Gyanberry.com – Study Dentistry in the USA

Adea.org – Dental school curriculum

Careerkarma.com – Most affordable dental schools.

Collegeavestudentloans.com – How much is dental school?