INBDE: Where, When and How?

To take the INBDE test, the candidate needs to first and foremost register for a DENTPIN® or retrieve their existing DENTPIN® at ADA.org/DENTPIN and then submit an application on ADA.org/NBDE.

Step 1 : Dentpin
Step 2 : ECE/WES Evaluation
Step 3 : Prepare for the Exam
Step 4 : Apply for INBDE
Step 5 : Applying for Visa to USA
Step 6 : TOEFL
Step 7 : CAAPID
Step 8 : Interview & Bench test
Step 9 : Getting into a Dental School
Step 10 : Apply to a US dental school program
Step 11 : Dental licensure exam The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) /Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)
 

INBDE: Step by Step Guidance

Step 1: Dentpin

Dentpin stands for Dental Personal Identifier Number and is a unique identification number that has to be obtained to every individual who is going to be associated with dental education in the USA.  

This is required for you to appear in any further exam. You can simply get it from ADA website by just registering an online form and it’s free of cost. Please register through ada.org and use your legal name as it appears on your government issued ID (first name, middle name, last name).

When entering your email address, please use your personal address (Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.) and not your school email address, which may be obsolete after you graduate.

Step 2: ECE / WES evaluation

• Most US dental schools will require you to get your dental diploma and transcripts evaluated by one of the accredited evaluation institutes,
  ECE: Educational Credential Evaluators
   
• In South Asian region most of the dental colleges provide us degree with percentage so ECE is basically conversion of our percentage into GPA according to their system. They charge you approximately 195$ for this but this may vary every year. This can be done through https://www.ece.org/ website. Before you apply to this make sure you have an USA address because they only send back the ECE documents to an USA address. It need not to be your own address you can write the address your family, relatives or friends in USA.
   

Step 3: Prepare for the INBDE

• Throughout its development the INBDE has been focused on the clinical relevance of examination content, and the corresponding clinical relevance of the biomedical sciences.
   
• It is required for licensure in the United States and may also be required when applying for postgraduate studies in dental specialties after completing a dental degree.
   
• Foreign-trained dentists also must take the INBDE in order to earn admission into advanced standing programs in US dental schools.
   

Step 4: Apply for the INBDE

• First, visit ADA’s NBDE general information guide for step-by-step instructions on taking the exams.
• Get a DENTPIN. Applications for the INBDE examination programs are processed through the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Department of Testing Services. The first step in the application process is getting a DENTPIN, a unique personal identifier you will use in taking the exam.
   
• Schedule to take the exam: You will then need to schedule an appointment to take the exam at a Prometric testing center in your area.
  
  This exam can only be given in USA.
  
  Details about the procedure, fees and exam pattern: Click here
   
• After applying for exam you have to schedule it according to your feasibility. And later if you want to change you can reschedule it too but you need to pay to do so.
   

• Students can appear NBDE exam only in USA. You need visa to USA at any cost. You can apply for tourist visa via embassy in respective country via online form and deposit nominal charge.
   
• They will schedule interview and at the time of interview don’t forget to take your documents of NBDE exam registration so they can trust you that you are going for your exam.
   
• There is an another way where students apply for masters’ degree in any program like in public health so they enter USA in student visa. While doing their masters’ degree they appear in INBDE exam and apply for college. This is also an option because it will take almost 1-1&1/2 years for the whole procedure and in tourist visa you cannot stay more than 6 months so you have to come back and apply for another visa.
   

Step 6: Take the TOEFL exam

• The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). It is mandatory proficiency exam. It tests your ability to communicate in english.
   
• There are various prometric test centres available which contains Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking ability. We would suggest you to give it after you pass NBDE or INBDE since TOEFL expires after 2 years so if you haven’t passed your board exams within 2 years of TOEFL you need to give it again.
   
• Overall score of more than 100 out of 120 is preferred. The TOEFL is an online test administered by ETS that measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level.
   
• Most US dental schools require that you demonstrate your English language proficiency by taking the TOEFL. International dental graduates must demonstrate proficiency in English.
   

• You can register to https://www.ets.org/toefl for it. It will cost you around 180$. It can be given from your own country,
   
• It stands for Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists. It is an application portal which allows you to apply to multiple dental education programs in the U.S. with one application. You can fill an online form on this website paying some amount. This has a list of all the dental schools and everything that they require to get student admitted in Dental School.
   
• There are many colleges who doesn’t even require part 2 to be cleared. Besides ECE, INBDE & TOEFL, you need to have a statement of purpose & 3 letters of recommendation (LOR). For LOR, one should be from Dean of your dental school, another should be from faculty of your dental school and the another one should be from licensed dentist of USA. There are many applicants for the college so you need to stand out to get selected. They prefer students who have done shadowing, volunteering, community services, any other courses, etc.
   
• You can do shadowing at wherever you are staying. This basically means just observing a dentist while he/she is doing their work. You can just ask the dentist if you can shadow him/her for some time. You can also ask that dentist to write a LOR for your CAAPID. You can volunteer as a dental assistant in a clinic or you can also do other non dental volunteering work. You can join for preceptor-ship program.
   
• Preceptor-ship is like a training program in various subject where you can have to assist the residents over there. Many dental school like UCLA offers such courses for a minimum of three months and maximum up to 12 months. But you should know that these courses are really expensive. Be involved in extracurricular activities and try to expand your experiences. You can have some research paper published then it will help you a lot to get selected in Dental School.
   

1. Introduction
2. Multiple mini interviews
3. Group discussion
4. Clinical scenarios

Step 10: Apply to a US dental school program

As mentioned, advanced training (or advanced standing) programs are a great option because they prepare foreign-trained dentists to gain licensure in the US and be able to practice in any state.

You will earn an American Dental degree (DDS/DMD) through a condensed timeframe, usually 2 to 3 years. Advanced Training Programs are the only option that would make a foreign-trained dentist eligible for licensure in any state in the US (after satisfying the necessary licensure requirements).
The INBDE exam for foreign trained dentist is requiring a thorough understanding of clinical and basic science content.

Step 11: Dental licensure exam The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) /Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)

Improve your competitiveness as an applicant

• One of the best ways to improve the competitiveness for INBDE exam for foreign trained dentist is to gain dental experience in the United States.
   
• Gaining dental experience in the U.S. will help you to be better educated about the advancements in dentistry. Your experience in the dental field will facilitate your transition to becoming a dental student.
   
• Most foreign-trained dentists gain experience as dental assistant. Working as a dental assistant will allow you to get valuable dental experience, but it will also allow you to network with U.S. dentists. Many schools recommend that you submit a letter of recommendation from a U.S. dentist.
   
• Extracurricular activities/Volunteer Service: Applicants are expected to have obtained a variety of experiences, including community service and volunteer work in the U.S.
  The experiences do not have to be specifically dentistry related, but these experiences may be helpful to one’s own understanding of selfless giving, compassion for others and exposure to diverse populations.
   
• Here are few additional ways to expand your experience:

1. Community service experience also allows you to learn more about the diversity of the US culture.
2. Become involved in organized dentistry (e.g. ISDS, CDS, ADA, IAGD).
3. Gain exposure to research: While this is not required, additional knowledge in the science field further enhances a student’s understanding of advancements in the field. Research does not have to be in dentistry/oral health.

Note:

•  After the application has been processed, candidates will be eligible to test for a six-month period, unless other considerations (including retest rules and requirements) limit the eligibility period to a shorter timeframe.
   
• Candidate then needs to send their documents to ECE for eligibility evaluation.
   
• Upon receipt of your eligibility notification, the candidate may schedule your examination appointment with Prometric.
   
• You can take the Exam at a Prometric Test Center. The examination is administered by Prometric Inc. at test centers in the United States and its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and in Canada. 
   
• The INBDE must be scheduled for two consecutive days at the same test center. 

For issues requiring further action, email testingproblems@ada.org within five business days after the scheduled examination appointment.