The Iowa Dental Advanced Standing Program
The Iowa Dental Advanced Standing Program offers dentists trained outside the United States the opportunity to earn a CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited DDS degree.
This degree will enable graduates to apply for a state License to practice Dentistry in the United States. After the interview process, up to four successful qualified candidates will be selected. The curriculum begins with 3-4 months of online courses followed by a mandatory pre-matriculation summer course, which prepares them to integrate with the D3 Clinical educational programs. The course is designed to evaluate and calibrate candidates in various clinical procedures to assure congruence with our traditional students. Each component of the educational program must be successfully completed prior to entering the third year DDS program.
Program Details
- Length of Program: 30 months
- Program Deadline: July 31, 2026
- Start Date: January 2027
- Class Size: Up to 4
- Degree Awarded: DDS
DDS Program
Third Year of the DDS Program
Iowa's third year is much different from that of other schools. It is a year of clinical rotations moving from one specialty to another in ten of the twelve ADA-recognized dental specialties. These in-depth studies occur in concentrated five-week periods. At the end of the third year of study, students will have developed skills in every area of dentistry.
Fourth Year DDS Program
During the fourth year of the program, all skills are integrated in the Family Dentistry Clinic. Our training emphasizes treatment planning and patient management skills as students practice in a simulated office setting, providing comprehensive dental care to patients. Ten weeks of the D4 year are spent in programs outside the College (extramural programs).
Testimonials from our Graduates
"I am glad to be a part of the UIOWA IDASP and learning the IOWA way. It has been a wonderful experience. The professors here are helpful and most of all I think the school provides us with a lot of patient experience which has immensely helped me enhance my clinical and patient management skills. UIOWA is big on student-faculty feedback after every assignment/procedure which in a way helps build good rapport and understanding as to what is expected from us as students. This program really focuses on the clinical aspects of dentistry and has helped hone my expertise in practice management as well which I believe is a very important aspect once you enter the professional world."
"As an incoming foreign dentist, I knew there was a lot of room for development. Researching dental schools and throughout the interview process, I was sure that UIowa’s School of Dentistry was where I could achieve my goals. UIowa is an academic leader in many fields. After getting accepted into the program, I enrolled in the Mandatory Summer Program where I was exposed to many facets of clinical dentistry that I was previously unaware. What I really appreciate is the effort put in by faculty to provide guidance to incoming students and the resources made available for us to gain expertise in many areas. After getting to know the upperclassmen, I was motivated to constantly improve. The program is structured to produce the finest dentists who prioritize patients and ethics."
Contact for More Information:
If you have any questions regarding the Advanced Standing Program, contact Kelly Smith at kelly-smith@uiowa.edu or at 319-353-4485.