Buffalo IDP Dental Interview: Format & Questions 2026

Prepare for UB's International Dentist Program: an in-person bench test, then a faculty interview for those who pass it. ECE only; June 1 deadline.

Admissions (dexterity) testing by invitation on one or more fall Sundays, then interviews by invitation from the results; 32 seats. return ( The prep guide for the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine's International Dentist Program (IDP), built from Buffalo's own IDP pages, its 2026–2027 catalog and ADEA's CAAPID Program Finder: an in-person bench test that decides who interviews, a faculty interview on a Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning for those who pass it, ECE evaluations only, a June 1 deadline, Buffalo's own cost estimate, and why it weighs "effectiveness and clarity in verbal communication." Where the Cycle Stands (October 7, 2026). The 2026 CAAPID cycle is closed at Buffalo: its deadline was June 1, 2026, and the class it admits starts May 1, 2027 (both from ADEA's Program Finder). Buffalo's IDP pages have already moved to the next cycle, for entry in summer 2028: applications open in March 2027, and every

material is due in your CAAPID portal by June 1, 2027. Those pages put bench tests and interviews in September and October and the first decisions in November, but they do not restate those months for the 2026 cycle. If you applied in 2026 and are invited, Buffalo will send you "exact dates." For programs whose 2026-cycle deadlines have not passed, see our CAAPID program finder . Stay in Buffalo Between the Bench Test and the Interview. Buffalo: "Candidates MUST remain in Buffalo after completing their bench test in order to participate in the in-person interview session." Candidates who pass are told their interview time "by Wednesday morning after your bench test," and interviews take place "either on Wednesday afternoon or on Thursday morning." Buffalo gives the bench test date only to invited candidates, along with "detailed information on how to remit the bench testing fee and how to plan their travel to Buffalo." Our advice: book

travel only once you have that date, and plan to stay through Thursday morning in case your interview falls then. "Each interviewee is responsible for his or her own visa, travel and expenses." The University at Buffalo IDP Process in Detail Buffalo's Published Timeline Buffalo's timeline page now describes the cycle that opens in March 2027. In its words: When. What Buffalo says. March 2027. Applications open, through CAAPID, for the program starting in summer 2028; completed applications are reviewed “in the order in which they are received”. June 1, 2027. The deadline: every application material, including your official TOEFL and NBDE scores, in the CAAPID portal. “No exceptions will be made.”. July–August 2027. Bench test and interview offers by email, “or until all of our spots have been filled”. September 2027. Bench tests and interviews begin, in person at the School of Dental Medicine (“September and October,” per its

requirements page). November 2027. Decision notifications begin. Spring 2028. Admission offers conclude. For the 2026 cycle, ADEA's finder lists an application window of March 5 to June 1, 2026 and a May 1, 2027 start. Buffalo's own labels are inconsistent: its timeline is headed "The information and dates below are for the 2026-27 IDP application timeline," yet every date under it falls in 2027 or 2028, and its FAQ calls the same cycle the "2027-28 CAAPID application cycle." Read the months as Buffalo's pattern and the dates as the next cycle's. The Bench-First Evaluation Structure Buffalo makes one "bench test and interview offer," and describes the process this way: "The interview process consists of an orientation to the School of Dental Medicine, faculty interview, and a bench testing preclinical exercise." The order inside it is strict: The bench test comes first, in person. "The Bench Test is required for International Dentist

Program admission consideration." Buffalo does not publish its day, length or tasks. Only a pass leads to the interview. "Those candidates who successfully pass the bench test will be invited to interview in person at the School of Dental Medicine." The interview is a faculty interview, on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. You learn your time "by Wednesday morning after your bench test." In Buffalo's words, "Personal interviews are required for admission to the International Dentist Program at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine." It does not publish the interview's length, how many faculty you meet, or whether they have read your file. Offers generally wait until everyone has been seen. "Admission offers generally begin two to three weeks after bench test and interviews are completed for all students. However, our committee will continue to make offers until our IDP class is full." Buffalo calls these offers

"provisional acceptances" and does not say what they depend on. Buffalo lists the orientation as part of the process but does not say when in the visit it happens. What the Order Means for You Buffalo does not say why it tests hand skills before it interviews. What its pages do settle is the consequence: a candidate who does not pass the bench test is not invited to interview, and the interview is required for admission. So the bench test is the first gate, and "The fee to sit for the bench test is non-refundable." Prepare it as seriously as the interview. Reviewed in Order, Offered Out of Order Buffalo reviews completed applications as they arrive, but its offers do not necessarily follow that order. From its timeline page: "Unlike completed application reviews, bench test and interview offers are not necessarily made in the same order in which applications were received. In other words, an applicant who applied in June might receive a

bench test and interview offer before a candidate who applied in March." Its instructions add that "interviews will be granted on a rolling basis" after an initial review, and that the committee "will only invite qualified applicants to participate in the interview process." Buffalo does not say what sets the order of its offers. Its own advice on timing is about the deadline, not about priority: "Early application is encouraged to avoid having any problems with meeting our June 1, 2027 deadline," and the committee "will not make any exceptions to our application deadline." So apply early to be safe, but do not count on an early submission earning an earlier invitation. Two practical points from Buffalo's FAQ: you are emailed once your application is complete and under review, and "The formal review process can take several weeks." Candidates who are not invited are told through their CAAPID email once all offers have gone out. Program

Structure: What 2 Years at UB Looks Like In Buffalo's words, "The IDP is two years in duration, beginning in May, with an intensive preparatory summer course, followed by the third and fourth years of our Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program. Graduates receive a DDS degree and are eligible to participate in the various licensure examinations." The summer: "an 11-week summer program that covers the following topics taught during the first two years of the DDS program": dentures, restoration, endodontics, implantology, periodontics, pediatrics, impressions, and anesthesia and medical emergencies. Year one is D3. UB's 2026–2027 catalog: "Students entering the IDP program are completely integrated into the third-year DDS curriculum." Third-year students "spend three full days (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) in the clinic each week, with the remaining two days spent in classes and labs." Year two is D4. IDP students "complete the fourth-year DDS

curriculum," whose "selective program allows students to pursue their career interests in dentistry or to begin to focus on a specialty area that may or may not be pursued after graduation." The catalog's IDP program lists 97 credits: 62.5 in the first year and 34.5 in the second. Buffalo adds that "IDP students have access to exciting research opportunities and world-class faculty mentors at the UBSDM." Practice UB Interview Questions with AI. Get instant feedback on your verbal communication clarity, which Buffalo names as an important consideration in selection.. Start Practicing Free →. What UB Is Looking For Buffalo's admission requirements end with one statement about communication: "An important consideration in the selection process for the International Dentist Program is the applicant's effectiveness and clarity in verbal communication. It is essential both for completion of the academic program and for effective communication

with patients in the clinics." Buffalo gives two reasons, the academic program and its patients, and does not say how it judges this. The in-person faculty interview is the obvious place for your spoken English to show, so our advice is to prepare that interview as patient-facing communication: explain clinical cases, treatment plans and professional situations plainly, as you would to an anxious patient. If your spoken English becomes hesitant under pressure, practice that first. Buffalo calls its review holistic: "We do not rely on a single criterion." Its list of "Factors considered in an IDP applicant's file include, but are not limited to": Overall academic experience (not ECE GPA) Dental-related experience in home country Critical thinking, problem-solving ability, and research experience Demonstrated compassion and service to their communities Obtaining a realistic preview of the U.S. or Canadian dental profession Interpersonal,

teamwork, and communication skills Personal statement Letters of recommendation Unique work or service activities, especially when demonstrating how these experiences have led to improved outcomes Personal leadership associated with making an impact or change Four things Buffalo does not use. There is no minimum GPA: "There is no minimum grade-point average (GPA) required for admission to our International Dentist Program." The ADAT is not considered: "We do not consider the ADAT for admission consideration." A dean's letter is not required. And citizenship earns no preference: "All IDP applications are evaluated in the same manner regardless of country of citizenship." INBDE vs. NBDE Part I Only. To be considered, you must have passed Part I of the NBDE or the INBDE by the June 1 deadline, with the official passing scores in your CAAPID portal. Beyond that: "Those students who have passed either Part II of the NBDE or the INBDE will be

given preference over those applicants who have only passed Part I of the NBDE." You can still be considered without Part II, but passing the INBDE before you apply earns that preference. Board scores do not expire at Buffalo: "If you have already passed INBDE, Part I NBDE, and/or Part II NBDE, you do not need to retake the exam for admission consideration." The Bench Test: What Buffalo Publishes What it assesses: "The IDP Bench Test is administered to assess each candidate's clinical knowledge and hand skill proficiency." Who gets the details: "Bench Test information will only be provided to those candidates invited to the bench test and interview." When: "Bench Test and Interviews will take place in September and October. Those candidates offered the opportunity to Bench Test and interview will receive exact dates." Where: "All bench test and interviews will take place in-person at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine,"

which is in Squire Hall on UB's South Campus in the City of Buffalo. The fee: "The fee to sit for the bench test is non-refundable." Buffalo's current pages give no amount; invited candidates receive "detailed information on how to remit the bench testing fee." The gate: only candidates who pass are invited to the interview, which is required for admission. No prep course: "Unfortunately, the Bench Test Preparation Course is no longer offered at our dental school." No Bench Day, Task or Fee Amount Is Published. No current Buffalo page gives the bench test's day of the week, its length, the procedures, materials or instruments, a dress code, or the fee amount. An earlier version of this guide named a weekday, a fee amount, payment methods, a dress code and eye-protection rules, and said there was no appeal or waitlist. None of that is on Buffalo's current pages, so we removed it. Until Buffalo sends you its bench test information, treat

any such detail you read elsewhere as unconfirmed. Bench Preparation Strategy Because Buffalo publishes no task, prepare broadly and early. This is our advice, not Buffalo's: Keep both halves current. Buffalo says the test assesses "clinical knowledge and hand skill proficiency," so practice the procedures and review the clinical reasoning behind them. Get your hands back in practice early, especially if you have been out of clinical work, so that whatever Buffalo asks for, you are not starting cold. Buffalo's own preparation course is no longer offered. Read your bench test instructions closely when they arrive. That is where Buffalo's details will be. Prepare the interview before you travel. If you pass, your interview can be as soon as Wednesday afternoon, and you may not learn the time until Wednesday morning. What the IDP Costs Buffalo publishes a 2026–2027 estimate for the whole program, and for applicants who are not U.S.

citizens it is not in-state public tuition: "Non-U.S. citizens are unable to qualify for New York State tuition." Its main figures: Item (Buffalo's 2026–2027 estimate). Amount. Summer program fee: instructional fees, a reduced first- and second-year supply purchase and one set of electrical handpieces (not housing, food, transportation, personal expenses or a computer). $95,000. DDS year 3 tuition, non-New York State resident (New York State resident: $39,130). $72,420. DDS year 4 tuition, non-New York State resident (New York State resident: $39,130). $72,420. Broad-based fees, each DDS year. $3,150. CMS fee, each DDS year. $10,000. Housing, board, transportation and personal allowance, each DDS year. $25,902. Smaller lines follow: in year 3, a second set of handpieces ($2,600), supplies ($2,378) and textbooks ($848); in both years, testing software, activity, yearbook and simulation clinic fees and a $220 international student fee;

and in year 4, an ADEX fee ($2,795) and residency applications ($3,075). Buffalo calls every figure an estimate, "subject to change," and says it does "not have the final estimated costs for the 2026-2027 academic year at this time," so check its cost page before you budget. One caution: Buffalo's "Why Choose UB?" page, in its IDP section, says "Our four-year DDS Program costs less than the average U.S. dental school." That sentence is about the four-year DDS, not the IDP. Buffalo's page is also unclear for U.S. permanent residents who live in New York: its year-4 totals are labeled for a "U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident & NYS Resident," which does not square with its sentence on non-U.S. citizens. If that is you, budget on the non-resident rate and ask idp@buffalo.edu, or UB's Office of Student Accounts (linked from the cost page), which rate applies. Paying for it. Loans take three applications: "you will need to apply for three (3)

separate loans (one for the summer semester and one for each academic year)," because the School of Dental Medicine certifies the summer and UB's Financial Aid Office certifies years 3 and 4. UB bills tuition and fees each fall and spring semester, and payment plans are available. Buffalo's IDP pages do not say which visa holders can borrow, so ask UB's Office of Financial Aid before you count on a loan. Administrative Details That Trip Applicants Up Board scores, official and on time: "You must make arrangements to submit official INBDE scores to CAAPID directly," and "Self-reported NBDE or INBDE will not be considered." ADEA's profile for Buffalo also says "You must self-report NBDE scores in the ADEA CAAPID portal." Do both, and do not send scores to Buffalo itself: "Please do not send NBDE or INBDE scores directly to our admissions office." As Buffalo puts it, "The committee will not know if you passed INBDE in your online CAAPID

application unless you submit official INBDE scores in the CAAPID portal." TOEFL, to CAAPID only: it is required unless your CAAPID application lists English as your native language. The minimum is 86 for an iBT taken before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 for one taken on or after that date, and "your most recent set of official TOEFL scores must meet our minimum requirements. You cannot combine scores from two different TOEFL exams to meet our minimum admission requirements." Send scores to CAAPID's code, B451: "Please don't enter the University at Buffalo's institution code." The home-based iBT is accepted; the IELTS is not. Our TOEFL guide explains the January 2026 scale change. ECE Only — WES Not Accepted. "Applicants must submit a detailed Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE) course-by-course evaluation to ADEA CAAPID. We will not review your application without an ECE evaluation. Our school does not accept the World Education Services

(WES) evaluation." Send the ECE to CAAPID, not to Buffalo, and make sure it shows a completed dental degree by the June 1 deadline: "Provisional dental degrees and/or certificates are not sufficient for admission to our International Dentist Program." Our ECE vs. WES guide covers the two services. TOEFL validity timing: UB's TOEFL validity requirement is tied to the program start date — scores must be within two years of May 1 of the start year. For 2027 admission (the 2026 CAAPID cycle; ADEA: program starts May 1, 2027), scores must be from May 2025 or later. Scores from January 1 – April 30, 2025 will be considered for review but if selected for bench/interview, an updated TOEFL must be submitted prior to interview day. For 2028 admission (the cycle that opens in March 2027), Buffalo's TOEFL page moves each date forward a year: scores from May 1, 2026 or later meet the requirement, January 1 – April 30, 2026 scores are reviewed but

must be updated before the interview day, and score reports dated before January 1, 2026 "will NOT be considered for review." In Buffalo's words, "IDP Interview dates have no bearing on TOEFL score timeframes." Letters: "Applicants must submit three letters of evaluation through the ADEA CAAPID portal. No additional letters will be accepted." They may come from anyone (Buffalo requires no dean's letter), and they "can be no older than three years." Buffalo's instructions also say "For the 2027 CAAPID cycle, our committee will only accept recommendations from 2024, 2025, and 2026," on a page that otherwise describes the June 1, 2027 deadline. Confirm with idp@buffalo.edu which years apply to your cycle. Two fees, paid separately: the $100 supplemental application fee comes first. Its payment link arrives "the day after you submit your CAAPID application," but only once your CAAPID status is COMPLETE. Pay it by credit card or e-check; it

must be received by the June 1 deadline and is non-refundable. It is separate from the CAAPID application fee, and there is no supplemental application. The bench test fee comes only with an invitation; it is non-refundable, and its amount is not on Buffalo's current pages. Nothing goes to Buffalo directly: "You do not need to send any application materials directly to our admissions office. They will not be accepted." If you applied in an earlier cycle, you file a new CAAPID application. Prepare Your Verbal Communication for UB. At Buffalo you interview only after passing the bench test. Practice the clear, patient-facing communication Buffalo names as an important consideration in selection.. Start Practicing Free →. ); }; export default BuffaloDentalAdvancedStanding; buffalo-dental-advanced-standing-interview University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine University at Buffalo IDP Format Questions and Prep Guide 2026 Buffalo IDP

Dental Format & Questions 2026 Prepare for UB s International Dentist an in-person bench test then a faculty interview for those who pass it. ECE only; June 1 deadline. University at Buffalo IDP interview UB dental advanced standing interview Buffalo dental international dentist program UBSDM IDP admissions Buffalo CAAPID bench test 2026-03-29 2026-10-08 International Program In-person bench test then a faculty interview for those who pass School University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UBSDM) Program International Dentist Program (IDP) Degree Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Program Length 2 11-week intensive summer preparatory program + D3 + D4 Program Start May; the 2026 cycle s class starts May 1 2027 (ADEA) Seats Not published by Buffalo; 20 (estimate) Interview Format In a bench test then a faculty interview (Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning) for those who pass Bench Test Fee Non-refundable; the amount is not on

Buffalo s current pages Bench Test Gate Only candidates who pass the bench test are invited to interview and the interview is required for admission Interviews September and October in person (Buffalo s pattern; next from September 2027); exact dates go to invited candidates Deadline June 1 2026 (2026 cycle closed); June 1 2027 (next cycle) Supplemental Fee $100 non-refundable due by the deadline (separate from the CAAPID application fee) TOEFL Minimum 86 iBT for a test before Jan 21 2026 / 4.5 from Jan 21 2026; most recent score only IELTS Not accepted NBDE/INBDE NBDE Part I or the INBDE passed by the deadline; NBDE Part II or INBDE passers get preference Credential Evaluation ECE only — WES not accepted Minimum GPA None; Buffalo weighs overall academic experience not ECE GPA ADAT Not considered Letters of Recommendation 3 required; no older than 3 years Bench Test Prep Course No longer offered at UB Cost (2026–2027 estimate) $95 000

summer program fee then $72 420 a year in non-resident tuition for years 3 and 4; non-U.S. citizens cannot get New York State tuition Visa Foreign nationals (those requiring a visa) U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply; UB helps admitted students process the I-20 Location Buffalo New York (Squire Hall South Campus) Contact idp@buffalo.edu · 716-829-6926 process The UB IDP Process in Detail 2 timeline Buffalo s Published Timeline 3 bench-first Bench-First Evaluation Structure 3 why-structure What the Order Means for You 3 rolling-quirk Reviewed in Order Offered Out of Order 3 program-structure Program 2 Years at UB 3 what-ub-looks-for What UB Is Looking For 2 bench-test The Bench What Buffalo Publishes 2 bench-prep Bench Preparation Strategy 3 costs What the IDP Costs 2 admin-details Administrative Details 2 sample-questions Sample Interview Questions 2 preparation-tips Expert Preparation Tips 2 admissions-stats Admissions

Statistics 2 prep-checklist Prep Checklist 2 faq FAQ 2 Opening & Professional Background Tell me about yourself and your dental background. Buffalo does not publish its interview questions; these are DentPrep s practice questions. Buffalo names verbal communication as an important consideration in selection so treat this answer as a communication sample deliver it clearly confidently and at an even pace. Lead with your training context and clinical experience move to your motivation for US licensure and close with why UB s IDP specifically. Why do you want to practice dentistry in the United States? Be specific about the patients and communities you want to serve and why you want to do that in the US. If New York or Western New York is part of your plan say so concretely rather than in general terms. Why the University at Buffalo IDP specifically? Use what Buffalo itself the 11-week summer program full integration into the third-year

DDS curriculum the fourth-year selective program and research opportunities with faculty mentors. One genuine specific reason beats a list. Where do you see yourself practicing after completing the DDS? Be practice type geographic area patient population. Buffalo strongly encourages IDP students to review the ADA s licensure process “to gauge their ability to practice in the United States ” so show that you know what licensure takes where you plan to practice. Verbal Communication Explain to me why a patient might need a root canal. This tests whether you can translate clinical concepts into accessible language. Don t give a dental school answer; give a patient-facing clear compassionate free of unexplained jargon. Buffalo ties verbal communication to “effective communication with patients in the clinics.” How would you explain a treatment plan to a patient who is anxious about dental treatment and has limited dental knowledge? Walk

through your establishing rapport using plain language addressing the anxiety directly before describing the procedure confirming understanding before proceeding. Demonstrate communication strategy not just competence. Tell me about a case where clear communication with a patient changed the outcome. Describe a specific patient interaction where your communication — explaining a diagnosis addressing fear building trust — produced a better clinical outcome than the dentistry alone would have achieved. Clinical Questions (Post-Bench) Walk me through a complex restorative case you managed. Buffalo does not publish what its faculty interview scores. Choose a case with genuine a treatment planning challenge a patient management dimension or a case where initial findings changed your approach and explain it as clearly as you would to a colleague. How have you maintained your clinical skills since completing your dental degree? Name CE

coursework bench preparation US dental shadowing or work clinical volunteering. Be honest about any gap and what you ve done to address it. What do you understand about how dentistry in the United States differs from how it s practiced in your home country? Name specific documentation standards OSHA and infection control HIPAA the informed consent culture insurance and billing systems treatment planning philosophy differences between fee-for-service and government health system contexts. Program Fit & Logistics Have you thought through what it means to spend two years in Buffalo New York? Have a genuine prepared you ve researched the city you understand the climate you ve thought about housing and living logistics and you re committed regardless of the geographic adjustment required. The IDP begins with an intensive 11-week summer preparatory program. Are you prepared for that pace and how will you approach it? Applicants who have

recently re-engaged with academic dentistry through CE or post-graduate coursework or who can reference specific academic preparation strategies under compressed timelines answer this more convincingly. What questions do you have for us? At UB specifically genuine questions about how IDP students are integrated into the third- and fourth-year DDS curriculum the fourth-year elective structure what the transition from the intensive summer to clinical years looks like or research opportunities signal genuine program engagement. Prepare the Bench as Your First Gate At Buffalo only candidates who pass the bench test are invited to interview and the interview is required for admission. Buffalo publishes no task and its own preparation course is no longer offered so keep your hand skills and the clinical knowledge behind them current well before an invitation arrives. Prepare for Speaking Clearly Under Clinical Conditions Buffalo names

“effectiveness and clarity in verbal communication” as an important consideration in selection essential for the academic program and for patients in the clinics. Practice speaking about dental cases treatment decisions and patient interactions with the clarity of a practitioner talking to a patient. Record yourself and listen for hesitation unclear transitions or vocabulary an English-speaking patient wouldn t understand. Plan Your Buffalo Travel Around the Interview Buffalo gives the bench test date only to invited candidates. Once you have it plan to stay in Buffalo until your you learn its time by Wednesday morning after the bench test and it can be Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. Book refundable accommodation through Thursday. Visa travel and expenses are yours. Pass the INBDE Before Applying Not Just Part I Buffalo requires NBDE Part I or the INBDE by the deadline and gives preference to applicants who have passed NBDE

Part II or the INBDE over those who have passed only Part I. Passing the INBDE before you apply earns that preference and Buffalo sets no expiration date on board scores. Research Buffalo Specifically The school is in Squire Hall on UB s South Campus in the City of Buffalo and the program lasts two years. Your why UB answer should reference something program-specific such as the 11-week summer program or the fourth-year selective program alongside a genuine acknowledgment that you ve thought about living there. Check Your TOEFL Against Buffalo s Rules The minimum is 86 for an iBT taken before January 21 2026 or 4.5 for one taken on or after it and your most recent score must meet Buffalo won t combine scores from two tests. Scores count from the program start date not the interview date (for 2028 admission nothing dated before January 1 2026 is reviewed) and must reach CAAPID (code B451) by the June 1 deadline. The IELTS is not

accepted. Metric Detail Degree D.D.S. Program length 2 years (11-week intensive summer + D3 + D4) Seats Not published by Buffalo; 20 (estimate) Start May; the 2026 cycle s class starts May 1 2027 (ADEA) Interview format In a bench test then a faculty interview (Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning) for those who pass; the process also includes an orientation to the school Bench test fee Non-refundable; amount not on Buffalo s current pages Bench test gate Only candidates who pass are invited to interview; the interview is required for admission Bench prep course No longer offered at UB Bench/interview window September and October (Buffalo s pattern; next from September 2027); exact dates go to invited candidates Application deadline June 1 2026 (2026 cycle closed; ADEA); June 1 2027 (next cycle; Buffalo); all materials in CAAPID Supplemental fee $100 non-refundable due by the deadline (separate from CAAPID s fee) TOEFL minimum 86 iBT

(test before Jan 21 2026) / 4.5 (from Jan 21 2026); most recent score only IELTS Not accepted NBDE/INBDE NBDE Part I or INBDE required; NBDE Part II or INBDE passers preferred; no expiration date Credential evaluation ECE only — WES not accepted Minimum GPA None (overall academic experience not ECE GPA) ADAT Not considered Letters 3 required; no older than 3 years Visa Foreign nationals (those requiring a visa) U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply Cost (2026–2027 estimate) $95 000 summer program fee; $72 420 a year non-resident tuition in years 3 and 4 ($39 130 NY resident); non-U.S. citizens cannot qualify for NY State tuition Location Buffalo New York Research opportunities Available with UBSDM faculty Fourth-year Selective elective program — specialty focus available Contact idp@buffalo.edu · 716-829-6926 Pre-Application (6–12 months before) Complete an ECE course-by-course evaluation showing a completed dental degree (WES

not accepted) Take the TOEFL your most recent score must meet 86 (test before Jan 21 2026) or 4.5 (from Jan 21 2026) and for 2028 admission no score dated before Jan 1 2026 counts; IELTS not accepted Pass NBDE Part I or the INBDE (INBDE or NBDE Part II passers get preference) Have official INBDE/NBDE scores sent to CAAPID and report them there (self-reported scores alone are not considered) Start hands-on bench practice Buffalo s bench test preparation course is no longer offered Line up three recommenders who know you well (anyone may write; no dean s letter required) with letters no older than three years Application (March to June 1) Submit your CAAPID application with complete materials Pay the $100 supplemental fee (credit card or e-check) from the link Buffalo emails once your CAAPID status is COMPLETE Send TOEFL scores to CAAPID (code B451) not to UB Have every material including official TOEFL and board scores in the CAAPID

portal by June 1 Continue bench preparation independently while awaiting an invitation Bench Test and Interview (September–October) Book travel once Buffalo gives your bench test date and stay until your interview (Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning) Pay the non-refundable bench test fee as Buffalo s invitation instructs Follow the bench test information Buffalo sends to invited candidates (tasks materials and dress are not published) If you pass the bench test expect your interview time by Wednesday morning Practice verbal communication — patient-facing clinical explanations Research UB program specifics for why UB and closing questions Post-Interview Send brief thank-you note to admissions Continue strengthening other CAAPID applications while awaiting decision If you will borrow plan three loan the summer year 3 and year 4 Research Buffalo housing and relocation logistics upon acceptance What is the interview format for

University at Buffalo s IDP? In person at UB s School of Dental Medicine. Buffalo says its interview process “consists of an orientation to the School of Dental Medicine faculty interview and a bench testing preclinical exercise.” The bench test comes first and only candidates who pass it are invited to interview on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning; they learn the time by Wednesday morning after the bench test and must stay in Buffalo in between. Buffalo does not publish the interview s length the number of interviewers or whether they have read your file. Buffalo s pages put bench tests and interviews in September and October (for the next cycle from September 2027) and invited candidates receive exact dates. What is the bench test fee at Buffalo and is it refundable? Buffalo says “The fee to sit for the bench test is non-refundable ” but its current pages do not give the invited candidates receive “detailed information on how

to remit the bench testing fee.” Only invited candidates sit the bench test so only they pay it. It is separate from the $100 supplemental application fee which every applicant pays by the June 1 deadline. Does UB accept NBDE Part I only or is the full INBDE required? You must have passed Part I of the NBDE or the INBDE by the June 1 deadline with official passing scores in your CAAPID portal. Buffalo then gives “Those students who have passed either Part II of the NBDE or the INBDE will be given preference over those applicants who have only passed Part I of the NBDE.” Part I alone still qualifies you to be considered. Buffalo sets no expiration date on board scores. Does UB accept WES credential evaluations? No. “Our school does not accept the World Education Services (WES) evaluation.” Buffalo requires an ECE course-by-course evaluation and “will not review your application without an ECE evaluation.” Send it to CAAPID not to UB

admissions. What is UB s TOEFL minimum for the IDP? 86 or better for an iBT taken before January 21 2026 or 4.5 or better for one taken on or after that date and your most recent set of scores must meet Buffalo will not combine scores from two tests. IELTS is not accepted. Scores count from the program s May start not the interview for 2027 admission (the 2026 cycle) from May 2025 with January 1 – April 30 2025 scores reviewed but updated before the interview; for 2028 admission from May 1 2026 on the same pattern. Why might a June applicant get a bench test offer before a March applicant at UB? Buffalo says so “Unlike completed application reviews bench test and interview offers are not necessarily made in the same order in which applications were received. In other words an applicant who applied in June might receive a bench test and interview offer before a candidate who applied in March.” It reviews completed applications in the

order received and grants interviews “on a rolling basis ” but it does not say what sets the order of offers. Its advice is to apply early to avoid problems with the June 1 deadline. How much does Buffalo s IDP cost? Buffalo s 2026–2027 a $95 000 summer program fee then tuition of $72 420 a year for non-New York State residents in DDS years 3 and 4 ($39 130 for New York residents) plus fees and a $25 902 allowance for housing board transportation and personal costs in each DDS year. “Non-U.S. citizens are unable to qualify for New York State tuition.” Buffalo calls these estimates “subject to change.” Loans take three separate the summer year 3 and year 4. Is the 2026 cycle still open at Buffalo? No. The 2026-cycle deadline was June 1 2026 (ADEA s Program Finder) and that class starts May 1 2027. Buffalo s pages now describe the next applications open in March 2027 with every material due in the CAAPID portal by June 1 2027 for entry in

summer 2028. Loma Linda University IDP Interview Prep Admissions (dexterity) testing by invitation on one or more fall Sundays then interviews by invitation from the results; 32 seats. International Program /schools/loma-linda-dental-advanced-standing-interview Nova Southeastern IDP Interview Prep A personal interview and a $3 000 psychomotor bench test; 39 months on the same curriculum as NSU s DMD. International Program /schools/nova-southeastern-dental-advanced-standing-interview UIC DMD-AS Interview Prep UIC s advanced standing DMD for internationally trained dentists in Chicago. International Program /schools/uic-dental-advanced-standing-interview Rutgers IED Interview Prep Interview by invitation of its Admissions Committee (format not published) no bench test 27 months New Jersey. International Program /schools/rutgers-dental-advanced-standing-interview Prepare for UB s International Dentist an in-person bench test that decides

who interviews a faculty interview on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning ECE only and Buffalo s 2026–2027 cost estimate. Only candidates who pass the in-person bench test are invited to interview.