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CAAPID Application Guide
The Centralized Application for Advanced Standing Dental Programs
ADEA CAAPID (Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists) is the centralized application service utilized by U.S. dental schools for international dentists applying to advanced standing programs. With a single application, applicants can provide core information and supporting materials to multiple participating programs. However, individual dental schools may have their own additional requirements, deadlines, fees, and selection criteria. As these requirements differ by institution, it is crucial for applicants to review each program’s current admissions criteria before submitting their applications.
Who Can Apply Through ADEA CAAPID?
Eligibility for International Dentists
Advanced Standing programs are generally intended for dentists who completed their dental degree outside the United States or Canada and now want a pathway toward a U.S. DDS or DMD. ADEA CAAPID centralizes the application, but eligibility itself is set by each participating school, not by CAAPID. Programs commonly expect proof of a completed dental degree, official transcripts, an ECE course-by-course evaluation, and English-proficiency scores, though specific prerequisites vary by institution. Applicants should confirm current eligibility requirements directly with each school before applying.
The ADEA CAAPID Application Process
1. Create Your ADEA CAAPID Account
Create an ADEA CAAPID account and begin your application for the appropriate application cycle for Advanced Standing programs. Complete your basic profile and review the participating programs designed for international dentists before selecting where you plan to apply.
2. Select Your Dental Programs
Review participating Advanced Standing programs tailored for international dentists and select the schools you plan to apply to. Each program may have different prerequisites, deadlines, fees, and supplemental requirements, especially when applying through ADEA CAAPID.
3. Complete Your CAAPID Application
Enter your academic history, experiences, achievements, and other required information, especially if you are an international dentist applying for ADEA CAAPID or Advanced Standing programs. Carefully review each section for accuracy before submitting your application.
4. Submit Supporting Documents
Upload all required supporting documents for ADEA CAAPID, such as transcripts, an ECE course-by-course evaluation, INBDE results (if required), letters of evaluation, English-language test scores (when applicable), and any additional documents requested by individual schools offering Advanced Standing programs for international dentists.
5. Pay Fees & Submit Your Application
Pay the ADEA CAAPID application fee along with any supplemental fees specific to your chosen Advanced Standing programs for international dentists. Before submitting your application to your selected dental programs, take a moment to review it one final time.
6. Complete School Supplemental Requirements
After submitting through ADEA CAAPID, many dental schools may require supplemental applications, especially for Advanced Standing programs, as well as interviews, bench tests, or additional documentation. It's important for international dentists to monitor their email regularly and respond promptly to each school's requests.
Common CAAPID Mistakes to Avoid
Research Every School Carefully
Research Every School Carefully
Research Every School Carefully
Create an ADEA CAAPID account and begin your application for the appropriate application cycle for Advanced Standing programs. Complete your basic profile and review the participating programs designed for international dentists before selecting where you plan to apply.
Apply Early
Research Every School Carefully
Research Every School Carefully
Review participating Advanced Standing programs tailored for international dentists and select the schools you plan to apply to. Each program may have different prerequisites, deadlines, fees, and supplemental requirements, especially when applying through ADEA CAAPID.
Missing Documents
Research Every School Carefully
Bench Test Preparation
Enter your academic history, experiences, achievements, and other required information, especially if you are an international dentist applying for ADEA CAAPID or Advanced Standing programs. Carefully review each section for accuracy before submitting your application.
Bench Test Preparation
Bench Test Preparation
Bench Test Preparation
Upload all required supporting documents for ADEA CAAPID, such as transcripts, an ECE course-by-course evaluation, INBDE results (if required), letters of evaluation, English-language test scores (when applicable), and any additional documents requested by individual schools offering Advanced Standing programs for international dentists. See our bench examination guide and bench skills guide for detailed preparation tips. Track everything with our CAAPID Application Organizer Worksheet.
Interview Invitations
Bench Test Preparation
Interview Invitations
Pay the ADEA CAAPID application fee along with any supplemental fees specific to your chosen Advanced Standing programs for international dentists. Before submitting your application to your selected dental programs, take a moment to review it one final time. While you wait to hear back, consider our observership opportunity for hands-on clinical exposure.
Application Timeline
Bench Test Preparation
Interview Invitations
After submitting through ADEA CAAPID, many dental schools may require supplemental applications, especially for Advanced Standing programs, as well as interviews, bench tests, or additional documentation. It's important for international dentists to monitor their email regularly and respond promptly to each school's requests. For more preparation insights, see our articles on whether the bench test is really that hard, what an Advanced Standing dental program involves, and what to practice for the bench test.