No. It is not necessary to have post-graduate clinical experience to apply.
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Advanced standing program for international dental graduates
The Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates (ASPIDG) is for individuals who graduated from non-accredited dental programs and wish to practise general dentistry in Canada.
Students admitted through the ASPIDG will join Year 2 of the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program. Graduates will earn a DDS degree upon successful completion of the program.
Application opens mid-September (for entry into the program the following September) and closes November 1 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Application is available only from this webpage.
Eligibility
The ASPIDG is specifically for dentists who completed their dental education outside of:
- Canada
- United States
- Australia: graduated before March 2010
- Ireland: graduated before December 5, 2012
- New Zealand: graduated before December 14, 2011
- Saudi Arabia: graduated from King Abdulaziz University before August 1, 2019
- Turkey: graduated from Yeditepe University before February 1, 2024
Application requirements
Schulich Dentistry must receive the Online Application, application fee, test scores and required supporting documentation, including the Application Checklist, by November 1 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
Application
$375.00 CAD non-refundable, payable by credit card within the online application. (Cheques and bank drafts cannot be accepted.)
Bench Test
$4,500.00* CAD non-refundable. (*Applicants who completed the 2024 December PLA Course will pay a non-refundable fee of $800.00 CAD if they apply to take the December 2025 test and meet all current application requirements.)
Bench Test will be held at the beginning of December. Questions can be directed to Continuing Dental Education (CDE).
Tuition
Current and historic fee schedules can be found on the Office of the Registrar website:
- Click Fees & Refunds, then scroll down and select Fee Schedules.
- Click Fall/Winter Tuition, then select Undergraduate Program Fees - Canadian.
- Scroll down to Internationally Trained Dentists.
International Dental Degree/Diploma
Official copies of your degree/diploma and transcripts, from a minimum 4-year university dental program, must be sent directly from the issuing institution to dds.asp@schulich.uwo.ca.
An official certified translation must be provided for degrees/diplomas and transcripts that are not in English.
If electronic copies cannot be provided directly from the issuing institution, applicants must direct them to courier or mail them to the same address as the application fee.
Canadian High School (if applicable)
Applicants who successfully completed four (4) years of full-time Canadian high school education in English may be exempt from completing an English language proficiency test if they submit an official high school transcript.
The high school transcript must be uploaded to your application by the application deadline.
Proof of permanent resident (PR) status or Canadian citizenship, such as a valid PR card, Canadian passport, or a Record of Landing/Confirmation of Permanent Residence that verifies your status.
PR status or Canadian citizenship is required by the application deadline date.
Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) results must be sent directly from the ADA to Western University.
ADAT results are valid for three (3) years.
ADAT is only offered between March 1 and August 31 each year.
Electronic delivery of test results must be sent directly by the Test Centre. Results are valid for two (2) years from the date of the exam.*
All applicants must complete an IELTS or TOEFL English language test, with the exception of applicants who successfully completed three (3) years of full-time Canadian high school education in English. Official high school student transcripts showing the above must be uploaded in your application.
TOEFL iBT (includes iBT Home Edition)
- Minimum total score of 88 is required, with a minimum of 20 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
- TOEFL Code for University of Western Ontario - Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry: 8956
IELTS (Academic)
- Minimum Overall Band Score of 6.5 is required, with no band lower than 6.0 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
- IELTS One Skill Retake is NOT accepted.
- Organization ID: 128119
*Test results received by Schulich Dentistry Admissions after 4:30 p.m. ET on November 1 will not be considered. Book your test early to allow for score reporting and retesting, if needed.
Resume
Summary of your:
- dental education
- professional dental experience
- continuing dental education courses taken
- information such as awards, publications, affiliations, etc.
Photo
A recent, passport-style colour photo.
Proof of Name Change (if applicable)
If your name on any of your documents is different from the name on your application, you must submit an official legal name change document, such as a marriage certificate or a sworn affidavit administered by a person who is legally authorized to do so.
Application process
Application will open mid-September (for entry into the program the following September) and close November 1 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Application is available only from this webpage.
Applicants who meet eligibility and application requirements, as outlined on our website, may be selected to proceed through the next stages of the application process.
Meeting eligibility and application requirements does not guarantee further consideration.
Application assessments are confidential and feedback will not be provided.
The Bench Test, formerly the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) exam, is a mandatory requirement for all candidates seeking admission through the ASP.
Held at the beginning of December, the Bench Test is a two-day* clinical assessment consisting of an evaluation of the applicant's psychomotor performance and knowledge in dental subjects at a pre-clinical level. The test allows applicants to showcase clinical skills and knowledge in a simulated environment, and instructors to observe and assess proficiency across various dental procedures.
A select number of applicants are invited to register for the test. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet all application requirements and submit an application with all required supporting documents by the deadline date.
Bench Test results are confidential and will not be released.
2024 Fall PLA
Applicants who completed the 2024 Fall PLA Course may complete a one (1) day assessment. A new online application and supporting documentation must be re-submitted. Eligible applicants will be automatically invited to register for the one-day test.
A select number of top-ranked Bench Test participants will receive an invitation in late January to attend a virtual interview in February.
Participation in an interview does not guarantee admission into the DDS Program.
Interview results are confidential and will not be released.
The Admissions Committee makes final candidate selections based on the Schulich Dentistry Bench Test, English proficiency scores, ADAT results, resume, interview, and any additional assessments outlined in the Admissions Requirements.
Offers of admission are sent out in late February for the program beginning in September. Students are integrated into Year 2 of the DDS Program.
The decision of the Admissions Committee is final. No appeal process is available. Results remain confidential and no feedback will be given.
Statement of Potential Health Risks and Immunization Requirements
Students accepted into the DDS Program will be required to provide documentation of immunization and tuberculin status. Updated requirements regarding health policies and immunization requirements will be communicated to newly accepted students.
Police Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Screening
Students accepted into the DDS Program must also provide, as a condition of their admission into the Program, a current Police Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Screening.
Related Links
American Dental Association
For a list of accredited dental programs in the United States.
Website: https://www.ada.org/en
Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD)
Email: admin@acfd.ca
Website: www.acfd.ca
Australian Dental Council
For a list of accredited dental programs in Australia.
Website: www.adc.org.au
Canadian Dental Association (CDA)
Website: http://www.cda-adc.ca/
Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation (CDRAF)
Website: www.cdraf.org/
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Website: www.ielts.org/
Irish Dental Council
For a list of accredited dental programs in Ireland.
Website: www.dentalcouncil.ie
New Zealand Dental Council
For a list of accredited dental programs in New Zealand.
Website: www.dentalcouncil.org.nz
Ontario Dental Association (ODA)
Website: https://www.oda.ca/
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO)
The RCDSO is the governing body for dentists in Ontario.
Website: www.rcdso.org/
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Website: www.ets.org/toefl
The City of London, Ontario, Canada
http://www.london.ca
http://www.londontourism.ca/
http://www.goodmovelondon.com/
The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)
Email: info@ndeb-bned.ca
Website: www.ndeb.ca
Working in Canada
Government of Canada website providing labour market information, such as wages and outlooks.
Website: www.workingincanada.gc.ca/
Western Links
Curriculum & Course Listing
Students in the DDS Advanced Standing Program join students in the 2nd year of the DDS Program. Link to Course Listings.
Schulich Dentistry Continuing Dental Education (CDE)
Telephone: 1-888-281-1428
Email: cde@schulich.uwo.ca
Website: Continuing Dental Education (CDE)
Applicant responsibility
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required documentation, information, test scores and fees are submitted as instructed by the application deadline. Documents, information and test scores received after the application deadline will not be considered.
Falsification or misrepresentation of information from any portion of the application will result in removal of the application from consideration.
Falsification or misrepresentation of information from any portion of the application will result in removal of the application from consideration.
Frequently asked questions
The Bench Test is a clinical assessment that typically takes place at the beginning of December.
Interviews are held in early February.
No. Due to the high volume of applications received each year, deferrals are not granted.
If you declined an offer and wished to be considered for a future application cycle, you would need to complete a new online application, resubmit all documents and test results, and repay the application fee.
Yes. To be eligible for considerations, applicants must have permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship at the time of application.
For information about immigration and citizenship, visit the Government of Canada website.
We cannot process an application if any documents, information or test scores are missing or out of date. They must be received by our office by the application deadline.
We will accept transcripts that are part of a WES assessment, provided they are sent by WES directly to Dentistry Admissions.
Electronic delivery is preferred, but we will accept WES reports mailed to Dentistry Admissions (see Contact Us).
Applicants must submit the results of a TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency test. Results are valid for 2 years from the date of the test.
Exception: Applicants who successfully completed four (4) full years of full-time Canadian high school education in English are exempt, but must submit an official high school transcript indicating this as part of their application.
No. The decision of the Admissions Committee is final. There is no appeal process and no feedback can be provided.
There is no limit to the number of times you can apply, however each application must include a new applicatin form, application fee, and supporting documents including test scores, to ensure eligibility.
Applicants who have taken the NDEB ACJ and/or the ACS (NDECC) can apply to the program.
Applicants who receive NDEB certification by successfully completing the NDEB Written & the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will no longer be eligible for consideration.
Applicants may register for and attend the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) Assessment of Clinical Judgment (ACJ) or the NDECC.
Applicants who receive NDEB certification will no longer be eligible for consideration.
Contact us
Dentistry Admissions - ASPIDG
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Health Sciences Addition, Room H110
1151 Richmond St North
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Health Sciences Addition, Room H110
1151 Richmond St North
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1