Information gathered from: American Dental Education Association, Benevis

Do you have to do residency after dental school?

Residencies are not required for general dentists, but if you plan to specialize, you are required to complete a residency. One exception is Dental Public Health professionals. Though there are residency programs for this specialty, they are not required, but public health dentists are required to complete a master’s or doctoral degree.

Can I complete a residency after practicing?

While most dentists enter residency immediately after graduating from dental school, practicing dentists can elect to complete a residency. If you have worked as a general dentist and want to receive more training to specialize, that option is available to you.

How does the dental residency match work?

Most dental residency programs in the United States use the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (Match). These systems streamline the application and selection process for applicants and residency programs.

The Match process consists of six steps:

1. Applicants register for the Dental Match.
2. Applicants apply to the programs they are interested in.
3. Applicants receive invites and interview with programs.
4. Applicants and programs submit Rank Order Lists.
5. The Matching Algorithm processes.
6. Applicants and programs receive the results of the Match.

When is the Dental Match?

The Dental Match process begins in early May when applicant registration opens. It closes in early-October and Rank Order Lists are due by mid-November. Applicants and programs receive the results of the Match in late-November. A full list of dates can be found here.

How to get into dental residency

If you’re planning to pursue additional training, your dental school will likely provide you with the information needed to achieve this goal. Here is a brief overview of the steps to apply and be matched into a dental residency:

1. Decide on a specialty
   
   • Research: Determine which dental specialty you are interested in.
   • Shadowing and internships: Gain exposure by shadowing specialists and participating in relevant internships or externships during dental school.
2. Gain clinical experience
   
   • Clinical rotations: Take full advantage of clinical rotations during dental school to build practical experience. This is also a great time to build relationships with mentors and those who can potentially write your letters of recommendation.
   • Extracurricular activities: Participate in research projects, dental organizations, and community service to strengthen your application.
3. Prepare for standardized exams
   
   • National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I and II or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE): These exams are critical for your dental licensure and residency application.
   • Specialty-specific exams: Some specialties may require additional exams, such as the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT).
4. Research and select residency programs
   
   • Accreditation: Ensure that the programs you are interested in are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
   • Program requirements: Review the specific requirements for each program, including clinical experience, research, and board scores.
5. Application process
   
   • Personal statement: Write a compelling personal statement that highlights your motivation, experiences, and goals related to the specialty.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Prepare a detailed CV that includes your academic achievements, clinical experience, research, publications, and extracurricular activities.
   • Letters of recommendation: Obtain 3-4 strong letters of recommendation from faculty members, clinical supervisors, or mentors who can vouch for your skills and potential.
   • Transcripts: Provide official transcripts from your dental school.
6. Apply to residency programs
   
   • Apply through PASS: Most programs use the Postdoctoral Application Support Service.
   • Supplemental applications: Some programs may require additional supplemental applications directly to their institution.
7. Interviews
   
   • Preparation: Prepare for interviews by practicing common questions and discussing your clinical experiences, research, and motivations for the specialty.
   • Professionalism: Dress professionally and be punctual for your interviews. Follow up with thank-you notes to express your appreciation.
8. Match process
   
   • Rank programs: Rank your preferred programs based on your interviews and overall fit with the program.
   • Get matched: Learn which residency program you will attend on Match Day (late November).

Resources for residency & beyond

Attending residency is one of many decisions you will make as you become a dentist. If you have more questions about dental residency or want to know about dental practice ownership, salary data, and more, find relevant articles in our Resource Library or check out our curated list below:

• What Is The Average Dental Residency Salary? & Other FAQs
• What Is The Average Dentist Salary?
• Owner vs. Associate: What to Know When Considering Dental Practice Ownership