Program for Advanced Standing Students

Application period for the class starting in March 2014 opens March 15, 2013. Deadline: September 27, 2013 at 5 p.m. (17:00), Central Standard Time

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Program for Advanced Standing Students (UMN PASS) is a program designed for graduates of dental schools outside of the United States (U.S.) and Canada seeking to practice dentistry in the U.S. 

Please read the information below carefully since there are substantial changes to the program starting with the PASS Class of 2016

Most states in the U.S. require a degree (DDS/DMD) from a dental school accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and subsequently passing a licensing examination before a license can be issued (for further details on states accepting graduate training in lieu of a DDS/DMD degree from a CODA accredited school contact ADA or appropriate states’ dental board). The University of Minnesota’s Program for Advanced Standing Students (UMN PASS) will prepare non-U.S. and non-Canadian educated dentists for a future career in the US. Successful completion of the two and a half-year (2 years and 5 months) UMN-PASS program leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, allowing a successful graduate to seek a license to practice dentistry in most U.S. states. Candidates should be aware of that states may have different requirements for licensure and are urged to seek information from the Board of Dentistry in a state where they plan to practice or from ADA. The UMN PASS program is designed to facilitate a smooth transition to the University of Minnesota, provide a successful integration into the clinical years, and into the profession allowing for a long and successful career.

Integrated Program

UMN PASS students are fully integrated into the third-year class. UMN PASS students will participate in some preclinical courses during the first semester of the program (January 2014). As they proceed through their third and fourth years of dental school they take all courses and clinical experiences with University of Minnesota 4-year dental students. UMN PASS students receive the same clinical education as any other student graduating from University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. A highlight of the education is the outreach program when students spend 6-8 weeks in our outreach clinics in the Twin Cities and in rural areas. Students will work with the newest technology, learn to work with a chair side dental assistant, treat several patients per day, and experience opportunities for future practices.

PASS graduates are eligible and prepared to sit for the regional board examination of most, if not all, state/regional examination of their choice. Since 2010 University of Minnesota School of Dentistry offers our students the opportunity to take the Canadian non-patient based licensing examination for practice in Minnesota and Canada. We continue to offer our students to complete the CRDT (Central Regional Dental Testing) examination.

Changes in the program from previous years

The UMN PASS program has over the years undergone changes to strengthen the program. Beginning with the Class of 2016 the program will be close to two and a half years long. The class starting in January 2014 will take several courses offered in the second year e.g. Removable Partial Denture (RPD) course. Many aspects of the previous summer course DDS 6311 will remain but will be incorporated into the existing semester schedules. PASS students are fully integrated with the third year class in the Summer semester of the third year. They will in the Fall semester of the third year take the preclinical course in Complete Dentures (2014).

A major advantage with this modified schedule will be that the PASS students will enter the clinics earlier than in the past.