DDS Advanced Placement
The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Advanced Placement program is a Qualifying/Degree completion program for graduates of non-accredited dental programs.
Non-accredited dental educational programs are those that have not been recognized by the Commission of Dental Accreditation for Canada (CDAC).
Graduates of non-accredited dental programs are required to follow an equivalency process to obtain certification as a general dentist in Canada. Please review the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) of Canada website for information regarding the NDEB Equivalency Process.
On This Page
Program Overview
Successful applicants will be integrated into the second year of the regular DDS undergraduate program. The Advanced Placement program is a 3-year program that begins in the Fall term.
For inquiries about the internationally-trained dentist GAP training program, please contact:
Dr. Paul Allison, Executive Director
Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry
paul.allison@mcgill.ca
Students applying to the program need to be aware that they will be expected to meet the Technical Standards Policy.
The DDS program is comprised of lectures, laboratories, seminars, and clinical practice. Topics include:
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In addition to clinical practice at the University of Alberta Dental Clinic, students participate in clinics at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, the University of Alberta Hospital, and in a satellite dental clinic rotation in Northern Alberta.
Application Process
The admissions cycle is a year-long process. Applications for admission are submitted in the year prior to the Fall term admission is sought.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Applications Open |
July 1 |
Applications Close |
November 1 11:59 PM Mountain Time (MT) |
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to apply to the DDS Advanced Placement Program, applicants must be:
- graduates of a minimum four-year university dental program, not recognized by the CDAC, and;
- a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada, and;
- have not been required to withdraw from a dental school for any reason.
Steps for Applying
- Complete the online application and pay $125 to submit the application.
- Pay the application processing fee of $175 to the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry online.
- Upload all required documents to your UAlberta Launchpad by November 1.
Applications will only be processed once all required documents, test results, and application fees have been received.
Applicants can use the Advanced Placement Admission Checklist to ensure all requirements are met.
Note:
The discovery that any information or documentation uploaded in support of an application is false or misleading, or that any material information has been concealed or withheld, will invalidate the application and will result in its immediate rejection, or in the immediate revocation and cancellation of admission and/or registration, if the applicant has been admitted. Please review the University's Code of Applicant Behaviour for more information on this policy.Required Documents
All required documents must be received by November 1.
Documents received after November 1 will not be considered for admission.
All documents can be uploaded to your UAlberta Launchpad. Documents that can not be uploaded can be sent to:
Office of the Registrar and Student Awards
University of Alberta
11487 89 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2M7
Via email: transcripts@ualberta.ca
Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
Select the + for each item for more information.
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada on or before November 1 in the year of application. Proof of valid Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status must be uploaded with your application. Valid proof must be not expired on November 1 to be accepted.
Uploaded documents must include both front and back sides (excluding passports).
The following are acceptable forms of proof:
- Canadian Passport
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Permanent Resident card
Applicants are required to declare in their application all academic education from all past and present universities, colleges and post-secondary institutions attended
Dental transcripts (or mark sheets) must detail all courses taken and grades received, including failed and repeated courses, within each term/year. Summaries are NOT accepted.
Transcripts must be provided for all post-secondary work completed in the past or present.
Advanced Dental Admissions Test (ADAT)
Applicants must have successfully completed the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT), sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA). If the test is taken more than once, the best set of scores will be used.
The ADAT is only offered between March 1 to August 31 of each year.
In your application, select to have your scores sent to the University of Alberta directly from the ADA. We will not accept scores sent by other means.
Test results must be received by November 1 in the year prior to admission. The ADAT must be no older than five years on November 1.
The ADAT may be written as many times as desired throughout the lifetime and up to twice per calendar year, with at least 45 days between consecutive attempts.
For information on the ADAT or to register for the exam, visit ada.org/ADAT.
Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) Examination results will not be accepted.
NOTE: Please ensure your name and birthdate are correct in your DENTPIN account so we can match your results to your application. ADAT scores will initially show as missing in your UAlberta Launchpad as scores are added manually. If your scores are still missing in October, please contact admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca.
English Language Requirements
English is the primary language of instruction in the DDS Advanced Placement Program. All applicants must be proficient in both written and spoken English. The University of Alberta reserves the right to use discretion in determining adequate levels of language proficiency to ensure success in academic programs.
Acceptable proof of English Language Proficiency and Spoken English Proficiency must be received by November 1.
Spoken English Proficiency (SEP) Requirement
All applicants to the DDS Advanced Placement Program need to have spoken English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin.
SEP can met through any of the following ways:
Six full-time years of education in English in Canada or the equivalent in another country where English is the principal language. This includes Alberta Grade 12, or equivalent level, and can be in a combination of secondary and post-secondary training (excluding ESL).
Proof of 6 years of education must be uploaded in the form of transcripts (including details on course enrolment and hours of instruction).
For a list of countries and institutions that are recognized as having met the SEP requirement, see Countries and Universities that satisfy English Proficiency.
English Test scores must be valid and verifiable. English Tests must be no older than 2 years on November 1 in the year of the application is submitted.
The following tests are accepted to meet SEP:
| Test Type | Minimum Scores |
| TOEFL Internet-based (iBT), In-person, at-home edition |
Speaking: 26 |
| IELTS Academic* In-person or Online |
Speaking: 7.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | Overall score of 140, with no integrated subscore below 120 (individual subscores are not used) |
*The IELTS One Skill Retake is NOT accepted.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirement
In addition to the spoken English requirement, applicants must have written English Language Proficiency.
There are multiple ways to meet ELP including:
- English Test scores
- Previous education in English
- Previous English courses
Additional information about all accepted ways to show ELP can be found at uab.ca/languagereqs.
Pre-Entry Examination
Applicants who are considered to have potential based on their application documents may be selected for the pre-entry examination.
Prior to the examination, a CDN$2000 non-refundable pre-entry examination fee is required from each applicant.
Pre-Entry Examination DatesFall 2025 |
Wednesday, January 29 - Saturday, February 1, 2025 |
Admission Selection
Enrollment is limited
See the Admission Statistics sidebar for the previous year's number of applicants and competitive averages.
Selection factors will include, but are not limited to:
- Advanced Dental Admission Test
- Dental School marks
- Pre-Entry Examination results
- Additional assessments as determined by the Admissions Committee.
The Admissions Committee reserves the right to use its judgment with respect to individual cases. The decision concerning admission is final. No appeal mechanism exists.
Program Cost
The estimated costs for students in the DDS Advanced Placement Program are as follows:
| Year | Tuition & Fees | Non-Instructional Fees * | Equipment & Instrumentation Rental Fees |
TOTAL PER YEAR |
| 1 | $71,091 | $2,436 | $23,145 | $96,672 |
| 2 | $71,091 | $2,436 | $23,145 | $96,672 |
| 3 | $67,111 | $1,944 | $23,145 | $92,200 |
* Non-Instructional Fees are set by the Registrar's Office. More information can be found here.
ESTIMATED TOTAL PROGRAM COST: $285,543
NOTE: All costs noted above are estimates only and are subject to change. Students pay the fees in effect at the time of registration. Loupes, textbooks and software are separate from the above fees. Students are responsible for any costs associated with these requirements.
Learn more about Scholarships and Awards as well as Dentistry Awards and Scholarships.
Acceptance of Admission
An admission decision is valid only for the Fall term for which the applicant applied. Admission offers can not be deferred.Licensure
In accordance with the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) regulations, students enrolled in advanced placement programs are eligible to take the NDEB exams within three months of their expected date of graduation. For further information, refer to the NDEB by-laws governing examinations and certification eligibility.
The possession of a dental degree does not automatically confer the right to practice dentistry in any province of Canada. Each province has a licensing authority. A dentist desiring to practice dentistry in Canada should contact the appropriate provincial licensing body.
The Registrar of a Provincial licensing body may refuse to issue a registration certificate to practice dentistry to any applicant possessing a criminal record. If you have concerns in this area, please contact the appropriate licensing authority.