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.
Graduates of non-accredited dental programs are required to follow an equivalency process to obtain certification as a general dentist in Canada. More information can be found on the .
The DDS Advanced Placement program is 3-years in length (8 terms). Successful applicants are integrated into the second year of the regular DDS undergraduate program.
Students applying to the program need to be aware that they will be expected to meet the Technical Standards Policy.
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission, applicants must be:
- graduates of a minimum four-year university dental program, not recognized by the Commission of Dental Accreditation for Canada (CDAC)
- a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
- have not been required to withdraw from a dental school for any reason
Information about the ACFD Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada program can be found at .
Steps to Apply
The admissions cycle is a year-long process. Applications for admission are submitted in the year prior to the Fall term admission is sought.
Applications will only be processed once all required documents, test results, and application fees have been received. Review the Advanced Placement Admissions Checklist to ensure all requirements are met.
01
Submit an Application
Submit a with the $125 application fee.
Applications Open: July 1
Application Deadline: November 1 11:59 PM MT
02
Pay Processing Fee
Pay the $175 to the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry.
03
Upload Required DOCUMENTS
Most documents can be uploaded as copies to your . Documents must be received by November 1.
04
SEND ADAT RESULTS
Applicants must complete the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) and send results directly to the UofA. Results must be received by November 1.
05
MEET ENGLISH REQUIREMENTs
Applicants must present English Language Proficiency and Spoken English Proficiency. Proof must be received by November 1.
The discovery that an applicant has omitted necessary information or submitted false information in their application could result in the cancellation of the application, rescission of an offer of admission, or refusal of future applications. Please review the University's Admissions Policy for more information.
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada on or before November 1 in the year of 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.
Applicants who are, or have been, licensed to practice dentistry in any jurisdiction, must upload letters/certificates of good standing from each current and previous licensing body.
Letter of good standing often will not be sent to the applicant. In this case, you can have the letter sent directly to the UofA using one of the listed methods in this section.
Need to send something directly to the UofA?
Documents that can not be uploaded can be sent:
Via email: transcripts@ualberta.ca
Via mail:
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
Office of the Registrar
University Commons
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T6G 2R3
Advanced Dental Admissions Test (ADAT)
Information about the ADAT and test registration can be found at ada.org/ADAT.
DEADLINE TO RECEIVE: November 1
During registration, select to have your scores sent to the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ directly from the ADA. We will not accept scores sent by other means.
Important Information
- The ADAT is only offered between March 1 to August 31 of each year.
- Submitted results must be no older than five years on November 1.
- If the test is taken more than once, the best set of scores will be used.
Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) Examination results will not be accepted.
Missing Scores?
ADAT scores are added to U¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Launchpad starting in August.
Ensure your name and birthdate are correct in your DENTPIN account so we can match your results to your application.
If your scores are still missing in October, please email admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca.
English Language Requirements
English is the language of instruction in the DDS Advanced Placement program. All applicants must present English Language Proficiency and Spoken English Proficiency.
The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ reserves the right to use discretion in determining adequate levels of language proficiency to ensure success in academic programs.
DEADLINE TO RECEIVE: November 1
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
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 meet ELP can be found at .
Spoken English Proficiency (SEP)
SEP can met through the following ways:
English Test scores must be valid and verifiable. Scores must be no older than 2 years on November 1.
The following tests are accepted to meet SEP:
| Test Type | Minimum Scores |
| TOEFL Internet-Based (iBT) | 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.
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.
Selection factors 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. Admission decisions are final and can not be appealed.
Admission Statistics
Year: 2024
| Total Qualified Applicants | 194 |
| Applicants Admitted | 20 |
Program Cost
Estimated Total Cost: $ 291,303
| Year | Tuition | Non-instructional Fees* | Equipment & Instrumentation Rental Fees |
Total per Year |
| 1 | $73,037 | $2,436 | $23,145 | $98,618 |
| 2 | $73,037 | $2,436 | $23,145 | $98,618 |
| 3 | $68,978 | $1,944 | $23,145 | $94,067 |
* Non-instructional Fees are set by the Registrar's Office. More information can be found here.
Note: Costs are estimates and subject to change. Fees are paid at registration. Students are responsible for any costs associated with loupes, textbooks, and software.
Learn more about Scholarships and Awards as well as Dentistry Awards and Scholarships.
Post-Admission
Admitted students must complete the following:
Upon notification of acceptance, applicants will be required to confirm their admission and intention to register by submitting a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1000 within the time specified in the letter of acceptance. The deposit will be credited toward the payment of tuition upon completion of registration.
Complete and fully documented immunization is a program requirement. The vaccination requirements are based on the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ provincial guidelines for health-care students in a post-secondary institution and serology/immunization outside the guidelines is not routinely done or recommended. All immunization records need to be written and legible. A certified translation must be provided for all non-English documentation. Students without acceptable records will be required to complete their primary immunization series which can take many months so early action on this requirement is strongly advised.
A clear police information check (PIC) is required under the Protection for Persons in Care Act. All students going to any clinical placement or rotation in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ are required to complete a PIC (also known as a criminal record check, security clearance check, or police clearance), which must include a vulnerable sector check. The PIC must have been completed within six months of the program start date. The clinical practice site will determine the criteria for acceptance or denial of a placement.
CPR is required for all students registered in the program. The Mike Petryk School of Dentistry will only accept Canadian Heart and Stroke or American Heart Association: Basic Life Support (BLS) for health-care providers. No other courses will be accepted to meet the CPR requirement. A CPR BLS provider session will be organized by the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry for successful applicants. A CPR BLS provider certificate is valid for one year from the completion date of the course. Students must have a valid CPR certification throughout the duration of their program.
Licensure After Graduation
In accordance with the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) regulations, students enrolled in Qualifying/Degree Completion programs are eligible to take the NDEB exams within three months of their expected date of graduation. For further information, refer to the 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
We do not accept documents from WES, ECE, or other third-party evaluation services.
Applicants must provide a copy of their dental school and post-secondary transcripts for evaluation by the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Registrar's Office.
We no longer accept the AFK.
Applicants need to complete the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) by the American Dental Association. More information can found here.
Apply Now
Applications are open from July 1 to November 1 each year
Questions?
Contact dentistry admissions:
admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca
780-492-1319