Admissions, Applying & Regulations

Requirements for admission to the Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction program for gradutes of Non-CODA accredited dental schools (foreign) are the following:

  • Degree from a dental school accredited by the local government jurisdiction

  • National Board Dental Examination, Part I (Official copies of scores must be emailed to: postdds@dentistry.ucla.edu.)

  • English language proficiency

Application Process

Submit application materials through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS).

Applicants must also submit the supplemental application directly to the Office of Student Services:

Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction International Position
UCLA School of Dentistry
Office of Student Services
10833 Le Conte Ave, A0-111 CHS
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668

The following materials must also be sent to Student Services:

  • Personal Statement

  • Official NBDE Part I scores (by application deadline) 

  • Official NBDE Part II scores (by June 1st of the year program starts)  
  • NBDE Part I & II - Official scores mus be submitted to postdds@dentistry.ucla.edu 

  • Official Dental School Transcript

  • 3 letters of recommendation (signed and sealed)

  • Recent passport-sized photograph (2” x 2”)

  • Official TOEFL score or IELTS score

  • Official TOEFL Scores (a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL, 250 on the computarized version, 87 on the internet-based is required). Please note TOEFL school code for the UCLA School of Dentistry is: 8354. The scores should be received by the application deadline. 
  • Official ECE Report (Course by Course) 

Incomplete files will not be considered.

Application Deadline: November 1

Financial Arrangement

Program Fee: $26,000 per year (or $6,500 on a quarterly basis)

Certificate Fee: one-time payment of $200

International Student Fee: $1,300 (only for those requesting I-20s for F-1 student status)

Immigration Regulations

Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction international postgraduates must enter the United States on an F-1 visa which is processed by the School’s visa coordinator. This is a non-immigrant visa which presumes you are in the United States for the purpose of studying for a limited time. Information on how to apply for I-20AB necessary for an F-1 visa will be sent to you after acceptance to the program if relevant.

There is a non-refundable fee of $1,300 due after acceptance for those who need an I-20 to apply for an F-1 student visa. There is also a $200 certificate fee to confirms your acceptance of the program. These fees are not applied towards your tuition and are non-refundable.

Health Insurance and Clearance

All postgraduates are required to be insured under an adequate medical insurance plan during all periods of registration. Medical insurance is not provided by UCLA for international postgraduates, and you cannot be seen at the on-campus student health facility. The School of Dentistry requires that you obtain a health clearance prior to enrollment in the program for individual and community health reasons. The health clearance must include a complete physical examination and demonstration of immunity to certain communicable diseases. Annual monitoring for tuberculosis will also be necessary.

Medical Malpractice Insurance

Students in all ACT programs and international postgraduates in CODA approved programs will be required to purchase medical malpractice insurance.