About

For students who have already earned a dental degree from an institution in another country that is not recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada, this program allows you to complete a Canadian Doctor of Dental Medicine program in two years.


Note: If you have not already completed a degree in dentistry, please consult our full four year Doctor of Dental Medicine program page.

Quick facts
  • Two year degree program
  • Full-time program
  • You cannot begin this program directly from high school

What you will learn

You will learn to perform a wide variety of procedures and functions including prevention/public education, detection and management of oral conditions, esthetic improvement, restoration, correction, reconstruction and surgery.

In place of the first two years of the full four year program, you will attend a spring session of DENT 497.0, Essential Dentistry Skills. From there, you will join third year dentistry students and complete the regular program.

After completing the International Dental Degree Program, you will be eligible to sit the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) examinations, which are required for licensure in Canada.

Spring
DENT 497.0 Essential Dentistry Skills

Year 1 
Oral Radiology, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Operative Dentistry, Pedodontics, Removable Prosthodontics, Fixed Prosthodontics, Diagnosis, Basic Internal Medicine, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Implant Prosthodontics, Dental Practice Management, Oral Pathology, Communication Skills

Year 2 
Oral Radiology, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Operative Dentistry, Pedodontics, Removable Prosthodontics, Fixed Prosthodontics, Health Science Interdisciplinary Relationships, Diagnosis/Oral Medicine, Endodontics, Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Implant Prosthodontics, Dental Practice Management, Comprehensive Care.

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

Tuition estimates

As a guideline, below are the estimated expenses for students registered in Year 1 of the DMD program. Please note these are estimates only (2023-2024 rates) and subject to change from year to year.

Annual Fees Year 1
Tuition $61,389
Program fee $9,000
Student fees $1,089
Equipment $5,142
Total $76,620

Admission requirements

Eligibility Requirements

1. Academic requirements

Completion of a degree in dentistry from an academic institution not recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).

Completion of the Advanced Dental Admissions Test (ADAT) of the American Dental Association within 3 years of the application. We will be accepting test scores written between March 1, 2021 – Aug. 31, 2023.

2. Dental Aptitude Test

Applicants are not required to have completed the dental aptitude test.

3. IDDP Assessment of Clinical Skills Examination and Interview

Applicants may be selected to participate in the IDDP Assessment of Clinical Skills Examination and Interview. Selection of applicants will be based on ADAT score. Clinical and/or academic experience, as detailed in the required Letter of Application, will be the secondary criterion used for selection between applicants with equal ADAT scores. Applicants will be invited to participate in the IDDP Assessment of Clinical Skills and Interview with a maximum of 5 positions reserved for residents of Saskatchewan. Applicants will be assessed on clinical skills as well as communication skills in a clinical setting using the common North American dental vernacular and a formal panel interview.

There will be a $1,500 CAD fee for the IDDP Assessment of Clinical Skills Examination and Interview.

The assessment and interview will be conducted at the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry in Saskatoon over a 3-day period. 

The interview will be conducted as a traditional panel interview.

4. English language proficiency

Applicants whose primary language is not English must present evidence of proficiency in English. Valid standardized test scores for admission for 2024-25 include the period of Aug. 25, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2024.

5. Criminal record check

Self-declaration of an adult criminal record is required of all applicants on the application form. Applicants accepted into the program are required to complete and submit a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening after the date of offer and no later than June 1. There are currently some Canadian provinces that will not license a dentist to practice if they have a criminal record. Applicants are encouraged to contact the respective provincial dental association for further information.

6. Immunization requirements

Successful applicants must comply with the University of Saskatchewan’s policy on immunization, which states that all students attending a health science college must provide documented proof of immunization. Immunization records for accepted applicants must be received by the date stated in the letter of offer.

It is the duty of the admissions committee to select applicants that have the ability to succeed in the program. The admissions committee reserves the right to review the applicant’s entire application submission, including all written/verbal communication with the College of Dentistry, and to deny entry to applicants whose academic background or history indicates a diminished probability of success.

Selection is based on performance at the IDDP Assessment of Clinical Skils Examination and Interview.

  1. Assessment of clinical skills (60% overall weighting)
  2. Assessment of communication skills in a clinical setting (25% overall weighting)
  3. Interview (15% overall weighting)

Categories of applicants

The College of Dentistry admits up to 5 students to the program each year. Applicants must be graduates of a dental degree program at a foreign institution which is not recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Applicants must be citizens of Canada or have permanent residency status (landed immigrant) on the date of application. A minimum of one space is reserved for residents of the province of Saskatchewan, the remaining spaces are available to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

All applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants at the time of application.

To be eligible as a Saskatchewan resident, applicants must have resided in Saskatchewan for at least FOUR years immediately prior to September 1 of the year admission is being sought. For 2024-2025, applicants must have resided in Saskatchewan since Sept. 1, 2020. Applicants who have left the province, but previously lived in Saskatchewan for an accumulated period of 15 years (permanent residency), will be considered residents. Applicants who have previously lived in Saskatchewan for an accumulated period of less than 15 years and who do not qualify under the four-year requirement will receive credit of one year toward the four-year requirement for every four years of residency in the province. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to the four-year Saskatchewan residency rule.

In order to support a claim as a resident of Saskatchewan, the following proof and circumstances will be taken into account:

  • Date of issue of your Saskatchewan Health Card1 AND either the date of issue of your Saskatchewan Drivers' License2 OR Saskatchewan Income Tax Forms confirming taxes paid in Saskatchewan.
  • Applicants who have completed four years of full-time study at a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution immediately prior to the year admission is being sought are considered Saskatchewan residents. Official transcripts must be submitted by the document deadline to support this claim.
  • Reasons for any break in continuity of residence, which includes attendance at an out-of-province educational institution, summer employment where applicable and any other reason deemed to be relevant.
  • Saskatchewan high school transcript (if you are NOT currently registered at the University of Saskatchewan)

1. If the date of issue of your Saskatchewan Health Card is newer than the original date of issue, a letter from Saskatchewan Health confirming the date of issue is required.
2. If the date of issue of your Saskatchewan Drivers License is newer than the original date of issue, a Drivers Abstract is required.

Applicants must be graduates of a dental degree program at a foreign institution which is not recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Applicants must be citizens of Canada or have permanent residency status (landed immigrant) on the date of application.

Applying

Deadline - To start classes in August 2024, the deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024. The College of Dentistry accepts online applications only. The online application is available Dec. 15, 2023 – Feb. 1, 2024.

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $250 CAD is required and MUST be paid online via credit card at the time the application is submitted. The application fee may be paid by Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

How to apply

Be sure to read the complete admissions guide before you begin your application.

Required documentation

All of the following required documentation must be received no later than Feb. 1, 2024:

  • Completed on-line application with payment of $250 CAD application fee.
  • Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) results sent directly from ADA (applicants may request test results to be sent using ADA online portal). Acceptable ADAT dates March 1, 2021 – Aug. 31, 2023.
  • Letter of Application and curriculum vitae that outlines verifiable clinical and academic experiences.
  • If applicable, the following supporting documents:
    • Proof that you have resided in Saskatchewan for at least 4 years immediately prior to September 1 of the year in which admission is being sought
    • Notarized proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence
    • Notarized copy of dental school/college degree/diploma and transcripts/marks accompanied by a notarized English translation if applicable
    • Proof of English language proficiency and/or official or notarized transcripts demonstrating English language proficiency
    • Notarized proof of name changes, if applicable

Required documentation sent to:

Admissions, College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan
105 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4

Note: Notarization of copies must be by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths licensed in Canada.

After applying

Applicants will be informed in writing, via email, of their application status in April for offers to participate in the Assessment of Clinical Skills Examination and Interview. To accept the invitation, applicants must pay a non-refundable deposit of $1,500 by the deadline stated in the offer letter. The deposit will be applied to the examination fee. Applicants who withdraw from their examination acceptance after paying the fee will forfeit the deposit. The remaining portion of the examination fee will be due by the deadline stated in the offer letter.

Applicants who participate in the Assessment of Clinical Skills Examination and Interview will be informed in writing, by email, of their application status by mid-May. To accept an offer of admission, applicants must pay a non-refundable deposit of 15% of tuition by the deadline stated in the letter. The deposit will be applied towards tuition fees at the time of registration. Applicants who withdraw their admission acceptance after paying the fee forfeit the deposit. 

If offered admission, applicants are required to submit the following documentation:

Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening due no later than June 1 to:

Admissions, College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan
105 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4

The Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening must be completed AFTER the date of the offer of admission.

Successful applicants must purchase any dental equipment supported by the College of Dentistry (including loupes).

Important dates

Date Activity
February 1 Online application, fee, and supporting documents are due
Mid-May Assessment of clinical skills examination and interview
June 1 Criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening due
Mid-June – Mid-August Essential Skills in Dentistry DENT 497.0
August Year 1 start

College info

The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree in dentistry is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Dentistry.

The College of Dentistry is a dynamic college with a reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. Established in 1965, the College of Dentistry was the first institution in the province of Saskatchewan to offer a fully accredited dental program. The college strives to serve as a leader in innovative scholarly pursuits, research, interdisciplinary collaboration, community outreach and engagement.


Questions?

Email: iddp.admissions@usask.ca

Admissions, College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan
105 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon, SK  S7N 5E4