DDS Advanced Placement
The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Advanced Placement program is a Qualifying/Degree completion program for graduates of non-accredited (programs not recognized by the Commission of Dental Accreditation for Canada (CDAC)) dental programs.
NEW: The 2027 Admissions Checklist is now available. Information on the new in-person Pre-Entry Examination has also been posted.
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 National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) website.
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.
The DDS Advanced Placement program is a full-time program consisting of approximately 35-40 hours of instruction per week. The course schedule will vary each week and year to year. Classes may be scheduled between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday (students will not be scheduled for the full range of hours). Years 2 and 3 consist of three terms, with coursework occurring from late August until mid-July. The final year only consists of Fall and Winter terms.
All applicants are expected to meet the Technical Standards Policy if admitted to the program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission, applicants must be:
- a graduate of a minimum four-year university dental program that is NOT recognized by the Commission of Dental Accreditation for Canada (CDAC)
- a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- must not have been required to withdraw from a dental school for any reason
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.
Submit an Application
Submit a professional program application with the $150 application fee.
Applications Open: July 1
Application Deadline: November 1, 11:59 p.m. MT
Pay Processing Fee
Pay the $175 application processing fee to the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry.
Upload Required DOCUMENTS
Most documents can be uploaded as copies to the application portal (Launchpad). Documents must be received by November 1.
SEND ADAT RESULTS
Applicants must complete the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) and send results directly to the U of A. Results must be received by November 1.
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.
Required Documents
All documents, including dental transcripts and letters of good standing, can be uploaded to UAlberta Launchpad by the applicant as photocopies. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by an English translation. Notarization is not required.
If you are a returning applicant, you may not need to reupload all documents from your previous application. Please contact Dentistry Admissions at admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca to determine your specific documentation requirements.
DEADLINE TO RECEIVE: November 1
Documents received after this deadline will not be considered.
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 U of A?
Documents that can not be uploaded can be sent:
Via email: transcripts@ualberta.ca
Via mail: University of Alberta
Office of the Registrar
3-294 University Commons
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T6G 2R3
Advanced Dental Admission 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 University of Alberta through ADEA Pass. Scores sent by email are NOT accepted.
Important Information
- The ADAT is only offered between March 1 and 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.
- The instructions for sending ADAT scores can be found under our Frequently Asked Questions.
Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) Examination results are not accepted.
Missing Scores?
ADAT scores are added to UAlberta Launchpad starting in August.
Ensure your name and birthdate are correct in your DENTPIN account so your results can be matched to your application.
If your scores are still missing in October, please email admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca. If you recently applied, it may take up to 2 weeks for your scores to be uploaded.
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 University of Alberta 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
See additional information about all accepted ways to meet ELP.
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 from the test date when received.
The following tests are accepted to meet SEP:
| Test Type | Minimum Scores |
| TOEFL Internet-Based (iBT) |
Tests taken before January 21, 2026: 26 in Speaking Tests taken on or after January 21, 2026: 5.0 in Speaking |
| IELTS Academic* In-person or Online |
7.5 in Speaking |
| 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.
ELP and SEP can be met with the same test attempt.
Proof of 6 years of education must be sent to the University of Alberta directly from the issuing institution(s) in the form of official 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.
Interviews
If your application is considered competitive, you will be invited for an interview to determine if you have the personal qualities necessary for the profession. The interview evaluates your maturity, motivation, initiative, ability to communicate, personal qualities, and interests.
Applicants who fail to submit the required documents by November 1 will not be considered for interview selection.
Short-listed applicants will receive their interview invitation via email.
The interview format is a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). In this format, the interviewee will be exposed without interruption to a series of stations, each of which will take 10 minutes to complete.
At each station, the interviewee will be provided with a question/scenario and given two minutes to read the question and prepare a response. After the two minutes, the interviewee will share their response with the interviewer(s) for the remaining eight minutes before proceeding to the next station.
The interviews will be held virtually and may be scheduled in December or January. Dates will be posted here once finalized.
Pre-Entry Examination
Competitive applicants will be invited to participate in the in-person pre-entry examination.
Details of the scope of the pre-entry examination (e.g., simulation hands-on activities) will be provided in advance to those invited to the examination.
Prior to the examination, a $2,500 (CDN) non-refundable pre-entry examination fee is required from each applicant.
Pre-Entry Examination Dates
2027 dates are to be finalized; however, the examination is tentatively scheduled between February 12 and February 21, 2027, with applicants attending only their assigned examination days.
Admission Selection
Enrollment is limited. Admission offers are for the Fall term for which the applicant applied and can not be deferred.
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 exercise its discretion in individual cases. Admission decisions are final and can not be appealed.
Admission Statistics
2025 Intake
- Total Qualified Applicants: 188
- Applicants Admitted: 20
Program Cost
Estimated Total Cost: $293,808
| Year | Tuition | Non-instructional Fees* | Equipment & Instrumentation Rental Fees |
Total per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $75,035 | $2,583 | $23,145 | $100,763 |
| 2 | $75,035 | $2,583 | $22,043 | $99,661 |
| 3 | $68,758 | $2,583 | $22,043 | $93,384 |
* Learn more about Non-instructional Fees are set by the Registrar's Office
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 $1,000 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 Alberta Provincial guidelines for healthcare 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, and 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 several months; therefore, early action on this requirement is strongly advised.
More information can be found under the University Infectious Diseases Regulation.
A clear Police Information Check (PIC) is required under the Protection for Persons in Care Act. All students attending any clinical placement or rotation in Alberta 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 be dated within 90 days of the due date stated on the admission letter. The clinical practice site will ultimately determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of a placement.
CPR is required for all students registered in the program. A CPR Basic Life Support (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 NDEB by-laws governing examinations and certification eligibility.
Possessing a dental degree does not automatically confer the right to practice dentistry in any province of Canada. Each province has its own licensing authority, and graduates of the program desiring to practice 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.
To practice in Alberta, a dentist must be registered with the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta.
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 University of Alberta 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.
Do NOT send scores using the email address entry option.
- Sign in to your DENTPIN account page with an 8-digit DENTPIN and password at https://adadts.my.site.com/dts/s/login/.
- Click on the “Send Scores” tab at the top of your page.
- Select your “Exam Name” from the drop-down list “ADAT”.
- Select the "Score Recipient(s)" of your choice from the list.
- If a recipient is grayed out or already checked, it means they have received your official scores previously.
- Read the disclaimers, sign your name, and pay the fee.
- Score requests are processed/sent immediately, but scores are not uploaded to UAlberta Launchpad until August.
Please contact adat@ada.org if you have issues sending your scores.
Apply Now
Applications are open from July 1 to November 1 in the year prior to the Fall term admission is being sought.
Questions?
Contact dentistry admissions:
admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca
780-492-1319