DMD Advanced Standing Program Improved at UIC College of Dentistry

CHICAGO - Dec. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- The International Dentist Degree Program has been renamed the Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Degree Program (DMDAS) at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

         “The new title more accurately reflects what the program is about,” said Dr. Darryl Pendleton, Associate Dean for Student and Diversity Affairs.

         The program began in 1994 as a certificate program for dentists trained outside the United States and Canada. In 2008, it was upgraded to a degree program that at first provided the DDS degree, and now the DMD for United States citizens or permanent residents who hold an international (non-North American) dental degree.

         Over the years IDDP and DDS/DMD students, who once were educated separately with different curricula, joined together more and more in their clinical and didactic experiences.

         “The DMDAS students now are totally integrated into the DMD curriculum,” Dr. Pendleton said. “The name change more accurately reflects the students’ actual experience.

         “In addition, the word ‘international’ in the name of the program caused confusion,” he added. “All participants are United States citizens or permanent residents.”

         The College offers three ways to obtain a DMD degree: the four-year DMD program, the DMD Advanced Standing Degree Program, and the DMD Advanced Standing Degree Program for Faculty.

         “All three programs offer the same DMD degree, therefore the names of the programs should reflect this,” Dr. Pendleton said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

         Starting this year, DMD and Advanced Standing students were integrated alphabetically at the College’s White Coat ceremony, and will receive their degrees at commencement together as well.

         The name change took effect in October.

         For more information, contact Dr. Pendleton at dpendle@uic.edu.