Admission Process
1. Application
Application for the program beginning in September 2026 will be announced soon.
In order to be considered for the DDS Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates (ASPIDG), applicants must:
- Meet all program Application Requirements;
- Submit an online Application Form; and
- Mail all supporting documentation for review to:
Please Note: All supporting documentation must be received by the Program Office by the application deadline date. You are strongly encouraged to send in your documentation well in advance of the deadline date so we can notify you if any documents are missing or invalid.
2. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Course
The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Course is a requirement for all applicants who wish to take the PLA Exam, which is part of the admissions process. The PLA Course is valid for two (2) consecutive PLA Exams immediately following the course.
For example, applicants who successfully complete the 2024 Fall PLA Course can register to take the 2025 PLA Exam and can also apply again the next application cycle to take the 2026 PLA Exam, if still eligible. Supporting documentation is held for a period of one year. If re-applying the next year, a new application, fee, and any up-to-date supporting documents must be submitted again by the application deadline date.
All eligible applicants meeting the application requirements, will receive an email with information on how to register for the PLA Course, which begins in October. Please allow 7-10 business days from receipt of your application package for us verify and review your documentation. If anything is missing or invalid, you will be notified.
Enrollment for the PLA Course is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
More information about the PLA Course can be found on our Schulich Dentistry Continuing Dental Education (CDE) website as it becomes available:
https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/dentistry/continuing_dental_education/pla_prep_course.html.
3. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Exam & Interview
The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Exam is a one-day simulated clinical assessment consisting of an evaluation of the applicant’s psychomotor performance and knowledge in dental subjects at a pre-clinical level. All of the psychomotor skill testing is done on Kilgore dentoforms in the Schulich Dentistry Simulation Clinic.
The PLA Exam is normally held in mid-March and is a requirement for all candidates seeking admission into the program for that year. A maximum of 40 of the top-ranked exam participants will be invited for an interview in late March. Participation in the interview does not guarantee admission into the Program.
More information about the PLA Exam can be found HERE. Results of the PLA Exam remain confidential and will not be released.
4. Selection for DDS ASPIDG Program & Additional Requirements
The Admissions Committee bases the final selection of candidates on a combination of the PLA Exam results, English proficiency scores, ADAT results, and the interview.
Offers of admission are sent out in April for the program beginning in September. Students are integrated into the second year of the DDS undergraduate program.
The decision of the Admissions Committee at Schulich Dentistry concerning admission to the DDS ASPIDG Program is final. No appeal process is available. Results remain confidential and no feedback can be given.
Statement of Potential Health Risks and Immunization Requirements
Students accepted into the Program will be required to provide documentation of immunization and tuberculin status. Please see the DDS Advanced Standing Program Post Admission webpage under 'Required Documents & Additional Information', for an example of past documentation required for entry into the DDS ASPIDG Program. Updated requirements regarding health policies and immunization requirements will be sent to newly accepted students.
Police Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Screening
Students must also provide, as a condition of their admission into the Program, a current Police Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Screening.
