Program for Advanced Standing Students, DMD
The Program for Advanced Standing Students (PASS) is designed for graduates of foreign dental schools who want to practice dentistry in the United States. Most states require a degree from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) before granting licensure. To prepare non-U.S. trained dentists, Penn Dental Medicine offers a two-and-a-half year program which leads to a DMD degree. Successful completion of the program allows foreign-trained dentists to take licensing exams in any state. PASS students are expected to successfully complete all competencies required in the 4-year program.
For more information: https://www.dental.upenn.edu/admissions-academics/program-for-advanced-standing-students/
This degree requires a minimum of 125 Credit Hours.
Curriculum
Upon matriculation in January, PASS students will join the second year DMD class by participating in all ongoing preclinical, didactic and laboratory courses. PASS students will participate in an additional, specially designed preclinical laboratory/seminar program.
Second Year
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| DENT 6162 | Behavioral Management | 0.5-3.5 |
| DENT 6212 | Management and Control of Dental Plaque-Induced Diseases | 3-6 |
| DENT 6402 | Soft and Hard Tissue Pathology, Diagnosis and Management | 5-8 |
| DENT 6612 | Patients Across the Lifespan | 2-4 |
| DENT 6802 | Fixed Prosthodontics Lec Spring | 0.5-3.25 |
| DENT 6812 | Partial Rem Dent Pros Lb | 0.75-4 |
| DENT 6842 | Clinical Prac IIi-Dau | 0.75-4 |
| DENT 6872 | Pass Preparatory Course | 0-3 |
| DENT 6892 | Professionalism, Ethics and Healthcare Communities | 0.25-3 |
| DENT 6992 | Lifelong Learning II | 0.25-1.5 |
| DENT 6322 | Medical Clerkship | 0.25-3 |
Third- and Fourth-Year Dental Curriculum
Following the successful completion of the second year, students will be fully integrated into the class where they take part in all academic and clinical experiences in the third and fourth years of dental school. This includes participation in externships abroad or in the U.S. and the Lifelong Learning course offerings to customize a student’s educational experience. No special or separate teaching is conducted for the PASS program students. Please refer to the DMD curriculum for a complete description of the third- and fourth-year curriculum. Students participate in a modern health care delivery system which simulates general practice. In addition, they rotate through the specialty departments and work under the preceptorship of master clinicians.
Third Year
Students begin to function as dental practitioners during their third year. Didactic courses provide a deeper and more sophisticated foundation of knowledge in the clinical disciplines. However, the bulk of the third year is spent providing general patient care in a variety of settings. This includes assignments to Primary Care Units in the general clinic and rotations in various specialty clinics. In addition, students provide patient screenings and education in community-based dental health programs at schools, health fairs, geriatric centers, and homes for disabled persons. Third-year students also participate in the Lifelong Learning Program.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Third Year Courses | ||
| Fall | ||
| Complete Removable Dental Prosthesis | ||
| Health Promotion S | ||
| Soft and Hard Tissue Pathology, Diagnosis and Management | ||
| Endodontics Clinic | ||
| Radiology Clinic/Seminar | ||
| Clinical Oral Medicine & Personalized Care | ||
| Oral Surgery Clinic | ||
| Multidisciplinary Seminar | ||
| Orthodontics II | ||
| Pediatric Dentistry L/B | ||
| Pediatric Dentistry Clin | ||
| Periodontics L | ||
| Periodontics Clinic | ||
| Restorative Dentistry L | ||
| Comprehensive Care C Fal | ||
| Clinical Seminar | ||
| Spring | ||
| Differential Diagnosis | ||
| Health Promotion II Spring | ||
| Professional Practitioner Development II | ||
| Endodontics II Clinical Spring | ||
| Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine | ||
| Radiology II Clinic Spring | ||
| Clinical Oral Medicine & Personalized Care II | ||
| Oral Surgery L II | ||
| Oral Surgery II Clinic Spring | ||
| Multidisciplinary Seminar | ||
| Pediatric Dentistry II Clinical | ||
| Clinical Periodontics | ||
| Restorative Dentistry II | ||
| Comprehensive Care C Spr | ||
| Lifelong Learning III | ||
| Fall or Spring | ||
| P and I Clinic | ||
| OR | ||
| Preventive and Interceptive Orthodontics II Clinic | ||
Fourth Year
The fourth-year curriculum continues to expand the intellectual and clinical experiences of students, including a two-week hospital externship. Students continue to attend PCU clinical seminars in which they present clinical cases where the integration of knowledge, skills, and values is emphasized. Coursework is designed to augment the basic knowledge in the first three years. By graduation, students will have demonstrated the competence, confidence, and maturity to qualify as safe, beginning independent general dental practitioners.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Year Courses | ||
| Fall | ||
| Professional Practitioner Development III | ||
| The Endodontic Clinic | ||
| Radiology Clinic | ||
| Personalized Care | ||
| Oral Medicine Clinical Rotation | ||
| Oral Surgery Clinic | ||
| Adjunctive Orthodontics | ||
| Pediatric Dentistry Clinic | ||
| Periodontics Clinic | ||
| Comprehensive Care VII | ||
| Clinical Seminar | ||
| Lifelong Learning IV | ||
| Spring | ||
| The Endodontic II Clinic | ||
| Radiology II Clinic | ||
| Personalized Care II | ||
| Oral Medicine Clinical Rotation | ||
| Oral Surgery II Clinic | ||
| Adjunctive Orthodontics II Clinic | ||
| Pediatric Dentistry II Clinical | ||
| Clinical Periodontics VI | ||
| Comprehensive Care II Clinical | ||
| Fall or Spring | ||
| Hospital Assignment | ||
| OR | ||
| Hospital Assignment | ||
Lifelong Learning
The Penn Dental Medicine’s Lifelong Learning Program enhances the predoctoral curriculum by allowing students to individualize their education to reflect their own professional interests. Lifelong Learning courses are offered from October to June each year, and includes didactic, clinical, community dental health service, and research opportunities. Many Lifelong Learning courses occur in small group seminars or individualized settings that promote close student-faculty interactions.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.