US Healthcare System (& Dental Profession) Immersion program (4-day intensive, 30 hours, virtual).
This four-day (30 hour) course is designed specifically for foreign-trained dentists seeking to enter U.S. dental schools and better understand the broader professional landscape in which they will train and practice. It provides a structured, high-yield overview of American culture, healthcare systems, and dentistry, with an emphasis on practical knowledge that strengthens your application and interview performance, as well as giving you a head start in your US dental career.
Across the program, participants build a foundational understanding of the U.S. healthcare system, including its history, structure, and key challenges. Topics such as oral-systemic health, the dental care delivery model, scope of practice across the dental team, and the opioid crisis offer important clinical and societal context. The course then explores access to care, including Medicare and Medicaid, social determinants of health, aging populations, special needs dentistry, and real-world advocacy efforts—helping participants appreciate how policy and population health intersect with clinical care.
Professional development is a central focus. Sessions on ethics, professionalism, malpractice, research fundamentals, peer review, and evidence-based dentistry are paired with candid discussions on dentist well-being, burnout prevention, and long-term career satisfaction. These components aim to align participants with the expectations and norms of U.S. training environments. The final day provides a detailed look at dental education in the United States, including school structures, assessment methods, financial considerations, and academic career pathways. Practical guidance on thriving in dental school, reflective practice, and self-assessment helps participants prepare for the transition ahead.
By the end of the course, participants will not only have a deeper understanding of U.S. dentistry and healthcare, but also the language and insight needed to distinguish themselves. This knowledge directly enhances the quality of personal statements, strengthens interview responses, and signals a high level of preparedness and commitment to admissions committees.. For registration information, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Goals
Participants will be able to describe how insurance influences patients and providers in the US.
Participants will understand how knowledge of US culture affects interview outcomes.
Participants will be able to describe the current factors impacting the dental profession.
Participants will be able to develop and present a short presentation to classmates that is based on evidence
Participants will be able to describe the steps of how to critically review a research article.
Participants will be able to describe the mechanism by which social factors impact health outcomes.
Participants will be able to list the process by which US dental schools are accredited.
Participants will be able to develop a professional statement of purpose tailored to dental school admissions.
Participants will be able to demonstrate effective interview skills in traditional and MMI-style formats.
Participants will be able to use admissions-related data to identify factors associated with successful matriculation.
Participants will be able to compare dental practice models (solo, group, DSO, community health) and their incentives.
Participants will be able to describe oral-systemic health connections and communicate implications for patient care.
Participants will be able to evaluate drivers and consequences of opioid overprescribing in dentistry and identify mitigation strategies.
Participants will be able to interpret trends in dental-related emergency department utilization and propose prevention approaches.
Participants will be able to discuss educational debt in dentistry and assess how debt can influence career choices.
Participants will be able to critically appraise peer-reviewed dental literature using structured critique methods.
Participants will be able to write a concise scholarly summary or section suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
Participants will be able to deliver clear, well-organized scientific presentations.
Participants will be able to develop their own strategies for personal leadership growth, burnout prevention, and professional adaptability.
Outcome
Please note – There can be NO guarantee of entry into any International Dentist program. There can be NO guarantee of receiving an interview to any program. However, we have had tremendous success with our techniques for almost a decade now. In fact, many of our graduates have returned to teach in our programs.
Items Needed by Participants
To gain the most value, you should have a draft of your personal statement and Curriculum Vitae (CV).
To participate, you will need a device with internet connection. Ideally, an iPad, Laptop or Desktop. It will be very difficult to gain benefit if viewing on a Smartphone.
How Did We Build This Course?
We surveyed 93 graduates or current students in international dental programs across the United States and asked them what they thought might have helped them when they were applying. Then we chose 16 current international students to participate in focus groups to collect more detailed information. Additionally, having run numerous in-person and online Synergy programs since 2018, we have used student feedback to further improve the program. Using all this data, we built our curriculum for the Synergy Virtual Internship.
The 30-hour US Healthcare & Dentistry Immersion program: $1,700
When: The next Immersion program is June 1 - 4, 2026.
Questions: contact our Learning Services Manager, Ms. Cheske Allora (cheske@synergydentist.org).
Payment: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/A2JFZCEE546E8