Bench Prep/Hand Skills Course for Internationally-Trained Dentists

Course Overview & Mission

The Bench Prep/Hand Skills Course is a four-day CE program designed to help participants develop the psychomotor skills necessary to achieve optimal results following American dental practice standards. It is primarily aimed at international dental graduates preparing to apply for International Dentist Education Programs (IDEP) in the United States.

Curriculum

• 32 credit hours of didactic and hands-on experience towards continuing education will be provided
• Includes structured practice time under the guidance of faculty in a simulation lab
• An extensive review of the fixed and operative psychomotor skills
• Wax drip exercise
• Learn the challenges of bench test
• CV and Resume Review course

Schedule

• 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily with lunch provided
• Instruction and practice sessions
• Mock bench exam followed by Q&A


 

Eligibility

• DDS/DMD/BDS degree, or its equivalent, from an International Dental School
• Registrants may be foreign national, US citizen, or permanent resident
• Recommended and not required to have a TOEFL score of 80 or greater for this course


 

Attire

• Business casual on first day and scrubs the rest of the days
• Closed-toed shoes (No Crocs, no sandals, no high-heels)
• Identification badges are to be worn so that the name on the badge is visible at all times

Objectives

• Enhance manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination aligned with U.S. dental school expectations.
• Review basic operative and fixed prosthodontic techniques used in dental admissions testing.
• Participate in small group, supervised exercises ensuring individualized feedback.
• Take part in a mock bench test on the final day to simulate a real admissions-style evaluation and assess skill progress.


 

ADA/CERP Accreditation and Credits

Participants receive 32 continuing education credit hours upon completion.
 

Summary

This UT Health San Antonio Hand Skills CE Course provides a comprehensive preparation pathway for international dentists, combining intensive technical training, mock assessments, and U.S. standard-based evaluations, making it a valuable step for your IDEP application.
 

Further Enhance Your IDEP Application!

The Bench Prep/Hand Skills program pairs seamlessly with our Soft Skills and Pre-Doc Observership courses. Enrollment in this Bench Prep/Hand Skills course also qualifies you for a discounted tuition rate on any one of the upcoming Soft Skills courses! Enrollment in both Hand Skills and Soft Skills courses qualifies you to waive the application fee for our Pre-Doc Observership! Email smile@uthscsa.edu for these discounted prices and more information.

The Soft Skills course is a 4-hour/CE credit live and interactive webinar designed to help internationally trained dentists develop the skills needed to evaluate comprehensive treatment plans according to American dental practice standards. It is an essential component for candidates preparing for the IDEP bench test. The course includes instruction and practical case work and is led by content experts to help attendees strengthen their skills.

The Pre-Doc Observership is a one-week program for internationally trained dentists to observe the dental clinic at UT Health San Antonio. It is a purely observational experience, without patient care responsibilities. The observership helps deepen understanding of academic and clinical roles as a dental student.

Therefore, all three courses combined offer a comprehensive pathway and an enhanced CV/resume for international dentists preparing for IDEP or U.S. dental careers.