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Non-Employee Clinical Fellow Program

International Fellowship Program in Periodontics / Non-Employee Clinical Fellowship (NECF)

NECF Program in Advanced Periodontics for Foreign-Trained Dentists

The Advanced Education Program in Periodontics at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry offers a formal, short-term (1 year) educational experience for foreign-trained dentists who live and practice dentistry outside of the United States.

Program Purpose

To purpose of this program is to provide an educational experience in Periodontics for foreign-trained dentists who have a desire to enhance their awareness and understanding of this advanced education area of oral health care. Through this interactive relationship with the NECF, our Periodontics program will also thrive and prosper as a renowned academic and clinical program.

Program Description

The NECF program was developed for international dentists who wish to visit the United States, or more specifically, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, to gain exposure to modern dental practices and enhance their awareness and understanding of an advanced education area of oral health care. It is available to foreign-trained dentists who live and practice dentistry outside of the United States.

The NECF will only be allowed to observe the various clinical procedures in graduate clinic, with strictly no patient contact. They may be allowed to attend select graduate courses and seminars, provided approval is granted by the Course Director and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. They will have extensive opportunities for individual consultation with the departmental faculty.

Length of Program

One year as J1 Exchange Visitor (family may accompany the NECF, as J2s)

Benefits to the Foreign-Trained Dentist

This NECF program offers many benefits to foreign-trained dentists, including:

  • Diverse Periodontal program, with exposure to advanced procedures
  • Exposure to the U.S. dental educational system
  • Expand participant knowledge of Periodontics through clinical observation and didactic participation
  • Observe and become familiar with contemporary CAD/CAM technology and surgical techniques

Admissions Requirements for all Applicants:

  • Application form (please send request to Dr. Carlos Parra Carrasquer by email)
  • Certificate of dental degree (e.g.: DDS, DMD)
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  • Cover Letter - Statement describing yourself, your goals, interests, and the scope of activities you intend to engage in with the host faculty at Texas A&M
  • Three letters of recommendation - sent directly to the Program Director from three faculty or dentists (can be sent in hard copy or as an email)
  • Proof of English language proficiency - NECFs must submit ONE of the following:
    1. Test score or result from a recognized English test (TOEFL or IELTS for example). The TOEFL score (the school’s code is 6003) should be at least 80 TOEFL iBT (550 paper-based) and the IELTS score should of at least 5.0. ISFS will also accept GRE or GMAT verbal scores.
    2. Official certification from an English academic institution or school or language training center that you have successfully completed English classes or training within the past two years. Note that International Services for Faculty and Scholars (ISFS) will accept only certificates from a school, institution, or training center that ISFS deems legitimate.

      If you do not have a test score or English classes completion certification, ISFS will contact you by email to schedule a time for a videoconference interview (via Skype or Zoom).

  • Application Due Date - applications may be accepted throughout the year
  • Screening interview - scheduled by online interview by Program Director
  • Notice of Acceptance – variable
  • Length of program - NECFs will be approved for a maximum period of two years. The maximum length of time that an NECF can participate in a single specialty program is one year. In a joint clinical specialty program, the maximum is two years.

Upon approval at the departmental level, Periodontics will contact the Office of Graduate Studies for assistance and information regarding documentation required to officially accept an NECF. It must then be approved by University administration before the immigration documents will be issued and before Risk Management will assign the UIN, which is required for mandatory training access.

  • Program course fee: $20,000 + $750 (processing fee) per year

To Apply

For more information on the application process, including the application form itself, please contact the Program director in periodontics, Dr. Carlos Parra Carrasquer.