Get to know the first dentists in ATSU-MOSDOH’s advanced standing international dentist program
Posted: February 20, 2023
A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) recently welcomed its first group of students to the Advanced Standing International Dentist program, designed for internationally educated dentists who desire to earn their doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degree for practice in the United States.
Through this program, international students serve the underserved in the local community by providing care at the St. Louis Dental Center, a dental clinic operated as a partnership between ATSU-MOSDOH and Affinia Healthcare. Students complete a special semester-long didactic and clinical simulation course before completing coursework which is similar to the traditional DMD program’s curriculum.
For acceptance into the program, students must possess a BDS, DDS, DMD, or equivalent degree from a foreign dental school, as well as a license to practice in their home country. Students must also meet the same standards as required for entry into the traditional DMD program.
By enabling these qualified dentists from around the world to expand their ability to practice in the United States, underserved communities in need have more access to high-quality, whole person dental care. Learn more about each program student below and how they hope to have an impact upon graduation.
Navaneetha Hanumanthappa
Where are you from?
Bangalore, India, Connecticut, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
How did you hear about this program?
I came across ATSU online, and there were so many colleges and opportunities.
What made you decide to apply?
The technological advancement at ATSU.
What are your goals?
Learn as much as possible.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
Going back to North Carolina and joining a dental private practice.
Zain Fatima
Where are you from?
Oregon, but originally from Pakistan.
How did you hear about this program?
From the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (CAAPID).
What made you decide to apply?
Because I’ll finally get to practice dentistry in the U.S. and my in-laws live here.
What are your goals?
Pediatric dentistry and oral surgery. I love working with children.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
I see myself as a pediatric dentist for some time and then going to a specialty program.
Anmol Brar
Where are you from?
Punjab, India, also known as the land of five rivers.
How did you hear about this program?
Through CAAPID, and one of my friends received a tour of the school and told me about the experience and how friendly everyone is.
What are your goals?
I want to buy my own mobile van to provide dental care to people, and want to give back to the community.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
Working in the public sector.
Ritu Khatri
Where are you from?
Bombay, India.
How did you hear about this program?
Through CAAPID.
What made you decide to apply?
The community outreach programs are extensive, and I currently live in St. Louis.
What are your goals?
Getting my license and starting to practice dentistry again.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
Start working as an associate dentist, with ideally four days of work and one day of outreach, as well as regular practice.
Gurwinder Kaur
Where are you from?
Fresno, California and India.
How did you hear about this program?
Searching online.
What made you decide to apply?
The connection to the community, I’ve always wanted to help people. Good technology also.
What are your goals?
Open my own clinic and work with patients and start community service in Fresno or St. Louis.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
Start working in a clinic or owning a clinic and then after five years, start my own.
Stanley Samuel
Where are you from?
Bengal, India and Dallas, Texas.
How did you hear about this program?
I am an ATSU alumni and received my MPH from ATSU-College of Graduate Health Studies. It’s the only program that has a MPH with an emphasis on dentistry.
What made you decide to apply?
They look at the whole person and treat the whole family.
What are your goals?
Advocate for dental education in school curriculum. Teach kids how to brush and floss.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
I’ll be in St. Louis at the dental center and then would like to stay here at one of the community centers.
Sonika Dsouza
Where are you from?
Kerala, India and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
How did you hear about this program?
The dentist that I worked for, Joseph Ghazal, DMD, ’20, graduated from ATSU-MOSDOH, and the community outreach opportunities.
What are your goals?
Serving the underserved.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
Working for the VA for the next 10 years and once financially stable, opening my own practice in St. Louis or somewhere else.
Atheen Saran Antony
Where are you from?
Kerala, India and Long Island, New York.
How did you hear about this program?
The CAAPID website and Instagram.
What made you decide to apply?
The community-based programs, the class size is smaller, and I wanted to move away for a little bit since St. Louis is calmer than Long Island.
What are your goals?
To become a licensed dentist in the U.S.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
I will decide later on a specialty but I am hoping to partner with Affinia Healthcare.
Archana Badarkhe
Where are you from?
Topeka, Kansas.
How did you hear about this program?
My daughter’s teacher; her daughter is in the program, and I researched and applied.
What made you decide to apply?
Hometown-feel and they serve people in the community.
What are your goals?
To get my license in the U.S. and serve the American community.
Where do you imagine yourself when you complete the program?
As a resident in orthodontia and exploring both private and public health sectors to understand health disparities. Completing my education and starting my own practice. Partnering with Affinia.