The School of Dental Medicine provides exchange opportunities for international students from schools with which Penn Dental Medicine has an active memorandum of understanding (MOU). Participants in this program broaden their understanding of the practice of dentistry in the United States, with the goal of producing future leaders in oral health who are prepared to interact globally. The objectives are:

  • To expand students’ knowledge base in oral health programs and health care systems of other countries.
  • To develop an international perspective and approach to dental education and clinical practice.
  • To cultivate intercultural competencies and sensitivity to other cultures among students, faculty and staff.
  • To compare and contrast dental education and practice in the US with those of other countries.

International students spend 1-2 weeks at Penn Dental Medicine attending selected classes and observing various clinical operations.

Partner Institutions

Al-Quds University Palestine
AMC Dental College India
Buenos Aires University Argentina
China Medical University Taiwan
Chosun University South Korea
Chulalongkorn University Thailand
Chung Shan Medical University Taiwan
East Meets West Foundation Vietnam
Egas Moniz School of Health and Science Portugal
Fiji School of Medicine Fiji
Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
Hiroshima University Japan
Jagiellonian University Medical College Poland
Kaohsiung Medical College Taiwan
Karolinska Institute Sweden
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Ghana
Mazzoni Center United States
Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences Morocco
National Taiwan University  Taiwan
Niigata University Japan
Osaka University Japan
Prince of Songkla University Thailand
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) United States
Saveetha Dental College India
Seoul National University South Korea
Sichuan University China
Sun Yat-sen University China
Taipei Medical University Taiwan
Tel Aviv University Israel
The Hebrew University Israel
Tokyo Medical and Dental University Japan
Universidad De Los Andes Chile
Universidad El Bosque Colombia
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Germany
University of Bergen Norway
University of Ghana Dental School Ghana
University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
University of Szeged Hungary
University of Witwatersrand South Africa
Warsaw University Poland
Yonsei University South Korea

Please be advised that the international exchange program is limited to students from the schools noted above with which Penn Dental Medicine has an active memorandum of understanding (list is dynamic as new agreements are signed).

For institutions not listed, which are interested in establishing memorandum of understanding with Penn Dental Medicine, please contact the Assistant Dean of Intramural and Extramural Partnerships, Dr. Bruce Brandolin, at bab2081@upenn.edu

Applying to the Program

In order for students to participate, please download the “In Good Standing Form” (PDF) and have your Dean or Faculty in charge of student electives, review and sign the form prior to completing the International Student Shadowing Application. Any questions should be directed to PDMExchangeStudent@dental.upenn.edu.

Once you receive approval of your visiting dates, each student must submit the following:

  • Clinic Visitor Waiver Packet Please note: Under “Which program would you like to participate in?” please select “International Student Program”. Under “Clinic Selection” please leave blank.
  • Once you have completed the Clinic Visitor Waiver Packet and have all required copies of immunizations, please submit here.

Failure to submit all required documentation mandated by the waiver application may delay the start of your observation.

Connecting the World with Dental Education

Penn Dental Medicine connects the world with dental education through coursera. To learn more:

Contact

For any questions/concerns, please email: PDMExchangeStudent@dental.upenn.edu.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exchange visitors must comply with the following guidelines:

  • Up to date COVID-19 vaccination status i.e., fully vaccinated including booster when eligible. The following vaccines are accepted by UPenn:
    • AstraZeneca
    • Convidecia
    • Covaxin
    • Covishield
    • Covovax
    • Johnson & Johnson/Janssen
    • Moderna
    • Novavax
    • Pfizer-BioNTech
    • Sinopharm
    • Sinova
  • Masks are required only in patient treatment areas i.e., in clinics. Masking in other non-clinical areas is optional. Wearing respirators (N95 or other approved equivalents) during patient care is optional.

Updated: May 31, 2023