Residency checklist

A rough timeline from D1 to Match Day for students aiming at a specialty, GPR or AEGD. Items marked “source” come from ADEA PASS, the Dental Match, AAOMS, the ADA or the JCNDE (checked October 12, 2026); items marked “advice” are general guidance. Dates shown are the 2026–27 cycle; every program sets its own requirements, so confirm with each one.

I graduate dental school in 0 of 29 done

Every year0 of 3

Keep your grades and class rank as high as you can from the first semester
advice
Keep a running CV: research, leadership, service, awards, with dates
ADEA PASS asks you to upload one. source
Stay in touch with a faculty mentor in the specialty you are considering
advice

D10 of 4

Learn what each of the 12 recognized specialties does
Residency map → source
Join the specialty interest groups at your school
advice
Spend time in your school's specialty clinics and with residents
advice
Find a summer research project
advice

D20 of 5

Narrow to one or two specialties
advice
Carry a research project far enough to present it
advice
Take on a leadership role
advice
Oral surgery: plan when you will take the CBSE
Open to all dental students interested in oral surgery. From 2027 it is given each May and November; 200 questions; $400. source
Look up what your target programs ask for: exams, class rank, externships
Find programs → advice

D30 of 6

Do externships at programs you would rank
advice
Take the INBDE once your dean confirms you are eligible
INBDE study → source
Check whether your programs want the ADAT; if so, apply between March 1 and August 31
Some programs require it, some accept it, some do neither. The ADA publishes the list. source
Ask your evaluators in the spring
ADEA PASS needs three Professional Evaluation Forms (up to five) plus an Institution Evaluation Form from your dean's office. source
Draft your personal statement
PASS lets you write one per program. source
Build your program list with each program's deadline
The first program deadline in the 2026–27 cycle was July 1. source

Application summer (between D3 and D4)0 of 4

Submit ADEA PASS as early as you can
2026–27 cycle: opened May 13. $199 for the first program, $92 for each additional. source
Register for the Dental Match
2026–27 cycle: registration opened May 13, recommended by October 1. $100 covers both phases. source
Send your official dental school transcript
Through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse. source
Check whether each program uses PASS and the Match, or wants its own application
The Match posts its list of participating programs by August 1. source

D40 of 7

Practice interviews out loud
Dental Mock Interviews ↗ advice
Interview through the fall
advice
Ortho, perio, pros, dental anesthesiology, AEGD, GPR: rank list due mid-November
Phase I, 2026–27: rankings open October 26, due November 16, results November 23. source
Oral surgery and pediatric dentistry: rank list due mid-January
Phase II, 2026–27: rankings open December 9, due January 13, results January 20. source
Rank programs in your true order of preference
A match result is a binding commitment. source
Other specialties (for example endodontics): follow each program's own offer dates
They are not among the Match's program types. source
Finish boards, your licensure exam and graduation requirements
advice

Next: Residency map · How to get into each residency