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Bench Prep/Hand Skills Course for Internationally-Trained Dentists

Preparing you for the admission process to an International Dental Education Program (IDEP) within the United States

January 23, 2026 - January 26, 2026

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

    • Course Director & Presenters

    Course Director: Poornima Mensinkai, BDS, MS, PhD - Associate Professor/Clinical; Director of South Asian Academic Initiatives; Assistant Director, International Dentist Education Program
    Course Presenter: Scott G. Stafford, DDS, MBA - Associate Dean of Patient Care; Associate Professor/Clinical
    Course Presenter: Karen Troendle, BA, DDS, MPH - Distinguished Teaching Professor
    Course Presenter: Marianela Villarreal, DDS - Associate Professor

    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.

    Presenter(s)

    Disclosures & Policies

    No Recording and Transcription Policy
    To protect the privacy, security, and integrity of our programs, meetings, and events, recording of any kind is strictly prohibited unless expressly authorized in writing by the department director. This includes, but is not limited to:
    - Video recordings (camera, phone, webcam, or other devices)
    - Audio recordings (phone, microphone, digital recorders, etc.)
    - Screen captures or screen recordings
    - AI-based or automated transcription tools (e.g., apps or software that convert speech to text)

    Guidelines: All participants are expected to respect this policy at all times. If recording is necessary as an accommodation, or for education or administrative purposes, prior approval must be obtained in writing. Unauthorized recording or transcription may result in removal from the session and/or further administrative action. Exceptions may only be granted by the department director in advance. Taking detailed notes is encouraged, and participants are welcome to take pictures of the presentation slides for personal use.

    Purpose: This policy ensures a safe and respectful environment, protects sensitive and proprietary information, and upholds the confidentiality of all participants.

    Financial Disclosure Statement
    It is the policy of the UT Health San Antonio Office of Continuing Dental Education to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its sponsored educational activities. All participating speakers, course directors, and planning committee members are required to disclose to the program audience any financial relationships related to the subject matter of this program. Relationships of spouse/partner with proprietary entities producing health care goods or services should be disclosed if they are of a nature that may influence the objectivity of the individual in a position to control the content of the CDE activity. Disclosure information is reviewed in advance in order to manage and resolve any possible conflicts of interest. Specific disclosure information for each speaker, course director, and planning committee member will be shared with the audience prior to the speaker’s presentation.

    This educational activity is free from commercial bias. The planning committee, presenters, and authors have disclosed all financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this content, and any potential conflicts have been identified and mitigated according to ADA CERP standards. No commercial entities have influenced the content, selection, or presentation of materials, and no product endorsements or promotional activities are included in this presentation. Any mention of products, services, or companies is solely for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement.

    There is nothing to disclose for this course.

    Course Refund Policy
    Please review the Course Refund Policy by clicking here. This policy includes information regarding requirements that attendees must comply with to remain eligible to receive CE, cancelling your registration, course transfers, etc.

    Location

    UT Health at San Antonio School of Dentistry

    Friday & Monday:
    Main Campus Dental School
    7703 Floyd Curl Drive
    San Antonio, TX 78229

    Saturday & Sunday:
    Center of Health Care Research (COHCR)
    8210 Floyd Curl Drive
    San Antonio, TX 78229

    Tuition

    • Individual: $3650

    (If you need to cancel your registration or transfer to a different date, please see our refund and cancellation policies for more information and email us at smile@uthscsa.edu to initiate those processes. Please note that it may take up to 48-72 hours to receive a response.)

    Tuition Includes:

  • One week before the course, you will receive an email with further course details
  • Electronic course material (to be received the night before the course)
  • Resume photos on day one at course check-in
  • Welcome ceremony “Donuts with the Dean”
  • Lunches provided daily
  • Your very own Kilgore typodont with additional teeth and a waxing kit with a torch
  • Use of simulation units and operatories, including usage of necessary PPE, dental instruments, handpieces, and burs
  • Mock bench exam with post-Q&A
  • 32-hour CE certificate of completion and closing ceremony with Dean Hargreaves

    • Disclaimer Notice

    This is only a CE course. It does not guarantee acceptance into any U.S. dental program.

    Social Media

  • Follow us on Instagram!
  • Find us on Facebook!
  • If you have any questions, please email us at smile@uthscsa.edu. Please note that it may take up to 48-72 hours to receive a response.

    • Locations/Addresses

    UT Health at San Antonio School of Dentistry

    Friday & Monday:
    Main Campus Dental School
    7703 Floyd Curl Drive
    San Antonio, TX 78229

    Saturday & Sunday:
    Center of Health Care Research (COHCR)
    8210 Floyd Curl Drive
    San Antonio, TX 78229

    Registration closed

    Class is full

    Click Here for Hotels Near UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
    Click Here for Hotels Near UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

    Social Media

  • Follow us on Instagram!
  • Find us on Facebook!
  • If you have any questions, please email us at smile@uthscsa.edu. Please note that it may take up to 48-72 hours to receive a response.

    • Tuition Includes:

  • One week before the course, you will receive an email with further course details
  • Electronic course material (to be received the night before the course)
  • Resume photos on day one at course check-in
  • Welcome ceremony “Donuts with the Dean”
  • Lunches provided daily
  • Your very own Kilgore typodont with additional teeth and a waxing kit with a torch
  • Use of simulation units and operatories, including usage of necessary PPE, dental instruments, handpieces, and burs
  • Mock bench exam with post-Q&A
  • 32-hour CE certificate of completion and closing ceremony with Dean Hargreaves

    • Disclaimer Notice
    This is only a CE course. It does not guarantee acceptance into any U.S. dental program.

    Want to get notified next time this course is offered?

    Get Notified!
    Register for other dates
    January 23, 2026
    April 17, 2026
    June 26, 2026
    July 10, 2026

    • For help or questions about this program, you can contact us at:
    • Phone: (210) 567-3177
      Email: smile@uthscsa.edu

      Business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time


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    UT Health San Antonio Training Future Generations

    The UT Health San Antonio, School of Dentistry is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education.
    ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. UTHSCSA designates the number of credit hours for each course individually. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at www.ada.org/cerp.