Journey from 'BDS to DDS’ with Dr Hasnain Abbas

Dr Hasnain is a General Dentist at a primarily Medicaid practice in FQHC, Family Healthcare Network and Clinical Supervisor, University of Arizona.

Dr Hasnain completed his BDS from Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore, in 2011. He later worked as an Associate dentist at the Dental Center, leading his way to become General Dentist at Kazi Hospital from 2013 till 2017. It was then he moved to the USA to pursue his career further and joined Stanford University Hospital as Clinical Observer in 2018. It was also doing this time; he graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, USA. He, later on, joined Jefferson Dental and Orthodontics as Associate Dentist in 2019.

Dr Hasnain’s extraordinary professional résumé includes his services to facilitate a single day COVID-19 vaccination event organised by Family Healthcare Network to cater to the migrant farm working for the population. He has also been class representative American Student Dental Association (ASDA), organised by the dentistry association, representing student advocacy. He has been part of the Member Peer Support Program at Dugoni and Volunteer Mentor for incoming dental students to help with their academic, social and mental well-being. He was Coordinator Student Store and was responsible for maintaining and changing the student kit inventory, keeping it up to date with advances in clinical dentistry procedures and materials.

In recognition of more than 19 years of experience, Dr Hasnain has also been awarded Membership of the American Association of Maxillo-facial Radiology, American Dental Association, California Dental Association. He has also organised and participated in various dental outreach programs and published multiple research publications in scientific dental journals.

Tell us a little about your background, especially what made you chose dentistry as your profession?

My background plays a quintessential role in my choice of dentistry as a profession. My grandfather recently retired from practising Prosthodontics in Malaysia. My father is an Oral Surgeon, and my mother is an Orthodontist. Both are avid clinicians and equally passionate about academics holding multiple positions in esteemed local and international associations and societies.

Growing up in a ‘dental; household, I would frequently hear, ‘Dentistry is in your genes.’ To that, I’d reply jokingly, ‘But I’m wearing corduroys.’ It’s safe to assume that I would use dental chairs for a pretend theme park after clinic hours. 

What are the fundamental differences between BDS and DDS? 

While the curriculum is mostly the same, educational experience varies with one system relying primarily on knowledge from textbooks compared to the other, where educational experience depends heavily on understanding the hierarchy and significance of research, or ‘Evidence-based dentistry. While enrolling in a BDS program after high school, a DDS admission requires an undergraduate degree.

Patient pools for both experiences are different; the resources for institutes to deliver such education is contrastingly inequitable. Concurrently, the amount of financial debt and reimbursements also vary significantly. 

Both educational experiences offer a license to practice dentistry in the region where the degrees are earned and are equally esteemed in both societies.

There is also a global need for dental professionals to stay updated via continuing education programs, which is a requirement for license renewal in the US. 

Would you please tell us the application process for DDS in the USA?

The process entails gaining a DENTPIN which is a registration ID with the American Dental Association. Previously candidates took two exams which has recently been changed to one exam (NBDE, INBDE). Passing the exams is mandatory. There is a strong emphasis on US dental experience, which isn’t usually written on the program details ‘application requirement part. This portion should be a good mix of clinical, academic and social backgrounds. While there is no ground rule for what will get you into a program, it’s always a good idea to have a mentor to guide you through the process. 

Candidates are expected to fill in an application on the portal called CAAPID and select programs of their choice. 

How do you strengthen your resume?

With a focus on applying to US programs, there are three main categories; clinical’, non-clinical and volunteer. 

Clinical experience can be gained by working or volunteering at a private practice with a GP (general practitioner) with a specialist. You can also work at a community clinic or in a mobile dental home. Similarly, the clinical experience can also be gained by shadowing at a dental school. 

Non-clinical experience can be gained by working at a front desk, scheduling patients, or being involved in a research project. 

Volunteer experiences can be gained by searching online on various forums. These can be from assisting at a retirement home, working at a shelter, or even assisting in a food drive. There are quite a few medical-related volunteer opportunities that might help to enhance your resume.

While experiences are gravely important to gain letters of recommendation, passing the exams is absolute. 

How does the VISA process work for international students?

For volunteer experience, specific programs offer a ‘J’ visa that helps them stay in the US for the duration of the experience. 

Once a candidate gains admission into a program, the school provides them with the visa application, and the candidate only needs to interview at the consulate. A student or an F1 Visa for international students comes with a 12 month OPT, which is a leeway for students to transfer from a student visa to a work visa(H1). 

It is recommended to consult with an immigration attorney to gain an updated perspective on visa requirements. 

What is the overall cost for completing DDS, and is there any scholarship options available?

A two-year program in the US can cost anywhere between 150K$-350K$. Cost varies considerably based on schedule and demographics. Students with US citizenship or PR can apply for federal loans. Non-Citizens without a PR can apply for a private loan, but that requires a US citizen as a co-signer. 

While there aren’t any scholarships for International students per se, each institute may have opportunities to get financial rebates or grants. This can be best checked by contacting the admissions officer at the institute of your choice. 

How much research creates weightage in your resume abroad?
 

Schools may be rumoured to focus on one aspect of your application: clinical research or observing experience, but my advice would be to have a well-rounded application.

If a candidate has significant research experience, there is a good chance that they may be able to gain admission with minimal US clinical experience.

However, I would reiterate what I stated earlier, ‘it’s always about having a well-rounded application’. 

Was the journey from moving Pakistan to abroad worth it?

This question is answered thoroughly would require a publication of its own. 

Professionally, I have improved tremendously as a clinician. I have worked hard to learn that success and failure are marked by just a millimetre in dentistry. This mantra has helped me become an astute clinician. It’s always a joy to meet with Pakistanis, which is something my family and I look forward to. The career transition has been advantageous.

I value time spent with family, friends, and most importantly, my parents putting them at the top of my pyramid- much like Maslow’s self-actualisation. Whether it’s ‘worth it or not would be different from everyone’s perspective. 

Lastly, your message for young dentists and the community as a whole. 
 

From my childhood, something that stood with me was my interview at Aitchison College, where the principals parting words were, ‘Honor your parents and honour yourself’. The latter part of his advice, in my opinion, entailed doing justice to my patients through my knowledge. 

In this profession, you wholeheartedly want to do the best for your patients. While clinicians are also entrepreneurs, my advice would be to draw a line for your conscience and ensure that the demarcation is well-founded on your clinical and personal beliefs. And spend time with your loved ones.

I want to leave you with my favourite quote, quoted frequently by my previous Dean. ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act but a habit.'