Dentistry Makes Its Case for STEM Status
A coalition of dental organizations is urging the Department of Homeland Security to recognize dentistry as a STEM profession, potentially extending work authorization for international graduates and expanding the pool of dentists available to underserved communities.
Approximately 4% to 5% of dental students in the United States are foreign nationals. Currently, foreign dental school graduates have visas allowing them to work in the US for 1 year post-graduation to receive “optional practical training.” This time is typically used to obtain clinical experience and search for employers who will sponsor them for long-term H-1B work visas.
Changes implemented under the Trump administration have significantly impacted the ability of foreign dental students to obtain H-1B work visas. For example, the process to obtain a visa was a lottery with candidates having the same chance of securing a visa. This rule has now changed to a wage-weighted system which has hurt the odds of entry level dental school graduates obtaining a visa. A 2025 presidential proclamation raised the fee for employers who apply for H-1B visas to more than $100,000. For federally qualified health centers and other safety-net dental providers, this basically eliminates the possibility of hiring a foreign dental school graduate.
In order to address these barriers faced by foreign dental school graduates, the California Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Student Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, National Network for Oral Health Access, and American Public Health Association submitted a letter to the Department of Homeland Security on November 9, 2026. The letter requests that dentistry degrees be eligible for STEM visas.
STEM visas allow for 24 months of optional practical training, which would give new graduates more time to find a sponsoring employer. The letter asserts that dentistry is, in fact, a STEM profession, citing its use of technologies such as computer-aided design and manufacturing and three-dimensional imaging. Click here to read more.
References
- American Dental Education Association. Oral Health Applicants and Enrollees.
