The procedure for pursuing MDS is different for different countries.

• In the USA, prospective MDS students must first give the NBDE or the National Board Dental Examination prior to being eligible to apply for any MDS program at a university.
• In Canada, with a BDS degree from India, the candidate must first go through the NDEB equivalency process prior to being eligible to apply for an MDS program at a university.
• In Australia, prospective MDS candidates will have to give and clear the ADC or Australian Dental Council examinations prior to being eligible for any university program for MDS.

In all three countries, candidates will also have to submit the required English language proficiency test scores for immigration purposes from either the TOEFL or the IELTS exam.