For internationally trained dentists

For internationally trained dentists

Lumina

Mentorship

Lumina Mentorship

Guidance from a former residency Program Director who has read the applications, run the interviews and scored the bench work. Learn how your application is judged, and fix it before it's read.

Length

60 minutes

Format

Private video call

You leave with

A written Clarity Plan

Language

English or Português

$295

Credited toward the Bench & Beyond™ Intensive booked within 60 days

Length

60 minutes

Format

Private video call

You leave with

A written Clarity Plan

Language

English or Português

$295

Credited toward the Bench & Beyond™ Intensive booked within 60 days

Founder and lead instructor

Founder and lead instructor

The other side of the table

Mentorship from someone who has made the admissions decisions.

Most advice helps you polish your application. Lumina shows you how a program director reads it: what reads as strength, what raises a question, and what gets passed over. Dr. Oliveira-Haas trained abroad, completed a U.S. residency and went on to direct two postgraduate programs. She has taken the same path you're on.

Former Director, Postgraduate Operative Dentistry (NSU) and AEGD Residency (UMKC)

Academic appointments at NSU, UMKC, UF, UNMC and UNESP

Author, published by Quintessence

Internationally trained, so she knows this path firsthand

Ways to work with Lumina

Learn in a group. Go deeper one-to-one.

Start with the masterclasses to learn how admissions works. Book a Clarity Call for a plan built around your profile, or an Application Review for detailed feedback on your own documents.

01

Masterclass Series

4 live classes · Group

Inside the Admissions Room: programs, CV, personal statement and interview, each taught from the director's side, with a template you keep.

From

$149

02

Clarity Call

60 minutes · 1:1

A director's read of your profile: your strengths, the red flags, how realistic your program list is, and a written plan for what to do next.

From

$295

03

Application Review

Written review + 45-min call

Your CV, personal statement and program list, marked up with detailed comments, then a private video call to go through every fix together.

From

$595

Your $295 Clarity Call is credited toward the Bench & Beyond™ Intensive booked within 60 days.

Masterclass series

Inside the Admissions Room. Four live classes.

Each class runs two hours live on Zoom: the director's view, the framework, a live "red pen" review of real samples (shared anonymously and with permission), and open Q&A. Seats are capped at 30, and replays stay available for 30 days.

01

The Application Blueprint

Sat · Nov 7

Choosing between advanced standing, AEGD and GPR; CAAPID and ADEA PASS timelines; budgeting a cycle; building a reach, target and likely list.

Program selection matrix + 12-month timeline

02

The CV a Director Reads

Sat · Nov 14

U.S. academic CV format, what directors scan for first, how to put your experience abroad in U.S. terms, and the red flags to remove.

Lumina CV template

03

Your Story, Their Criteria

Sat · Nov 21

What committees look for in a personal statement, choosing the right story, structure and length, and what to leave out.

Story worksheet + structure map

04

The Interview Room

Sat · Dec 5

Interview day from the director's chair: behavioral, ethical and clinical-reasoning questions, professionalism, and the questions you should ask.

60-question bank + answer planner

All four classes, 10 AM – 12 PM ET

All four classes, 10 AM – 12 PM ET

Full series early rate: $447 until November 1

Full series early rate: $447 until November 1

$149

Single class

Single class

$497

Full series

Full series

One-to-one

Your profile. Your documents.

For when you're ready for advice on your own application. Both sessions are private, recorded for you, and available in English or Portuguese.

Start here

Clarity Call

For anyone unsure where they stand or what to do next

Before: a short intake form covering your education, licensure, INBDE and TOEFL status, target programs, timeline and budget.

The call (60 min): your goals, a director's read of your profile and red flags, and a recommended next step.

After: a one-page Clarity Plan with your next three actions. Your $295 is credited toward the Bench & Beyond™ Intensive booked within 60 days.

$295

Credited toward the Intensive within 60 days

Detailed feedback

Application Review

For applicants whose documents are drafted but not yet strong

Upload your CV, personal statement and program list.

Written review: detailed comments on every document, read together as a committee would read them, plus a check of your program list.

Video call (45 min), within 7 days: we go through each comment, your top five fixes, and your questions.

Optional second round of written comments on your revisions: $195.

$595

Limited to 4 reviews per month

In person · Two days

In person · Two days

The Bench & Beyond™ Intensive

A two-day Bench Test and Interview Mastery Program designed for internationally trained dentists applying to U.S. dental schools.

Nine graded hands-on exercises, operative and fixed prosthodontics

A timed mock bench exam, graded on criteria-based rubrics

Mock admission interviews with written feedback

October 9–10, 2026

Friday & Saturday · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location

Winter Garden, FL

Series members

$150 off tuition

$3,495

Tuition per participant

October 9–10, 2026

Friday & Saturday · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location

Winter Garden, FL

Series members

$150 off tuition

$3,495

Tuition per participant

Founder and lead instructor

Founder and lead instructor

Our commitments

Honest guidance, on your own work.

Programs want to meet you, not a ghostwriter. Mentorship here builds your skill and your voice; it never replaces them.

01

Your words, your work

We teach and comment. You write your own CV and statement.

02

Honest over comfortable

If your program list is unrealistic, or a document is weak, you'll hear it early and clearly.

03

No promises we can't keep

No one can guarantee admission. We promise preparation, candor and a clear plan.

04

Nothing confidential

No real exam cases or committee information. Only criteria, reasoning and practice.

Investment

Clear pricing, no surprises.

Offer

Includes

Investment

Masterclass (single)

2-hour live class + template + 30-day replay

$149

Masterclass Series

All four classes + all templates · $150 off the Intensive

$497

save $99

Clarity Call

60-min private call + written Clarity Plan

$295

credited toward the Intensive within 60 days

Application Review

Written review of CV, statement and program list + 45-min video call

$595

2nd round +$195

Bench & Beyond™ Intensive

Two days in person · Oct 9–10, 2026

$3,495

Clarity Call credit

Your $295 Clarity Call is credited toward the Bench & Beyond™ Intensive booked within 60 days.

Rescheduling

Free up to 24 hours before any one-to-one session.

Refunds

Full refund before your session or class takes place.

Schedule

TWO DAYS, STEP BY STEP.

Each day combines focused instruction, faculty demonstrations, supervised hands-on practice, and personalized feedback. Final times will be shared with registered participants before the course.

Precision begins with understanding the criteria.

Precision begins with understanding the criteria.

DAY ONE — OPERATIVE & RESTORATIVE

October 9, 2026

ARRIVAL, ORIENTATION & BENCH SETUP

Get familiar with your workstation, instruments, materials, typodont, and course expectations.

EVALUATION CRITERIA & SELF-ASSESSMENT

Learn how preparations are evaluated, how to identify critical errors, and how to assess your own work.

CLASS II AMALGAM PREPARATION

Practice preparation design, dimensions, retention, resistance, and finishing. "The last teeth to come in man are molars called ‘wisdom-teeth’, which come at the age of twenty years, in the case of both sexes. Cases have been known in women upwards of eighty years old where at the very close of life the wisdom-teeth have come up, causing great pain in their coming; and cases have been known of the like phenomenon in men too. This happens, when it does happen, in the case of people where the wisdom-teeth have not come up in early years." — Aristotle, The History of Animals.

CLASS II & CLASS III COMPOSITE

Complete posterior and anterior composite preparations and restorations with faculty guidance.

CLASS IV ESTHETIC RESTORATION

Practice an esthetic incisal-edge rebuild with attention to form, contour, and finishing.

DAY TWO — FIXED PROSTHODONTICS,
MOCK PRACTICAL & INTERVIEW

October 10, 2026

POSTERIOR FULL-CROWN PREPARATION

Practice reduction, taper, finish-line design, and preparation refinement using reduction guides.

ANTERIOR ALL-CERAMIC CROWN PREPARATION

Develop a conservative preparation with appropriate reduction, contours, and finish lines.

PROVISIONAL FABRICATION

Create and refine a provisional restoration under realistic time constraints.

TIMED MOCK PRACTICAL

Complete assigned procedures under simulated testing conditions, followed by criteria-based evaluation.

MOCK ADMISSION INTERVIEW

Practice answering common admissions questions and receive personalized feedback from experienced evaluators. Leave with clear priorities and a structured plan for continued practice.

DAY ONE — OPERATIVE & RESTORATIVE

October 9, 2026

ARRIVAL, ORIENTATION & BENCH SETUP

Get familiar with your workstation, instruments, materials, typodont, and course expectations.

EVALUATION CRITERIA & SELF-ASSESSMENT

Learn how preparations are evaluated, how to identify critical errors, and how to assess your own work.

CLASS II AMALGAM PREPARATION

Practice preparation design, dimensions, retention, resistance, and finishing.

CLASS II & CLASS III COMPOSITE

Complete posterior and anterior composite preparations and restorations with faculty guidance.

CLASS IV ESTHETIC RESTORATION

Practice an esthetic incisal-edge rebuild with attention to form, contour, and finishing.

DAY TWO — FIXED PROSTHODONTICS,
MOCK PRACTICAL & INTERVIEW

October 10, 2026

POSTERIOR FULL-CROWN PREPARATION

Practice reduction, taper, finish-line design, and preparation refinement using reduction guides.

ANTERIOR ALL-CERAMIC CROWN PREPARATION

Develop a conservative preparation with appropriate reduction, contours, and finish lines.

PROVISIONAL FABRICATION

Create and refine a provisional restoration under realistic time constraints.

TIMED MOCK PRACTICAL

Complete assigned procedures under simulated testing conditions, followed by criteria-based evaluation.

MOCK ADMISSION INTERVIEW

Practice answering common admissions questions and receive personalized feedback from experienced evaluators. Leave with clear priorities and a structured plan for continued practice.

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HANDS-ON CURRICULUM

WHAT YOU’LL PRACTICE
AT THE BENCH.

Develop the operative and fixed prosthodontic skills commonly evaluated during U.S. dental school bench tests.

Typodont hands on

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Master your preparations

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Full crown preparation

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Anterior composite restorations

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Provisional Fabrication

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Faculty

LEARN FROM FACULTY WHO KNOW WHAT EVALUATORS LOOK FOR.

LEARN FROM FACULTY WHO KNOW
WHAT EVALUATORS LOOK FOR.

Both instructors work alongside you throughout the two-day program, providing demonstrations, individualized coaching, and real-time feedback.

Instructor

Dr. Oliveira-Haas, DDS, MS

Founder and lead instructor

Former AEGD Program Director with academic appointments at NSU, UMKC, UF, UNMC, and UNESP

Internationally trained dentist who successfully completed the U.S. dental education pathway

Experienced educator who has interviewed and evaluated hundreds of internationally trained dentists

Dr. Oliveira-Haas, DDS, MS

Founder and lead instructor

Former AEGD Program Director with academic/training appointments at NSU, UMKC, UF, UNMC, and UNESP

Internationally trained dentist who successfully completed the U.S. dental education pathway

Experienced educator who has interviewed and evaluated hundreds of internationally trained dentists

Dr. Far, DDS

Founder and lead instructor

Advanced clinical training in digital dentistry

Specialist in precision-based treatment planning

Brings complex techniques into practical workflows

FACULTY PERSPECTIVE

LEARN FROM BOTH SIDES
OF THE EVALUATION TABLE.

LEARN FROM BOTH SIDES
OF THE EVALUATION TABLE.

Your instructors bring together the experience of a former AEGD Program Director and a sitting ADEX Board Examiner—giving you practical guidance informed by clinical education, evaluation criteria, and the admissions journey.

Investment

ONE TUITION.
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE.

Tuition

$3,495

$3,495

$3,495

Only 12 seats left!

Two full days of demonstrations and supervised hands-on practice

Equipped bench station, typodonts, burs, and course consumables

Timed mock practical with criteria-based feedback

Mock admission interview with personalized feedback

Individualized, take-home improvement plan

Continuing Education Certificate

NOT READY TO ENROLL?

BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT FUTURE COHORTS.

Join our priority list for upcoming course dates and enrollment announcements.

Course announcements only. Unsubscribe at any time.

Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is this intensive bench test prep course for?

The Bench & Beyond™ Intensive is designed for internationally trained dentists preparing for a U.S. dental school bench test and admission interview. It is also valuable for dentists returning to clinical practice who want structured, hands-on training and personalized feedback.

Who is this intensive bench test prep course for?

Unit assignment, instrument check, and a walk through of how the two days run.

What is included in the tuition?

Tuition includes two full days of faculty demonstrations and supervised hands-on practice, an equipped bench station, typodonts, burs and consumables, a timed mock practical, a mock admission interview, personalized feedback, course materials, lunches, breaks, and a continuing education certificate.

Do I bring my own instruments?

You are welcomed to bring your own instruments. However, your bench station, typodonts, burs, and course consumables will be provided. If any personal instruments are required, registered participants will receive a detailed supply list before the course.

Do I bring my own instruments?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, third molars are referred to as wisdom teeth because their common age of eruption is between 17 and 25. Aristotle explained it this way 2500 years ago! You are welcomed to bring your own instruments. However, your bench station, typodonts, burs, and course consumables will be provided. If any personal instruments are required, registered participants will receive a detailed supply list before the course. — Aristotle, The History of Animals.

How many participants in each cohort?

Enrollment is limited to 25 participants to allow for direct faculty interaction, individualized guidance, and meaningful feedback.

Is admission or an examination result guaranteed?

No. The program provides preparation, practice, and professional feedback, but it cannot guarantee admission to a dental school or a specific examination result.

Is admission or an examination result guaranteed?

No. The program provides preparation, practice, and professional feedback, but it cannot guarantee admission to a dental school or a specific examination result.

IS ADMISSION OR AN EXAMINATION RESULT GUARANTEED?

No. The program provides preparation, practice, and professional feedback, but it cannot guarantee admission to a dental school or a specific examination result.

What is the refund policy?

Please review our complete Refund Policy for cancellation deadlines, transfers, and refund eligibility before registering.

What is the refund policy?

No, although 4 is the most common number (one in each corner of the mouth); some people have 1, 2 or 3 wisdom teeth and some people don’t have any at all! In rare cases people develop additional teeth in the area of the wisdom teeth call ‘para-molars’ and may have 5 or more!

Where does the course take place?

The October 9–10, 2026 cohort will be held at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine in Winter Garden, Florida. Registered participants will receive complete arrival and parking information before the course.

WHERE DOES THE COURSE TAKE PLACE?

The October 9–10, 2026 cohort will be held at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine in Winter Garden, Florida. Registered participants will receive complete arrival and parking information before the course.

Are payment plans avaialble?

Yes. Payment plan options are available during registration.

ARE PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE?

Wisdom teeth removal usually requires some form of anesthesia or sedation to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Your dentist will discuss the options with you, which may include local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth or general anesthesia to render you unconscious during the surgery. We provide an IV sedation for each patient we see. This guarantees you maximum comfort, no memory of the procedure and a faster recovery.

Will I receive continuing education certificate?

Yes, Participants who complete the full two-day program will receive a continuing education certificate.

Will I receive continuing education certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the full two-day program will receive a continuing education certificate.

WILL I RECEIVE A CONTINUING EDUCATION CERTIFICATE?

Yes. Participants who complete the full two-day program will receive a continuing education certificate.

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The next cohort meets in October 2026.

Only 12 seats left!