Phases of the Match
Phase I - ORTHO, PERIO, PROS, ANES, AEGD, US GPR, and Canadian GPR Only:
All ORTHO, PERIO, PROS, ANES, AEGD, US GPR, and Canadian GPR programs, and any applicants interested in matching to a position in those programs, must submit Rank Order Lists by November 16, 2026 for Phase I of the Match.
Applicants who match in Phase I are not eligible to submit a Rank Order List in Phase II.
Phase II - OMS and PED Only:
All OMS and PED programs, and any applicants interested in matching to a position in those programs, must submit Rank Order Lists by January 13, 2027 for Phase II of the Match.
Applicants who match in Phase I are not eligible to submit a Rank Order List in Phase II.
Full Schedule of Dates
| May, 2026 | Residency Registration: Residency program registration emails for participation in the Dental Match are sent to Program Directors, who must complete the online registration process using the NMS Match System. |
| May 13, 2026 |
Applicant Registration: Beginning on this date, applicants can register for the Dental Match via this website. Prior to registering, applicants should review the information in the Application Registration section. Applicants apply to programs independently of the Match. Many programs that participate in the Match also use the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) to receive applications. Application deadlines for programs vary; therefore, applicants should check with programs regarding their deadline dates. |
| August 1, 2026 | By this date, a list of programs participating in the Match is available on this website. Participation status can be updated by programs. |
| October 1, 2026 | Recommended date by which applicants should register for the Match. |
| October 26, 2026 |
Phase I Rankings Open: Applicants and programs may begin to submit Rank Order Lists for Phase I of the Match for ORTHO, PERIO, PROS, ANES, AEGD, US GPR, and Canadian GPR positions using the NMS Match System. |
| November 16, 2026 |
Phase I Rank Order List Deadline: Final date for submission of applicant and program Rank Order Lists for Phase I of the Match for ORTHO, PERIO, PROS, ANES, AEGD, US GPR, and Canadian GPR positions. No Rank Order Lists, registrations, or withdrawals for Phase I of the Match can be submitted in the NMS Match System after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on this date. |
| November 23, 2026 |
Phase I Match Results Day: Results of the Match for Phase I are released to applicants and Program Directors. No action to fill ORTHO, PERIO, PROS, ANES, AEGD, US GPR, and Canadian GPR positions remaining unfilled after Phase I is to be taken prior to 12:00 p.m. noon Eastern Time on this date. |
| November 23 - December 23, 2026 | Program Directors of ORTHO, PERIO, PROS, ANES, AEGD, US GPR, and Canadian GPR programs must send letters of confirmation of the Match result for Phase I to matched applicants within 10 days of the release of the Match results. Applicants must return the letters of confirmation in accordance with the program’s instructions within 30 days of the release of the Match results. |
| December 9, 2026 |
Phase II Rankings Open: Applicants and programs may begin to submit Rank Order Lists for Phase II of the Match for OMS and PED positions using the NMS Match System. |
| January 13, 2027 |
Phase II Rank Order List Deadline: Final date for submission of applicant and program Rank Order Lists for Phase II of the Match for OMS and PED positions. No Rank Order Lists, registrations, or withdrawals can be submitted in the NMS Match System after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on this date. |
| January 20, 2027 |
Phase II Match Results Day: Results of the Match for Phase II are released to applicants and Program Directors. No action to fill OMS and PED positions remaining unfilled after Phase II is to be taken prior to 12:00 p.m. noon Eastern Time on this date. |
| January 20 - February 19, 2027 | Program Directors of OMS and PED programs must send letters of confirmation of the Match result for Phase II to matched applicants within 10 days of the release of the Match results. Applicants must return the letters of confirmation in accordance with the program's instructions within 30 days of the release of the Match results. |
| April 15, 2027 | NMS Match System Closes: The NMS Match System will be inaccessible to applicants, programs and schools starting at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Information regarding participation and results of the 2027 Dental Match will no longer be available. |