Dental Academy USA

Dental Academy USA

We want you, foreign trained dentist, to become a dentist in the USA!

Who is the founder?

Dr. Leo Koerich is foreign dentist who graduated from Dental School in Brazil in 2009. After graduation, he obtained a post-doc research fellow position at UNC - Chapel Hill, where he spent 1 year and published more than 5 scientific papers, before moving back to Brazil. He completed his orthodontic education in the first orthodontic school in the country, where he attended free of charge and received a stipend. In 2015 he joined the international dental program at VCU and graduated in 2017 in the top of his class. To date, he has published over 25 scientific papers, 3 chapters in text books and received awards from the American Association of Orthodontics, IADR, American Academy or Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology among others. He has been invited to present at the American Association of Orthodontics and other meetings.
Patrick Jones - Course author

Students in the course

Approved mentees

Consultations done

Kind words by students

Our students love our
approach to learning

I tried to do everything independently on my first application cycle; unfortunately, it did not work out as I imagined. However, this time, I was determined to make a change. I hired Dr. Koerich consultation and signed up for the Dental Academy USA entire course. I learned a lot about documentation, interview preparation and how to craft an impactful personal statement. Now, looking back, I can tell you that without a doubt, it was an excellent choice for my results. I strongly recommend Dental Academy USA USA to make your dream a reality.
Dr. Marcela Ferreira, TUFTS Class of 2026
After interviewing in a couple places and not getting any offer, I decided to join Dental Academy USA to learn how to improve my application. It was a game changer and now I will be joining the IDP program at UAB.
Dr. Stephanie Cousins, UAB Class of 2026
Since I left Brazil, all the way to my acceptance at the BU Advanced Standing program and the UCONN Orthodontic residency, I always counted on Dr. Leo's expertise. He has a lot of experience in the USA and he always guided me on the right path.
DR. FLAVIA VELASQUE
BU Class of 2021
UCONN Orthodontics Class of 2024
It was great to count on somebody that truly undertands the process in and out. Dr. Leo and Dental Academy USA certainly made my life easier and the path clear for my success in the USA.
Dr. VICENTE TELLES, PITT UNIVERSITY Class of 2021
ORTHODONTICS MARYLAND CLASS OF 2024
Dental Academy USA was an essential part of my journey, especially on the first application part, documents, interview and program selection. The course format is very well organized and Dr. Leo is very easy to get in touch with. I highly recommend Dental Academy USA, as it can save time and money on your application journey.
Dr. LORENA ACHCAR, NYU Class of 2026
I had no clue how to start the process to become a dentist in the USA. Then, I met a somebody who was in the same boat that I was, and she recommended me to sign up with Dental Academy USA. DA USA helped me with the step-by-step and providing details. After much persistence and many hours of preparation and Dental Academy USA help, I got accepted! 
DR. ANNA RAMOS, PROSTHODONTICS DENTAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA CLASS OF 2026

"The American application system for dental school is completely different."

"I am surprised to see excellent candidates giving up on their dream to become a dentist in the USA. I often hear "it is too complicated". Yes, I agree, the process to get an American license and go from BDS to DDS / DMD is extensive and hard to understand and I am here to help."  Dr. Leo Koerich

Check the video below on our YouTube channel to learn more about us!

Click here to access the YouTube video

If you got this far down on the website, I'll tell you a little bit more about my accomplishments and awards...

- I graduated as #1 in my Class at VCU.
- I have published over 20 paper in peer reviewed international journals.
- I received the best research paper of the year from the American Journal or Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in 2012 (#25 down below).
- I wrote chapters in 3 books (check the gallery below!)
- I spoke twice at the American Association of Orthodontics, and was invited a third time, but COVID hit and the meeting did not happen!
          Here is my list of publications: you can double check it on Pubmed!​

Fadel MAV, Santos BZ, Antoniazzi RP, Koerich L, Bosco VL, Locks A. Prevalence of malocclusion in public school students in the mixed dentition phase and its association with early loss of deciduous teeth. Dental Press J Orthod. 2022 Sep 23;27(4).

Claus JDP, Koerich L, Weissheimer A, Almeira MS, Bele de Oliveira R. Assessment of condylar changes after orthognathic surgery using computed tomography regional superimposition. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019 Sep;48(9)1201-1208.

Bianchi J, Porciúncula GM, Koerich L, Ignácio J, Wolford LM, Gonçalves JR. Three-dimensional stability analysis of maxillomandibular advancement surgery with and without articular disc repositioning. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. Aug;46(8):1348-1354 2018.

Deeb G, Koerich L, Whitley D 3rd, Bencharit S. Computer-guided implant removal: A clinical report: J Prosthet Dent. Dec;120(6):796-800 2018.
Koerich L, Weissheimer A, Koerich LE, Luz D, Golob Deeb J. A technique of CBCT superimposiion in implant dentistry. J Oral Implantology. Oct;44(5):365-369 2018.

Koerich L, Brunetto DP, Ohira ETB, The effect of hard tissue surgical changes on the soft tissue displacement: a pilot CBCT study. Dental Press J Orthod. 2017 Sep-Oct; 22(5):39-46.

Koerich L, Interview for Kieferorthopadie Nachrichten from Germany. 2017 Jan-Feb.

Koerich L, Weissheimer A, de Menezes LM, Lindauer SJ. Rapid 3D mandibular superimposition for growing patients. Angle Orthod. 2017 87(3):473-479.​

Koerich L, Burns D, Weissheimer A, Claus JP. Three-dimensional maxillary and mandibular regional superimposition using cone beam computed tomography: a validation study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2016 May; 45(5):662-699.

Koerich L, Ruellas ACO, Paniagua B, Styner M, Turvey T, Cevidanes LHS. Three-dimensional regional displacement after surgical-orthodontic correction of Class III malocclusion. Orthod and Craniofacial Research 2016 May; (19)2:65-73.

Weissheimer A, Menezes LM, Koerich L, Pham J, Cevidanes L. Fast 3D superimposition of CBCT for orthopedics and orthognathic surgery evaluation. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2015 Sep; 44(9)1188-1196.

Koerich L, Ruellas, ACO. Facilitating direct bonding for lingual retainers. Int J Orthod Milwaukee 2015 Summer: 26(2):37-38.

Koerich L, Solon-de-Mello PA, Mattos CT, Sant’Anna EF, Ruellas ACO. Influence of structural superimposition and magnification in cephalometric diagnosis. Dental Press J Orthod 2015 Mar-Apr; 20(2):29-34.

Porciuncula GM, Koerich L, Eidson L, Gandini Jr LG, Gonçalves JR. Can CBCT superimposition help orthodontists to better understand relapse in surgical patients?. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2014 Nov; 146(5)641-654.

Brunetto DP, Velasco L, Koerich L, Araujo MT. Prediction of 3-dimensional pharyngeal airway changes after orthognathic surgery: A preliminary study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2014 Sep; 146(3):299-309.

Ruellas ACO, Koerich L, Mattos CT, Baratieri C, Alver Jr M, Brunetto D, et al. Reliability of CBCT in the diagnosis of dental asymmetry. Dental Press J Orthod 2014 Mar-Apr; 19(2):90-5.

Nguyen T, Cevidanes L, Paniagua B, Zhu H, Koerich L, De Clerck H. Use of shape correspondence analysis to quantify skeletal changes associated with bone-anchored Class III correction. Angle Orthod 2014 84(2):329-336.

Franco AA, Cevidanes LH, Phillips C, Rossouw PE, Turvey TA, Carvalho FD, de Paula LK, et al. Long-term 3-dimensional stability of mandibular advancement surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2013 71(9):1588-1597

de Paula LK, Ruellas AC, Paniagua B, Styner M, Turvey T, Zhu H, et al. One-year assessment of surgical outcomes in Class III patients using cone beam computed tomography. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2013;42:780-889.

Fulco GM, de Paula LK, Pereira HSG, da Silva JS, Guedes FR, Ruellas, ACO. Análise comparativa entre cefalometrias manuais e cefalometrias obtidas através de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico. Revista ABRO 2012;13:73-86

De Clerck H, Nguyen T, de Paula LK, Cevidanes L. Three-dimensional assessment of mandibular and glenoid fossa changes after bone-anchored Class III intermaxillary traction. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012;142:25-31.

Rocha R, Ritter DE, Locks A, de Paula LK, Santana RM. Ideal treatment protocol for cleft lip and palate patient from mixed to permanent dentition. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012;141:S140-148.

Eidson L, Cevidanes LH, de Paula LK, Hershey HG, Welch G, Rossouw PE. Three-dimensional evaluation of changes in lip position from before to after orthodontic appliance removal. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012;142:410-418.

de Paula LK, Ackerman JL, Carvalho Fde A, Eidson L, Cevidanes LH. Digital live-tracking 3-dimensional minisensors for recording head orientation during image acquisition. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012;141:116-123.

Nguyen T, Cevidanes L, Cornelis MA, Heymann G, de Paula LK, De Clerck H. Three-dimensional assessment of maxillary changes associated with bone anchored maxillary protraction. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;140:790-798.

Triches TC, Paula LK, Filho MX, Bolan M. Apical fenestration and ectopic eruption - effects from trauma to primary tooth: a clinical case report. Dent Traumatol 2011;27:74-76.