Dentistry Mentoring Thread

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Originally Posted by yamu010

Hi, Dr. Phan,

Can you give some hints how to construct an ideal personal statement; I mean is there any points that we should talk about beside why I chose dentistry... and how long should be?

thank you so much

Hello there,

See post #115 in this thread for details. DP

Originally Posted by Dentalstudent20

i have a question about AEGD programs. I am currently a Jr. dental student and i LOVE dentistry, in fact, if I could specialize in every aspect I would! I love to learn and i want to learn it all. I soak up things like a sponge. i am a quick learner. I have always had good manual dexterity and have an artistic eye. i am a picky female and hold myself to the highest clinical standards. However, my class standing and grades are not the best. I really, really want to do an AEGD program but I'm afraid I won't get my top 3 choices - or even come close. at first i thought i really wanted to do perio. and i still think perio may ultimately by my favorite - but i haven't had the chance to perform the surgeries. i have only learned about them. i love doing sutures and laying flaps. i am really interested in implants and love the capabilities that they provide for people esthetically and functionally. however, i don't know what my chances are for perio residency either. i want to talk to my classmates but they are so competitive that if they know what i like they may want to do it to and they have better grades and scores. i need to decrease the competition, not increase it. so what you think? what can i say in my personal statement that will allow my passion to come across and speak louder than a gpa, class rank or some board score?

Hello,

It seems that you have found a dream career like I did! I suggest you do an AEGD program after graduation to strengthen your skills. It does not matter if your choice is top 3 or bottom 3 as there are tons of excellent programs out there. Call and talk to the residents on their takes and see if what is offered suits your taste. Then you can decide if you want to specialize or just be a general dentist after completion of the residency. It took me both GPR and AEGD before I knew that prosthodontic is for me. Don't worry about getting in for now because you will find a slot, just learn as much as you can while in dental school for now. DP

Originally Posted by OMFSrules

Dear Dr Dai Phan,
I am an international graduate, currently studying in an advanced standing program in an US university, I have not done any fixed prosthodontics in my home country and struggled initially with crown preps and making temps, I do see an improvement in my skills ,but i am not close to where I want to be ,are there any suggestions you could give to improve my fixed pros skills , I know practice makes perfect ,but I want to know I am on the right track
Thank you for all the help you provide to budding dentists, you are a true inspiration

Greetings,

Do as many preparations as you can and get feed back from faculty members. Eventually it will come as second nature to you. DP

Originally Posted by smgoyal

Hello Dr Phan
I am a Foreign trained dentist from India with NBDE Part 1 score 84, NBDE 2 score 75. I applied to various schools for advanced placement DDS program but didnt get selected. Now I have an offer of joining the 1 year International Dentist Program in Pedodontics at NYU (I will not be eligible to practice in US after this). I want to know if doing this course would help me in getting into a dental school or should I retake the part 1 exam to improve my score. its a significant expense ($ 60000 + living exp). any advice from you would be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

Since getting a slot in DS as advanced standing is quite competitive, I suggest you apply to DS and start over if you have tough time getting in. This is due to limited slots for international grads. Consider applying to DS along with everyone else and with your dental background, it may work for you. I know many who did it this way. DP

Originally Posted by sakshi333

dear Dr. Dai Phan
im a foreign trained dentist,im very confused at what choices i have here.my husband is on H1 so we cant take huge loan amounts as we dont have a cosigner..so i have opened my choices to other health related fields like research,MHA etc apart from DDS.my only problem is the tuition fees associated with all these programs..can you suggest me any options with less tuition fees,,i would really appreciate your help.
thanking you

Greetings,

You may want to look into post graduate programs that offer stipends or scholarships as they are available out there. DP

Originally Posted by EmAl85

Dear Dr. Phan,

I graduated from college a year and a half ago with a mediocre 3.0 and I am trying to pursue dentistry. I am in the process of getting study material to re-take the DAT sometime next year (I realize now that a Kaplan book alone is not enough). My question is if I do extremely well on the DAT (~20-30), do you think I still have a chance to get into dental school even though I graduated with a GPA that isn't very competitive? Feel free to be honest, spare my feelings!

Greetings,

If you do extremely well on the DAT (90% plus percentile), have excellent CV and personal statement, then Yes. In other words, you need to have something to stand out so your file won't be cast away in the rejection bin. DS is getting very competitive now so think about doing a Master program to get your GPA up too. DP

Greetings,

Here are some suggestions in additional to Post #115 of this thread:

DO's:

1. Keep your PS within requirement guideline. Too long will make the reader bored and when they are bored, they will skim through and miss what you are trying to say.

2. Use proper medical terms when describing your shadow experience. Do not use "gums (gingival)", "jaws (maxillary/mandibulary arcs)", "plates (prostheses)", "pull (extraction)" and so forth. If you are not sure of the procedures, let me know and I will word them for you.

3. Be humble in your accomplishments. There is a fine line between pointing out your accomplishment and outright boasting. DS is tough and it can wipe out the smartest undergrad student. Again, be humble.

4. Provide the answers to what are required in your PS. Some schools may ask you to answer specific inquiries and make sure you give what is asked.

5. Thank the person for reading your PS. I always end my statements with a simple sentence " I thank you for your considerations".

6. Use proper font size. A Times Roman with size 12 is good. Avoid fancy fonts like Calligraphy/Handwritting or such.


DONT's:

1. Do not bore the reader with a long story about the experience that changed your life. You don't have to experience a traumatic experience to discover dentistry or the will to help other people. Keep these story telling short and no more than half a page.

2. Do not mention about specializing because very few people know what these speciaties entail. If you say you are going to specialize in this or that on your PS, it may paint a picture of immaturity on your part. You may like OS, ortho but it is best not to say it.

3. Do not use "layman" terms. Use "physicians" when referring to MDs and not "doctors"; use "fee" instead of "price" and use "dental treatment or procedures" instead of "dental work". Incorrect wording will make your PS unprofessional and cast a negative view on your behalf.

4. Do not mention your experiences that are too much into the medical field even if you have them. Stress what you have done in the dental field instead because AC wants to accept people who are genuinely into dentistry and not the ones seeking for back up plan.

Good luck and I will be happy to evaluate your PS if requested. DP

Originally Posted by Persevere13

Hi Dr. DP,

Didn't see any questions posted in the actual mentoring forum thread so I figured I'd send my question via PM and you could just throw it up in that thread w/ your answer.

I'll be a D1 this coming fall... just hoping you could maybe add some more cost saving tips for us entering DSchool and how to save money/live frugally? I know you mentioned how you rode the bus and slept on the floor - any other helpful tips? Just throw a bunch of bullet points for us on frugality!

Also, is it advisable for students to take the FULL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE (covering living expenses, bills etc) in loans if you literally have no other income? Or is it just overkill and better to shave off a certain amount of $$ so you won't have to pay it back + interest in the longrun?

Thanks again for answering all these questions. Great thread!

Greetings,

Congratulations on your acceptance! You need to minimize your loan because DS is quite expensive. It will make your life much easier down the road. You don't have to ride the bus or sleep on the floor like I did but you may consider these suggestions:

1. Rent a house/apartment with roomates.

2. Live near the school where you can commute easily without a car.

3. Have budget plan with your rommates (food, bills...).

4. Cook your food instead of buying them at the cafeteria.

5. If cooking is too time consuming or you are totally clueless, consider buying a meal plan from the dormitory cafeteria. Make sure you pick the right plan that suits your needs.

5. Don't make everynight a "club" night.

6. Get a job at the library on weekends or weeknights where you can study "while working". If there is a dorm nearby, ask for the reception job. These are pretty easy going job and get pretty quiet later in the night.

7. Buy used books/instruments from upper classmates.

8. Any instruments that are labeled as "optional" you do not need to buy them as there are cheaper alternatives. See above.

9. Ask for available scholarships and grants. Check with your faculty because they have monies for research that they can spend on you as research assistant.

Borrow only as needed because you can always ask for more if needed. Ask your upper classmates on the estimated cost of living. Above all, choose the school that offers the CHEAPEST tuition and live in the city that has the LOWEST cost of living. Again, congratulations. DP

Originally Posted by 1stlady90

Hi Dr. Phan, I am a sophmore at columbus state university. I would like to pursue my career in dentistry because when i think of other areas I could be doing, I seem to always fall back to dentistry so I kno this is what i was breed to be.
My question is.... what type of books or any other educational material should someone at my point of schooling be looking through besides my general science books at college? Are there any programs out there that can better prepare me for all parts of the Dat and dental school? Anything? I am very eager to learn as much information that I can so that the mouth I work on will be proud to smile.

Greetings,

As a sophmore in college, this is an excellent time for you to inquire about the dental profession. I recommend you to visit the ADA (American Dental Association) website and click on various tabs on dental education. Joining a pre-dental club or getting in touch with the health profession advisor will be helpful. Start to shadow with dentists (general and specialists) to see dentistry in actual practice. Choose a major that gives you the best chance of a high GPA and at the same time prepares you to do well on the DAT. Remember that you do not need to be a science major to do well on the DAT so choose your major wisely. Good luck and let me know if I can be of some help. DP

Originally Posted by 1stlady90

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my inquires about dentistry. At the moment I have a 3.2 gpa, made all a's and b's except in history (c) for my first year in college and im a bio major. Does having a BS instead of a BA appear better to DS? does it matter? And i'm very comfident that I will someday become a general dentist because that is what i want to be, bt is it really as hard as it seems?
Again thanks for mentoring us!

Greetings,

Very pleased to be here. There is no difference if you get a BA or BS as long as you get a good GPA. If you do well in undergrad you will do well in professional school. Good luck with your studies. DP

Originally Posted by datsit

sir, i was wondering whether it is better to pursue masters as soon as i finish my undergrad or should i work n get some clinical experience first. i'm an intern now.

It is impossible for me to answer without knowing your stats. DP

Originally Posted by ucla2134

Hi Dr. Phan!

Can you tell me what do you like least about dentistry?
Thanks

Hello,

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2007/08...rosthodontics/


This is an excerpt from my profile posted on SDN. Other than this, there is nothing for me to dislike. DP

We often expect in interviews to hear only about the positives of a specialty, but I am also curious about whether there is a flip-side to that question. Are there downsides to your profession? If so, what are they?

In this field, I deal with patients that have head and neck cancer. In most instances, I follow these patients for long periods of times, ranging from weeks or months to even years. Over time, a provider can become very attached. Unfortunately, there are times when the disease claims the lives of these patients. I have lost patients while they were under treatment, and I can tell you truthfully, it hurts and hurts deeply. Loosing someone that you care for and had a special bond with is not something that can be forgotten very easily.

Originally Posted by adam1112

Dr. Phan

I applied for the 2010 cycle with a good DAT score and a low gpa. I started to take graduate courses for a masters as a back up plan, if i did not get accepted into this cycle i can reapply with masters the following cycle. My question is, how many credits or courses should one complete before reapplying? I am 100% convinced that dentistry is for me and i will to do anything to get there. Thank you.

Greetings,

You have a determined mind and that I like. The goal of taking graduate courses is to improve your GPA and credentials. If your GPA is competitive enough after a certain number of classes, then go ahead and apply. Look at the school entrance stats and you want to be within the average. You can "project" your overall GPA by assuming certain As and Bs and so forth. If you only see modest improvement in your GPA then take more classes in your Masters program before applying. When choosing a major, choose something that you can built career from it in case you cannot gain entrance to DS. DP

Originally Posted by rock73

hello Dr.Phan! I am a new member of this thread and I desperately need your advice.

I have just decided recently what I want to do with my life and that is to become a dentist. I did not had a career goal before and hence, I have not worked hard in my university years and my gpa is very low. My gpa is around a 2.4 altogether with a major in Biology. During all 4 years of university life though, I have been working full time as well at a Biotech company and I am now their lab manager and have been working there for 5-6 years counting the university years as well. I know due to my gpa, the chances of getting into dental school is probably slim to none. However, I would like to know what can I do that would increase this slim chance even if it's just a little. I already have plans to pursue a masters degree next year if not next next year for biomed engineering. Would this help to boost my gpa? In addition, I just registered in some courses to redo them to show them that I am not stupid..it's just that I didn't try hard before. I plan on redoing all my prerequisites and also the masters. Do you think this is overdoing it? or is this still not enough to get in? I am 100% determined in making this dream happen so if you have any advice in helping me acheiving this, that would be wonderful and much appreciated!

thanks again!!!

Hello there,

All ambitions can be within reach if a person puts in the effort to achieve them. That being said, you need to make sure this career is what you want before committing yourself. Becoming a dentist takes years of hard work but at the end, the reward is much more than you can imagine. As with any career, don't be tempted by money, prestige but ask yourself if you enjoy the work itself. I happened to choose dentistry out of the thin air and it is the best decision I have ever made in life! Now down to the reality. Your GPA is pretty low and this has to be improved for you to have any chances at all. All you need is time and by doing well in your classes, your GPA will go up. It won't go up overnight but it WILL go up. And having a post graduate degree will be a definitive plus in your application also. So if you truly want to become a dentist, look at the road ahead of you and walk on its path without deviation. Your dream will there for you to grab before you know it. DP

Originally Posted by MusicJunkie

Hello Dr. Phan,
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions! Your mentor thread has been a HUGE resource. With that being said, I have a few general questions:

1. Due to extreme budget cuts by both the CSU and UC system, there is a good chance that summer school will be canceled at my school. In order for me to graduate on time, I'd need to take a few classes during the summer. Do you think the admissions committee would look down upon classes taken at a community college if I did not have any alternatives? I have already taken all the pre-reqs I need to apply for dental school, so I would just be taking classes that would apply towards my major. Thank you!

2. I live in California, and come next fall, I will most likely be applying to several California schools. The UC system is undergoing a 32% tuition increase (I'm not sure if this would also affect the dental schools), and I have heard that there are chances that UCLA, USC, and UCSF could suffer because of this. Should I factor the repercussions of possible budget cuts/fee increases into my decision when choosing which schools to apply to?

Thank you!

Greetings,

If you need to take some classes at the CC in order to graduate on time with the reasons you quoted above, then it is OK. Make sure those are not pre-reqs courses. A few courses at the CC won't be a problem. When choosing the schools, I would choose the schools that have the lowest tuition and live in a city with lowest cost of living. You want to minimize the amount of student loan. Trust me on this. Any school will make you a competent dentist and give you the same chance to specialize. It is not the school name but what you make out of it. DP

Originally Posted by imadreamer

What school dental school did she go to? I'm in similar situation. When I was in undergrad, I had a 4 year break in my studies before I went back due to finances and not having an independent student status. I'm much older now, I've gone back and finished my degree and have lived abroad most of the time. So I'll need to take Science classes from the start...I'd just like to know what school would be more forgiving towards my situation.

Thanks for your help

Hi there,

As long as you have all the requirements and competitive stats, plus you explain well in your personal statement, you will have the same chance like everyone else. Make sure the classes you take abroad are acceptable for credits and you should check that with the schools you plan to apply. DP

Originally Posted by imadreamer

Hello Dr. Phan,

I've been reading through some of the posts and this has been very helpful information for me. Thank you for your positive encouragement and feedback on Dental school. I've recently decided to go to Dental school after long consideration for some time. However, I'll need to start from the ground up. I received my B.A. in Economics, so I'll need to take Science courses from scratch. I currently live overseas teaching English in South Korea and I'll be here until I pay off my student loans from undergrad, so about 3 more years. My plan is to return home after 3 years, take the science courses needed, and then start applying afterwards.

I was wondering what would be the best course in preparing for Dental school being that I'll be away from the country and won't be able to enroll at a University until I return. My current plan is to do some studying and preparing on my own; I've noticed that some universities offer free courses online. So, being that I have 3 years, I planned on getting up-to-date with all the science courses I need on my own time, as well as preparing for the DAT. Then, I figured by the time I get back to the States, I'll be able to breeze through the Science pre-requisite courses and the DAT, having prepared for them. Also, in South Korea, there is a military base, so I plan on contacting a Dentist on base and asking if they would let me volunteer or shadow them while I'm in Korea. I also thought of taking up a Masters in Science course online to help prepare myself and boost my gpa. I was wondering what your advice is on this plan and if you have any suggestions on what the best starting ground would be for building up a strong understanding in general Sciences as I'll be starting pretty much from scratch, other than the introductory courses I took in high school.

Once again, thank you for your help and insight. I really appreciate it.

Hello,

I am glad you have choosen dentistry as your career. I think you have a good plan but I am not quite sure if obtain a MS online would look favorable in your application. Of course the program must be an accredited one. If this is the route, check with the schools if they can accept these classes or degree. With more and more schools offering online and accredited BS/MS/PHD programs, I don't think that is an issue but I am not certain. My suggestion is to enroll in the school full time and go at it. Online route requires lots of juggling between home life and "computer school" life which some find very hard to do. Plus you will be paying more for tuition too. DP

Originally Posted by gegogi

Hello Dr. Phan,

This is ***from nyc, who sent you my essay for getting your comment.

I got an acceptance from NYU and am happy to attend there b/c their facilities are great and a big class size means for me to maximize my connection--I just came from ***, so that I don't have any connection at all. And, my wife's school is also in nyc.

But, my question is that I just got a call from buffalo if I was still interested in attending there. I said yes, but I don't know how I can solve this problem. As I stated above, it's hard to move to there together, my wife and myself. And, for me, buffalo was not attracting area.

Do you think I should go to the cheapest school? I remember you told me that no fame, go to the cheapest one!

My 2nd question is that how much I would take loans? All my friends and SDNers said to me to get a minimum loans, but my father told me to get a maximum loans because I could use the loans to open a practice. The reasoning is the student loans are much cheaper than the commercial loan that I will make in the future to open a practice. How do you think so? Do you think it's a good idea to save some portions of the maximum loan for my future?

I will appreciate your help.
Thank you.

Greetings,

Congratulations on your acceptances! I have always believed in minimizing the amount of debt that you will owe. The least the better. That means attending the school with less tuition. However, if you are married and it is not easy to just pack a bag a go, then you need to look at all the angles to see which suit your family best. For some, a saving of 10K or more is not worth the hassle of traveling back and forth to see each other so you need to sit down and see what is best for you. Remember that it does not matter what school you graduate from. Big names really mean nothing as far as your quality of education or chances for specializing.

Regarding the loans, I do not know how it works now because my last student loan was more than 10 years ago. At that time, I could not put a number but I must fill out application form with the actual cost of tuition, living expenses, etc... , submitt to the finanical aid office, let them do their calculations to see what I need, then an amount is submitted to the lender. Goverment backed loans are at very low interest rate but they are only for education. I could not take out a huge loan at say 3% to down a house payment. You need to check with your financial aid officer on the terms of the loan. I would not even be concerned about getting a loan right now for your practice because you may want to go for specialty training that may take anywhere from 3 to 6 years after dental school. It is not wise to let a low interest loan sit idle for 7 years and it may be better to get a higher rate loan but you can pay it off in a few years. DP

Originally Posted by dli1112

Hello Doctor, I was just wondering when you would suggest would be a good time to start job shadowing to become a dentist. I will be entering my second year of under grad studies in september, and I would like to know if the sooner I start shadowing a dentist the better, and how many hours of shadowing look good for a student. Also how may i get clinical experience, I see some forums that people say they have clinical experience as well. Thank you doctor I appreciate your time, and input.

Greetings,

I would plan to shadow as soon as possible but spread it out. You want to show the AC that you are committed to dentistry and have been following its fath over the years. Also check with the school to determine the amount of shadowing is needed then plan with your class schedule to make sure you have enough time for shadowing and class work. You do not want to shadow too early then have an inactivity period on your application. But again you do not want to wait until graduation then shadow like mad. Regarding clinical experience, check with your doctor to see if he allows you to help out in the clinic like organizing charts, take the patients back to the room, calling patients and so forth... That is also clinical experience that does not have any legality issues. DP

Originally Posted by 476515678234896

I know you contribute a lot on the mentor and pre-dent forum but I was hoping that you could give me a little perspective on something that I've been thinking about for some time.

Ever since I decided to go to dental school over medical school, I've been a little hesitant about getting into dentistry and I seem to always be questioning my decision (which I consider normal). I like dentistry for a lot of reasons and dislike medicine for a lot of valid reasons but I'm not sure that dentistry would stimulate me intellectually like medicine does.
I've shadowed many practitioners in both fields and seen a lot of cool stuff but in the aspect of having colleagues and peers to discuss your work with, medicine seems better.

So I was wondering: does it (dentistry) ever get lonely? does it ever get boring? what would you have done differently (academically or in your career) between undergrad and now? what are some downsides to dentistry that only people who've practiced would understand?

Greetings,

Before you commit to a career, you need to make sure it is what you want to do for the rest of your life. You have to take into account of the time commitment, financial cost, marketability of your profession and of all things, ask yourself if the profession will bring you satisfaction. One career may appeal to one but quite repulsive to others. If you enjoy the variety of medicine has to offer and find dentistry too limited, then you should not go into dentistry. I am going to answer your questions per my perspective to give you some more insight into your inquiry.

Q: Does dentistry ever get lonely or boring?

A: Yes if the person chooses dentistry for the wrong reason. If you are watch ER and dream of doing of all the things on TV like doing surgeries from head to toes and now doing dentistry, then you will be very unhappy. For me, I never find dentistry (or maxillofacial prosthodontics in my case) “lonely” at all. When I see 10 plus patients a day who present with completely manipulated dentition or half or the jaw missing or a large palatal defects who are in dire need to be restored, there is no time to get “lonely”. My mind is always racing to find the best solution to a complex problem so I find my career choice and specialty to be extremely stimulating. Just because dentistry focuses just a part of the body, it does not mean it is going to be a “lonely” or “boring” profession. And yes, I also have heard physicians complaining about the monotony of their jobs too so the grass are not always greener on the other side.

Q: What would you have done differently (academically or in your career) between undergrad and now?

A: I choose to go into dentistry in a rather unorthodox manner. You can read my interview on the SDN Dentist Profile section for how I ended in dentistry. I must say that I have hit the jackpot on this one. I love going to work, I love seeing my patients and I love seeing the happiness on their faces when they are given a beautiful smile or the chance to eat without pain again. I would not change anything if I am given the chance to go back.

Q: What are some downsides to dentistry that only people who've practiced would understand?

A: Dentistry is hard on the back and especially on the eyes as you are working with millimeters. However, with proper posturing and proper scheduling, you can minimize the wear and tear on your body. In my case, I never performed two complex procedures in a row but I sandwiched them between easy ones such as recall examination or consultation.

Reading your concerns, I think dentistry is not what you are looking for. But then again, even in medicine you may find it to be “limited” as well. I have seen very unhappy physicians who wished they have done dentistry and also dentists who wished they have done medicine. I strongly encouraged you to shadow as much as you can in both fields then make a decision for yourself. Good luck! DP

Originally Posted by D1cker1

I am having troble staying obtaining my Career goal as fast as I want to. I see the goal but it doesn't seem to come as fast as I want it.
Ultimate goal Orthodontist

Background
27/M
After highschool I started off as a welder at a shipyard.
Moved to California and started school as a Surgical technician, worked at my current job for 6 years.
Decide to go back to school and do pre req for Biology degree to transfer to CSUF.
Changed my Major to health science to decrease some of my math, as i am terrible in Math.

Currently I have a Gf who's Dad is a Dentist and all of her brothers are Dr's also. I have a lot to live up to and I need to be succcessful at it.
Any Advice is appreciated.

Best,

Greetings,

Becoming an orthodontist will take years of education, determination and hard work. Having a doctoral degree does not come after a few months of schooling so prepare yourself for a long road ahead. You first need to have at least 3 years of college followed by 4 years of dental school and 3 years of orthodontic residency. That means it will take you at least 10 years to become an orthodontist after high school. If you put your mind to it and work hard, the goal is achievable. I am perplexed on why you decide this career and I doubt if you really know if this is what you want to do. It seems you are in a family full of professionals and is pressured into doing the same thing. You should choose a profession that suits you rather than trying to meet up with someone’s standards. I suggest you start exploring your options while in college and do your very best to achieve the highest grades possible. Education is so important and at this early stage in your life, make it a priority. DP

Great post! I actually had the same career goal as TexasDDS2012. Though I have several additional questions. Right now I'm in an international DDS program and will get my DDS next year. Before this, I have been doing research as a postdoc in som dental school for 6 years and published 7 papers. I'm strongly interested with research and really want to be a faculty after graduate. However, what I heard is it's hard to get an assistant professor position without residence training. It that true? If I will be looking for faculty position, what kind of position should I apply for besides assistant professor and where can I find those information? Thank you so much Dr. Phan.

Originally Posted by Dr. Dai Phan

Thank you for asking a very good question. If you look at the faculty in your school, you will see that most are in later of their careers. That means there are very few young faculty and in a few years, many of them would have moved on to different endevors. The reason is that in academic, the salary is much lower than in private sector. A person graduating from DS will have about 200K in debt so on teaching salary, it would be tough to make ends meet. However, some go into teaching straight from DS while they are waiting to buy a practice or is applying for specialty. In other words, teaching gives them the temporary "lodging" . I have know many of my former students who did this. Regarding the notion that people go into teaching because they could not hack it in the real world is a myth. The truth is not that they could not hack it but rather "I wouldn't want to hack it". Some are willing to accept a lower salary but there is no hassle of running a private practice.

I left teaching because I could not sustain on a 60,000 a year with 265K student loan. I loved teaching and I can say with certainty that I had spent more time with my students than anyone there but the truth is that I do like to live in a house and not an apartment eventually. There is not a single day that went by without me thinking of going back to teach.

There are jobs opening abound for faculty positions. If you are a prosthodontist or GP, you will see that there are jobs abound for you. There are so many openings that you can get the job without much dificulty. However, if you are looking at the rank of associate professor or chairman, you need to have years of experience behind you. As a fresh graduate, most likely you will be at the rank of instructor or assistant professor.

Yes, you can have a private practice if you are part time faculty. It is very common to have part time faculty come and teach on the day they are off (usually Fridays). However, if you are a full time faculty, that possibility is very low. You are required to be in school most days of the week that there is no time or energy left to run a practice. However, all schools have "faculty practice" that you can work while teaching although you are allowed at the very most one day a week. I was allowed 4 hours a week in my faculty practice.

You do not need to do research if you are not on tenured track position. However, to become tenured (permanent job employment at the school), you have to do research and have them published. You are given about 6 years to get tenured. If you are denied, then you have to leave the school and look elsewhere. DP

Hi there,

Dental school faculty shortage is an ongoing issue that is yet to be resolved. I am glad to see however that faculty salary is getting better and better over the years. You do NOT need to have a residency training to be considered at the assistant professor level. What determines your rank is your credentials, training, reputation, school budget and how bad the school wants you (or don't want you) on their staff. One time I went for a faculty job interview and after having completed three residencies with a specialty degree along with a fellowship (6 year training post DDS), I was offered a position with a rank of Instructor. You see, sometimes even with multiple residencies doesn't do squat. DP

Originally Posted by I will Survive

Dear Dr.Phan

I am an international dentist from India,graduated in 2005. I have given my part 1( score = 81, after 3 gruelsome attempts). I gave my part 2 but got 74.I cannot retake part 1 exam to improve my score, so I'm going to retake part 2 . I have been trying to get into dental school for 2 years. I have a decent GPA of 3.71 and my toefl score is 110. I do get called for interviews, but never get accepted,even though I feel I did great on them. I have 3 years home country work experience and 2 yrs in USA as dental assistant. I am involved with other non profit organisation and am active volunteer.
Can you shed some light as to what I could do to strengthen my applications. what do Admission committe's look for in foreign dentists. everyone says scores are not the only thing, but somehow I never see ppl with scores lower than 84 getting into teh programs. So if I have an 81, does it mean I should consider options other than clinical dentistry???

Greetings,

Getting admission to US dental schools as foreign graduates is very competitive because of the limited slots available. If you got rejected, then you should inquire with the program director on the reasons why you were not successful. You should also ask what the typical stats (GPA, Board scores, bench test scores …) are expected to be considered competitive. Once you know what needs to be done, then correct them and reapply. Quality and quantity of applicants can vary greatly from year to year so don’t give up your hope as of yet. If getting US degree is not a priority but getting the training is, then consider applying for post graduate programs as the competition for these slots is not as tough. Specialties such as prosthodontics, pathology, radiology usually have more foreign than US graduates. This was my observation when I did my prosthetic training back 13 years ago. Good luck! DP

Originally Posted by wsc2879

Dr. Dai Phan:

I am a premed student who just became interested in dentistry recently. I plan to shadow some dentists to see what the occupation is like.

I discussed this with my mother, and she asked me about the future of dentistry in America. I couldn't answer.

Is the job outlook for dentists bright? is it hard to get a dental job? is this field going to be saturated? Compared to other areas of medicine, dental health seems like not that essential in most people's eyes. My family is from China, most chinese still dont value dental health as much as other health issues, and don't want to pay for it. I dont know the situation in America. Also as you said, dentistry is developed towards cosmetics, I am wondering if the occupation will get hit by the economic recession once a while. I dont want to be jobless once the recession hits. If dentistry has bright future, why do most college kids still dream to go to medical school?

I looked over the sample DAT. I feel I would do well on it except the PAT part. I am not that good at it. Could I improve it? I found some of my mechanic engineering friends analyze those sketches with ease. I think some people are naturally good at this. Does it mean I would not become a good dentist?

Thank you for answering my questions

Hello,

I am glad you consider dentistry and please shadow your dentists (GPs and specialists) to see what the career entails. You do not need to worry about the future of dentistry because as long as there are people on this planet, oral health providers will always be in demand. Yes, dentistry is shifting toward more to the cosmetic side but that is not what today’s dentistry is all about. Dentistry is much more than making pretty smiles. With today’s tough time, putting food on the table is more important than having a brand new set of teeth. However, other services will be always needed and as long as you are not limiting yourself only to high end cosmetic cases, you will get plenty of patients. Many college kids prefer going to medical schools than dental schools because of the perceived better prestige, income as well as personal reasons such as family pressure and expectations. You need to make the decision for yourself and while dentistry is not for everyone, neither is medicine. But I can assure you of one thing. If you choose a field where your heart is, you will not regret your decision. I love dentistry and I would not exchange it for anything else in this world. Regarding the PAT, while it is a factor in dental school admission, it is NOT an indicator of how well you will be as a clinician. DP

Originally Posted by dr1989

hello Dr. Phan

I am a third year transfer from a cc and starting at a university this fall.
I spent majority of my first two years at my community college working full time and focusing less on my classes. In the past year I discovered dentistry is what I desire. However I have been struggling to make good grades, especially in chemistry. This fall will be the third time i will be retaking the second half of general chem. I am frustrated with myself because I am set to gradutate in spring of 2012 and I know that ideally I should be applying next summer for dental schools. I want to do well and hopefully get into UoP or UCLA/UCSF by the time im 24 (im 21 right now). Do you recommend that I not apply next summer and slowly focus on my classes? I have yet to even take organic chemistry and if i were to apply next summer, i would be taking the DATS without any ochem background! to be honest i feel like i should learn ochem myself or with a tutor and focus on my classes and still apply next summer. that way even if i dont get accepted i will have the experience of the application cycle and i will know what to improve on. what do you think? should i hold off or apply regardless? my current gpa is 2.97 overall and if i do apply, i will have only taken 2 semester at my university compared to the previous 3 years coming from a community college.

thank you for your time,

-dr1989

Hello,

You need to do well on the classes because credentials is what get you in or out. Take your time and concentrate on making good grades. You are still young so don't get into a hurry and ended up having bad grades. You also need to take classes at university because CC classes do not have much weight in them. Remember not to bite more than what you can chew so good luck! DP

Originally Posted by desires

Dear Dr. Phan,
I am a foreign trained dentist with the following credentials: 85/3.91/113. I am currently in the third semester of my MPH program (4.0 GPA). I have a less than a year experience from my home country and a few months experience as a dental assistant in the USA. I have applied to a few universities this year but have received REJECTION from all except BU. I am still waiting for their response. It has been very heart breaking. I am working on my plan B if I do not get an admit this year. I am thinking of continuing my MPH and then either go for a DPH or a DrPH. Would this be the right Plan B? I am finding it difficult financially to keep up with the costs of the MPH program and no scholarships are offered by my University.
In case, I do not get an admit in DDS this year, I am planning to stick to my PLAN b- am I giving up too soon? or will I be saving a year?
Please do guide me (based on future prospects).

Hello,

I am glad to be at your service. If you plan to practice in the US, you do not need to obtain the US dental degree if you choose to do a post graduate residency. You should reconfirm this with the state(s) you plan to practice in. Getting a slot as advanced student in US schools is very competitive but getting a residency slot is much easier pending on the specialty type. DP

Originally Posted by Eej

Dr. Phan, I'm interested in maxillofacial prosthodontics, and while researching programs, I only found 7 schools (including 2 fed programs) that offered the sub-specialty. Must I apply to just those school to become a max prosthodontics, or can I specialize in prosth at other schools and apply to one of the seven for MP after completing my prosth program.

Greetings,

Due to the limited programs that offer fellowship in maxillofacial prosthodontics, it can be very competitive to get a spot. I would apply to all programs but first, you must complete your prosthodontic residency and get a good letter of recommendation from your program director. If you do not excell in your pros residency, MP is pretty much out of reach. Good luck! DP

Originally Posted by wizi

Dear Dr. Phan,

I am just wondering if you could look at my personal statement? This is the 2nd draft and I know that I still need to improve it.

Please let me know how I can send it to you.

Thank you very much,

Cam on bac si nhieu a

Hi there,

I will be happy to critique your personal statement free of charge! DP

Greetings to all,

I hope you all had a good Memorial Day weekend and I look forward to your questions! I am glad to be at your service. DP

Originally Posted by djh1990

Here is my situation. Last October I got pulled over and charged with driving under the influence of klonopin (aka drug dui). They still have not come up with my urine results so its still in the court system but my lawyer has told me that this will 95% end in me pleading to a regular dui. This is my first dui but i have been charged with minor drinking, minor driving after drinking (under the limit but under 21) and reckless driving in the past. I did diversion for all of these so never got convicted before but apparently they will still show up on background checks.

My gpa's (science and overall) are both around 3.8 and I just got a 27 on the DAT last weekend. I would honestly just like to get into a wiche school. How big a factor do you think the legal stuff is? Do you think I should wait until the dui is resolved to apply?

Btw, sorry this question is so long. Really appreciate your help!

Greetings,

I am glad to be at your service and your question is not too long at all. First, you really really need to get some help because getting hooked on drug and alcohol is a dangerous thing to be in (was the klonopin perscribed?). Please seek help immediately and I will pray for your speedy recovery. Now to your question. Dental schools does back ground checks and you need to be upfront from day 1 rather than getting some nasty suprise while in school or later in your career. I hope I am not wrong on this but if a person made some mistakes in early life but turned around for the better, I think you should be and will be given the same chance as with others. Your mistakes are not as severe like rapists, murderers so I would not count yourself out. However, you need to disclose this on your application and when asked on the interview. Let me know how it goes because you obviously is a very smart person and I would hate to see this talent goes to waste. Good luck! DP

Originally Posted by Kboehm1

Hello Dr. Dai Phan,

I think you have some great advice on here and I've enjoyed reading everyone's questions and struggles. Thank you! There are so many opinions out there that it can get overwhelming so I have a question for you, but some background first...

I'm a college graduate with a duel degree from Loyola University Chicago. My first degree is in broadcast journalism (the field I'm currently working in) and my second degree is in anthropology. Recently, I've done a lot of research on journalism and the direction the industry is going and I don't think I would be happy 20 years from now in the field. That being said, I also really, really miss school. I miss my science courses, my volunteering experiences, and learning new things, but currently, I feel that all this has been put on the back burner for something I'm not happy with, journalism. Long story short, a multitude of experiences and self searching has led me to dentistry and I think I would be extremely happy as a dentist. It would allow me to give back to a community, allow me the ability to continually expand my knowledge, and let me live a balanced life. After coming to these conclusions, I have enrolled in school to complete the pre requs I have left, I've started shadowing a dentist and plan on volunteering at an elderly care facility soon.

I have an overall 3.38 from Loyola and the reason my GPA is low is because I got Cs in 2 Spanish courses and my study abroad courses didn't count towards my overall GPA. I'm hoping the board will see that I didn't get anything but As and Bs in all major courses. I also worked, volunteered, studied abroad, and was taking 6 courses a semester for the last 2 years. BUT, for the first year of pre requs I'm going to the local community college (South Puget Sound Community College) mainly because of cost and being an hour and a half drive from U of WA. Here's my question... do you think having taken the most basic BIO and CHEM courses at cc will significantly hurt my chances of getting in? I'm planning on taking the second year of pre requs at a 4 year institute. I'm just really nervous that because I'm not a traditional pre med student, I'm not a candidate admissions would be looking for. I'm only going part time to school so I can get the best grades possible for the pre requs and I think my previous schooling will demonstrate that I can handle a lot of work.

Any advice you could give would be really appreciated... am I on the right track? Where can I improve myself?

Thank you so much! I'm sorry my post is so long, but I felt as though I needed to explain myself to get the best advice from you possible.

Kiersten

Hello !

As long as the majority of the classes taken at university and you do well on them, few classes taken at CC won't be a factor. Keep your GPA above 3.5 and with good DAT, you should gain acceptance. Remember that dental school is getting more competitive so do the best you can to have the best grades regardless of how long it takes. DP

Originally Posted by Lane138

Hi Dr. Phan,

Thanks for answering questions! I've a few regarding specializing

1) How do people handle loans if they want to specialize? Do they just keep deferring while taking out more loans? The Stafford loans have a limit of 25k so what do people do beyond that?
2) Along similar lines, are there specialty programs (besides oral surgery) that don't charge money but instead pay residents? Or even just don't charge?
3) Do most successful applicants of specialty programs declare and figure out early on what they want to specialize in, or can we really decide by our 3rd year?
4) Is having publications a huge positive, for people who may or may not be interested in specializing and academic dentistry?

Greetings,

1.If you need money while in residency, you can take out loans with the goverment or private loans if you need extra fund. While in residency/school , all your loans are deferred.

2.Residencies such as AEGD, GPR pay the residents in addition to OS. Others I believe you have pay tuition. Some offer scholarship throughout the training as I was given a full ride for three years in my pros residency.

3. Some people knew early on what they want to specialize but there are some who decide later in their dental education. I did not want to become a maxillofacial prosthodontist until I completed my AEGD and GPR.

4. Publications certainly help but GPA, class rank, letters of recommendation, reputation are more important in getting accepted to competitive specialties. DP

Originally Posted by kilthelightz

I am wondering what I should expect at a dental school interview. I have one at University at Buffalo and I was told there will be a traditional interview, 10 minute case scenario discussion, and a writing sample. Are there resources that have the types of questions that will be asked (in the interview and for the writing sample)? And what is the case scenario discussion?

Thank you!

Greetings,

Most likely will be typical "getting to know you" kind of a thing. You should call the school and ask what entails writting sample. DP

Originally Posted by sirrenda

So lets say you get accepted to a bunch of dental schools, and you would like to go on to specialization after you get your DDS. Taking into consideration that some dental schools are pass/fail, and the NBDE is now pass/fail, Does the dental school you select effect the probability of going on to specialty school? Or is it simply your rating/e.c.?? For argument sake lets say you get accepted to an Ivy League Dental School, and State school, and a school somewhere in between. Does selecting the Ivy League school give you a higher chance of getting into specialization schools?

I am a man of statistic and facts, and I like to analyze everything prior to their occurrence. So your experience, or stats are welcome.

Greetings,

With today's trend of some school grading pass/fail, I am quite sure they use other methods to determine which candidates to choose from. In my experience, once the candidate is invited for the interview, grades or class ranking become less a factor. How the person handles the interview, personality, demeanor, maturity are what the schools are looking for. You can tell much about the person without looking at the stats by simply interacting with that person. In my opinion, Ivy League schools do NOT guarantee an edge to specialization. I know many specialists who attended non IL schools including myself. DP

Originally Posted by giftedhands22

i have something constantly worrying me.. After going back over my application after sumbmission i have found some wwords that are misspelled throughout around five...They arent slaughtered just slightly... example.... voulunteer, periodentist, endodonist, focuse(missing s)... will this cause me to be rejected.. everything else is good... personal statement, other areas, my scores are 18bio,19ts,19pat,18ts,18rc,16qr,21oc,19aa..... gpa:3.81 sgpa:3.7 and im a minority...may i please have some feedback

You can use spell check programs that are widely available on the Net. DP

Originally Posted by jaipurstudent

Hello doctor,

I am a foreign dental graduate and have obtained a toefl score of 95. I want to know will I be able to get admission in dental universities in u.s. and specifically in boston univ. and dental school of connecticut as they both are asking for a score of 100. I will really appreciate you if you will help me out in this.

Thanks.

Hello,

I suggest you to contact directly to the schools and ask them as I do not know their admission criterias. DP

Originally Posted by PersianCyrus

Hey Dr.Phan, i read all your responses and i had a question of my own. I am currently a freshman at my community college in VA. and i'm transferring to VCU for my B.S in Science. I love science and i fit in the healthcare industry. However, after 3 years of online research i have come to the conclusion that Dentistry, and Radiation Therapy ( Which are completely different) Is where i'd like to study in. Money is only 65% of importance, realistically its 100%.However; from the research ive done and asked around , i can see the path for DDS/RT are both rigorous , DDS being 10x harder. I enjoyed Biology in my junior year in HS. but im not a nerd , just love cells and the physiology of the Human Body. Originally i focused to go into MD for Radiology. then again i dont want to spend that much time in school. It was last year when i decided go into DDS program ( or RT). MY QUESTION IS.... how can someone WHO ACTUALLY enjoys BIO prepare themselves for DAT/Dental school in general? I want to begin early as possible!

Any advice on :

Study materials:
VCU- UVA?
My family is below Mid-class Inc. ( I might need FA).. how will that affect me..?
Anything i need to know about Loans.. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What to focus on the most?
What are the REALITIES OF BEING A DENTIST/PRE-DENTAL STUDENT?
How to prepare yourself for the 4-yrs of Dental S...?

My weaknesses are...Chem..O/G...(any) math...

My reason to be a dentist is.. I'm a perfect People Person.. good with hands..work hard..Smart in science.. Im interested in General P.and opening my own Practice soon..
i have a sales background..understand DDS is a business too!
and i have a family with dental issues ( including myself) Helping people , i find is what im drawn to the most. (Leo)..

Greetings,

You really need to shadow your family dentists as well as specialists to see what dentistry is about. 90% of dentistry is procedure based that involves a great deal of problem solving especially in difficult restorative cases. If you love biology but like dentistry, look into the DDS/PhD program where you can do dentistry as well as doing research. Read my other posts on this thread and they will help you in your questions. DP

Originally Posted by Nena1989

Hi Doctor, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

1) I really enjoy studying Psychology. Would you think it would be OK to apply to dental school with a BS in Psychology? I understand you need science courses. Which ones would you advise.

2) I work full time during the day and have little to no time to volunteer. What do you think about the one or two week abroad pre dental volunteer opportunities, they go to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. It has to be paid by myself ($2,000 or so) You think I could do this and not have worry about shadowing and volunteering?



PS. Plan on attending UNLV- Las Vegas
Thank you again,

Martha

Hello Martha,

Choos a major that gives you the best chance of getting a good GPA. Dental schools don't care what you major in so use that to your advantage. You can go to the ADA website and find out what courses you need before entering dental schools. This information is available on individual school's website as well. Save your money and volunteer locally as there is no need to go abroad. DP

Originally Posted by Rdhdds15

Hi guys I am new to this site. I was wondering what are my chances on getting into dental school. My current gpa is 3.37 science is around. 3.4 I have a two year degree I'm dental hygiene currently working on my ba in health care admin. So far these are my preq grades English 1 B English 2 C math college Algebra A bio 1 B Bio 2 A chem 1 A chem 2A Orgo 1 A- Orgo two I'm currently taking Ap 1 and 2 B+ micro bio C. I haven't taken the dat yet but based on my grades do I have a chance. Also by being a hygienist does that help. And are my chances better because I'm Hispanic or is that a rumor.

Hello,

Your GPA could be a little bit higher but your background in DH will help. You need to do well in your DAT and you should gain admission to DS. Let me know when you get the good news. DP

Originally Posted by shrutiandy

hi sir..it was nice to see how you have helped people with their doubts..here are mine..hope u'll help me out too..what other options are their for a foreign trained dentist to get a decent job in US??please give the information in detail..also if you can tell me as to how i can start my preparation if i want to clear the nbde exams in order to secure an admission in sm US recognized dental school for dds programme ??is it easy for a foreign trained graduate who pursues dds to get a job in US after dds and repay off the huge loan amount??thanks for your time sir..

Hello,

If you want to practice dentistry in the US (not teaching), then you need to get your DDS by enrolling in advanced standing programs or completing a ADA approved residency. Each state has its own requirements so be sure to look up in the state you want to practice in. Getting admission in US school for foreign graduate is highly competitive but in some cases, getting admitted to a residency program is easier. That later route can allow you to practice in the US without the US DDS degree. DP

Dr. Phan,

Thank you sir for your time. I am trying to stay positive and believe my way through the matriculation process into dental school, but a close look at some details surrounding my candidacy and comparison amongst other students has me second guessing my plans for becoming a dentist.

I have a compelling background starting with a rough childhood, jail time as an adolescent, collegiate sport and academic dropout among other things. I ended up joining the NAVY, reaching a rigorous background clearance to obtain a top-secret clearance and work in the worlds finest special forces teams.

After my final deployment to Iraq, I came home to the States with my dreams shattered and the need to re-invent myself due to a mixture of major and minor injuries.

A year ago I started the C&B Dental Lab with my business partner here in Jacksonville and through his coaxing I have become highly motivated by all challenges and rewards surrounding the idea of being a dentist.

I say all that to say, I have a horrible GPA due to my getting most credits while deploying regularly and only getting the said degree for promotable reasons within the NAVY. (2.59)

I am growing C&B, balancing my time with my wife and 20 month old daughter and at the same time going to school full time.

Even if I continue to get straight A's, I only have 56 more credit hours to add to the 106 I currently have at a 2.59 avg. Does this raw data immediately eliminate me from getting an interview? My apprehension is strictly in GETTING the interview. I'm almost sure that the interview will be quite a bit easier than getting to it.

As far as the DAT, I took the ACT without finishing the tenth grade and almost aced it (top 2% in the nation) so truthfully, my concern is the GPA. Will there be any real consideration beyond the numbers?

I do have a mentor from UF who is an interviewer for the college of surgery there. He seems to be calming my worries but I would appreciate your unbiased feedback given that you don't know me nor have any desire to see me succeed beyond the scope of this thread. My mentor is my neighbor and thinks I am fine. Please feel free to share my information or ask me follow-up pertaining questions as well.

For now,

seanbee

Originally Posted by kristohers

Hi!
As with everyone else I am extremely impressed with your availability and passion for your career. I imagine you are inundated with questions so I appreciate your efforts. I am a general dentist who has been practicing in seattle for three years. I love general dentistry and the rewarding care I can provide but I think it is time for me to intensely study again to refine my knowledge on a micro level. I am drawn to maxillofacial prosth because of the artistic and rewarding nature of it. I don't mind working long hours in residency but once I have achieved the position I want some time with my family hence one of the reasons I chose dentistry in the first place. Would you say your career at this point allows that time or do you find yourself still working long hours during the week? I am not nervous of the time/money/effort to get there, it's more the lifestyle once I'm there.

Thanks so much in advance,

Kris

Hello Kris,

I am glad that you consider post graduate studies to further your dental knowledge. Maxillofacial prosthodontics takes a total of four years (three for pros and one for MP). Admission to the MP is highly competitive because there are so few programs in the country. I can tell you that once you start your training, you will be very busy and spending weekends / after hours in the lab is the norm. This is to be expected for next four years. However, after your training, then it is up to you how you want your life style to be. I know plenty of prosthodontists who work only four days a week and some who work much more. If you choose to be employed in a cancer hospital that has a large population with head and neck cancer, then forget about your life time of three day weekends and tee time at 4:30 pm. I find MP is to be highly rewarding because you practically change a person's quality of life. Your treatment will allow a person to look presentable in public as well as giving the ability to function such as eating and talking. I also find it to be highly challenging because no maxillofacial defects are alike and you need to come up with different solutions all the time. Let me know if you need more help. DP

Originally Posted by lwtech

How much do you estimate making in Seattle first years after graduating?
Also how long do you estimate it is taking you to finish the loan?
May I ask how much you made first year after graduation and did you open a private practice?

Thanks I am just hoping after graduating I will be assured a job.

Greetings,

To answer your questions...

1. I do not know the area so I cannot comment on this. In any part of the country, there are so many factors so it is impossible to have a number when comes to private practice's earnings.

2. I still have many more years before my loan is paid off...

3. My professional job after finishing everything was the assistant professor at a dental school in Memphis, TN. My starting salary back in 2001 was 60K.

Dentistry is a field where you don't depend on others to have a job. This is where private practice comes in. There are also plenty of dental schools looking for faculty so don't worry about being unemployed. DP