I'm a dentist and want to specialize in PERIO

[jydds916]

Hello everyone.

I am in my early 30's and have been practicing dentistry for 7 years. It has been a rewarding and exciting journey --- I love multi-disciplinary dentistry; I love cosmetic dentistry; I love digital dentistry (CEREC + 3D cone beam); I love implants. However, because of the broadness of dentistry, it is also, at times, very frustrating. What fascinates and interests me the most is surgery, specifically periodontal surgery such as implants and bone building - augmentations, sinus lifts, grafts (not oral surgery stuff like wisdom teeth extractions, orthognathics, facial trauma, etc.).

I've recently contemplated specializing in PERIO. If I pursue this new journey, then it would be for the entering class of 2016. But, is it worth going back to school for 3 more years? I do have a family (wife, 1 kid and a home); I'll be 33 next month; I have invested into my private practice (bought a practice 6 years ago).

If I don't pursue PERIO, it's not the end of the world. I would still be very happy doing what I am doing now. But, in the end, I don't want to live with any regrets.

Here are some of my questions -----

-How are practicing dentists looked upon when applying to specialities, specifically PERIO?
-I graduated in the latter 50% of my class with board scores in the low-mid 80's. Although I may have not excelled during dental school, I have received several awards while practicing as a general dentist. Does experience and post-graduation achievements have any weight in the application process?
-Since I have been out of school for 7 years and now live in a different state than where I went to dental school, how easy is it to obtain letter of recommendations from faculty members?
-Are there certain programs known for selecting practicing dentists?

Any advice from previous dentists who are now specializing, current PERIO residents, and/or current PERIO program directors/administrators would be greatly appreciated.

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[Silent Cool]

Hello everyone.

I am in my early 30's and have been practicing dentistry for 7 years. It has been a rewarding and exciting journey --- I love multi-disciplinary dentistry; I love cosmetic dentistry; I love digital dentistry (CEREC + 3D cone beam); I love implants. However, because of the broadness of dentistry, it is also, at times, very frustrating. What fascinates and interests me the most is surgery, specifically periodontal surgery such as implants and bone building - augmentations, sinus lifts, grafts (not oral surgery stuff like wisdom teeth extractions, orthognathics, facial trauma, etc.).

I've recently contemplated specializing in PERIO. If I pursue this new journey, then it would be for the entering class of 2016. But, is it worth going back to school for 3 more years? I do have a family (wife, 1 kid and a home); I'll be 33 next month; I have invested into my private practice (bought a practice 6 years ago).

If I don't pursue PERIO, it's not the end of the world. I would still be very happy doing what I am doing now. But, in the end, I don't want to live with any regrets.

Here are some of my questions -----

-How are practicing dentists looked upon when applying to specialities, specifically PERIO?
-I graduated in the latter 50% of my class with board scores in the low-mid 80's. Although I may have not excelled during dental school, I have received several awards while practicing as a general dentist. Does experience and post-graduation achievements have any weight in the application process?
-Since I have been out of school for 7 years and now live in a different state than where I went to dental school, how easy is it to obtain letter of recommendations from faculty members?
-Are there certain programs known for selecting practicing dentists?

Any advice from previous dentists who are now specializing, current PERIO residents, and/or current PERIO program directors/administrators would be greatly appreciated.

Lots of people leave general dentistry to return for specializing. It's not the norm, mind you, but plenty of general dentists do it much later than 33. I have seen many people who practiced general dentistry for 10+ years return to do Endo and Ortho.

If you think that market demand for Perio is high in your area, I would suggest doing it only if you can get into a program that pays you a stipend or that has very low tuition.

good luck

 

[wigglytooth]

Your private practice experience does not usually hurt you in applying. However, you will need to get back into the mode of "book learning" and ready yourself for "unlearning" a lot of things you may have been doing already (if you already do surgeries in your office). I would try to find a program that is close to you that is highly clinical so that you can try to maintain your practice (ie pay tuition) and so that you don't have to do as much book learning (not as much of a school shock). The VA programs typically are the only ones that pay you but they are notorious for not having direct supervision of specialists. I do not know anyone who has gone back after 7 years, so I have no way of answering your other questions. I would call some programs and ask these questions. Good luck!

 

[gryffindor]

Not a perio but I think perio is one of the specialties where some practice as a GP is valued rather than look down upon. The people who write you letters of recommendation do not have to be your old dental school professors from 7 years ago. Have the most connected periodontists you know write you a letter to vouch for you and your interest. You will probably need a dean's letter from your school, but those are pretty generic.