OEC Ortho program stats

[ItsGavinC]

I received an PM from a user who was curious as to the average stats necessary for matriculation into the new OEC Ortho programs. I have no idea what the answer is to this question, so I thought I post and see if anybody does.

Of course, I think that Jacksonville is the only one who actually has students as of right now, so one of the problems is that there's a slim chance that one of those Jacksonville residents actually browses SDN.

But still, does anybody have any idea about the stats of those accepted to these programs (GPA, class rank, Part I)? In general the user wants to know if they are as competitive as the traditional ortho programs.

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[DDSSlave]

Based on the contractual obligations after finishing residency alone, I'd say OEC programs will be the least competitive ortho programs. Tack that onto their low reputation in the ortho community and I'd guess they are comparatively easy to get into. Surely low 90s or even high 80s board scores and top 20% should make you quite competitive, but those are pure guesses. It's difficult to throw numbers out when, in the end, so few applicants enter a particular residency. For example, there may be highly competitive applicants that simply want to live in Jacksonville the year you apply.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Good post, thanks for it.

I think you are correct in your viewpoints. But there also some spots in those OEC programs that aren't under contractual obligations. But of course, the tuition at those programs is steep ($40k +/year). But then again, tuition at USC post-grad is steep and they never have open spots. On and on it goes...

Anybody else with any insights?

I actually emailed the program director at Jacksonville tonight, so maybe we can get some information straight from the source.

 

[ItsGavinC]

 

[gryffindor]

Last summer (Summer 2003) when I began looking through all the orthdontic application stuff, the OEC Jacksonville program was listed on the Match website as a participant in the phase I (all Ortho programs) of the dental match program. However, as the rest of the application cycle progressed through fall 2003, Jacksonville dropped out of the Match meaning that they either offered all their acceptances prior to December 8, 2003 or they waited till after Dec. 8 to see who didn't match into ortho, and then filled their residency with those people. Either way, I'm sure they filled b/c I'm sure there are enough people out there who will take OEC Ortho over no ortho. They had some explanation on their website as to why they dropped out of the Match program, I don't remember the specifics of what it said.

I thought I remember seeing at some point that the minimal board score they will consider is an 80. But that doesn't mean much b/c there are ortho programs out there that will say they consider applicants from every level, but in reality will only interview valedictorians and academic superstars. However, I don't think the OEC is so exclusive that it will only entertain valedictorians.

Below is an e-mail I received in June 2004 from the OEC. I never inquired about the program specifically, so they must have gotten my e-mail from either PASS or Match and sent it that way.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to a new and exciting opportunity. Jacksonville University (?JU?), in Jacksonville, Florida, and Colorado University (CU) in Denver are currently accepting for their orthodontic programs. Orthodontic Education Company (?OEC?) is working in conjunction with JU/CU to offer full scholarships, including living stipends, to qualified students! I have take the liberty of outlining some of the highlights of the program.

OEC's purpose is to increase the number of practicing orthodontists in the U.S. and enhance the market opportunities for graduating orthodontists. Through relationships with Jacksonville University (JU) and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, School of Dentistry (CU), OEC will provide full geographical scholarships for qualified residents at each school of orthodontics. Upon graduation, OEC will assist each graduate in the development of an orthodontic practice in an agreed upon location. Through this operating structure, OEC increases the number of certified orthodontists available to meet growing market demand and provides more dentists with the opportunity to economically pursue an orthodontic career.

Opportunities:Qualified Applicants: OEC will offer geographical scholarships to certain qualified dental students from dental schools across the U.S who apply to the Orthodontic Program at Jacksonville University (JU) and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, School of Dentistry (CU). Additionally, graduate dentists with the desire to specialize in orthodontics are eligible for scholarships.

Scholarships: Each year, JU and CU accept OEC scholarship recipients from their pool of applicants. JU and CU are looking for applicants to fit a wide range of criteria to gain acceptance into their programs. Among the criteria considered are academic achievement, personal interview, work experience, community service, and willingness to serve the public demand upon graduation.

Training: JU and CU?s focused training programs will ensure that every graduate achieves the highest level of orthodontic proficiency. Specifically, the programs will offer:
? Dedicated, highly trained faculty ;
? State-of-the-art facilities;
? Access to the latest technology, including practice software and clinical techniques;
? Orthodontic and administrative assistants to further streamline the learning process; and
? Business professionals to teach the business aspects of managing high quality practices.

Placement: Once qualified for acceptance into the programs, OEC scholarship recipients choose the U.S. market in which he/she will practice upon receipt of his/her orthodontic certificate. The orthodontists are guaranteed a minimum income level and share in the distributable income in a private practice environment.

If you have an interest in becoming an orthodontist and enjoy a profession that will be both personally and financially rewarding, I encourage you to contact me at your earliest convenience so we can arrange a time to discuss this opportunity in more detail. I can be reached...

 

[ItsGavinC]

Here is info from Dr. Jerrold, program director of the JU program:

"We look at all aspects of a candidate's application not just grades or board scores. I am looking for unique applicants with varied backgrounds..."

Anybody else with any info?

 

[toothcaries]

i have zero interest in ortho...and i don't believe that i've expressed any interest in any ortho programs at any time...yet i have also received similar "intro" letters from jacksonville and colorado...

Last summer (Summer 2003) when I began looking through all the orthdontic application stuff, the OEC Jacksonville program was listed on the Match website as a participant in the phase I (all Ortho programs) of the dental match program. However, as the rest of the application cycle progressed through fall 2003, Jacksonville dropped out of the Match meaning that they either offered all their acceptances prior to December 8, 2003 or they waited till after Dec. 8 to see who didn't match into ortho, and then filled their residency with those people. Either way, I'm sure they filled b/c I'm sure there are enough people out there who will take OEC Ortho over no ortho. They had some explanation on their website as to why they dropped out of the Match program, I don't remember the specifics of what it said.

I thought I remember seeing at some point that the minimal board score they will consider is an 80. But that doesn't mean much b/c there are ortho programs out there that will say they consider applicants from every level, but in reality will only interview valedictorians and academic superstars. However, I don't think the OEC is so exclusive that it will only entertain valedictorians.

Below is an e-mail I received in June 2004 from the OEC. I never inquired about the program specifically, so they must have gotten my e-mail from either PASS or Match and sent it that way.

 

[texas_dds]

i cant believe they are soliciting randomly now

 

[ItsGavinC]

i cant believe they are soliciting randomly now

We don't know that they are. It's only word of mouth, which isn't conclusive evidence. I doubt they are lacking applicants.

 

[texas_dds]

today i heard from one of the people running for ASDA national president that OEC has signed up with Pitt
can anyone confirm?

 

[ItsGavinC]

today i heard from one of the people running for ASDA national president that OEC has signed up with Pitt
can anyone confirm?

I couldn't find anything on the OEC website nor the Pitt website. If true then this would be HUGE news, as it would be the first time that a traditional Ortho program has converted to an OEC program. Up until now the OEC programs have been upstarts at schools without previous Ortho programs (JU, Colorado, and UNLV).

Big news indeed. Good news? I don't know, and there are certainly two sides to every story.

I'd wait for confirmation from Pitt, the ADA, or the OEC before falling into this statement, though. As of now it's only a rumor.

 

[kato999]

I spoke to an OEC sales representative at the ASDA national convention last thursday. He did not mention anything about pittsburg, but he didn't really give a clear answers to most of my questions anyway.

mostly the he was explaining how the program was solving the massive shortage of orthodontists

 

[ems5184]

I feel stupid for asking this...but what is OEC?

 

[ItsGavinC]

Orthodontic Education Company

 

[ems5184]

Thanks for that link....seems like a great program. I'll have to keep it in the back of my mind for future reference.

 

[jpollei]

Thanks for that link....seems like a great program. I'll have to keep it in the back of my mind for future reference.

Great? Hmm...maybe read a little deeper between the lines.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Great? Hmm...maybe read a little deeper between the lines.

Or not.

Another poster brought up an excellent point: there are essentially 2 applicant piles for the OEC programs. One pile is for those who want to do the OEC scholarship, and the other is for those who don't want to.

THIS is what worries me the most, and I fear that those desiring the OEC scholarship will have lesser stats than the other batch.

I don't think the actual curriculum of the OEC has ever been in doubt. Afterall, these dental schools have their reps resting on the line as well. Colorado is a stellar school, and they are gung-ho about the OEC.

The OEC doesn't, to my knowledge, create the curriculum for these schools. It only provides funding for facilities. The schools are still in charge of the curriculum, and the program directors at these programs have been invovled in Ortho education for 20+ years.

 

[jpollei]

Or not.

Another poster brought up an excellent point: there are essentially 2 applicant piles for the OEC programs. One pile is for those who want to do the OEC scholarship, and the other is for those who don't want to.

THIS is what worries me the most, and I fear that those desiring the OEC scholarship will have lesser stats than the other batch.

I don't think the actual curriculum of the OEC has ever been in doubt. Afterall, these dental schools have their reps resting on the line as well. Colorado is a stellar school, and they are gung-ho about the OEC.

The OEC doesn't, to my knowledge, create the curriculum for these schools. It only provides funding for facilities. The schools are still in charge of the curriculum, and the program directors at these programs have been invovled in Ortho education for 20+ years.

Agreed in that the curriculum everywhere has to be somwhat comperable. By reading between the lines I mean make sure you realize exactly what you are getting into...if you have no concern with that, great. (Well, ignoring the whole big business meddling in dentistry. But that point has been belabored before.)
You're worried that "lesser" applicants want the OEC "scholarship"?...I guess I'm not connecting the dots. Help me out Gavin.

 

[groundhog]

OEC is projecting that there will be a huge shortage of orthodontists within 15 years if the status quo is retained. I disagree because OEC fails to factor in the technological and productivilty gains which will likely occur during the same time period. Dental specialists will continue to be a vital part of the oral health care system, but I believe GP's will pick up more of the routine "speciality tasks" as a pure function of technological advancements. I think one can a get of glimpse of the future through a recognition of the required predoctoral courses at many schools which used to be electives often reserved for the top students (hands on uncomplicated implants, simple tooth realignments, rotary root canals, etc).

 

[ItsGavinC]

You're worried that "lesser" applicants want the OEC "scholarship"?...I guess I'm not connecting the dots. Help me out Gavin.

Well, if the OEC is in it for the money, like we think they are, then they won't want any positions to go unfilled. Further, if everybody carries this stigma about the OEC programs, like we think they do, then the typical top-notch ortho candidates probably will NOT be applying to OEC programs.

That means there ought to be plenty of room for candidates who would have never considered ortho in the past. These candidates should have ample chance to apply to OEC programs and get accepted. Granted that the popularity of the OEC program may rise in the coming years for these students, but overall students with an 85 on the boards will stand a much better chance of matching with an OEC scholarship spot than they would with a traditional ortho spot.

The other problem with the OEC scholarship spot is that although they pay for your ortho schooling, you have to repay them 7 years working for OEC companies after school. Sure, the "free" schooling looks nice, but an ortho shouldn't have much trouble repaying those loans anyway, so when faced with the decision I think that top-notch ortho candiates would put the OEC programs (or at the minimum the OEC-scholarship slots at those programs) pretty far down on their list.

The final point is that the OEC programs seem to be hunting for applicants. Several people here have mentioned receiving emails from them inviting them to apply to their programs. Never on the face of the earth have other ortho programs had to solicit applicants--the demand to place at those programs is just too high!

These factors lead me to believe that matriculants to the OEC-scholarship spots (and not necessarily the other available spots at OEC programs) will probably have significantly lower stats than those at other Ortho programs. Does that really matter? Well, it's a whole other argument.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Groundhog, excellent post.

It's been interesting to look specifically at the field of endo, where it was thought that new advancements would nearly run the specialty into the ground.

It seems the new advancements have only made endo more easily accesible to those GPs who wanted to do it in the first place, and that those who dislike every fashion of endo are still refering it out, no matter how easy it has become.

Invisalign certainly hasn't killed Ortho, so perhaps while new technologies will allow the average GP to build their armementarium, it won't wipe specialists out as much as we think.

 

[jpollei]

Well, if the OEC is in it for the money, like we think they are, then they won't want any positions to go unfilled. Further, if everybody carries this stigma about the OEC programs, like we think they do, then the typical top-notch ortho candidates probably will NOT be applying to OEC programs.

That means there ought to be plenty of room for candidates who would have never considered ortho in the past. These candidates should have ample chance to apply to OEC programs and get accepted. Granted that the popularity of the OEC program may rise in the coming years for these students, but overall students with an 85 on the boards will stand a much better chance of matching with an OEC scholarship spot than they would with a traditional ortho spot.

The other problem with the OEC scholarship spot is that although they pay for your ortho schooling, you have to repay them 7 years working for OEC companies after school. Sure, the "free" schooling looks nice, but an ortho shouldn't have much trouble repaying those loans anyway, so when faced with the decision I think that top-notch ortho candiates would put the OEC programs (or at the minimum the OEC-scholarship slots at those programs) pretty far down on their list.

The final point is that the OEC programs seem to be hunting for applicants. Several people here have mentioned receiving emails from them inviting them to apply to their programs. Never on the face of the earth have other ortho programs had to solicit applicants--the demand to place at those programs is just too high!

These factors lead me to believe that matriculants to the OEC-scholarship spots (and not necessarily the other available spots at OEC programs) will probably have significantly lower stats than those at other Ortho programs. Does that really matter? Well, it's a whole other argument.

Gavin,

Were you aware that OEC scholarship spots aren't offered until after you are already accepted and signed? There aren't two stacks of applicants (scholarship and not), everyone applying is in the same pile. Just FYI...

 

[decaydigger]

jpollei,

Don't want to beat a dead horse, but I've head otherwise.

I went through this process (ortho applications) last year. I did not apply through OEC, but did apply to JU and Colorado. I know of a OEC-JU resident starting this year. I may be wrong, but I believe he stated that Lazzara and OEC interviewed him first then JU. The application on JU even asks whether you are applying for an OEC scholarship or not. Speaking with Ernie Bono from OEC, I was also told that if I applied with OEC and JU, that OEC would interview first (determine which applicants would receive scholarships) then JU would conduct their interviews, OEC and non-OEC. Another friend of mine who applied to CU was initially called for an interview and asked if he was also applying for an OEC scholarship, as he did not indicate either yes or no on his application. When he said that he was not applying for an OEC scholarship, he was then told that he would be called later concerning interviews. He never got a call back. If OEC is providing scholarhips to people already accepted isn't it strange that so many of JU's residents accepted OEC "scholarships"? I'm sure it's possible, but highly unlikely. Even if OEC doesn't preinterview applicants, just checking yes or no to an OEC scholarship on the applications sways acceptance decisions. Admission committees are still essentially dividing applicants in to two piles, OEC and non-OEC. What if all the accepted applicants chose not to accept an OEC scholarship, doesn't make much sense for OEC, right? I know I've read somewhere that each residency class will have a certain number of OEC residents. How would that be possible unless OEC has some say in who gets in? How can any accrediting body not see problems with this? If Lazzara get away with this he is a friggn' genius, gotta give it to him! Who knows, I may be working for him in 30 yrs. Just lettin' you know what I've heard.

 

[groundhog]

Corporate capitalism does create some interesting waves in the socio-economic spectrum. During his latest appearance before Congress, Fed Chairman Greenspan stated that skilled labor in the USA enjoys too high of a premium in its wages vs unskilled labor. Greenspan suggested that ways need to be found which would shift large numbers of unskilled workers into skilled jobs which would then result in the lowering of average skilled wages and the raising of average unskilled wages on a comparative basis. What is this?...sounds like a major player in the capitalist market boosting a prime goal of communism.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Gavin,

Were you aware that OEC scholarship spots aren't offered until after you are already accepted and signed? There aren't two stacks of applicants (scholarship and not), everyone applying is in the same pile. Just FYI...

I wasn't aware of that. My information was based on the fact that on the INTIAL application to these programs, you must answer if you are interested in the OEC scholarship or not, and then stick by that answer (according to the Jacksonville program director).

 

[jpollei]

I wasn't aware of that. My information was based on the fact that on the INTIAL application to these programs, you must answer if you are interested in the OEC scholarship or not, and then stick by that answer (according to the Jacksonville program director).

True, which does essentially sift you then into two groups. Strange how those interested (i.e. commit to the scholarship) just happen to get all the initial interviews, and acceptances regardless of credentials.... hmm... maybe it is a money thing. I guess if there are left over seats, a non-scholarship applicant might get in.. theoretically.

 

[texas_dds]

k, i take back the Pitt allegation - turns out it was a different school, but i will wait for more info before i start any more rumors

 

[ItsGavinC]

I guess if there are left over seats, a non-scholarship applicant might get in.. theoretically.

Well, there will be non-scholarship positions available at the programs, so they should get in.

 

[marmoreus]

Don't let your worry over getting into an ortho program blind you to the obvious fact that OEC is an afront to all that's good and decent in the ortho and dental professions. Also, even if you aren't interested in ortho, don't think this same model can't be easily extended to endo, pedo etc--maybe not OS.

Lazzarra is just a greedy son-of-a-gun.

I would personally rather flip burgers at McDonald's than be a prostitute for Lazzarra. At least I would still have my dignity.

 

[Jone]

Why would anyone take the OEC scholarship at Colorado? The program tuition is only $10K per year, and the $30K per year stipend will more than cover tuition and expenses.



I'm also interested to see what kind of stats the OEC class has. If you really think about it, their stats should be close to non-OEC ortho residents', after all, there are probably dozens of people with mid-90 or higher NBDE scores, and top 10% class rank that don't get accepted to any ortho programs; they would make ideal candidates for OEC. I guess you also have to consider the 7 year service though....

Don't let your worry over getting into an ortho program blind you to the obvious fact that OEC is an afront to all that's good and decent in the ortho and dental professions. Also, even if you aren't interested in ortho, don't think this same model can't be easily extended to endo, pedo etc--maybe not OS.

Lazzarra is just a greedy son-of-a-gun.

I would personally rather flip burgers at McDonald's than be a prostitute for Lazzarra. At least I would still have my dignity.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Why would anyone take the OEC scholarship at Colorado? The program tuition is only $10K per year, and the $30K per year stipend will more than cover tuition and expenses.

Is there a $30k/year stipend?

 

[dort-ort]

OEC is such a scam. huge scam, period. you get what you will settle for.

 

[DDSSlave]

I thought this might help clear up rumors or misconceptions about the OEC programs...


from:
http://www.swso.org/winter-03-spring-04/trustee.html#

Trustee Report
Dr. Mel DeSoto

In August, the Commission of Dental Accreditation granted initial accreditation to a new orthodontic residency program at Jacksonville University. The JU program is funded by a for-profit corporation, Orthodontic Education Corporation (OEC), a corporation founded by Dr. Gaspar Lazzara. Eleven of the fourteen residents in each class at JU will sign an individual contract with OEC agreeing to work in an OEC-sponsored practice for seven years after graduation in exchange for free tuition and an annual stipend during their residency. The AAO Board of Trustees (BOT) welcomes new orthodontic residency programs and is supportive of any new program that meets the accreditation standards developed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). The standards are necessary and essential in protecting the public and the students. The AAO BOT does not believe that the program at JU meets these standards and filed a complaint against the CDA with the United States Department of Education (USDOE), which grants the CDA its authority to accredit dental programs and provides oversight of the commission.

The AAO BOT does not believe that the JU program satisfied Standard 1.1 of the commission standards which states: It is the responsibility of the sponsoring institution to ensure that financial support from outside entities does not compromise the integrity of the program or the options of the students/graduates. We believe that JU violates this standard in the admittance process by not allowing all students to compete for the entire fourteen positions before being given the option of the scholarship and its ensuing contractual obligations. The current process requires JU to select eleven of the residents each year from a list of candidates submitted by OEC. We believe that this pre-selection by OEC is tantamount to selection by OEC and allows them to control the selection process thereby violating Standard 1.1. We also believe that the contracts that the students are required to sign that mandates seven years in an OEC sponsored practice are a violation of Standard 1.1. Despite our formal complaints to the CDA and to the USDOE, the initial accreditation was granted by a commission vote (secret ballot that by commission rules is not publishable) and our complaint was denied by the CDA in a subsequent review. The first JU class of fourteen students began classes in August and will graduate in August of 2005. The AAO is continuing a dialogue with the USDOE over JU?s compliance with Standard 1.1 and recently met with DOE representatives in Washington.

The AAO BOT maintains to the USDOE that the CDA commissioners did not receive full information on the contracts between OEC and JU and between OEC and the residents. At the annual ADA meeting in October in San Francisco, an AAO sponsored resolution was passed by the ADA House of Delegates that will require the ADA Board of Trustees to file a complaint with the USDOE that the JU decision by the CDA failed to follow Standard 1.1. The support by the ADA House of Delegates was very gratifying and is evidence that our dental colleagues view this as a dental issue and not just an orthodontic specialty issue.

The University of Colorado has also made an application for accreditation of an OEC-sponsored orthodontic residency program with the essentially identical provisions as JU. The process will require a site visit next April by two designated orthodontic site visitors and then the full CDA will consider and vote on the CU application for initial accreditation at its August meeting. The AAO BOT will oppose the accreditation of CU if it does not conform to Standard 1.1. The AAO BOT hopes that the commission will review the contracts in their entirety to ensure that they do not violate Standard 1.1. If the contracts were altered to satisfy Standard 1.1, then the AAO would support the school as it has for every school that has met the standards.

The University of Nevada at Las Vegas has recently announced that their Board of Regents is considering a new OEC-sponsored ortho residency program. There are rumors of negotiations for more OEC-sponsored schools as well. In my tenure on the BOT, this is the most important issue that we have faced. It is my firm belief that it is in the public?s interests that our schools and students remain free of control by outside entities whose primary obligation is to their stockholders. How will the public be protected if our educational institutions are allowed to become puppets for the financial interests of corporations and if corporations are allowed to control the practice of the graduates for a number of years? The AAO BOT will be active through our new commissioner on the CDA, Dr. Jim Vaden, in trying to persuade the CDA to study thoroughly all of the contracts before approving the application of CU next August. We also will continue to press for a review of JU?s program.

At the SWSO annual meeting in New Orleans, Dr. Gayle Glenn, was elected to be your new trustee and will assume the position at the close of the AAO annual meeting next May. I am completing my fourth and final term and will assume the AAO President-elect position when Gayle comes on board in May of 04 and I will ascend to the AAO Presidency in May of 05. I congratulate both Gayle and the SWSO on her election. She will be an outstanding representative for the SWSO. I don?t know how the time has flown so quickly as it seems only a short while ago that I assumed this position with eager anticipation but with the realization of the enormity of the task ahead of me as your representative for our specialty. I am now moving to AAO elected positions and this is the last newsletter report that I will write as your SWSO trustee. I humbly thank you for the honor of being your trustee for eight years. I can honestly say that no one has ever had a better group to work for. As always, I am here if you have a complaint, inquiry, suggestion, or just need some help with an AAO problem.

 

[ItsGavinC]

OEC is such a scam. huge scam, period. you get what you will settle for.

A degree to practice Ortho, in the long run. More than that not many of us are sure about.

 

[Zurik5]

Gavin, you don't think this sounds a bit sketchy? Maybe it's just me, but this is a sheep wearing a wool suit. Corporate dentistry will eventually figure out how to incorporate all of the specialties, and I think OEC is on the cutting edge, here.

 

[kato999]

i agree. i think with the nationwide faculty shortage, corporations are eyeing the success of OEC. i think since ortho is less invasive to the patient and more cosmetically oriented compared to other specialties of dentistry, there hasn't been as big an outcry.

wait till OEC becomes Periodontics Education Company or Endodontics Education Company... maybe they will team up with Walmart

 

[ItsGavinC]

Gavin, you don't think this sounds a bit sketchy?

Sure, and I've never said it doesn't. But in my mind there is a difference between SOUNDING sketchy and actually being sketchy. I'm reserved to see how the program actually fairs, and more importantly, how it's participants/graduates fair, before passing judgement.

 

[UNLVortho]

The applicants at UNLV have great stats just like other schools. One thing that they have an advantage of is that they are not in the match so if you get accepted you MUST drop out of match (if you accept of course) and that gives them top choice over other schools. My stats and my classmates were top 10% and mid 90's part I board scores.
Next year it will be more comeptitive now that OEC is not in the picture it won't have the OEC stigma, but our tuition will go up from 30k to 45K probably. That is not official yet. They get over 500 apps and they would get more if they could take foreign trained dentists.
My classmates are the cream of the crop and I know many applicants that got in to other schools (not OEC) with not so high stats. I love the program and would come here again if I had the choice.

 

[Str8Wire]

UNLVortho, What are they telling you about OEC? Are some folks still required to complete their work contracts? Is it just morphing into another name? Are you worried about orthodontics as a specialty because of the organization that used to own your program? Who owns/runs your program now? What are the salary numbers that are considered normal take home for a new grad?

 

[ItsGavinC]

UNLVortho, it's great to have a resident around that will have some direct information about the UNLV program. Please continue to visit the forums and answer as many questions as you can!

Great to have you around.

 

[UNLVortho]

UNLVortho, What are they telling you about OEC? Are some folks still required to complete their work contracts? Is it just morphing into another name? Are you worried about orthodontics as a specialty because of the organization that used to own your program? Who owns/runs your program now? What are the salary numbers that are considered normal take home for a new grad?

Well OEC is no longer with us as of now, we all went to the Board of Regents meeting and they seem not to want them back either. The students just have to pay OEC back what OEC they owe them which is tuition plus living expenses. I don't think there will be another name, just the name of the dental school. The dental school and the director run the program and he is very organized and he actually started the program at San Antonio which is still doing very well. I am not worried about ortho because OEC was affiliated with the school. When you go buy a practice the retiring orthodontist is not going to care where you went to school as long as he is well taken care of financially. And your patients will probably never ask you, they just care how good your rep is with the other patients you've treated in the community and how well you treat them and their teeth.
One of my classmates said his ortho friends made $200,000 the first year out(as an associate), but that also depends on location, how much you work, and connections, there are always conditions.

 

[TKD]

The applicants at UNLV have great stats just like other schools. One thing that they have an advantage of is that they are not in the match so if you get accepted you MUST drop out of match (if you accept of course) and that gives them top choice over other schools. My stats and my classmates were top 10% and mid 90's part I board scores.
Next year it will be more comeptitive now that OEC is not in the picture it won't have the OEC stigma, but our tuition will go up from 30k to 45K probably. That is not official yet. They get over 500 apps and they would get more if they could take foreign trained dentists.
My classmates are the cream of the crop and I know many applicants that got in to other schools (not OEC) with not so high stats. I love the program and would come here again if I had the choice.

"Cream of the crop"....i think not my friend. let's be honest here. OEC took advantage of schools salivating for $$$, desperate ortho wannabees and a meek national dental organization.
"Won't have the OEC stigma"...wrong again - stigmas remain, for good reason for longer than a couple months. we'll see how many ex-OEC programs stay afloat.
I am happy that you guys can get out of those illegal prostitution deals / contracts. I also hope that such an entity never rears its ugly head again.

 

[kato999]

I know UNLV doesn't do match, but did they have any positions open after the match day? I had heard that CO and UNLV had contacted people who didn't match to fill some positions. Is this true?