OMS Etiquette and Culture

[Phidippides]

We have an extern right now that needs to learn a few things about the culture of OMS, especially while on an externship. I just think nobody has informed this applicant. I was hoping that maybe the SDNers could share their knowledge on how to be a good extern.

Now I turn this over to SDN. Please help future OMS applicants do well on an externship. Let's list things they should avoid doing and also list things they should be doing.

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[senpai]

We have an extern right now that needs to learn a few things about the culture of OMS, especially while on an externship. I just think nobody has informed this applicant. I was hoping that maybe the SDNers could share their knowledge on how to be a good extern.

Now I turn this over to SDN. Please help future OMS applicants do well on an externship. Let's list things they should avoid doing and also list things they should be doing.

Just a few things off the top of my head...

Sarcasm - most of the personalities in OMFS are such that often times things are taken the wrong way. It's really funny too see people get offended who don't understand haha

Hierarchy - Is as follows: attendees > chiefs > other residents > interns >>> Externs, dental students, etc. >>>>>>>>>>>>> Periodontist

'Yes-man' attitude - do as you are told, don't ask why or question it. No, YOU do not know a better way of doing it nor does anyone really care about your opinion on the matter.

Work-hard, Play-hard - I've seen residents/attendees who work crazy shifts in very high stress situations, but when you have a break and hit the bar....well...'nough said

Being a 'suck-up' = big no, no - Just so things are clear, lets read some definitions of a suck-up from Urban Dictionary:
-"One who acts affectionately toward another so as to excel, usually because he cannot do so on his own merits."
-"Someone who compliments everything because they want something for themselves, for example friendship."
-"Someone who does good stuff for you in the hopes that one might be suddenly endowed with all the wealth and generosity that you could possibly give (and usually are disappointed)."
-"Someone who says nice things which usually aren't true to another person for their own benefit."
-"A complete ass-kissing brown-nose willing to do almost anything to benefit from his superior."

That's all I have for the moment...

 

[GonnaDoIt]

Let's list things they should avoid doing and also list things they should be doing.

I know I have been guilty of this offense while on my externships, but I have gotten a little better at it over time: think before asking questions. If a quick google search or a minute skimming a textbook will yield an answer to your question, then don't ask it. If you can't bite your tongue, try to keep your silly Q's for the lower level residents. Also, some sage advise from one of the chiefs on my last externship: be quiet in the OR. If you are trying to sound smart by asking a bunch of questions, the attendings usually turn it on the chiefs or other residents and it turns into a pimpfest, which never helps with the pressure of surgery.

Interesting idea for a thread, btw.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Just a few things off the top of my head...


Hierarchy - Is as follows: attendees > chiefs > other residents > interns >>> Externs, dental students, etc. >>>>>>>>>>>>> Periodontist

That's all I have for the moment...

bahahaha ; this just cracks me up. I have never met an oral surgeon that DIDN'T say something pretty dang identical to this... =)

 

[EXTwhizzy]

Externs:

-stay quiet, but once you've done at least one week at the place you're externing it won't hurt to show a little personality the 2nd week as long as you're not a doosh
-be humble, no one wants to hear about what you made on part 1 or you're class rank, or your school requirements, or how many teeth you've extracted
-never show up late to anything (at least 15 min early)
-read up on anything you don't know about or at least read up on any big surgeries that are going on the next day
-just try not to get in anybody's way (fly under the radar); residents/attendings only remember BAD externs
-get some thick skin; try not to get offended by what residents say to you, but as long as you are a good extern, residents should be nice to you

This thread is also interesting b/c the responsibility falls on residents as well to be good teachers and good motivators. I realize we are stressed 90% of the time, but we have to remember what it was like to extern (it sucked, residents can be mean and jerks sometimes).

 

[armorshell]

-The small fork is for salad
-Always drink with your pinky out
-Knife in your right hand, fork in your left

 

[Phidippides]

I found this document at medical school. It came from a professor and was intended for 3rd year medical students on their clerkships but I think it is applicable to OMS externs and 1st years as well.


Every residency director wants someone competent & dependable, reliable, responsible, mature, punctual, etc. GOOD WORKER.

“Hard work makes up for lack of knowledge”

1. be early
a. ≥ 2 alarm clocks. ≥ 1 that doesn’t run off wall-current (in case power outage).
b. NEVER be late. They’ll NEVER FORGET.
c. Do NOT make an excuse.

2. be happy
a. “Act like you really want to be there!”
b. You can have a sense of humor, but do NOT BE FAMILIAR with attending & residents. PROFESSIONAL. No “pet names,” etc.
c. Be respectful to everyone at all times (pts, pts’ fam, attending, residents, nurses, other staff, etc.)
d. Make them believe this specialty is what you want!
e. Be aware of NON-VERBALS.
f. Acknowledge that this opportunity is a PRIVILEGE.

3. work hard & do more
a. ALWAYS ask if there is something more to do. Help fellow students, etc. Otherwise, you’ll get a C.
b. NEVER LEAVE without telling resident. ASK if there is anything else you can do.
c. BE ORGANIZED. Liaison between services, get labs, etc.
d. NEVER say NO.
e. Do NOT do anything to suggest LAZINESS. Show motivation, interest, initiative, independent functioning. Seeks out pt encounters.
f. Be a TEAMPLAYER.
g. BE SURE. If you’re not sure, ASK FOR HELP. No fibs!
h. KNOW THE DISEASE PROCESSES for all your patients. LOOK EVERYTHING UP! Print interesting articles for Pub-Med. You need to know more about the pts than your attending!
i. SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING.

4. never complain
a. No matter where you are, SOMEONE can always HEAR YOU. They will TELL ON YOU.
b. Do NOT do anything to suggest a sense of ENTITLEMENT.
c. Do NOT take things PERSONALLY. Do NOT pout. Do NOT hold a grudge.
d. Do NOT CRY!!!! Have thick skin. People will yell at you/take their bad day out on you.

 

[GreatOMFSHope]

I found this document at medical school. It came from a professor and was intended for 3rd year medical students on their clerkships but I think it is applicable to OMS externs and 1st years as well.


Every residency director wants someone competent & dependable, reliable, responsible, mature, punctual, etc. GOOD WORKER.

"Hard work makes up for lack of knowledge"

1. be early
a. ≥ 2 alarm clocks. ≥ 1 that doesn't run off wall-current (in case power outage).
b. NEVER be late. They'll NEVER FORGET.
c. Do NOT make an excuse.

2. be happy
a. "Act like you really want to be there!"
b. You can have a sense of humor, but do NOT BE FAMILIAR with attending & residents. PROFESSIONAL. No "pet names," etc.
c. Be respectful to everyone at all times (pts, pts' fam, attending, residents, nurses, other staff, etc.)
d. Make them believe this specialty is what you want!
e. Be aware of NON-VERBALS.
f. Acknowledge that this opportunity is a PRIVILEGE.

3. work hard & do more
a. ALWAYS ask if there is something more to do. Help fellow students, etc. Otherwise, you'll get a C.
b. NEVER LEAVE without telling resident. ASK if there is anything else you can do.
c. BE ORGANIZED. Liaison between services, get labs, etc.
d. NEVER say NO.
e. Do NOT do anything to suggest LAZINESS. Show motivation, interest, initiative, independent functioning. Seeks out pt encounters.
f. Be a TEAMPLAYER.
g. BE SURE. If you're not sure, ASK FOR HELP. No fibs!
h. KNOW THE DISEASE PROCESSES for all your patients. LOOK EVERYTHING UP! Print interesting articles for Pub-Med. You need to know more about the pts than your attending!
i. SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING.

4. never complain
a. No matter where you are, SOMEONE can always HEAR YOU. They will TELL ON YOU.
b. Do NOT do anything to suggest a sense of ENTITLEMENT.
c. Do NOT take things PERSONALLY. Do NOT pout. Do NOT hold a grudge.
d. Do NOT CRY!!!! Have thick skin. People will yell at you/take their bad day out on you.

A+++++++++

Only thing I could add is that when asked a question you don't know, don't guess. Only makes you look worse, even if you get 1 of 4 right. Simply say, "I don't know sir, but I'll make sure I know it by tomorrow."

And just because you read something last night about the surgery going today, don't make it a point to ask a question just to show you read up on it. I learned from experience on this one. It only leads to more pimping about crap you don't know.

Never show up a resident or they will bury you.....and make sure everyone in the program knows you just don't fit.

 

[mam6701e]

Just a few things off the top of my head...


Hierarchy - Is as follows: attendees > chiefs > other residents > interns >>> Externs, dental students, etc. >>>>>>>>>>>>> Periodontist
...

hahahahahahahahaha

perio is la last one

 

[Simiam]

-The small fork is for salad
-Always drink with your pinky out Is there another way?!
-Knife in your right hand, fork in your left I would rather eat with a spork.

.

 

[Regmata]

In line with not showing up a resident, is do not answer questions not directly asked of you. If an attending or resident wants you to answer, they will ask you a question directly. Answering a question asked of someone higher up than you, whether you get it right or wrong will just piss everyone off.

Awkward silences do not need to be filled in with wild stabs at answers to questions or your own questions either.

Unfortunately, being a good extern can mean towing a fine line. With a little luck, social awareness and guidance from the residents, it can be done well and hopefully, help your chances at the program

 

[Pedosmakebank]

This thread cracks me up. OMS... I don't get why ya'll are cocky, wtf man, we're all dentists.

Great, so you wasted 4-6 years of your life to chuck 3rds. Guess what? I can chuck them too.

Oh and you go to the bar on your time off? Great, you're one cool dude, man.

This just makes me laugh.

 

[ObviousGuy]

This thread cracks me up. OMS... I don't get why ya'll are cocky, wtf man, we're all dentists.

Great, so you wasted 4-6 years of your life to chuck 3rds. Guess what? I can chuck them too.

Oh and you go to the bar on your time off? Great, you're one cool dude, man.

This just makes me laugh.

We could try to explain it, but your attitude automatically tells me you are too stupid to understand.

Do a four year residency and you'll find out. The real world is way different though than the residents on here currently undergoing ankle grabbing all day long.

Most real world dentists (GP's and specialists) all get along fine without this contention. I only butt heads with a certain specialty...

 

[Charmm]

It's been a while that I am not interested in OMFS but I thought I would share this with you:

A friend of mine in another dental school who allowed me to post this comment, after memorizing a bunch of slides and finishing somewhere in the "top" of the class ( after first year ) in the end of D1 decided to do an externship this summer. Off course he/she thought that now he/she can impress a lot of residents and attendings in that externship. WRONG, he stopped going after 4 days b/c after answering questions that he thought he knew, everybody hated him.

I guess the point is to go to externships once you have strong evidence that you know enough so that you dont look dumb. Also, it is always better to listen more than to talk more. The more you talk, the higher the chances people somehow dont like you. Off course I'm in no position to give advice; just wanted to share this.

 

[Pedosmakebank]

We could try to explain it, but your attitude automatically tells me you are too stupid to understand.

Nice, classic OMS... Just classic.

 

[flapaTron]

We could try to explain it, but your attitude automatically tells me you are too stupid to understand.

i once heard a periodontist say that.

 

[senpai]

This thread cracks me up. OMS... I don't get why ya'll are cocky, wtf man, we're all dentists.

Great, so you wasted 4-6 years of your life to chuck 3rds. Guess what? I can chuck them too.

Oh and you go to the bar on your time off? Great, you're one cool dude, man.

This just makes me laugh.

True, but the difference is it takes you 4-6 hours to dig them out where as a trained OMF Surgeon can pop them out in 4-6 minutes. Think about how many crowns you could do in the time it takes you to pull 4 M3's??? That's how succesful GP's run their practices. Just because you maybe capable of doing a procedure that in theory brings in cash doesn't mean it's your most efficient way of doing things nor is it best for the pt. The GP's who do real well don't try to be a "jack-of-all-trades", they know what they are good at, do it fast, see a high volume of patients, and refer whatever will slow them down or don't fell comfortable doing.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

We all need to take responsibility for our extern's experiences.

If your extern is behaving un-oms-like it's your job to at least educate them. I was given fantastic pointers along the way (thx lsu and jax). Now if you've tried, time to feed the sharks. They can always try again somewhere else.

At the end of the day we are all dentists and that is an awesome thing. Protect your young!!

 

[reven]

We all need to take responsibility for our extern's experiences.

If your extern is behaving un-oms-like it's your job to at least educate them. I was given fantastic pointers along the way (thx lsu and jax). Now if you've tried, time to feed the sharks. They can always try again somewhere else.

At the end of the day we are all dentists and that is an awesome thing. Protect your young!!

right on man

 

[armorshell]

We all need to take responsibility for our extern's experiences.

If your extern is behaving un-oms-like it's your job to at least educate them. I was given fantastic pointers along the way (thx lsu and jax). Now if you've tried, time to feed the sharks. They can always try again somewhere else.

At the end of the day we are all dentists and that is an awesome thing. Protect your young!!

That's what I'm talking about. Also shout out to LSU-NO for teaching me how to be a good extern/resident

 

[armorshell]

right on man

 

[TJNova2011]

That's what I'm talking about. Also shout out to LSU-NO for teaching me how to be a good extern/resident

What specifically for good extern?

 

[JDIZNEY]

We all need to take responsibility for our extern's experiences.

If your extern is behaving un-oms-like it's your job to at least educate them. I was given fantastic pointers along the way (thx lsu and jax). Now if you've tried, time to feed the sharks. They can always try again somewhere else.

At the end of the day we are all dentists and that is an awesome thing. Protect your young!!

Wish there were a lot more people who thought this way!!!! Good On Ya Broski!

 

[HoustonDAT]

This is a very informative thread, thanks to all who have contributed. I'm a D1 and will be doing a 1 week externship during Thanksgiving break (with 2 other classmates) at my home school. I know I'm wayyy early on the externing, but I just need to make sure that pursuing OMS is worth all the personal sacrifices ahead (I'm 26). I've been a DA for a number of years, however, I do not claim to know dentistry. I am just comfortable and thankful to be around it.

Last week I rotated through the DS4 clinic, and the professor allowed me to deliver a MSA nerve block on a patient (~3 other classmates were also granted this privilege by other professors). Should I expect this opportunity again during the externship? What would be the most important subjects to read up on before I do the externship (head/neck anatomy, pharm, path, procedures...??) What kind of duties would be required of me? Can I assume I am responsible for taking down every pt's vitals that week? Residents, what level of information can I expect to be pimped on? Do externs stick with 1 resident throughout the experience, or should I make an effort to "work" with everyone? I invite sarcastic responses, provided a grain of useful information accompanies it. Thanks.

 

[OMFSV2012]

We have an extern right now that needs to learn a few things about the culture of OMS, especially while on an externship. I just think nobody has informed this applicant. I was hoping that maybe the SDNers could share their knowledge on how to be a good extern.

Now I turn this over to SDN. Please help future OMS applicants do well on an externship. Let's list things they should avoid doing and also list things they should be doing.

Excellent Thread ..Thank you Phidippides..

 

[Charmm]

This is a very informative thread, thanks to all who have contributed. I'm a D1 and will be doing a 1 week externship during Thanksgiving break (with 2 other classmates) at my home school. I know I'm wayyy early on the externing, but I just need to make sure that pursuing OMS is worth all the personal sacrifices ahead (I'm 26). I've been a DA for a number of years, however, I do not claim to know dentistry. I am just comfortable and thankful to be around it.

Last week I rotated through the DS4 clinic, and the professor allowed me to deliver a MSA nerve block on a patient (~3 other classmates were also granted this privilege by other professors). Should I expect this opportunity again during the externship? What would be the most important subjects to read up on before I do the externship (head/neck anatomy, pharm, path, procedures...??) What kind of duties would be required of me? Can I assume I am responsible for taking down every pt's vitals that week? Residents, what level of information can I expect to be pimped on? Do externs stick with 1 resident throughout the experience, or should I make an effort to "work" with everyone? I invite sarcastic responses, provided a grain of useful information accompanies it. Thanks.

does doing an externship in your school really count? Its more like going to OS clinic than doing externship. Dont get me wrong, any clinical experience is valuable, but are you gonna put this down as an externship?

 

[Aleman]

This is a very informative thread, thanks to all who have contributed. I'm a D1 and will be doing a 1 week externship during Thanksgiving break (with 2 other classmates) at my home school. I know I'm wayyy early on the externing, but I just need to make sure that pursuing OMS is worth all the personal sacrifices ahead (I'm 26). I've been a DA for a number of years, however, I do not claim to know dentistry. I am just comfortable and thankful to be around it.

Last week I rotated through the DS4 clinic, and the professor allowed me to deliver a MSA nerve block on a patient (~3 other classmates were also granted this privilege by other professors). Should I expect this opportunity again during the externship? What would be the most important subjects to read up on before I do the externship (head/neck anatomy, pharm, path, procedures...??) What kind of duties would be required of me? Can I assume I am responsible for taking down every pt's vitals that week? Residents, what level of information can I expect to be pimped on? Do externs stick with 1 resident throughout the experience, or should I make an effort to "work" with everyone? I invite sarcastic responses, provided a grain of useful information accompanies it. Thanks.

Really that excited you got to do an MSA block??? lol I love D1's, so innocent. Even holding the suction is exciting haha
I did my 1st externship during D2. In 4 days I pulled atleast a dozen teeth bed-side, sowed up 2 face lacs, fixated a few mandible fractures (all under the residents guidance), etc., etc. I felt like this was a good hands on experience. Externships can be so different between programs. Programs like UW or UCLA won't let you touch a pt the whole time you are there while at programs like LSU or Parkland they let you go at it for real.

As far as expectations, not a whole lot is expected of you besides being professional, outgoing, and excited. Rotating at your own school I doubt you'll get to do much of anything, especially just being a D1. You'll probably just be observing, which is still a good experience.

And of course put it on your CV. You should see the junk people have on their CV's lol An OMS rotation, even at your own program, would look better than all the other crap people thrown on their CV's.

 

[armorshell]

Really that excited you got to do an MSA block??? lol I love D1's, so innocent. Even holding the suction is exciting haha

Yeah, totally weird that someone would get excited the first time they do a procedure on a patient right? Lol what a dork!

 

[hotrod0917]

What would be the most important subjects to read up on before I do the externship (head/neck anatomy, pharm, path, procedures...??) What kind of duties would be required of me? Can I assume I am responsible for taking down every pt's vitals that week? Residents, what level of information can I expect to be pimped on? Do externs stick with 1 resident throughout the experience, or should I make an effort to "work" with everyone? I invite sarcastic responses, provided a grain of useful information accompanies it. Thanks.

It really depends on what your externship program does often. Anatomy is a good place to start. Also, when they know that you're a D1, they won't (hopefully) pimp you on procedures, pharm and etc. They know where you are in term of learning. I think majority of the time you'll be observing, and therefore try to soak as much as you can through the experience.

Ask questions when you feel like it's a good opportunity to do so (ie. after the procedure is over and you're waiting for extubation and etc.) Going off on that, try not to ask too specific questions about the patient if the patient is awake, or make comments or noises that are questionable. What I mean is, don't say things like "why would you do that," or "I've never seen it done like that." I know what you mean but it can be interpreted in a whole different way by the patient. You're not obligated to fill in the silence. I mostly spoke only when I was spoken to.

Your job during the externship is actually to help the residents, not take away their time. You're a temporary "intern." More you show that you're teachable and willing to help, more the residents and the faculty will want to teach you.

Good luck

 

[Contach]

Get a penlight: Streamlight from Amazon for like $12... Be the first one to whip it out when rounding - or better yet: pass it to the intern so he gets the credit. Make the people around you work better, more efficiently and you'll be seen as a team player.
Don't throw your co-externs under the bus. Cover for them when they are late. Work with them - it'll only help you both.
Carry tongue depressors, cotton swabs, surgical tape, gauze 2x2, 4x4, 4x8, etc.
Be nice, and friendly to the support the staff (assistants, nurses, etc) - engage them in conversation. But not too much to detract from work.
Smile lots, don't be a drag.

Everyone likes talking about their own journey. So pick their brains and you'll make connections. Heck - you may even learn something about life.

 

[keeneye]

in addition to the above

1. carry a packet of gum with you, a resident will love you for that
2. Story: I was on call all night with a resident, rounded in the morning and went in to the OR. no time for breakfast. The fellow extern had a little bit more time during that morning and took some of that time to bring me a granola bar, I ate it outside the OR and felt good. That's what its all about

 

[Contach]

1. carry a packet of gum with you, a resident will love you for that

I wouldn't be caught dead with gum in my mouth in front of an older patient/attending. They'll chew you out - pun intended.
Better advice: there's no place for gum in a hospital.

 

[keeneye]

I wouldn't be caught dead with gum in my mouth in front of an older patient/attending. They'll chew you out - pun intended.
Better advice: there's no place for gum in a hospital.

I disagree.

picture a day in the life of a resident; through personal experience, this is fact. An attending is not hovering over you. there are appropriate times to be professional and appropriate times to relax while doing work. small things help get you through the day.