Tufts and BU

[sap1622]

Alright I know theres a lot of these threads going around, but none that are recent. I'm applying for this upcoming cycle (3.83 cgpa, 3.9XX sgpa, 21 AA) and am really torn between those two schools. I've heard and seen stats concerning both schools and how they are kinda easier to get into. I'm not really concerned about that so much as the fact that which will offer me the best education and experience. I go to school in Boston, so it makes sense that those are my top choice since I love the city so much. I've heard that Tufts had a recent upgrade and added some more chairs and stuff and that BU was planning to do it soon. If anyone got more info that would be appreciated. Also any of you current students from the school got anything to add (I don't plan to make this a battle or anything lol)?

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[OneThree]

Those are my two top choices at the moment too (also a boston student =) ), I'm pretty sure Tufts recently rennovated their facilities which is great and I've heard nothing but good things about Tufts (practically all the dentists/specialists in my city graduated from there and say good things). I've also heard good things about BU but I have heard their facilities are older, although there was a thread in the Dental Student forum that had some pretty rough things to say about BU so they'd know a lot better than me.

 

[sap1622]

Those are my two top choices at the moment too (also a boston student =) ), I'm pretty sure Tufts recently rennovated their facilities which is great and I've heard nothing but good things about Tufts (practically all the dentists/specialists in my city graduated from there and say good things). I've also heard good things about BU but I have heard their facilities are older, although there was a thread in the Dental Student forum that had some pretty rough things to say about BU so they'd know a lot better than me.

cool where do you go to school? I know a student there and he loves it. he told me that their exams aren't every week, but they have a system where its like "finals" week every month or something, while BU does a test every week system. Not sure of the specifics. But I think I want a better clinical experience, which is leaning me towards Tufts. How bout you?

 

[promolion]

Tufts seems easy because of their stats. However, if you look at the graduating students book they hand out at the interview, you see a lot of people from all over the world with crazy extra curricular.

 

[Dentite21]

I got into Tufts. It is a great school and the facilities are amazing. The renovations are not even close to being over though. They are doing a floor a year basically but the upgrade is really nice. I am not sure about BU but I had a really good feeling at Tufts with the exception of tuition (the reason I am not going to Tufts).

 

[Maygyver]

Make sure you get in first. After your interview, make notes of what you think about each, and your gut reaction. I think that helps a lot. I know my list of favorites changed once I interviewed at different places.

 

[exochic]

Make sure you get in first. After your interview, make notes of what you think about each, and your gut reaction. I think that helps a lot. I know my list of favorites changed once I interviewed at different places.

Exactly what I was going to say. Don't make any judgements until you get in or get an interview. I got into both BU and Tufts, and while I really liked both schools, the facilities at Tufts are amazing. They just had a five floor vertical expansion...new simulation lab, updated clinic, etc. Beautiful.

 

[budentite]

"I've heard and seen stats concerning both schools and how they are kinda easier to get into. I'm not really concerned about that so much as the fact that which will offer me the best education and experience. "


Tufts will provide you a better education and experience. (If you are really passionate about dentistry, go to Tufts, but sit in on BU's Operative Dentistry with Dr. M, and Occlusion with Dr. B, if they are still lecturing those courses).

The clinical experinces between the schools are not comparable. There are some great faculty at BU but the program is not in good condition. There are so few patients, too many incompetent students, and the facilities are overcrowded and understaffed. Just look at the graduation requirements. Plus, there are no assistants to help you in the clinic so you get to practice solo dentistry (forget about using a mirror in your left hand, because it's holding the suction; recording probing depths without an assistant is fun and unsanitary; so is taking a final impression).

Over the last 10 years, the school has increased enrollment nearly 50%, and almost doubled tuition; while building an extension in Dubai. Things are so bad that the school won't provide curing lights for first and second year students to use. As of 2008, all entering DMD and Advanced Standing students purchase their own curing lights as part of their first year instrument kits. Here's the kicker - you're not allowed to use these curing lights in the clinics (because of an infection control issue). It's a complete waste of students' money and environmentally irresponsible. Talk about penny-pinching: the school needed to purchase 30 lights at most to use in the pre-clinical courses, which would last 10+ years, at a one-time cost of $15,000. Instead, their students are purchasing 190 curing lights at $95,000 every year, costing over $1 million in the equipment's 10+ year lifetime.

The school needs 50% more operatories for the DMD students, many more patients, and lower fees for treatment, and reduce the number of appointments required for treatment. So many people refuse to travel to the South End to pay the near private practice fee schedule, to be oversold dentistry like a car dealer, for triple the number of appointments to accomplish a worse result, each appointment being 2-3 hours in duration. Imagine trying to explain to your patient that at best, it takes at least 3, usually 4 appointments for a patient to risk his health getting his first cleaning from student, having already paid over $100 to open a chart and $60 for the cleaning.

 

[promolion]

o damn. depressing stuff

 

[sap1622]

o damn. depressing stuff

lol tell me about it. I guess its Tufts then lol

 

[somethinpositiv]

No point asking this now, in my opinion. Get interviews at both, and then get into both, before proposing this question.

The choice will be VERY clear for you after interviewing at both though

 

[budentite]

"The choice will be VERY clear for you after interviewing at both though"

Um, not necessarily. Very few people can see through the smoke and mirrors advertising and empty promises. Just look all the posts of people who interviewed at BU, with all their nonsense praise of BU, even though they never attended a single day of dental school.

Realize this: the interview at BU is not about selecting those students who make the cut, but rather it is about trying to convince good candidates to attend their p.o.s. school. In reality, BU accepts many more students than actually enroll in the program. And many people that end up attending are incompetent fools (usually children of rich dentists), who require constant assistance from faculty when they have 10 other students to supervise, and drill on the wrong tooth.

Talk to an upperclassman or graduate about all those things the pre-dents gush over regarding the pro's of BU. I don't know of a single student at BU that thought APEX was a good use of those 5 months you paid to attend school. Weren't we all required to do hundreds of hours of observation/volunteer at dental practices before applying to dental schools?

And the clinical experience...LOL.

 

[promolion]

yay to my bu interview cancellation. glad i rode it out wit tufts

 

[lululime]

"The choice will be VERY clear for you after interviewing at both though"

Um, not necessarily. Very few people can see through the smoke and mirrors advertising and empty promises. Just look all the posts of people who interviewed at BU, with all their nonsense praise of BU, even though they never attended a single day of dental school.

Realize this: the interview at BU is not about selecting those students who make the cut, but rather it is about trying to convince good candidates to attend their p.o.s. school. In reality, BU accepts many more students than actually enroll in the program. And many people that end up attending are incompetent fools (usually children of rich dentists), who require constant assistance from faculty when they have 10 other students to supervise, and drill on the wrong tooth.

Talk to an upperclassman or graduate about all those things the pre-dents gush over regarding the pro's of BU. I don't know of a single student at BU that thought APEX was a good use of those 5 months you paid to attend school. Weren't we all required to do hundreds of hours of observation/volunteer at dental practices before applying to dental schools?

And the clinical experience...LOL.

Do you go to BU?

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Do you go to BU?

His user name is budentite.

I would assume so unless he says otherwise

 

[Bereno]

His user name is budentite.

I would assume so unless he says otherwise

If he does, those are some pretty harsh words for your school of choice...

 

[lululime]

If he does, those are some pretty harsh words for your school of choice...

Actually, it'd be legit and I wouldn't be surprised if budentite went to BU. I didn't like my high school and regret going there. I dunno how I ever put up with it, and I always encourage other students to avoid it. Nobody listens to me though because they think the IB program there is super primo. Uh hello, IB programs are only good if the teachers do their job right.

 

[Bereno]

Actually, it'd be legit and I wouldn't be surprised if budentite went to BU. I didn't like my high school and regret going there. I dunno how I ever put up with it, and I always encourage other students to avoid it. Nobody listens to me though because they think the IB program there is super primo. Uh hello, IB programs are only good if the teachers do their job right.

Hmmm interesting. I'm sorry to hear that some dental students end up attending schools they are not happy with! I wonder though, would they be happy somewhere else (grass is always greener)?

 

[budentite]

Yes I went to BU. There is a reason people don't bash their school:
1. the school gave them a DMD, even though the student may be incompetent, an now is rich.
2. dentists have huge egos and think they are the best at what they do and received the best education.

 

[budentite]

My classmate's fiancee got into both Tufts and BU dental during our third year. Even though BU offered a lucrative package, he told her to go to Tufts to get a better education, better skills, be happier in school, and avoid the nonsense BU is famous for.

 

[bye bye greasy]

i didnt interview at BU, but the researcher i worked with in undergrad would tell us how horribe it was.

to the OP: you live in boston, go find some BU students and talk to them

 

[Bereno]

It looks like I might be a bit naive... I was not aware that BU was known for nonsense. I might have to look into this because i applied there haha

OP: looks like Tufts FTW... Might want to talk to current students at both though for the most concrete answers. just a thought

 

[budentite]

How is this for nonsense:

-Camping outside school at 4 AM for hours until the doors open, just to reserve an operatory. This year's graduating class is the first to not have experienced this rite of passage.

-Changing 15 credits of coursework in the middle of the year, informing us in January of the new grading criteria that affects the previous 5 months of clinical work.

-Making patient recruitment the responsibility of the student, because the school does not have enough patients for every student.

-Graduating dentists who have never performed a root canal on a real person, even though general dentists perform half the root canals in this country.

 

[longhornpride]

Still doing preclinical stuff, but I've heard the same complaints about having to find your own patients. I haven't heard any complaints about operatories from upperclassmen. There are pros and cons to every school so I wouldn't let one person's experience on sdn factor into your decision. People in my class love it so far and some people hate it and will complain about anything. The one test a week is great. We're hardly stressed out and I personally think the faculty is great. Dr. McNamara is one of the best as far as operative goes. We haven't had a single complaint over the curing lights from anyone in my class. There are very few schools that churn out competent dentists upon graduation, and BU is no different. Ask any dentist and they will tell you that that is what a residency is for.

Keep in mind that BU is well aware of the older facilities and are currently in the process of raising funds and making plans for either a complete renovation or a new building... at least that is what I've been told from the faculty.

Also, if you want to specialize, BU has great post-doc programs and research programs. I'd wager to say that they tend to accept a fair share a BU students into their post-doc programs.

Anyways, pick a school that you're comfortable with. Students at every school will tell you their school is the worst.

 

[budentite]

I apologize in advance if I sound like a jerk but I can't put up with the misinformation and propaganda the school spews.

The students get to spend $100,000 every year on temporary curing lights just so the school can save a one-time $10,000 purchase. What a great and responsible reason to waste your money. And no-one complains because 1.) It was Dr. McM's proposal, who everyone at school worships, and 2.) The price of your instrument kit did not increase, since the 4x-overpriced $800 digital camera was removed from the previous year's kit.

You are correct in stating that BU does not churn out competent dentists, however, you are very mistaken because ALL dental schools are REQUIRED to graduate ONLY competent dentists; which means being able to work independently, without supervision, to minimally acceptable standards as a general dentist - meaning you are ready to work immediately upon graduation; you don't need an additional residency unless you want to specialize. It's not the quality of instruction, but rather the lack of experience in the clinic that is the issue. How can you possibly lump other schools with BU when other schools scoff at our rediculously low graduation requirements? I know most of BU's students love it that they are not required to perform a root canal on a real person, because the procedure is very difficult, high risk, and no fun. It's rediculous, considering that general dentists do half the root canal procedures in this country, but BU's students love it.

The reason why so many BU graduates go on to residency is because they know they are not even close to being competent general dentists and cannot function in any field without additional training. Dr. McM, who is universally adored, encourages everyone to do a residency after school because he knows how bad the dentists are that the school graduates and that they are not ready to work as dentists. I'm telling you the very same thing that you just said and know, just from another viewpoint. The school is very good at spinning its students to thinking that poo smells like roses.

There is nothing that indicates that there is any substance to the renovation/expansion rumor we keep hearing about, and many good reasons to seriously doubt that claim. Maybe 10 years down the road, but not any time soon.

It is true that BU's post-doc programs accepts a lot of BU pre-docs, but that has more to do with its pre-doc graduates not being very competitive (especially regarding board exams and experience), so by accepting their own students, they are able to artificially inflate the post-doc placement statistics for their DMD program. Real academic institutions like Harvard that value their reputation/integrity don't even allow their undergrads to apply to their medical school for a very good reason (if you don't understandy why, there is no point having this kind of discussion with you).

And your last statement is totally false. Just look at all the posts on this site about BU. 1 or 2 other members have finally said negative things about BU, only after I recently initiated the bashing. Finally, the person you said is "great" and "one of the best," his name is spelled McManama, not McNamara.

How about addressing those 4 "nonsense" claims in my last post, or the other issues I've raised? Lets all ignore the current state of things and facts in recent history because what's most important is: that most underclassmen and pre-dents love BU, as long as all of us are incompetent dentists when we graduate from BU.

 

[Bereno]

 

[longhornpride]

Yes, you're right it's McManama... not McMarama... it was a typo, my mistake. As for the rest.... whatever man. If you hate it so much, you should have attended somewhere else. However from the sound of it, I'm willing to bet you didn't get in anywhere else. Obviously you have an agenda. To say that BU churns out incompetent dentists is complete bull****. As far as APEX... it's only for one summer now and it's an opportunity to learn how a practice works, which very few schools teach you about. Just from APEX, I've been able to network with a **** ton with current dentists and specialists which goes a long way as far as finding a job once you graduate (one dentist already offered me a job after I graduate because of the opportunities APEX presented). Also, I personally know plenty of 4th year students this past year that were accepted in post-doc programs at BU and outside of BU including oral surgery.

I've learned that dental school is what you make it out to be. There are students that are done with their requirements half way through their 4th year and there are students that have to stay extra months because they're lazy as ****. If you put in the effort, you will be plenty competent. But every school will put out incompetent dentists... and it usually has to do with their lack of effort. Those type of people tend to blame everyone else but themselves. Like I said, pick a school where you feel comfortable at. Whether it's BU or Tufts. However, don't let a poster on a forum influence your decision.

 

[lululime]

"I've heard and seen stats concerning both schools and how they are kinda easier to get into. I'm not really concerned about that so much as the fact that which will offer me the best education and experience. "


Tufts will provide you a better education and experience. (If you are really passionate about dentistry, go to Tufts, but sit in on BU's Operative Dentistry with Dr. M, and Occlusion with Dr. B, if they are still lecturing those courses).

The clinical experinces between the schools are not comparable. There are some great faculty at BU but the program is not in good condition. There are so few patients, too many incompetent students, and the facilities are overcrowded and understaffed. Just look at the graduation requirements. Plus, there are no assistants to help you in the clinic so you get to practice solo dentistry (forget about using a mirror in your left hand, because it's holding the suction; recording probing depths without an assistant is fun and unsanitary; so is taking a final impression).

Over the last 10 years, the school has increased enrollment nearly 50%, and almost doubled tuition; while building an extension in Dubai. Things are so bad that the school won't provide curing lights for first and second year students to use. As of 2008, all entering DMD and Advanced Standing students purchase their own curing lights as part of their first year instrument kits. Here's the kicker - you're not allowed to use these curing lights in the clinics (because of an infection control issue). It's a complete waste of students' money and environmentally irresponsible. Talk about penny-pinching: the school needed to purchase 30 lights at most to use in the pre-clinical courses, which would last 10+ years, at a one-time cost of $15,000. Instead, their students are purchasing 190 curing lights at $95,000 every year, costing over $1 million in the equipment's 10+ year lifetime.

The school needs 50% more operatories for the DMD students, many more patients, and lower fees for treatment, and reduce the number of appointments required for treatment. So many people refuse to travel to the South End to pay the near private practice fee schedule, to be oversold dentistry like a car dealer, for triple the number of appointments to accomplish a worse result, each appointment being 2-3 hours in duration. Imagine trying to explain to your patient that at best, it takes at least 3, usually 4 appointments for a patient to risk his health getting his first cleaning from student, having already paid over $100 to open a chart and $60 for the cleaning.

Hey man, I'm not in dental school yet but I know for a FACT that the students don't get their own assistants anywhere. Every school has their students work alone!

 

[longhornpride]

If anyone searches through his post history, you'll see all his posts bash BU.

Can't believe you were complaining on one thread that BU only accepts good looking people into their ortho program. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[budentite]

"Hey man, I'm not in dental school yet but I know for a FACT that the students don't get their own assistants anywhere. Every school has their students work alone!"

Um, wrong! Hello, at Tufts (this post is called "Tufts vs BU") the underclassmen assist the upperclassmen in clinic. That is THE FACT.


and longhornpride, well, you just completed your first year of dental school, enough said. You haven't even learned how to prep a crown on a fake tooth, have no knowledge of pharmacology or pathology, but you obviously are already a "competent" dentist which is why you received a job offer. When you graduate, please be sure to advertise to your patients that you didn't have to perform a RCT in real life to graduate. Your SDN handle says everything I need to know about you. Did you have to leave your confederate flag at home when you came to Boston? Do my views only count as 3/5ths of a person? You do know that we have much higher intellectual standards in the north.

Yes, dental school is only what you make it out to be. You're preaching to the choir. You have a long way to go before coming close to my reputation among my classmates and instructors.

Over half my class had to stay after graduation to finish their quotas, so you just called them all "lazy as schit."

Since you still have just over a year before you enter clinic, start saving up now because you will have to pay your patients thousands of dollars out of your own pocket just so you can treat them.

 

[budentite]

"Can't believe you were complaining on one thread that BU only accepts good looking people into their ortho program. Absolutely ridiculous."

That claim was made by Daurang. There is truth to what we were talking about but we were obviously being facetious. Read the entire post, don't just misquote and add you own words. Saying that it is "absolutely rediculous" shows how naive you are, when so many different people have posted about BU's faculty sleeping with/dating/marrying their students.


"All my posts bash BU"? Right, my posts about long underwear and cold-weather man-issues are about bashing BU; my posts giving tips on studying and improving clinical skills is all about bashing BU. My advice on housing in Boston is just about bashing BU. And making personal attacks against me when you know nothing about me just makes you look immature and ignorant. Talk about BU, don't talk about me.


I do have an agenda - informing outsiders about BU to hopefully improve the school and improve the profession, for the benefit of those who trust us to take care of them. I take our what we do very seriously, and maybe you lack the maturity to understand why this is such a big deal. To paraphrase another poster, BU is corrupt as schit. Yes, I wish I went to a different school. If you have a time machine, I'll go back to 2004 and go to a different school.

You are a first year dental student at BU and I know it is very hard to hear people pile on the school you currently attend, and I'm sorry, but don't take it out on me. Take it out on those responsible for the operations of the school.


Sorry for getting off topic but my reputation and credibility was attacked and needed to be defended.

 

[longhornpride]

budentite. 1st years assist 3rd and 4th years at BU also.

"Did you have to leave your confederate flag at home when you came to Boston? Do my views only count as 3/5ths of a person? You do know that we have much higher intellectual standards in the north."

haha... you obviously have issues bud. I can't take you seriously. I don't care if you want inform others about the problems at BU, but not everything you're saying is true.

For those of you that decide you want to go to BU, just realize that this guy started school in 2004. There have been plenty changes and there will be more changes in the future while you're in school. There was in interim dean for a while because the former dean passed away a few years ago. When something like that happens, there will be a transition phase and a new vision with the new dean which takes time to implement. If you have questions, go to your interview and ask the students there. They will always be honest with you.

 

[budentite]

Performing 4 assists for your IDP course grade is nothing like Tuft's arrangement, not even close. LOL. You can keep saying whatever you want but there is very little substance to what you say once you dig a little deeper. The only reason students at BU assist at all is for a grade or a bribe. Sure you'll see some 1st years near the end of the year trying to get their 4 assists in at the last minute. The rest of the year you almost never see a single underclassman assisting in the clinics - it's logistically impossible for 90% of the appointments because of scheduling conflicts.
If 1st year students assist in the clinic so much, then what is the point of APEX, where you function as an assistant all day for several months? Doesn't it make more sense to just eliminate APEX but require 1st years to regularly assist 3rd/4th years? It's a win/win proposal for all students. But being a lonestar you probably found time to assist in the clinics during your first 3 month APEX rotation, and for nothing in return, right?

Do you even know that it is impossible to take a final impression without an assistant? Or how recording probing depths solo is not possible without violating infection control protocols, unless you are a savant. You obviously don't understand the importance of using a mirror in your left hand (so you can see what you are drilling, like on distal surfaces; or more importantly for ergonomics so you don't need to see a chiropractor), but hopefully you'll learn that the hard way once you finally operate on a real live person. After all, you're still a 1st year student for another month.

Also, I did not start dental school in 2004, proving that you have no idea what you talk about. You obviously don't understand the concept of "acquisition of knowledge." Also, that "interim" dean is the same person as the current Dean, who is the same person who used to be Dean of Academic Affairs, who the school groomed for years in preparation to take over the reigns, genius. Learn your history, don't fake it like Bachmann. It was an in-house promotion, everyone was prepared for his passing; there was no loss in continuity or disruptions to the school's operations. Keep making empty excuses for the school. Keep talking about pie in the sky promises about the future.

However, you were correct in identifying my issue with Texas so congrats. Your handle is lonestarpride, so what is it about Texas that you are so proud about if it isn't about secession or the confederacy? Please enlighten a Yankee on your take on Texas pride.

How about we quit taking shots at each other, because this is not about you or me, and just stick to the issues regarding the school.

 

[SeattleRDH]

I must be a savant since I can perio chart solo! Thanks budentite!

Seriously, you two chill out.

 

[lululime]

Hey everyone, no need to be hating. It's just opinions jeeez... Thanks for your honest input budentite!

 

[budentite]

I must be a savant since I can perio chart solo! Thanks budentite!

Seriously, you two chill out.

Your welcome. But don't you use a computer to input those measurements into a program like Dentrix, and not a paper chart with pen?

 

[justwantdds123]

"Hey man, I'm not in dental school yet but I know for a FACT that the students don't get their own assistants anywhere. Every school has their students work alone!"

Um, wrong! Hello, at Tufts (this post is called "Tufts vs BU") the underclassmen assist the upperclassmen in clinic. That is THE FACT.


and longhornpride, well, you just completed your first year of dental school, enough said. You haven't even learned how to prep a crown on a fake tooth, have no knowledge of pharmacology or pathology, but you obviously are already a "competent" dentist which is why you received a job offer. When you graduate, please be sure to advertise to your patients that you didn't have to perform a RCT in real life to graduate. Your SDN handle says everything I need to know about you. Did you have to leave your confederate flag at home when you came to Boston? Do my views only count as 3/5ths of a person? You do know that we have much higher intellectual standards in the north.

Yes, dental school is only what you make it out to be. You're preaching to the choir. You have a long way to go before coming close to my reputation among my classmates and instructors.

Over half my class had to stay after graduation to finish their quotas, so you just called them all "lazy as schit."

Since you still have just over a year before you enter clinic, start saving up now because you will have to pay your patients thousands of dollars out of your own pocket just so you can treat them.

my friends who have attended bu also warned me about this and told me to save up $12k if i were to go to BU.

for tufts do we have to save up that much for patients? for our exam?

ps. i am d15 at tufts

 

[SeattleRDH]

Your welcome. But don't you use a computer to input those measurements into a program like Dentrix, and not a paper chart with pen?

There are ways to follow universal precautions with paper charts. You can put a plastic barrier down on half of the page and rest your hand there. As you move down the page, move the plastic too. You can cover the pen with an air/water syring barrier or just wpe it down at the end. It helps to have separate red and blue pens. I hate clicking back and forth with those multi color pens.

 

[budentite]

my friends who have attended bu also warned me about this and told me to save up $12k if i were to go to BU.

for tufts do we have to save up that much for patients? for our exam?

I've never heard of any other school where this happens. Maybe on a rare occassion, but at BU it is just a part of your clinical experience if you expect to graduate on time. You won't face this decision at Tufts because they have an abundance of patients.

The only time you might give any money to your patient would be for something like covering his/her transportation and lunch costs for your board exam. The treatment they receive that day is already free so there is no reason to give them even more money, plus you risk being found in violation of code of ethics. Now if you are taking the board exam in Florida, you'll need to pay for your patient's travel expenses, which could add up.

PLEASE don't pay your patients to treat them. Many of BU's patients know that the students pay for expensive treatments, and take advantage of the students. Plus, it is not a good note to enter the profession on.

On NERB day, treat your patient well, pay for his taxi ride home, buy his lunch, and when you pass the exam you can give him a thank you card and small gift, just not cash.

 

[justwantdds123]

I've never heard of any other school where this happens. Maybe on a rare occassion, but at BU it is just a part of your clinical experience if you expect to graduate on time. You won't face this decision at Tufts because they have an abundance of patients.

The only time you might give any money to your patient would be for something like covering his/her transportation and lunch costs for your board exam. The treatment they receive that day is already free so there is no reason to give them even more money, plus you risk being found in violation of code of ethics. Now if you are taking the board exam in Florida, you'll need to pay for your patient's travel expenses, which could add up.

PLEASE don't pay your patients to treat them. Many of BU's patients know that the students pay for expensive treatments, and take advantage of the students. Plus, it is not a good note to enter the profession on.

On NERB day, treat your patient well, pay for his taxi ride home, buy his lunch, and when you pass the exam you can give him a thank you card and small gift, just not cash.

Thank you. Living in Boston is very expensive and the last thing that i want to worry about is spending another $12k. Now i dont have to sweat it anymore.
thank you

 

[budentite]

There are ways to follow universal precautions with paper charts. You can put a plastic barrier down on half of the page and rest your hand there. As you move down the page, move the plastic too. You can cover the pen with an air/water syring barrier or just wpe it down at the end. It helps to have separate red and blue pens. I hate clicking back and forth with those multi color pens.

Good ideas. I never thought of putting a barrier over the paper chart, although you might have to modify your writing technique and still be very careful. I got around this by dictating the measurements into a voice recorder, then transcribing it later. I still prefer an assistant because infection control is the first thing to go out the window during stressful and rushed appointments in school. Too bad I don't have to put up with paper charts anymore.
Some of the best advice I've ever gotten after dental school came from RDHs. Savant status confirmed!

 

[Maygyver]

Someone really wants to increase their chances of getting in at BU.

 

[ScavangerPro]

Someone really wants to increase their chances of getting in at BU.

I thought this too initially, however budentite knows the school on an intimate level and overall knowledge about dental school supports his claims of being a DS at BU. I do have one question however, I will be attending Tufts this up coming fall, and was just wondering how is it that Tufts has plenty of patients but BU does not since they share what is seemingly the same patient pool in terms of being mostly Boston residents. Im not from the area so I am making an assumption when I say "same" patient pool.

Besides, if the goal is to deter SDN reading applicants from applying to BU, their applicant count will go from 3600 to 3550 at the most, hardly enough to increase your chances for an interview better yet an offer. But thats just how I see it.

 

[SeattleRDH]

At Tufts treatments are free?

 

[budentite]

I think Maygyver was being sarcastic.

To answer your question, there are many reasons why Tufts has so many patients and BU has so few. The two most important are:

1. It takes a rediculously long time to accomplish any treatment at BU. So your patient just wants a cleaning...First appointment take a FMX of 19 films regardless of caries risk or restorative needs. Second appointment, data collection, impressions, facebow, and caries risk assessment. Third appointment, diagnostic clinic and treatment plan. On the fourth appointment your patient can finally get his cleaning. You can't skip or omit any steps. So, that's 10 hours in the chair, 4 separate visits, miss work on 4 days, 19 x-rays to your head, so you can pay $100 to open a chart and $60 for the cleaning, all just to get a basic cleaning that normally takes 1 visit of 40 minutes duration, zero x-rays, at a fraction of the cost.

2. Location, Location, Location. Tufts is located in downtown, in the middle of busy chinatown, where tons of patients live within walking distance of the school. There is lots to do in the surrounding area, and it gets a lot of foot traffic. Plus, that area of Boston is the most accessible and easiest to travel to, because it literally is the hub for public transportation, where all the subway lines and silver line converge. Compared to BU, which is in a very dangerous neighborhood, limited public transportation, the nearest train station is a mile away, and very little but expensive parking.

3. Price. Take into consideration how stupidly high our fee schedule is, and that a student is providing the treatment, people have little reason to go to BU for treatment.

Not much of the general public actually comes to BU. Most of the new patients that I saw were students from the greater BU campus (the school offers a Student Dental Plan), and MassHealth patients.

 

[budentite]

At Tufts treatments are free?

The "free" treatment is in reference to the board exam only. You don't charge your patient for the treatment you provide during your board exam. Any other day the patient is charged.

 

[longhornpride]

However, you were correct in identifying my issue with Texas so congrats. Your handle is lonestarpride, so what is it about Texas that you are so proud about if it isn't about secession or the confederacy? Please enlighten a Yankee on your take on Texas pride.

haha... where are you getting lonestarpride from? I went to the University of Texas, hence longhornpride.

 

[Bereno]

haha... where are you getting lonestarpride from? I went to the University of Texas, hence longhornpride.

he must have watched Spaceballs recently...

I still maintain that if I get accepted to both during this application cycle, I'm going to attend Tufts. Simple as that ladies

 

[budentite]

Sorry, typo. I did get your handle right in an earlier post. I don't know how I got those mixed up, since it synonomous with Texas, right? Longhorn -> Texas -> Lonestar state. Doesn't change the fact that you were edumacated in Texas. Pride...such a great value. It explains so much of why you think the way you do and why you are an ambassador for BU Dental. I'm sure you love the fact that getting an "A" on an exam at BU is as simple as memorizing the answers to one of the old exams the last class distributed to you on your first week of school. You already admitted in that BU doesn't graduate competent dentists on your first post in this thread when you said "There are very few schools that churn out competent dentists upon graduation, and BU is no different." Congrats on your job offer. BU's students are the only people I've ever heard about that receive "real" job offers based on merit before completing their first year of dental school.

Stop posting if all your focus is on me and you have nothing meaningful to contribute to the topics everyone else cares about. This thread is about which school offers the best education and experience.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

he must have watched Spaceballs recently...

I still maintain that if I get accepted to both during this application cycle, I'm going to attend Tufts. Simple as that ladies

Amen to that!