advice for recent grad pls

[AKim]

I'm a recent dental graduate who has moved to California to take the license exam. I didn't pass on my first attempt this past Sept/2004 (was very close but that's beside the point).
Now I'm wondering about how to spend this time while waiting to retake the exam in March 2005(most likely date although schedule not posted yet).

Should I bother to apply for residency programs at hospitals/universities? Perhaps some spots have opened up? (Fairly ignorant of residency programs...)

I was also thinking of doing part-time dental assisting. This would be less stressful than a residency program, I could probably take radiographs on potential exam patients, and would have more time to focus on certain exam areas.

Anyways appreciate you reading this far and any suggestions or thoughts on residency program vs dental assisting would be nice.

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[Dr.SpongeBobDDS]

Dude, that sucks. I am only a sophomore dental student, but I'll give you my take on things. First, can you really pay back your school debt on an assistant's wages? If you are single I would think about moving to another state where you can work for a year.

And I think that there are usually at least a few GPRs with open spots. There was a posting on here just a few weeks ago for a GPR that needed to fill an open spot after the match. Even if you get a crappy spot that only pays ~$25,000/yr you will still be getting more experience in dentistry than as an assistant. Plus, you will be able to defer repayment on your loans until after you finish the program.

 

[Dr.SpongeBobDDS]

Oh, another option. I don't think the Public Health Service requires you to be licensed in the state you practice in. As long as you have licensure somewhere you would be able to sign up with them for a year, get some experience, and make some money. I think they even have positions in CA.

Hope something works out for you. Let us know how it goes.

 

[joel4sale]

Did you took WREB? If you did, I might be able to help you get a job as part time Dentist here in Oregon until March....sure beats to be dental assistant.

PM me or post here if you need help.

 

[joel4sale]

Oh, and about Public Health. "CERTAIN" public health system (not all) does not require the instate license.

PROBLEM IS.....It is Oct. now, apply the job, assume you got the job at middle of October.....send in application and got it approved by November.. Creditial approval took anywhere from 1 to 3 month. You will be lucky if you could start working by New Year. And most publich health system require minium 1 year contract.

 

[Gutta Percha]

Take a different state board like the WREB, its a lot easier than CALI especially if you didn't attend a CALI school. If you don't do dentistry for months and expect to pass the board then your hand skills will have diminished greatly. Once you pass the wreb you can wait for reciprocity or retake the cali in a year when your skills are better.

Just out of curiousity why did you move to cali? Jobs are scarce and practices are sold for a ton.

 

[AKim]

check out this thread..
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=152166

re: "Western Regionals will suffice for California Dental Boards effective immediately"

yea saw that thread but in the pdf file of the bill it states that wreb taken on or after jan1 2005 will suffice. so the upcoming dec wreb won't qualify but the march 2005 wreb will.....

 

[albany11]

Here is a Post by dental20042004


"The director of the ST. Peter's Hospital dental clinic (Albany, NY),
DR. Benjamin Graham, is still looking for
GPR residents .

The GPR program is a one-year program leading to a certificate.
Although, the program started JULY,
we are seriously looking for 2 applicants
to fill these spots
This is an excellent program with a strong emphasis on a clinical program.
Excellent salary $40,000 with great benefits, etc.


If you know anyone who did not pass the license exam or
someone who might be interested, please let them know to contact

Bythe Thompson, clinical care coordinator or
DR. GRAHAM (1-518-527-7058 )
or 518-525-1757

Thank you
don't hesitate to call
we need you

317 So Manning Blvd, Suite 240
Albany, New York 12208
518-525-1757


Residents receive a broad experience in all of the specialty areas - from pediatric to geriatric dentistry - that will enable them to treat most patients who come to their offices. The General Practice Residency Program provides residents with hands-on training in multiple offices, which are equipped with 8 operatories and state-of-the-art technology. Approximately 120 patients visit the Dental Office at St. Peter's Hospital each week.

The faculty, comprised of dental practitioners from the Capital Region dental community, teach and supervise residents. Attendings monitor the Dental Offices during operating hours.

The Residency Program Director, who oversees the program, is responsible to the Director of Medical Education at St. Peter's Hospital. The program also employs a clinical coordinator and multiple auxiliaries.
Each resident will spend:

four weeks in Anesthesiology
two weeks in the Emergency Department
two weeks in Internal Medicine
In addition to the dental didactic and clinical hours, assignments will be made to various other services in the hospital to help broaden medical knowledge. Residents must attend all assignments, including those that occur on weekends and/or at night.

A rotational on-call for evenings and weekends has been established for the Dental Office and the hospital's Emergency Department. When they are called, residents must see all patients who present themselves to the emergency department. Judgment for treatment can be made at that time, or an attending may be called for consultation.

Patients are accepted for dental care, from diagnosis and treatment planning through final restorative procedures.