Any engineers out there in dental field!!

[DaktarSaheb]

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hi all SDNer's
I haven't really known one single dentists so far who did his undergrad as engineering. Now I am pretty sure there are dentists out there in this forum and in the real world. I was wondering that how hard was the transition from engineering to dental school (I mean lot's of calculations to lots of reading). How did engineering helped you in the dental school and in the real world. Also how was the you being an engineer and wanting to go to Dental School topic came out during the interviews. If you all engineers out there in dental school or practising dentists please share your experience with us.

 

[spooky42]

Not an eng but I was a computer science major and worked in IT.

 

[dientesfuertes]

Sorry I can't answer the details of your question, but there are 2 engineers in our class. One chemical and one electrical or mechanical. Anyway, yes, there are engineers in dental school.

 

[mmapcpro]

I was a senior in Engineering Physics and decided it wasn't for me, and now I just started the prerequisites for dental school(bio1, chem1, etc)...

I only just finished my first week of classes, so I can't really make a proper assessment. The only comparison I can make with where I was going and the classes I had before, is that everything seems to be going MUCH SLOWER now.

For instance, in biology, we just spent 2 class periods learning how to convert english standard to metric, and how to setup conversion equations (in engineering we called this dimensional analysis, so to get from one unit to another, you just use a conversion factor set it up to cancel out the old units, and we were pretty much expected to know how to do this already from high school chemistry).

I'm sure things will speed up, but I'm dieing of boredom.

First day of chemistry for engineers at my old school (we didnt' even go over the syllabus), we were taking 5 pages of notes on chemical stoichiometry (not the simple STP equations...varying temperature and pressure)....if x moles of y molar z compound is reacted with a moles of b molar c compound at 92kPa, 32 degrees celcius, in a closed, expandable container, what is the % yield?

First day of General Chemistry I at my new school, we went over the syllabus...second day the professor lectured the class on the difference between weight and mass, how to move the decimel places from cm's to mm's. Next class, we'll learn about the incredibly complex world of significant figures...ughh...I'm still waiting for the chemistry to start.

 

[Supernumerary]

At least three engineers in my class.

 

[blankguy]

Originally posted by mmapcpro
I was a senior in Engineering Physics and decided it wasn't for me, and now I just started the prerequisites for dental school(bio1, chem1, etc)...

I only just finished my first week of classes, so I can't really make a proper assessment. The only comparison I can make with where I was going and the classes I had before, is that everything seems to be going MUCH SLOWER now.

For instance, in biology, we just spent 2 class periods learning how to convert english standard to metric, and how to setup conversion equations (in engineering we called this dimensional analysis, so to get from one unit to another, you just use a conversion factor set it up to cancel out the old units, and we were pretty much expected to know how to do this already from high school chemistry).

I'm sure things will speed up, but I'm dieing of boredom.

First day of chemistry for engineers at my old school (we didnt' even go over the syllabus), we were taking 5 pages of notes on chemical stoichiometry (not the simple STP equations...varying temperature and pressure)....if x moles of y molar z compound is reacted with a moles of b molar c compound at 92kPa, 32 degrees celcius, in a closed, expandable container, what is the % yield?

First day of General Chemistry I at my new school, we went over the syllabus...second day the professor lectured the class on the difference between weight and mass, how to move the decimel places from cm's to mm's. Next class, we'll learn about the incredibly complex world of significant figures...ughh...I'm still waiting for the chemistry to start.

The real chemistry unfortunately will start towards the end of the first semester course where you hit concepts like bonding, electron configuration and periodicity. Everything before is learning the tools of the trade like moles, stoichiometry and enthalpy, etc....😴

I'd be curious to see what an engineer brings to dentistry, or in other words "transferrable" skills.

 

[KrebsPsycho]

I had my B.S in Electrical Engineering in 2001. I used to think that biology is boring. But later on, I found that it is interesting, and it is a little easier to understand bio than integrated circuits, logic designs, CS programs,...I don't start my dental school until this fall so I can't tell you how my engineering background will help me at my dental school.

 

[zimaad]

I graduated with a BS and MS in mechanical engineering then worked a few years and last Jan went back to get dental prereq's. It actually took some getting used to reading and not having to stop every other paragraph for 3 equations. I, also, am not starting in dental school until this summer, but thus far I can see a lot of related items from engineering to dentistry. For example, elevators used to extract teeth are very much like a cam. Also, when watching dental implant procedures, the process of have a stint (jig for engineering) to drill a pilot hole to not burn up the bone(just like with metal) and putting in a threaded insert is very similar to engineering. I think the logical problem solving approach helps too. Also, a relative of mine is a dentist. He is hiring an associate who used to be an engineer. The dean of dental admissions at VCU told me it's a very common switch for engineers.

 

[larryt]

I had my BS degree in EE, class of 1996. I haven't started dental school yet so no comment from me then. Hope I can survive the first year.

 

[organic]

I remember reading about a well-known dentist.I don't remember his name, nor where he is from. He used to be material science engineer specializing in resin at 3M for many years before he went back to Dental school.

 

[DaktarSaheb]

thanks all for your replies. It's nice to know that there are engineers out there and making it. I am pretty sure now that there will be many engineering dental students out there so please share your experience with us.

 

[odie77]

i have a BS Mechanical Eng degree, and after working for 3 years will be starting dental school this fall.

though i haven't started school yet, i can say that in some ways i'm better prepared than the typical pre-den student; as an undergrad i often had to stay in the design/materials lab from friday night until sunday night straight, and a curriculum that i would say is more demanding and stressful than what my bio/chem friends had to go thru.

the mat'l will be easier for the pre-dent guys, but the intensity and stamina will be better handled by us engineers IMHO.

 

[qbert]

I graduated in 1999 w/ a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. I am now a 1st year at Tufts and so far I have had A LOT more success in dental school than in engineering. A lot of it is b/c I'm more motivated now, part of it's b/c I'm more mature and can manage my time better. But another part of it is that unlike undergrad engineering, at least a couple of classes in each semester of 1st year dental school are pretty easy (i.e. classes only test on main concepts, not minutiae). My experience in undergrad was that all of the engineering classes (about 4-5/semester) were hard and time consuming. Then again, I hear 2nd year dental is going to be pretty rough.

 

[zimaad]

I think most people who went through engineering have a concept of working hard and managing time. At least for Mech Eng's, that junior year was killer!

 

[mard]

I also got my BS and MS in engineering and worked as a software engineer for a few yrs. When the IT got busted, I went back and took my pre-req's and will be in dental school this fall. At my UNC interview, I met a few engineers who came back to school as well. I hope didactic courses in dental school are not that boring. I didn't enjoy the pre-req's that much, especially bio, micro, anatomy & physiology. They don't require much thinking but pure memorization. I agree with some of the posters above, these courses are extremely slow and sometime make me lazy🙂 I like chem and physics though, at least I can do some real calculations in these classes instead of a few genetic problems in biology. I would think most engineers are good at science, technology and manual dexterity. I think we will enjoy what dentistry has to offer. we also have a lot to contribute to the profession.

 

[zimaad]

I saw that mard has taken anatomy and physiology. For the other engineers out there, did/are you taking these prior to starting dental school? I was going to this semester, but since I got in in Dec, I opted to work and not take classes(i.e. pay tuition, pay to park, pay for tolls to get there) this semester. I tried to get in a community college version, but it was full. Also, for those who did/did not take it and have started in dental school, did it help or did you feel behind.

thanks

 

[odie77]

"Don't require much thinking but pure memorization"???

I thought the opposite of physio. It was my favorite class! All the concepts were about cause and effect. So similar to engineering in the analytical sense.

As for micro and anato, I agree with you... what a pain....

Originally posted by mard
I also got my BS and MS in engineering and worked as a software engineer for a few yrs. When the IT got busted, I went back and took my pre-req's and will be in dental school this fall. At my UNC interview, I met a few engineers who came back to school as well. I hope didactic courses in dental school are not that boring. I didn't enjoy the pre-req's that much, especially bio, micro, anatomy & physiology. They don't require much thinking but pure memorization. I agree with some of the posters above, these courses are extremely slow and sometime make me lazy🙂 I like chem and physics though, at least I can do some real calculations in these classes instead of a few genetic problems in biology. I would think most engineers are good at science, technology and manual dexterity. I think we will enjoy what dentistry has to offer. we also have a lot to contribute to the profession.

 

[compugirl]

hey guys,

i am SO glad to find that there are some engineers who are applying to or are in d school. i was a CS major in undergrad. i am currently applying to d school and was wondering if you guys know if dental schools take our work load seriously and assess our GPA accordingly. I did very well for a cs major, but it sure isnt the same standard as a bio major, where the course work is way diff and in my opinion not as demanding.

i actually always knew i wanted to go into healthcare, and chose to major in cs because i really enjoy the theory and analysis associated with software enginnering. i enjoy the challenge and i know my CS background will help me whatever i chose as my profession because ultimately engineering teaches you how to analyze and solve problems. the only thing i worry about is my gpa =)

 

[mard]

compugirl,
I can certainly relate to that. I still remember those long nights staying in the computer lab and how excited I was when I got those programs to work. I can't remember exactly, but I did read an article somewhere saying that, statistically engineers have higher acceptance rate to med/dent schools than other applicants. Someone has to back me on this though. I can't speak for all, but in one of my interviews, the interviewer told me it is a hard major and that I was able to pull off a decent gpa.
I remember awhile ago when you were asking about the PAT stuff. Did you take the DAT a bit late? did you have any interview invites or acceptances yet? Wish you much luck.

 

[zimaad]

I most definately think admission committees know that engineering is a demanding curriculum. Some of my interviewers mentioned it. Also, I think they like the problem solving skills that we are inherently taught.

 

[larryt]

Originally posted by mard

I can certainly relate to that. I still remember those long nights staying in the computer lab and how excited I was when I got those programs to work.

Arrr... bring me lots of memories. I remember those days in 1988 that our group had to stay up 3 days with only couple hrs of sleep to make that darn Microsoft Exchange server communicated with Lotus Notes server.

 

[compugirl]

Mard , I PMed you.

 

[ehop24]

one of our instructors asked us to guess what other profession dentists personality profiles most closely resemble. most guessed physician. the answer: engineers.

 

[IntlMed]

I completed my BS and MS in Computer Science (Not Comp.Engg), but I always felt that CS was much tougher to crack than any other bio sciences. I am applying to get into 2005, but my only concern is that ADCOMS do not view CS as an "Engineering" major. Sure we have to do probably as much work if not more... as the CS Engineering students.. but any ideas on how to put the message accross to them in my essay ????

 

[zimaad]

Hey IntlMed,

If you completed CS in college I wouldn't spend time trying to convince them your curriculum was like engineering. I think your time is better spent getting good grades in your pre-dent classes and writing a compelling essay that conveys why you want to be a dentist...that'll convince them enough. I am very respectful of the work, time, and effort that goes into a CS degree, but all things considered it is not like engineering except engineers have to do a bit of programming. CS has a lot of math, but not the physical sciences that most engineering does. I think the engineers get some respect partly because of the hard work, but also partly because how their curriculum relates to dentistry. Granted, CPE doesn't have a TON of physical sciences anymore, but it has only been like that a few years. They used to have to take statics, dynamics, and deformables just like all the rest of the engineers! Anyways, my point is that CS is considered a strong major, so it's not worth worrying about.

Best of luck!!

 

[spooky42]

I graduated with a bs in compsci and one of my interviews mentioned that it was a tough major. All of the CS classes count in your science GPA so if you did good in your major it will bump that avg up. I think they actually like the fact that you majored in a tech field because of all the new tech that is incorporated into dentistry.

If anything I think my major benefited me for admission.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by zimaad
Hey IntlMed,

If you completed CS in college I wouldn't spend time trying to convince them your curriculum was like engineering. I think your time is better spent getting good grades in your pre-dent classes and writing a compelling essay that conveys why you want to be a dentist...that'll convince them enough.

I totally agree with this statement.

 

[IntlMed]

I totally agree with all you.. the key is probably to do great on the pre-dent classes.. and thank God.. I am .. . I did extremely well on my pre-dent and MS classes.. it is just my undergrad that I am not so confident about.. I hope ADCOMS overlook that .. 😀 // Well.. I also got into a full time job right after college.. I guess that might help too.. as I took full time classes while working full time..

 

[politicallyRite]

Originally posted by zimaad
Hey IntlMed,

If you completed CS in college I wouldn't spend time trying to convince them your curriculum was like engineering. I think your time is better spent getting good grades in your pre-dent classes and writing a compelling essay that conveys why you want to be a dentist...that'll convince them enough. I am very respectful of the work, time, and effort that goes into a CS degree, but all things considered it is not like engineering except engineers have to do a bit of programming. CS has a lot of math, but not the physical sciences that most engineering does. I think the engineers get some respect partly because of the hard work, but also partly because how their curriculum relates to dentistry. Granted, CPE doesn't have a TON of physical sciences anymore, but it has only been like that a few years. They used to have to take statics, dynamics, and deformables just like all the rest of the engineers! Anyways, my point is that CS is considered a strong major, so it's not worth worrying about.

Best of luck!!

CS doesn't just have a lot of math, but a lot of programming and other engineering aspects. Some schools incorporate the curriculum into engineering programs, some others attach it to the mathematical and physical sciences. CPE is the combination of CS and EE. To be a software "engineer", one usually has to have a CS degree (just as a computer engineer would need a CPE degree). I don't know how you would define engineering...it's quite broad...and not just limited to physcical sciences, but can be intellectual ones.

IntlMed, since you do well on the basic science courses (that will count toward your BCP and science GPAs as well), you also have a BS and MS in a tough major, just rock on the DAT and you'll be fine.

 

[ecdoesit]

I guess I am the only bioengineer going into dental sch?

 

[trypmo]

Originally posted by ecdoesit
I guess I am the only bioengineer going into dental sch?

I'm in biophysics, does that count?

Generally, I totaly agree that problem solving skills are a big plus, but I'm also worried a little because my grades aren't as good as they might be because of the sorts of coursework I've been taking.

Do any of you who are getting graduate degrees before dent school know whether they count your graduate school grades separately from undergrad? I've been taking courses for a physics Ph.D., and my GPA is like WAY lower than I'd like, but try maintaining a 3.9 when you're taking engineering courses like you guys, or advanced particle physics like me, you know what I mean?

I really hope they weigh things accordingly in the adcoms. Also, in interviews, should one even try to start explaining this, or do you think we can assume they've seen enough of us hard science & engineering types to see us in a different light?

The thing that completely astounds me about bio courses is how little you have to think; it's all memorization. In fact, it's like thinking is prohibited! If you start problem-solving your way through biology, as I found (to my detriment!), you don't end up doing so well!! That's one reason I'm kinda scared about taking the DAT, too...

I like this thread. I think we need to keep encouraging each other to persevere in environments where we may initially feel a little out of place.