APEX Program at BU?

[EmanUT]

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Can anyone explain exactly what the APEX Program is at BU? From what I have heard, it is an externship program that allows you to spend a few months your 4th year on the west coast. Being from the west coast, this is very appealing. Thanks guys!

 

[INFNITE]

http://dentalschool.bu.edu/Departments/extramural-Rapex.html

 

[galangvu]

i have a question.... are these APEX offices in and around Boston?

 

[dentaldamit]

there are two apex rotations. and you'll hate both, believe me. if you decided to come to bu, i'm really sorry. apex is done after your first year (may-july) and during your second year (jan-mar). just a couple of notes on it

1) yes, there's sites in cali and in boston
2) you work as a dental assistant suctioning all day... for free
3) apex is a way bu brings students who have 'no experience' to bu
4) apex is a way to increase student enrollement (hence money), meanwhile you pay tuition to bu and never set foot in school for 6 months.
5) apex is a way to make room in the school for more foreign dentists. we have almost 70 foreign dentists.

there are many many more things i hate bu and the apex program, but i'm tried. if you can get your 3 grand back from bu i'd do it. i really would. it's not worth it. don't base your acceptance on the admissions office ppl. the rest of the school admins are pricks.

 

[polarnut]

yeha, if you have any sort of decent amount of experience in the dental setting, apex doesnt really teach you anything. all the while, the school collects your tuition. 🙁 👎

 

[DB#1]

Can anyone explain exactly what the APEX Program is at BU? From what I have heard, it is an externship program that allows you to spend a few months your 4th year on the west coast. Being from the west coast, this is very appealing. Thanks guys!

Hi,
I think you're getting the 4th year externship mixed up with APEX. APEX is twice; after the first year (May-June) and in the middle of second year (Jan-March). It stands for Applied Professional Experience. I am currnetly on my APEX and I LOVE it. I know many that do/did love it as well, and many that didn't. It is what you make out of it really, like everything else in life...

And you can do your APEX wherever you wish, so it's not the school's fault if you pick a crappy office yourself. They will help you to get a good office.

I think it's a great break from school, I don't know of any misserable people in my class who would like to be at school for the whole year.

You have to remember that I am saying all of this because I didnt work in a dental office before I went into dental school, but I can see how it can be boring for people that have had pervious experiences in dental offices.


The 4th year externship is different, you get to treat people at an underserved area anywhere in the country for few weeks, which I think is also great from talking to many upper class students.

 

[DB#1]

there are two apex rotations. and you'll hate both, believe me. if you decided to come to bu, i'm really sorry. apex is done after your first year (may-july) and during your second year (jan-mar). just a couple of notes on it

1) yes, there's sites in cali and in boston
2) you work as a dental assistant suctioning all day... for free
3) apex is a way bu brings students who have 'no experience' to bu
4) apex is a way to increase student enrollement (hence money), meanwhile you pay tuition to bu and never set foot in school for 6 months.
5) apex is a way to make room in the school for more foreign dentists. we have almost 70 foreign dentists.

there are many many more things i hate bu and the apex program, but i'm tried. if you can get your 3 grand back from bu i'd do it. i really would. it's not worth it. don't base your acceptance on the admissions office ppl. the rest of the school admins are pricks.

Take the above view for what its worth. I and many of my classmates love it here. And trust me, in every school you will find people that will complain and find many little things that they hate about their school. But, I always wonder if anyone told them before they applied to dental school that it is not a walk in the park 😕

 

[Rezdawg]

Im currently doing my APEX in an office in Houston. Your experience is completely dependent upon the dentist you are working for. I was looking for somewhat of a break this summer, but it seems like my dentist will have me working pretty hard. Basically, my job is to set up the operatories, take radiographs, assist, breakdown the operatories, take impressions, probing, charting, etc... Basically, everything but the drilling and filling. The hygienist is going to train me to do some of her work. Its a good experience, however, I think 3 months may be too long. I see this being beneficial for about 4-6 weeks and then it will probably get repetitive...very much so. He will also send me to run some rotations at specialist's offices, like endo, ortho, omfs, and perio. That will be nice change of pace which will help keep things from getting stale.

In any case, Im more interested in the business side of how he runs his office. All the other stuff, I will learn in school. However, the business aspects are learned in the real world and I may as well get an early start while I have the opportunity. I think getting involved in this area will be the most beneficial part of APEX, at least for me.