Arizona's focus on Community experience

[Dr.BadVibes]

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I had already asked this question in the jaap thread, but that thread was getting too long and the question i was asking was irrelevant to the thread, so I thought I would start this one. Arizona says that it puts high emphasis on people who have community service experience. What type of community service do they prefer? Hey Gavin, of the 9 people you interviewed yesterday, what kind of community service did they have to make them "very qualified"? Thanks bud!

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

ANyone know the answer to this one? Cause Im wondering if I need more community service experience or not....Im just wondering what others have.

 

[ItsGavinC]

- Vounteering in schools, hospitals, community health centers.

- Serving a religious mission

- Shadowing a dentist

- Organizing clubs at school

- Being involved in local dental politics

- Spending time at women's shelters.

All these things were had by applicants this past week, and by those of us who are in the inaugural class.

Take your pick. It isn't so much WHAT you do as much as the fact that you DO it and are doing it because you believe you are helping people, not just beefing up your application.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

No No NO Gavin....its not like that...im not intending to beef up my application..I already have most of the things you actually listed...

(i) shadowed a dentist in Canada
(ii) shadowed a dentist in Mexico City
(iii) observed in a dental public health clinic in Mexico City
(iv) Founded and was President of Predental and Chemistry Club

however, I always thought that most people went into dentistry for financial gain as a main reason, so I thought by me wanting to work in public health for like no money, I would only be among a few others.....of course, this was an assumption. And then I started hearing how hard Arizona was to get into, and how many applicants they recieve, so I just got nervous and thought that I have planned this all wrong and that I dont have the credentials necessary and that everyone else was probably stellar. Arizona is the perfect school for my needs, but im so suprised that so many people want to go into a public health based dental school.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

How many of the members on SDN actually want to do dental public health as a career?

 

[ItsGavinC]

But you have to be careful and realize that a very small number of us will actually go into public health. In fact, I don't think ANY of us are currently planning on doing public health, but that may change.

A fair amount will work in community clinics and indian reservations.

I, and a number of my classmates, plan on doing private practice. I'd say 60-70% of us are planning on this (although don't hold me to that number).

But most importantly, ALL of us will be leaders in the community and involved in dentistry to a great degree. THAT is truly the mission of the school.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Well, my plan was to do a little bit of both. I was planning on doing half private practice and half public health. The dentist I shadowed in Mexico did his morning at the public health office for free, and than did this afternoons and evening in his private office for the few Mexicans that can afford the luxury of dental services. Of course, I would make only half what a normal dentist makes, but Im not in it for the big bucks...hey...half of what dentists usually make is a good living in my books....I was also planning on working with some international NGOs and government agenciees and maybe get some money sent to regions like Latin America...Was anyone else planning on doing this type of work?

 

[jojo88]

Originally posted by avingupta
Well, my plan was to do a little bit of both. I was planning on doing half private practice and half public health. The dentist I shadowed in Mexico did his morning at the public health office for free, and than did this afternoons and evening in his private office for the few Mexicans that can afford the luxury of dental services. Of course, I would make only half what a normal dentist makes, but Im not in it for the big bucks...hey...half of what dentists usually make is a good living in my books....I was also planning on working with some international NGOs and government agenciees and maybe get some money sent to regions like Latin America...Was anyone else planning on doing this type of work?

I am planning to do this type of work. My parents do this kind of work through an organization called the Deseret Foundation. Once I graduate, I hope to spend 3 months a year in third world countries while maintaining a practice for underserved residents here in the US. Public health is where it is at for me!

 

[larryt]

I think I will..... Many counties around Houston are desperately looking for dentists in dental public health. Many of them are making a decent salary. Cost of living in Texas is not bad either.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by ShawnOne
Gavin,
Since Arizona is a school focusing on public health, do they ask applicants if they want to go into public health or private practice on the interview? If so, how did you answer it?

They didn't ask that last year and didn't ask it in any of the interviews I've been involved with this year.

 

[ItsGavinC]

But just to clarify for you guys: Public Health is an actual recognized ADA dental specialty (one of the nine). Dentists who specialize in Public Health do very little dentistry.

Being a dentist who works in a public health setting is completely different.

 

[Balki]

Gavin, Can you tell me what Public Health speciality is about? Or just point to a location where I can read about it. Most of the stuff i found is really superflous , i thought those of you who know about can help.
Also how competative is this speciality and how does it compare with the other specialities.
Thanks a lot.

-Balki-

 

[Bickle]

Balki, your avatar scares that crap out of me! 😱

 

[Balki]

HAHAHa
But it's easy to spot
I love the clown myself

 

[larryt]

Yup..... Most dental public health dentists are employed by county health depts, federal heath agencies or dental schools.

 

[ItsGavinC]

The actual Public Health specialty is NOT competitive at all. This is probably because, as was pointed out, these dentists end up doing very little dentistry.

 

[larryt]

couple of dentists from my county health dept are volunteering at the free clinics or county clinics to keep up with their dental skills.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Larry, stuff like that is what is expected of us. MANY students feel much more comfortable contributing in their own way, rather than taking on a life of "public health" dentistry.

To each his own, with the goal of better oral health in mind.