Bachelor's degree needed or not for specialties?

[btpayne13]

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If you apply for a specialty program (ortho, OMFS, etc.), does it make a difference if you have a BA or BS, as long as you have a DDS or DMD? The reason I ask is because some accelerated programs only award a DDS or DMD with no bachelor's (particularly UoP's 2+3 program). The only reason I would pursue a bachelor's is if it makes a difference in the specialty application process. If it doesn't, I see no reason why a bachelor's would serve any purpose.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

It can be an issue for OMS programs earning a medical degree.

Unless this is for financial reasons, enjoy college!

 

[btpayne13]

It can be an issue for OMS programs earning a medical degree.

Unless this is for financial reasons, enjoy college!

But I'm talking about DDS/DMD, not MD...The reason I ask is because it would let me know if UoP's 2+3 (no bachelor's) or 3+3 (bachelor's) program would be a better fit if I wanted to try to specialize later on.

 

[Doc Smile]

But I'm talking about DDS/DMD, not MD...The reason I ask is because it would let me know if UoP's 2+3 (no bachelor's) or 3+3 (bachelor's) program would be a better fit if I wanted to try to specialize later on.

About 50% of OMFS programs award the MD in addition to the certificate (6 year) whereas the other half is a 4 yr program with certificate. So if you are interested in pursuing an OMFS program with an MD then the medical school who will be awarding the MD will be interested in your undergrad GPA and it may become an issue if you dont have a degree. If you are only interested in 4 yr omfs or any other specialty, it probs wont be an issue. Comprende?

 

[Doc Smile]

It can be an issue for OMS programs earning a medical degree.

Unless this is for financial reasons, enjoy college!

In your edit reason you said it is OMS and not OMFS. Cant it be both ways?

 

[btpayne13]

About 50% of OMFS programs award the MD in addition to the certificate (6 year) whereas the other half is a 4 yr program with certificate. So if you are interested in pursuing an OMFS program with an MD then the medical school who will be awarding the MD will be interested in your undergrad GPA and it may become an issue if you dont have a degree. If you are only interested in 4 yr omfs or any other specialty, it probs wont be an issue. Comprende?

Je comprends (I substitute your Spanish for French 😀). Thank you, it makes sense now. I probably would pursue ortho, not OMFS, so it shouldn't be an issue (yay!)...just wondering, why would it matter if you got an MD or not, because either way you would get the certificate? 😕

 

[senpai]

Je comprends (I substitute your Spanish for French 😀). Thank you, it makes sense now. I probably would pursue ortho, not OMFS, so it shouldn't be an issue (yay!)...just wondering, why would it matter if you got an MD or not, because either way you would get the certificate? 😕

It doesn't. Just depends on whether you personally feel additional medical training would be a beneficial supplement to your training.

 

[btpayne13]

Okay, so can we definitively say that bachelors degrees are truly "BS" (pun intended) when it comes to dental specialty (not med school OMFS) admissions? I just want to put an end to any other threads in the future that ask the same question.

 

[bigstix808]

Okay, so can we definitively say that bachelors degrees are truly "BS" (pun intended) when it comes to dental specialty (not med school OMFS) admissions? I just want to put an end to any other threads in the future that ask the same question.

as with most topics that are started on these forums...there is no say-all end-all to any discussion -- so its a safe bet that this will come up again ... haha...

is a BS/BA required for specialty? no [on paper]

do the addmissions folks care if you have one or not? maybe, thats their call and what else you have on that resume to show them that you deserve to be there over the person that DID put in that extra year of education be it for personal/financial/etc reasons...

...bottom line, roll the dice, see what happens. id personally chalk up the yr and finish the BS/BA...

 

[Doc Smile]

It doesn't. Just depends on whether you personally feel additional medical training would be a beneficial supplement to your training.

I agree. I also know some MD/DDS who got their MD for academia purposes or to go into a fellowship. One OMFS DDS/MD is in (or finished) a cancer fellowship and plans to strictly work in the hospital. As for private practice OMFS MD/DDS's there are many reasons: prestige, advertising, feeling of security and safety with advanced procedures, patient reassurance, etc etc.

 

[agent2362]

At many school (like UoP specifically) you will get a BS with your DDS if you didnt enter with one, as long as you have enough undergrad classes in the arts and sciences to make it work. They will use alot of the dental school courses as fill in for this degree...

 

[Doc Payne]

At many school (like UoP specifically) you will get a BS with your DDS if you didnt enter with one, as long as you have enough undergrad classes in the arts and sciences to make it work. They will use alot of the dental school courses as fill in for this degree...

So you're saying this would work with the 2+3 program?

 

[Doc Payne]

Um, I've never heard of this at Pacific. The 2+3 program does NOT grant a bachelor's degree. It would also seem strange that they were count dental school classes for your college degree...

Ya, this doesn't make sense. Pacific has a 3+3 program there if you want to get your BS. The 2+3 program graduates you the quickest, even though you don't get a BS (I don't see the point in getting a BS, as long as you get your DDS; residencies don't care if you have a bachelor's). If this were true, it would be a slap in the face to those who went with the 3+3 program and put in an extra year of undergrad for the BS.