Here is the way I see it, sitting on the other side of the table, as I am a GPR PD, and a private practice dentist:
The ER rotation provides an opportunity to learn how to take a great history, being mentored by ER attendings and residents, not just dental school instructors. Be able to take a great history, understand basic diagnostic tests and use the physical diagnosis skills we teach you ( our MD oral surgery chiefs teach this).
The OR Anesthesia rotation is an opportunity to learn airway management, and classify your patients according to ASA standards.
Both rotations are a chance to interact with many medical colleagues in a variety of capacities, more chances than perhaps in dental school.
Our residents perform all varieties of dental procedures, real dentistry, not just extractions and operative. Today I ran a master class in implant restoration for the residents at my clinic site, going over step by step clinical procedures, having the resident do the work. Another resident did a crown prep, while another was doing a laser frenectomy with our laser specialist.
Just a glimpse. They are also doing real surgical extractions, and are currently being prepped by our periodontist to do their own surgeries. Do they do exams and operative? Yes. So do I in my office. It is not always the most exciting day. It is not always the most exciting day in my office, but there are enough of them to maintain interest. The didactic program is very good, and we have speakers from not only our department, but the ED, plastics and anesthesia.
The residents are going to the OR on full mouth oral rehab cases, trauma cases, orthognathics, and pediatric cases. Will you go to the OR as a private practice dentist? Probably not. I haven't. But there is a big difference between talking about orthognathic surgery and seeing it done. Even if you don't do it, what about the patient in your office who needs it? Your knowledge base is just that much more. You read about ameloblastomas in oral path, but seeing the slides, path report, mandibular resection, and reconstruction are a lot different.
Our hands on implant course is about to start. The advanced course will be given in the spring.
The point is this is an entire year to experience things that you may never have a chance to do again. A chance to try new things (Surgery, laser, laser bleaching, rotary endo, new materials) at no expense. Find out what you like, what you don't like, there is much more exposure in a residency, especially a busy one. In a multispecialty clinic like ours, there is always someone to consult, and the emphasis is on getting things done, not just pushing patients in and out the door.
The GPR I did back in the 80's was nothing like the one I work at. We have moved into the 21st century and our mission is to provide training to new grads to work optimally and ethically. Are we perfect? NO. I have not been to a GPR that is. WE do a good job and the residents graduate prepared to enter the workforce. I think the GPR completes the training received in dental school and creates a more well rounded practitioner
