CA Dental Schools

[Red823]

no dress code in didactic classes. in the clinic, we have to wear scrubs and gowns, follow the almighty OHSA guidelines. each yr, we have 3 pairs of babyblue scrubs. u can wear it 24/7/365 if u want.

psych has research to back them up. besides, paying off patients would somewhat consider cheating. it doesnt make sense in real life. will u pay off ur patients just to get enough patients?

Thanks ecdoesit! Good to know there's no particular dress code in the classes where you can't wear jeans...save me a trip or two to the mall to find dress pants....i'm a jeans person can't ya tell

3 pairs of baby blue scrubs...we're only allowed to wear baby blue?

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[ecdoesit]

well, for the clinics, yes, we have to wear baby blue.
it aint that bad. we are proud to be a dental student here.

Thanks ecdoesit! Good to know there's no particular dress code in the classes where you can't wear jeans...save me a trip or two to the mall to find dress pants....i'm a jeans person can't ya tell

3 pairs of baby blue scrubs...we're only allowed to wear baby blue?

 

[niceteeth]

well, for the clinics, yes, we have to wear baby blue.
it aint that bad. we are proud to be a dental student here.

hi ecdoesit, any suggestions on how i can prepare for my ucla interview (particularly the essay portion) ? it's coming up next week and i'm real nervous. thanks

 

[ecdoesit]

Last year, I read anything on ada.org website.
if u get into Penn, i dont think u get any problem with this interview.
just be urself and read over ur application.
have fun breaking ur heart to deny ur other schools.
and hope to see u next year

 

[ecdoesit]

man, i think we should change the title of this thread, hehe

 

[Red823]

man, i think we should change the title of this thread, hehe

And i think you should be the official UCLA spokesperson on SDN.

 

[maryh320]

Undergrads do endo???

You mean dental students, as in non-residents?

i know they graduate very competent general dentists and they treat you really good. they actually let the undergrads do perform endo on #1 and #16. any other school would give that to the endo residents (pacific doenst have this program) i am just a bit apprehensive about how tough it is going to be since the first year is like doing 2 years. im kind of the person that needs to be eased into things. but if its not too bad (the 3 pacific students that i have talked to so far say it hasnt) then i will go for pacific. where are you going in the fall?

 

[ecdoesit]

hahaha, this is exactly why i still hang around sdn. so thankful that my effort is so worthy.
spokeperson or not doesnt really matters.
what matters is u find my words useful.
cos 4 yrs of dental sch is quite a committement.
i want you to have the best facts to choose the most correct choice.

And i think you should be the official UCLA spokesperson on SDN.

 

[usdental]

Just an interesting fact:
"The School of Dentistry in 2003 ranked first among all dental schools in NIH research funding. It received 51 awards totaling $28 million from the NIH"
The School of Dentistry operates 14 clinics at three sites, and provides more than 120,000 patient visits per year. Comprehensive dental care services are provided, including complex oral and maxillofacial surgery, and care for special-needs patients."
Clinical productivity of UCSF DDS students ranks second among all 55 U.S. dental schools (according to student-generated clinical income)

 

[JavadiCavity]

Useless, meaningless stats. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual report said something like this.

Clincial Output:

1. School X: 120,000 cases
2. School Y: 119,500 cases
3. School Z: 119,300 cases
4. .....etc

Geez, I better pick school X because they are number 1 in clinical output. Maybe that extra 500 cases will be really helpful. Oh, and Arizona must really suck because they finished dead last in clinical output last year. Ridiculous.

NIH Funding:

I think this is a significant stat if, and only if, you are interested in research. Undoubtedly, some research experience could be helpful, but unless you plan to go into research professionally, I don't see how having a strong background in research will come in use as a general dentist.

 

[jk5177]

Useless, meaningless stats. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual report said something like this.

Clincial Output:

1. School X: 120,000 cases
2. School Y: 119,500 cases
3. School Z: 119,300 cases
4. .....etc

Geez, I better pick school X because they are number 1 in clinical output. Maybe that extra 500 cases will be really helpful. Oh, and Arizona must really suck because they finished dead last in clinical output last year. Ridiculous.

NIH Funding:

I think this is a significant stat if, and only if, you are interested in research. Undoubtedly, some research experience could be helpful, but unless you plan to go into research professionally, I don't see how having a strong background in research will come in use as a general dentist.

Your guess is just as good as mine.

1. School X: 120,000 cases
2. School Y: 115,500 cases
3. School Z: 112,300 cases
4. .....etc

 

[JavadiCavity]

Exactly my point. None of us actually know the output of each school. And even if we did, clinical output as a stat would tell us nothing about the quality or types of cases being treated by dental students.

 

[J2AZ]

Useless, meaningless stats. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual report said something like this.

Clincial Output:

1. School X: 120,000 cases
2. School Y: 119,500 cases
3. School Z: 119,300 cases
4. .....etc

Geez, I better pick school X because they are number 1 in clinical output. Maybe that extra 500 cases will be really helpful. Oh, and Arizona must really suck because they finished dead last in clinical output last year. Ridiculous.

NIH Funding:

I think this is a significant stat if, and only if, you are interested in research. Undoubtedly, some research experience could be helpful, but unless you plan to go into research professionally, I don't see how having a strong background in research will come in use as a general dentist.

My gosh what is up with Javadicavity? He used to be so tranquilo and now its as if he has a softball size burr under his saddle. It seems his posts have gotten more and more costic. "Geez...suck...ridiculous..." So subtle he could play it off as the reader being hyper-sensitive.

In answer to his question. A strong research background will come in handy when your office is visited by sales reps and when you take CE courses and when you read up on new materials and technique. You need to be able to seperate the science from the junk.

The UCSF dean does not talk about clinical "output" (dont talk about something you have no knowledge off... ) He talks about Clinical "productivity." I sat through his presentation and I still do not know what he meant by this. To assume it means number of patients seen is a guess (I am offended that you are using hearsay to make a point you are clueless about...hilarious...ridiculous... ). This topic has already been covered in another thread. IMHO I do not believe it has a direct correlation with quality of education. What I stated in the other thread and will state again is that UCSF is a great school that will train you to be both a good scientific and clinical DDS. However, I believe the top 3 ranking in clinical productivity to be misleading. My belief is that it is an indication of income generated. I believe this b/c UCSF students must produce ($) a certain amount per year. Thus, a school could charge its patients twice as much and "produce" just as much as a school that has lower fees but sees more patients. If one wants to rank higher they just increase their fees. I have a friend that graduated from UCONN (one of the schools mentioned as being in the top 3). He says he knows a ton about the science behind what he does but upon graduation he def needed a GPR. I believe UCSF is probably the same. You will have a ton of knowledge but will def need a GPR to solidify what you have learned.
Of course the comment about UCONN holds no water unless I have my friend come over to my house and type it in himself....Oh wait...whos that at the door. Speak of the Devil and he shall appear. "Dave get your a$$ overhear big guy and tell these kids whats up." "Uh, heah this is Dave. I am a dentist. I went to UCONN. UCONN is ranked high in all areas but I needed to do a GPR to catch up clincally. Now I am a super clinical dentist like UOP graduates but I can also can run circles around them b/c my didactic prep was second to none...well maybe second to UCSF "

 

[JavadiCavity]

Resorting to personal attacks to strengthen your argument is indicative of a weak mind. My only comments "Geez...gosh...and ridiculous" have been in regards to the types of comments made, and not in regards to the individual.

 

[ziptree]

actually the main thing they look at is board scores and where you went to dental school. becaue they know a 90 from UPENN is better than a 90 from UCLA just because its UPENN. also a 90 from UCSF is better than 90 from UCLA. its all relative. anyways, it doesnt matter. just go to school and do good. first we have to get through dental school.

NBDE Parts I and II are standardized tests, like the DAT and SATs. You're ranked according on how your performance is compared to other students who take it at the same time. A 95%tile means out of 100 students, you did better than 95 other students. Doesn't matter if you come from UCLA, Penn, UCSF, Meharry, NSU, or UCONN. A 95 is a 95.

However, if you're talking about GPA, it's a different story. Some schools may inflate their students' GPA, some not. So the more accurate and much more important indicator is a candidate's board scores.

 

[ziptree]

hi ecdoesit, any suggestions on how i can prepare for my ucla interview (particularly the essay portion) ? it's coming up next week and i'm real nervous. thanks

I saw in your signature that it says...

UPENN or UCLA Class of 2009.. tough decision to make. >


Someone on here stated that since UCLA has no grades, it's less competitive. In my opinion, that's not quite true.

We have a ranking system here (from highest scores to lowest): EPR (Excellent Progess Report), P (pass), MP (marginal pass), NP (no-pass).

EPR = given to the top 10% of the class. It's not like an "A" that's awarded to those who get above 90% in a course. True example from one of my classes. In order to get an EPR in our Microbiology course, a student must score at least 96% in the course to be in the top 10% of the students. That's a lot higher than what's required for an A at some other schools. Another course like that is History & Ethics where you have to score at least 98% on both the midterm and the final to get an EPR.

P = pass, nothing too special about it.

MP = marginal pass; barely a pass, but a pass nevertheless.

NP = no pass; you must repeat this course.

EPRs make everyone competitive, and in my opinion, more competitive than other schools. Everyone here wants to specialize so they're all aiming for the EPRs. And since getting an EPR requires you to compete against each other, versus competing against a set scale. (For example, 90%+ to get an A, 80-89% to get a B....and so on so forth.)

If you just want to be a GP, this is a good academic school to go to....clinically, I'm not so sure. Most graduate on time if they're on the ball and keep up with their classes & patients. Like any school, you're always going to fall behind and not complete your requirements if you don't keep up with the workload.

 

[J2AZ]

Resorting to personal attacks to strengthen your argument is indicative of a weak mind. My only comments "Geez...gosh...and ridiculous" have been in regards to the types of comments made, and not in regards to the individual.

In no way did I use personal attacks to strengthen my argument. Wondering why you have had an recent under current of negativity in your posts is valid and was not used as a basis of argument but rather simple inquiry. Please illustrate where I personally attacked you and I will apologize. All I did was use your posting style to illustrate how offensive and flawed it can be. Please read over your last post and then ask yourself who is resorting to personal attacks.

 

[JavadiCavity]

Paint it however you want, you know me well enough to offer observations or statements about my personality and posts.

Anyway, getting this thread back on track, I think CA dental schools will do an excellent job at training students. However, other than Pacific, everything I've heard about the other CA dental schools is from friends who interviewed at those schools. Based on my interviewing experience this last fall, I'd say 6 of the 7 schools I interviewed at impressed me positively. Picking a school is a difficult process. I'd make sure to contact alumni and current dental students to get some advice about their respective schools.

 

[Johnson22]

Which one didn't impress you?

Paint it however you want, you know me well enough to offer observations or statements about my personality and posts.

Anyway, getting this thread back on track, I think CA dental schools will do an excellent job at training students. However, other than Pacific, everything I've heard about the other CA dental schools is from friends who interviewed at those schools. Based on my interviewing experience this last fall, I'd say 6 of the 7 schools I interviewed at impressed me positively. Picking a school is a difficult process. I'd make sure to contact alumni and current dental students to get some advice about their respective schools.

 

[JavadiCavity]

VCU. The people were nice, and I really liked the dean, but the facilities were very outdated--more than any other school I had seen. When asked what their plan was over the next five years, they said that things would be upgraded but that the changes would mostly affect specialty programs. For the price, $28000/yr for out-of-staters, there were too many other schools at the same price but with much more to offer (NOVA, Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, Pacific w/scholarship, and Case).

 

[miravyn]

first of all im not looking down on UCLA at all. I was just answering some guy's question. Just in terms of specialization between UCLA and UPENN, you have better chance at UPENN. but i know UCLA is good. I live 20 minutes away from it. laters

I don't understand why you adamantly claimed that U Penn is better than UCLA in terms on specialization. If you compared UCLA and Harvard then I see a point there, but U Penn? In terms of GPA and DAT scores of admitting class, UCLA is ranked second in highest scores. U Penn is somewhere in the middle of the list. This already shows that their incoming students are not top notch. Just because U Penn is an Ivy League doesn't mean it's good in all aspects.

 

[ecrdoubles15]

I don't understand why you adamantly claimed that U Penn is better than UCLA in terms on specialization. If you compared UCLA and Harvard then I see a point there, but U Penn? In terms of GPA and DAT scores of admitting class, UCLA is ranked second in highest scores. U Penn is somewhere in the middle of the list. This already shows that their incoming students are not top notch. Just because U Penn is an Ivy League doesn't mean it's good in all aspects.

Everyone knows that UPENN has way better specialty acceptance. Come on!

 

[fouyboy]

I'm not rooting for either school even though i'm goin to UCLA.

I want to see numbers and sources for specialty match rates if you guys are going to discuss the topic.

The numbers will solve the question.

Everyone knows that UPENN has way better specialty acceptance. Come on!

 

[niceteeth]

I'm not rooting for either school even though i'm goin to UCLA.

I want to see numbers and sources for specialty match rates if you guys are going to discuss the topic.

The numbers will solve the question.

Very well said future fellow classmate

 

[nothen2do]

Everyone knows that UPENN has way better specialty acceptance. Come on!

specialty match rate doesn't necessarily mean your school is better, especially if you want to be a GP, or a researcher, or tennis club pro.

 

[ecrdoubles15]

specialty match rate doesn't necessarily mean your school is better, especially if you want to be a GP, or a researcher, or tennis club pro.

Im not saying it is. I am jsut saying that if you start a poll asking whether UPENN or UCLA has better matching rate, then UPENN will come out on top. I dont even like east coast schools, but unlike you guys i am not beig biased. but there are alot of west coast guys here so the poll probably will be biased. anyways, this is so stupid because just go to the school you want to go to. if someone's post is going to influence your decision drastically, then maybe you dont belong here. laters

 

[jk5177]

I see all these people here talking about matching and specialty, but I think it is all premature. I want to keep my options open to specializing if I should choose to in the future, but I'm not going to dwell on it as if it is the most important goal in the next four years of dental school. There is much more to dentistry and dental school than simply wanting to specialize. My opinions.

 

[ecdoesit]

Just want to mention one thing.
(well, two. one is many dental students including me are having finals this two weeks, so I wont be posting till after finals which end on the 24th)
the other thing, are UC school still as attractive if student fee increases over 10K next year?

 

[ziptree]

A post to help you understand ecodesit's post...fee increases will mean that the tuition will total over $10,000...not that there's going to be a $10,000 increase. It sounded that way when I first read it and almost fell off my seat.

 

[ziptree]

I see all these people here talking about matching and specialty, but I think it is all premature. I want to keep my options open to specializing if I should choose to in the future, but I'm not going to dwell on it as if it is the most important goal in the next four years of dental school. There is much more to dentistry and dental school than simply wanting to specialize. My opinions.

When you try to keep your options open, you have to do as well as those who already know they want to specialize. And also to keep your options open, you also have to consider the matching rates of the school you plan to go to. =P

 

[crazy_sherm]

A post to help you understand ecodesit's post...fee increases will mean that the tuition will total over $10,000...not that there's going to be a $10,000 increase. It sounded that way when I first read it and almost fell off my seat.

I think you read it right the first time. Fees are getting up there. With fees and materials, you're looking at about $120k for 4 years according to figures now. Its slated for an increase of 8% this coming year and then another 8% the year after that, at least until the governor decides to cut more education spending.

http://saawww.ucsf.edu/financial/general/budget.htm

 

[jk5177]

When you try to keep your options open, you have to do as well as those who already know they want to specialize. And also to keep your options open, you also have to consider the matching rates of the school you plan to go to. =P

Nicely said.

 

[ziptree]

I think you read it right the first time. Fees are getting up there. With fees and materials, you're looking at about $120k for 4 years according to figures now. Its slated for an increase of 8% this coming year and then another 8% the year after that, at least until the governor decides to cut more education spending.

http://saawww.ucsf.edu/financial/general/budget.htm

Nope, not going to increase by $10,000. Only by ~$6,000.

But it's getting pricey still. =(

 

[nothen2do]

I think you read it right the first time. Fees are getting up there. With fees and materials, you're looking at about $120k for 4 years according to figures now. Its slated for an increase of 8% this coming year and then another 8% the year after that, at least until the governor decides to cut more education spending.

http://saawww.ucsf.edu/financial/general/budget.htm

Couldn't find the 8% on that site, where did you see specifically?

 

[Kiluminati]

I think you read it right the first time. Fees are getting up there. With fees and materials, you're looking at about $120k for 4 years according to figures now. Its slated for an increase of 8% this coming year and then another 8% the year after that, at least until the governor decides to cut more education spending.

http://saawww.ucsf.edu/financial/general/budget.htm

Yeah, you can thank the beloved Gray Davis for that one. If Cali never voted that genius in office the first time we wouldn't have to deal with fee increases and budget cuts.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Couldn't find the 8% on that site, where did you see specifically?

I read it in some news article when they first announced the increase as 8%, but I guess I remembered wrong. According the the UC main site, its going to go up 10% this year and 10% next year.

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/budget/fee_fact_sheet05.pdf

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/regmeet/nov04/515.pdf

 

[crazy_sherm]

Yeah, you can thank the beloved Gray Davis for that one. If Cali never voted that genius in office the first time we wouldn't have to deal with fee increases and budget cuts.

Well, actually I attribute the current mess more to Pete Wilson who deregulated energy pricing allowing Enron and gang to gouge the hell out of California. Gray Davis should never have become governor in the first place either. That year he ran, CA had the brilliant idea of allowing non-party members to vote in primaries. There was a huge campaign by the Republican party to vote Gray Davis into the election because he was thought to be the weakest link among Democratic candidates. Unfortunately, Dan Lungren turned out to be such a dud and CA ended up with Davis.