Can General Dentists Do This?

[jcruiser]

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Well, let's say you graduate from DS and practice general dentistry. You wanted to specialize in whatever but didn't get a spot.

After about 2-5 years of practicing general dentistry and maybe some experience working with another dentist who has also specialized (in the specialty you're interested in), you decide you want to apply for some residency spots.

Two questions.

Can you do this? I mean, will schools even look at your application since you're not a new DS graduate?

And second, if you can do this, will they favor your application because you've been practicing, have been working side by side with someone who has specialized in that field, and because you're still motivated to go back and get a spot?

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Not every D1 student is 21-22 years old and similarly not all specialty residents are 26 years old...

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

Doing a 1 year general practice residency (GPR) would help you with your application to specialties, especially for endodontics.

 

[dentalWorks]

Well, let's say you graduate from DS and practice general dentistry. You wanted to specialize in whatever but didn't get a spot.

After about 2-5 years of practicing general dentistry and maybe some experience working with another dentist who has also specialized (in the specialty you're interested in), you decide you want to apply for some residency spots.

Two questions.

Can you do this? I mean, will schools even look at your application since you're not a new DS graduate?

And second, if you can do this, will they favor your application because you've been practicing, have been working side by side with someone who has specialized in that field, and because you're still motivated to go back and get a spot?

depends on which residency your talking about...

rumor has it, oral surgery HIGHLY prefers applicants directly out of dental school. My guess would be they don't want you to experience the easy working hours of a dentist (usually less than 40 hrs) as compared to the 100+ hours OS residents push in the hospital.

others (like endo) HIGHLY prefer applicants to have work experience in GP (can be GPR or just private practice).

 

[uva09]

The short answer to your question is YES, you can apply to a dental residency program at any time.

Many dental residents have completed prior training in other specialties, completed general 'intern' style programs like a GPR/AEGD, completed other advanced degrees, or have worked in private practice or academics before applying to new training programs.

Completing a GPR is quite common and can be fairly advantageous for many of the more competitive programs like pediatric dentistry or oral surgery.

You are likely to see a wide variety of training progressions.

 

[jcruiser]

Thank you for the replies.

So I guess OMFS is completely out of the question for reapplication if you graduate with average grades/scores, didn't get a spot, and decided to work general for a few years. That's unfortunate. 🙁

 

[dentalWorks]

Thank you for the replies.

So I guess OMFS is completely out of the question for reapplication if you graduate with average grades/scores, didn't get a spot, and decided to work general for a few years. That's unfortunate. 🙁

I said "rumor"... not facts.

I think it was 2 summers ago, here on SDN actually, I chatted with a dentist who was GP for 8 years (if I remember correctly) and he was recently accepted to some OS program.... So everything's possible I suppose.

But its wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too early to be talking about dental specialties. Dental school is a beast in it self, and the beating you receive sometimes leaves a bitter taste toward further education (AKA further beating)

 

[UltimateHombre]

Thank you for the replies.

So I guess OMFS is completely out of the question for reapplication if you graduate with average grades/scores, didn't get a spot, and decided to work general for a few years. That's unfortunate. 🙁

Well, there are 1 year OMS internships. These can often be very helpful in obtaining an OMS residency, especially wish sub par class rank/board scores.

I have read on this board in the residency forum of 1 guy who didn't get into to OMS first time, so did a GPR, didn't get in second time then did a 1 year OMS res... then he got in. I also read of another guy who had to do 2 different 1 year OMS internships before he got in.

Also, i have to agree with DW... still a very long way away. You also have to consider that the boards are going p/f by the time we get to that point.

 

[dentalWorks]

Well, there are 1 year OMS internships. These can often be very helpful in obtaining an OMS residency, especially wish sub par class rank/board scores.

I have read on this board in the residency forum of 1 guy who didn't get into to OMS first time, so did a GPR, didn't get in second time then did a 1 year OMS res... then he got in. I also read of another guy who had to do 2 different 1 year OMS internships before he got in.

Also, i have to agree with DW... still a very long way away. You also have to consider that the boards are going p/f by the time we get to that point.

The issue with internship is.... well.... I think most of them are basically volunteer. You don't get paid and they work you like a resident (not sure about how many hrs per week). On top of that, you'll probably have to moonlight as a dentist somewhere else (to make a living right?). Its a very stressful, my hat goes off to anyone who can pull through it, I know I can't.