Case Western MD/DMD

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I was working on Case Western's secondary and noticed that they have an MD/DMD program.

I had never heard of an MD/DMD. Do any other schools offer these? Any thoughts on what one would do with this dual degree?

 

[Rachael1285]

I noticed that also, as I too am applying to Case. The only thing I could think of is that if you wanted to work in a very rural area where both doctors and dentists were in short supply, you could kind of do double duty and be both...maybe? That's all I've got. I've never heard of that anywhere else either. Case has so many dual degrees, I couldn't believe it!

 

[Meatwad]

I've heard they only accept a few people (~3), so you won't have much support from fellow students. You take med school classes and dental school classes side by side, so you will be stressed out. I believe you are technically a student in the dental school, so it is aimed more towards students interested in dentistry than medicine. Some have argued, that after looking at the curriculum, it will produce a doctor that is mediocre at both. Being a physician or a dentist both require your full attention and all of your brainpower to excel at, and this idea is kind of lame.

I don't believe it's aimed at those who want to be the only town dentist and doctor. I'm willing to bet some states wouldn't even allow you to be dually registered as a doctor and a dentist.

Plus, if you want to be an oral surgeon (usually DDS/MD's) it doesn't save you any time. I think one or two schools have tried this in the past, and ended up closing their programs because no one was into it.

I know they only require the MCAT, but since it's very selective, you should take the DAT as well.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Wow, this would actually be a topic that DDSbound could comment on.

 

[Lukkie]

i actually got this in an e-mail yesterday from my schools pre-med group


A joint program between two professional schools
Program length will be five years

Upon graduation, students will be qualified:
For licensure for the practice of dentistry
For postgraduate, year-one residencies in medicine that are required
prior to licensure

MCAT is required while DAT is optional
A manual dexterity evaluation will be held.

For more information go to:

http://dental.case.edu/

 

[CCLCMer]

I noticed that also, as I too am applying to Case. The only thing I could think of is that if you wanted to work in a very rural area where both doctors and dentists were in short supply, you could kind of do double duty and be both...maybe? That's all I've got. I've never heard of that anywhere else either. Case has so many dual degrees, I couldn't believe it!

I know nothing about this MD/DMD program, but yeah, Case really does have a ton of dual degree options.

 

[MossPoh]

Nova is starting up a DO/DDS program. I think it is DDS although it doesn't matter. It is good for about two reasons. Working in the middle of nowhere where they need both, or oral surgery. Is the case western program 6 years? I know the nova one is... so it isn't AS stressful. It ends up being about the same as someone who went to dental school and does the 6 year oral surgery program. (Where you get the MD)

I've heard that the medical has more in common with the dental than vice versa...probably why they consider you more of a dental student. You'll be doing lots of stuff to be ready for practice right out.

 

[Rachael1285]

...I'm willing to bet some states wouldn't even allow you to be dually registered as a doctor and a dentist....

If this is true, what would be the point of getting this degree? It seems that if you wouldn't be able to actually USE both of these degrees, no school would have this program because it would be a waste of someone's time to get 2 degrees when they'll only be licensed using 1....just makes sense to me anyway, I don't know if it's true or not.

 

[Meatwad]

If this is true, what would be the point of getting this degree? It seems that if you wouldn't be able to actually USE both of these degrees, no school would have this program because it would be a waste of someone's time to get 2 degrees when they'll only be licensed using 1....just makes sense to me anyway, I don't know if it's true or not.

That's the reason it gets so much criticism... there isn't really a point. If you lust for more knowledge of the body, then you may get that, but this might be the only advantage. Like I said, if you want to do oral surgery, it won't save you anytime.

Traditional Oral surgery: 4 years dental school + 6 years residency/MD = 10 years

Case DMD/MD and Oral Surgery: 5 years DMD/MD + 1 year GS internship + 4 years oral surgery certificate program = 10 years

I could only see the program being valuable if you really have NO idea which career path you want to follow. At the end, you can either pursue a residency in a dental specialty or a medical specialty, which is one of the plusses.

 

[Koch]

That's the reason it gets so much criticism... there isn't really a point. If you lust for more knowledge of the body, then you may get that, but this might be the only advantage. Like I said, if you want to do oral surgery, it won't save you anytime.

Traditional Oral surgery: 4 years dental school + 6 years residency/MD = 10 years

Case DMD/MD and Oral Surgery: 5 years DMD/MD + 1 year GS internship + 4 years oral surgery certificate program = 10 years

I could only see the program being valuable if you really have NO idea which career path you want to follow. At the end, you can either pursue a residency in a dental specialty or a medical specialty, which is one of the plusses.

The logic behind the program, according to someone in admissions at Case, is that most people don't really see their doctor regularly, but they do see their dentist twice a year. So, if you train the dentist in medicine they will be able to keep a better eye on the patient's health and the result is a better system of healthcare. Whether or not it actually works like that is not my place to say. But that's the reason they initiated the program.

 

[FaceDMD]

Case Western Oral surgery residency: 4 years dental school + 5 yrs residency (MD included) = 9 years