Chances of getting into Orthodontic Residency at 40+

[PedoOrthoDream]

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Hey everyone! I am a board certified Pediatric Dentist and am interested in becoming dual trained as an Orthodontist. Career wise, I would like to work as Pedo Ortho until retirement. I have been practicing 17 years,1 year AEGD, 7 years Gen Den, 2 years Pedo Residency, 7 years as a Pediatric Dentist. I am concerned about the possible stigma of being an older applicant. I would be over 45 when starting residency if accepted. And depending on how many times I have to try to Match a program, just north of 50 when I graduate. Anyone else have experience being an older resident?

 

[New_Vegas]

I mostly saw younger residents while I was in my residency. Sorry I can't help you out more there.

Just curious, how many ortho referrals do you think you give out in a year? Is it mostly phase I or do you see a lot of 12-13+ year olds who you refer out for ortho as well?

 

[gorilla3]

Saw an older dude at Georgia School of Ortho website. Like age 50. Good luck.

 

[kamsartipi]

financially from the people I talked to it aint worth it.

 

[juniordentist]

You'll graduate and then have like 10-15 years before retirement? There's no way you'll be financially better off by doing a degree with 3 years no income and tuition.
I would guess that financially, doing ortho and then working 5 days a week will be worse financially than doing as peds 3 days a week here on out until retirement.
Would you rather work 3 days a week in peds or go do ortho and then work 5 days a week until retirement?
I don't think the grass is much greener

 

[New_Vegas]

Yeah I'd agree that it doesn't sound like a smart financial decision, but at this point for the OP, maybe money isn't the main motivating factor.

 

[2TH MVR]

Hey everyone! I am a board certified Pediatric Dentist and am interested in becoming dual trained as an Orthodontist. Career wise, I would like to work as Pedo Ortho until retirement. I have been practicing 17 years,1 year AEGD, 7 years Gen Den, 2 years Pedo Residency, 7 years as a Pediatric Dentist. I am concerned about the possible stigma of being an older applicant. I would be over 45 when starting residency if accepted. And depending on how many times I have to try to Match a program, just north of 50 when I graduate. Anyone else have experience being an older resident?

What is your motivation to become an orthodontist?