Collecting teeth: which schools?

[informatique]

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I remember reading a few threads last year concerning collecting teeth and was wondering if this is mandatory at all schools. I'm most likely going to be attending UMich, so if anyone knows the specifics for their program then all the better.

 

[Quattro DMD]

I got a letter with my acceptance telling me I needed to collect 50 teeth prior to my second year so that I could practice endo. I'm not sure what your school policy is but I'm sure they'll tell you way in advance.

 

[dennisDDS]

LL for sure..

One of the speakers told us to obtain around 2000 teeth I honestly have no idea how that is accomplished.

Ask every dentist in your city? and invade other cities i guess...

 

[DGDDS]

You can get a couple of small boxes and ask dentists (and especially oral surgeons) if they'll help you fill them. Also county health offices sometimes have extraction clinics which would help meet your goal.

As far as schools that require you to collect teeth: UT-Memphis requires you to collect a lot. UNC requires you to have one caries free molar for 2nd semester your first year.

 

[schwing]

USC is wanting you to collect 100 molars, 100 bicuspids, and 100 anterior teeth to use during your first two years.

 

[Chesnok]

What happens if you don't collect them ?

 

[REH]

Don't you have to preserve the teeth in a solution of some kind? I seem to recall that a 10% solution of bleach was recommended. Don't quote me on that. Perhaps a dental student could chime in here and confirm?

 

[Hysteria24]

I seem to recall that a 10% solution of bleach was recommended. Don't quote me on that. Perhaps a dental student could chime in here and confirm?

That is the recipe USC advises in their paperwork.

Here are a couple threads from last year dealing with different solutions, and which schools require you to collect:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=517461
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=490123
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=283608

 

[sl2obel2ts]

0.1% Thymol (same stuff in listerine)

 

[Performer]

They told me apple juice does the job. Make sure, it's sugar-free.

 

[Anatomy Fanatic]

They told me apple juice does the job. Make sure, it's sugar-free.

Bleach is probably cheaper though...

Pittsburgh is a school that requires you to collect teeth, but they don't really tell you until a couple of months before you start, so consider this a heads up!

 

[Plopper]

does UConn or Nova?

 

[klpennin]

Houston requires it, but they didn't say how many.... Hmm. They recommend to store them in bleach.

 

[Jake8]

Bleach vs Apple juice

Remember that some of these teeth come from questionable sources, I would go with the bactericidal one.

 

[206127]

I have been collecting teeth for 4 years now... All the dentists I have shadowed told me to keep them in a 10% bleach solution. Make sure to clean it out once in a while though.

 

[DROCKINDAHOUSE]

Mine are in formaldehyde...probably better than apple juice.

 

[206127]

Mine are in formaldehyde...probably better than apple juice.

IMO bleach would be best since it is an everyday household item... (never heard of the apple juice thing)

 

[DROCKINDAHOUSE]

IMO bleach would be best since it is an everyday household item... (never heard of the apple juice thing)

True but in our office we have formaldehyde for some ungodly reason. There probably is some valid reason for having it in a dental office that I am unaware of.

 

[206127]

True but in our office we have formaldehyde for some ungodly reason. There probably is some valid reason for having it in a dental office that I am unaware of.

I remember when I first began dental assisting I was in a really old dental office and I think they used it for their sterilizer (could be wrong)

I know formocresol (used in for endodontic treatment in adults and children) is a formaldehyde compound. Maybe the formaldehyde in your office is used for something dealing with endo?? (just a guess again... I have insomnia... I'm bored..)

 

[xhamburgersamx]

USC wants you to collect 100 molars, 100 bicuspids, and 100 anterior

in 1 part bleach, 10 parts water

300 teeth ...hmmm sounds pretty hard to get

 

[DGDDS]

What if you guys can't find teeth! 300 is very hard to find!

You mean to tell me you worked your butt off to get into dental school and you don't have the fortitude to find 300 teeth? 🙂
Just go ask some of the dentists you shadowed! Set up an easy system for them (i.e. mason jars of 1:10 bleach to water) so they can dump them in as they come in. Call other dental offices (especially oral surgeons) and see if they'll help. In my experience, dentists are really nice people and will help out anyone starting out in the profession. Good luck!

 

[xtractime]

tufts requires them.....but you won't need them until 2nd semester for your endo course. 1st semester you won;t need them so don't be worried if you do not have enough when school starts.