DDS/PhD program at UIC

[june_sp]

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has anyone done it? for those who are pursuing this path, how was the experience and do you recommend it? what are the career options after getting the degree? waste of time or worthwhile? do people specialize after?

 

[SuperC]

Unless you have your heart set on research I don't think I would go down this path. I am sure it would help with specializing, but hey... you could get good grades instead.

-C

 

[TKD]

has anyone done it? for those who are pursuing this path, how was the experience and do you recommend it? what are the career options after getting the degree? waste of time or worthwhile? do people specialize after?

Do a search here on SDN, there is someone on where who's doing (or did??) DDS/PhD in Texas I believe? I think he left his email for interested ppl to contact him. It's not for everyone, but there are definite plusses. Firstly, your tuition will be very low (waived?) in dental school, and you'll get a nice stipend during the PhD portion. Sure, it'll absolutely open up doors to specialize. Career options are teaching, basic science or clinical research (academic or private), consulting, and of course private practice (either part or full-time). If you're the type of person who likes research it's a good option. Many schools offer it (Maryland, UCSF, UConn come to mind), and even if they don't have a formal program , they'll probably be open to designing one.

 

[Stanford Fencer]

As someone doing a DDS/PhD at UCSF, I would add that it's really important to know what you will do with that PhD, should you choose to do it, in conjunction with a DDS.

What was once a defining 'graduate' degree (the PhD), is now, like many other professions, an intermediary, leading to a post-doc that is more final and critical. The decision to do a PhD is not light, because with a 3 year postdoc that typically follows, you'll be having a hard time realizing why do the 4 years of DDS?

Should you not want to do a postdoc, and not do more science after the program, then you'll be wondering why you did the PhD?

Certainly, you could be the DDS/PhD that does both a research postdoc and a dental specialty afterwards...

I suppose you could retire when you are 'done'. 😀

Bottom line of my message: if one is planning the DDS/PhD route, plan ahead!

 

[june_sp]

thanks everyone for being helpful