dental residents of SDN: did any of you work in general dentistry before doing residency?

[FutureDoctor?]

Did anyone work as a general dentist for several years and then decide to apply to a residency program? What is that process like, shifting from general dentistry to a speciality? Just curious.

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[tc434]

Did anyone work as a general dentist for several years and then decide to apply to a residency program? What is that process like, shifting from general dentistry to a speciality? Just curious.

Yes practiced for about 7 years before going back to residency. The application is a lot to get together but being back in school is like a vacation compared to going to work everyday.

 

[FutureDoctor?]

Yes practiced for about 7 years before going back to residency. The application is a lot to get together but being back in school is like a vacation compared to going to work everyday.

If you don't mind me asking, which specialty did you decide to pursue, tc434?

 

[2TH MVR]

No. 1st: AEGD. Then went straight into specialty school.

 

[vellnueve]

5 years including an AEGD before coming back. Beneficial in some ways, but more difficult in many ways as well.

 

[tc434]

If you don't mind me asking, which specialty did you decide to pursue, tc434?

Endo. When you start interviewing you realize that most applicants have a bit of experience. At least in endo. Other residency programs at our school seem to be mostly new grads but everyone in endo is married with kids lol

 

[auths4]

worked for four years before going back and doing endo. like a previous poster said it was a nice change in pace from private practice and i'd definitely do it again

 

[TanMan]

Was it hard to go from private practice to residency?

 

[tc434]

Was it hard to go from private practice to residency?

Not really because you know what dental school is like. Everything takes longer. We have assistants but they're not really there to sit chairside and assist, they're there more to help if you need something or help turn over your op. So you're irrigating an upper molar through the scope but also doing your own suction, and taking your own xrays again. You're not trying to cruise through a procedure as fast as you can, you're trying to do it at the highest level that you can.
The reading is a lot in the beginning, I had to knock some rust off the gears and get them turning again. It was a little uncomfortable for the first few weeks but have found a groove. Overall it's a great experience. Having a little bit of experience really helps, especially when you hear things that you remember from dental achool but now have the experience to have seen it in practice it makes much more sense.

 

[RoseEndo]

Not really because you know what dental school is like. Everything takes longer. We have assistants but they're not really there to sit chairside and assist, they're there more to help if you need something or help turn over your op. So you're irrigating an upper molar through the scope but also doing your own suction, and taking your own xrays again. You're not trying to cruise through a procedure as fast as you can, you're trying to do it at the highest level that you can.
The reading is a lot in the beginning, I had to knock some rust off the gears and get them turning again. It was a little uncomfortable for the first few weeks but have found a groove. Overall it's a great experience. Having a little bit of experience really helps, especially when you hear things that you remember from dental achool but now have the experience to have seen it in practice it makes much more sense.

TC, I am glad you entered residency. I remember the days I was one of very few posters on this forum. I feel it is time to retire, and let you and other bright minds to be a voice for Endo specialty.

 

[tc434]

TC, I am glad you entered residency. I remember the days I was one of very few posters on this forum. I feel it is time to retire, and let you and other bright minds to be a voice for Endo specialty.

RoseEndo stick around. I appreciate the help and guidance you gave when I was applying, you always have good advice to give.

 

[periopocket]

No, I entered residency immediately. I wanted to get it over with right away so I could start earning money. I made sure that I would only attend a residency that paid me to be there.