Dental School after MD

[NAECH]

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I am a general surgery resident considering a career change to OMFS. I am concerned however about putting in the 4 years of dental school. Does anyone know of dental schools that offer advanced standing for MD's or OMFS residencies that can somehow group dental school and OMFS much the way 6 year OMFSA programs lump med school and residency?

 

[mamelons]

I am not sure if this is the case anymore, but I think there used to be (might still be) some OMS residencies that take MD students, but I imagine it is highly competitive, and pretty rare.

 

[QCkid]

You're about the 50 thousandth person to ask this question. Do a little search and I'll bet you pull up some info. We had some guys in my D-school that went exactly that route but they had to do all 4 years. However, I know of some schools that will cut some of the time off for you. Thats where the search will come in. It should turn up some of the schools that'll hook you up. Good luck.

 

[gryffindor]

It's odd how this question regularly crops up almost every 4 months or so for the past few years now. I think those threads all said "Michigan." Or maybe Louisville. I don't know, definitely do a search.

 

[SloppyJoe]

i don't think you can skip at all, because in order to be a licensed oral surgeon, you need to take dental boards. and that means part 1,2 and clinical.

 

[Count Orlok]

Alabama, Michigan, and Maryland all come to mind as places that let you do this and i think they make you take somewhere around 3 years of dental school.

 

[dentstd]

Columbia'll give you advanced standing in their DMD program.

 

[Dr.Millisevert]

Columbia'll give you advanced standing in their DMD program.

Columbia's dental school grants a DDS degree. (not that it matters 🙂

... and you're correct. Columbia has a 3 year dental school option for those with medical degrees who are interested in Maxillofacial surgery.

 

[ktcook83]

Michigan did indeed do this for one former general surgery resident.

They allowed him to combine years 1 and 2 of dental school into one and finish the DDS in 3 years.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Katalyst]

My family practice doctor growing up arranged a deal with UoP to pass the Part 1 boards on his own and enter into clinical. Kind of a waste of time to learn to do fillings and crowns for OMFS, but it's better than communist education.

 

[Dr.Millisevert]

My family practice doctor growing up arranged a deal with UoP to pass the Part 1 boards on his own and enter into clinical. Kind of a waste of time to learn to do fillings and crowns for OMFS, but it's better than communist education.

I disagree. As an OMFS you will still do lots of dento-alveolar surgery. Taking out teeth and doing apecetomies, etc I believe requires a good general dental education. Not to mention that most if not all of your referrals are still going to come from general dentists. Having this experiences in general dentistry will allow you to better communicate with your dental colleagues. You should also have a good experience of what other restorative options are available for teeth and know when each may be a superior option for a particular patient. 👍

 

[bipolardoc]

Does this actually happen? Do people leave the medical profession to enter dental school often? I mean it's alot of years and leaving a very lucurative field and losing opportunity income. Anyone have ex-MD students or MDs in their classes? Not the stories that I heard a friends, friends brothers friend stuff, but actually in their class, what was their story. This is very interesting, never heard of this senerio before/\.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Does this actually happen? Do people leave the medical profession to enter dental school often? I mean it's alot of years and leaving a very lucurative field and losing opportunity income. Anyone have ex-MD students or MDs in their classes? Not the stories that I heard a friends, friends brothers friend stuff, but actually in their class, what was their story. This is very interesting, never heard of this senerio before/\.

I had two in my class, a husband and wife. They were starting to have more kids and wanted to actually have time to see them grow up.

 

[bipolardoc]

I had two in my class, a husband and wife. They were starting to have more kids and wanted to actually have time to see them grow up.

Yikes interesting, and sitting in dental school for all those hours and studying all those hours is going to give them time, with all the lost money with lost of potential income. If they just spent the time working they could of retired 10 years earlier, or if they just had one of them stay at home for 4 years and switched up they could of made the same. Crazy if this story is true.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Yikes interesting, and sitting in dental school for all those hours and studying all those hours is going to give them time, with all the lost money with lost of potential income. If they just spent the time working they could of retired 10 years earlier, or if they just had one of them stay at home for 4 years and switched up they could of made the same. Crazy if this story is true.

Why would I lie and make up a story? Just because it may not be a choice you would have made does not make it wrong or stupid. They both made the decision for personal reasons, much of it based on the type of lifestyle they could have as a dentist as opposed to staying a physician. Money was not a problem for them, so basing their longterm goals solely on that aspect didn't apply. They were both very friendly people and an invaluable asset to our class.

 

[Lopyswine]

Yikes interesting, and sitting in dental school for all those hours and studying all those hours is going to give them time, with all the lost money with lost of potential income. If they just spent the time working they could of retired 10 years earlier, or if they just had one of them stay at home for 4 years and switched up they could of made the same. Crazy if this story is true.

dude, EVERY post you make is a borderline flame. Are you capable on engaging in intelligent conversation without jumping to conclusions and instigating stuff?

I am going through the amazing posts you've made in the last week and I am astounded at how inflammatory you act. If you're not flat out insulting dentistry you are making passive-aggressive jabs at it.

You created a thread concerning all your oral health problems. To get these treated you will have go to a dental PROFESSIONAL. Maybe after years of treatment you'll have a better understanding of what we are being trained to do.

 

[shabu2]

Columbia's dental school grants a DDS degree. (not that it matters 🙂

... and you're correct. Columbia has a 3 year dental school option for those with medical degrees who are interested in Maxillofacial surgery.

The three year advanced standing is not just for MD interested going to OMFS. It is to get your DDS and become a dentist. You would have to apply, just like everyone else to go to OMFS, even with an MD (although this would prob help your app immensely).

 

[MONKEYBOY]

Call up individual schools. You are a great asset, and I bet a great school would love to have you study there. Good luck!

 

[rvarsity]

I had two in my class, a husband and wife. They were starting to have more kids and wanted to actually have time to see them grow up.

Wow, really? That's alot of school and lots of loans.

I know plenty of residents who say if they were to do it over again they would have (1) gone to dental school instead of med school and an equal number of young dentists say they would have (2) gone to med school instead of dental school. But to finish one and then do the other? yikes.

By the way, if they were both physicians they could have each worked part time (30 hrs/week or less) in Anesth/Rads/ER and have plenty of time to see their kids grow up.

 

[Guy Smiley]

Wow, really? That's alot of school and lots of loans.

I know plenty of residents who say if they were to do it over again they would have (1) gone to dental school instead of med school and an equal number of young dentists say they would have (2) gone to med school instead of dental school. But to finish one and then do the other? yikes.

By the way, if they were both physicians they could have each worked part time (30 hrs/week or less) in Anesth/Rads/ER and have plenty of time to see their kids grow up.

You assume both these grads had the Step I scores, GPA's, and letters of rec to get into Anesthesia or whatever. It's just as likely that they both matched into family medicine.

 

[nightowl]

I am a third year medical student considering going back to dental school. Here are my reasons:
1. It is a lot more flexible than the medical field, generally. That is, unless you are competitive enough to do a derm residency, which I'm not. In addition, if you look at income considering hours worked, dentists are making more than family doctors or general pediatrics, and have less paperwork/malpractice BS to deal with. It's rare to see a doctor doing primary care pulling in 190k working 38 hours/week, yet dentists do it everyday.

2. Dentistry combines surgery/procedures with awesome hours. I have found that I am a procedural type person, having done my rotations in medical school. I would ideally do a procedural type job, but want great hours. Most procedure heavy jobs in medicine have either really long hours (surgery) or no control over schedule such as working nights (ER) or taking call and having to work with grumpy, demanding surgeons (anesthesia). Plus, if you prefer the feel of the clinic, you are really limited in medicine. Most of those jobs are going to limit you to the hospital.

3. circumstances change. I came to medical school thinking I wouldn't mind working really long hours. I ended up getting married after my first year in medicine and my husband is going into surgery. We want children, and my priorities have shifted. I am more concerned with having time off with my kids and the option to work part-time, and less concerned with doing some time intensive specialty that I considered as a pre-med.

4. no matter how terrible dental school is, it can't be as bad as residency training. I am currently almost 3/4ths done with medical school, and I really preferred years 1 and 2 to clinicals. I think the studying is the fun part

5. A lot of the reasons I find to be gratifying about medicine would carry over to dentistry--> still in the health field, still have tons of mission work opportunities, still interact with people and are improving their health/quality of life, etc.

As far as the cons, the biggest one is I already have so much debt. Going back to dental school would double it, putting me at about 250k 🙁

anyway, I'd love to hear some input/encouragement/criticism from dental people.... I am really considering making the switch...

 

[pntbutter]

I am a third year medical student considering going back to dental school. Here are my reasons:
1. It is a lot more flexible than the medical field, generally. That is, unless you are competitive enough to do a derm residency, which I'm not. In addition, if you look at income considering hours worked, dentists are making more than family doctors or general pediatrics, and have less paperwork/malpractice BS to deal with. It's rare to see a doctor doing primary care pulling in 190k working 38 hours/week, yet dentists do it everyday.

2. Dentistry combines surgery/procedures with awesome hours. I have found that I am a procedural type person, having done my rotations in medical school. I would ideally do a procedural type job, but want great hours. Most procedure heavy jobs in medicine have either really long hours (surgery) or no control over schedule such as working nights (ER) or taking call and having to work with grumpy, demanding surgeons (anesthesia). Plus, if you prefer the feel of the clinic, you are really limited in medicine. Most of those jobs are going to limit you to the hospital.

3. circumstances change. I came to medical school thinking I wouldn't mind working really long hours. I ended up getting married after my first year in medicine and my husband is going into surgery. We want children, and my priorities have shifted. I am more concerned with having time off with my kids and the option to work part-time, and less concerned with doing some time intensive specialty that I considered as a pre-med.

4. no matter how terrible dental school is, it can't be as bad as residency training. I am currently almost 3/4ths done with medical school, and I really preferred years 1 and 2 to clinicals. I think the studying is the fun part

5. A lot of the reasons I find to be gratifying about medicine would carry over to dentistry--> still in the health field, still have tons of mission work opportunities, still interact with people and are improving their health/quality of life, etc.

As far as the cons, the biggest one is I already have so much debt. Going back to dental school would double it, putting me at about 250k 🙁

anyway, I'd love to hear some input/encouragement/criticism from dental people.... I am really considering making the switch...

I think that you should shadow and gather as much info about dentistry as possible to get a good idea of whether it would be something you would enjoy doing. Talk to both established dentists as well as newly graduated dentists. As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side. I'd say only make the switch if you think you would truly enjoy practicing dentistry versus medicine because if it is only for money and lifestyle, I don't think it'd be worth it, especially considering you have already invested money and time into 2 plus years of med school. I believe that you have the opportunity in medicine to have a reasonable lifestyle, even work part-time if you are ok with making less money. You also have a wider variety of career options with a MD than DMD if you happen to change your mind about your career goals in the future.

being 250k in debt overall isn't bad really. Most dental students these days will come out 200-300k in debt. I would also contact specific schools as it is likely that some of your med school classes could be counted towards dental school courses as we both study similar basic science courses the first two years.

I agree that you have much more flexibility with your schedule and have the opportunity to make very good money in dentistry, but getting through dental school can be mentally and physically challenging, especially if you are not a technically oriented person and have poor manual dexterity, as you will have to put in more extra work and practice more. My roomate is a med student on 3rd year rotations and I think so far she has had it easier than me in terms of workload. However I think that residency and intern year will suck pretty bad for her. She has also had doubts about continuing with medical school because she wants to settle down and start a family but continues on because of the time and money already invested. Have you discussed your idea of switching with your husband?

Anyway best of luck with your decision and feel free to PM me if you need any more info!

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

I am a third year medical student considering going back to dental school. Here are my reasons:
1. It is a lot more flexible than the medical field, generally. That is, unless you are competitive enough to do a derm residency, which I'm not. In addition, if you look at income considering hours worked, dentists are making more than family doctors or general pediatrics, and have less paperwork/malpractice BS to deal with. It's rare to see a doctor doing primary care pulling in 190k working 38 hours/week, yet dentists do it everyday.

2. Dentistry combines surgery/procedures with awesome hours. I have found that I am a procedural type person, having done my rotations in medical school. I would ideally do a procedural type job, but want great hours. Most procedure heavy jobs in medicine have either really long hours (surgery) or no control over schedule such as working nights (ER) or taking call and having to work with grumpy, demanding surgeons (anesthesia). Plus, if you prefer the feel of the clinic, you are really limited in medicine. Most of those jobs are going to limit you to the hospital.

3. circumstances change. I came to medical school thinking I wouldn't mind working really long hours. I ended up getting married after my first year in medicine and my husband is going into surgery. We want children, and my priorities have shifted. I am more concerned with having time off with my kids and the option to work part-time, and less concerned with doing some time intensive specialty that I considered as a pre-med.

4. no matter how terrible dental school is, it can't be as bad as residency training. I am currently almost 3/4ths done with medical school, and I really preferred years 1 and 2 to clinicals. I think the studying is the fun part

5. A lot of the reasons I find to be gratifying about medicine would carry over to dentistry--> still in the health field, still have tons of mission work opportunities, still interact with people and are improving their health/quality of life, etc.

As far as the cons, the biggest one is I already have so much debt. Going back to dental school would double it, putting me at about 250k 🙁

anyway, I'd love to hear some input/encouragement/criticism from dental people.... I am really considering making the switch...

Hello,

From the reasons you have given, it appears dentistry is right for you. I have been in dentistry for almost 20 years and it is the BEST investment I have made in my life! DP

 

[bipolardoc]

Hello,

From the reasons you have given, it appears dentistry is right for you. I have been in dentistry for almost 20 years and it is the BEST investment I have made in my life! DP

Would you care to elaborate more. In what ways do you think so other than financial.

 

[Contach]

I think that you are a very strong person to be able to go through so much schooling and reflect on your current position to better your future. A lot of people would not have the strength to admit this to themselves and begin reevaluating - I wish you the best!

 

[MONKEYBOY]

Why would I lie and make up a story? Just because it may not be a choice you would have made does not make it wrong or stupid. They both made the decision for personal reasons, much of it based on the type of lifestyle they could have as a dentist as opposed to staying a physician. Money was not a problem for them, so basing their longterm goals solely on that aspect didn't apply. They were both very friendly people and an invaluable asset to our class.

It sounds totally reasonable to leave medical school, residency, or medicine practice to become a dentist.

Consider:
1.) Being a DO or MD, and starting dental school will allow that student to probably not need to study much. If they are even devoting 45hrs/week to dental school, it is a lot less than the 55hrs/week estimated averages that physicians work.

2.) General Dentistry respects the doctor of dentistry more than medicine respects the doctor of medicine (DO & MD). Rights that have been kept for dental doctors versus medical doctors show this across many topics.

3.) A fellow on the admissions committee at my school responded to my asking about this phenomenon here (physician applying to dental school) and he said, "we see this all the time."

It may be suprising, but this apparently has been going on for a while.

 

[shabu2]

always one or two MD's who jump ship in classes at columbia