Dentist getting ready to apply to medical school.

[goldonboy]

I was wondering if my dental school GPA will affect my application to medical school. My undergraduate GPA prior to dental school was 3.8. My dental school GPA was 3.2. The dental school GPA is not very representative of how an individual performed at my particular program. For example, one of the classes that I had taken I received a 2.2, bought the highest grade in class was 2.5, and during the 4 years of the program, the grades were always up and down. To shorten up a long explanation, the grades if viewed from someone inside the program are more then ok, but if viewed from outside the program ,could appear bad. I am not sure if this is something I should even worry about, especially since I am already a physician. With experiences that not many applicants have, such as already having the first hand experience of being the primary care provider for patients. On top of that everything else about my application is stellar. Great letters, great experience, my reason for applying is very sound and seems to get great support for it. Not trying to sound arrogant, just trying to give everyone a fuller understanding of my situation. Just last few days, the GPA thing has been sitting in the back of my mind and wanted to get some feedback from people.

Thanks to anyone who can give some feedback about this.

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[mystifire]

I was wondering if my dental school GPA will affect my application to medical school. My undergraduate GPA prior to dental school was 3.8. My dental school GPA was 3.2. The dental school GPA is not very representative of how an individual performed at my particular program. For example, one of the classes that I had taken I received a 2.2, bought the highest grade in class was 2.5, and during the 4 years of the program, the grades were always up and down. To shorten up a long explanation, the grades if viewed from someone inside the program are more then ok, but if viewed from outside the program ,could appear bad. I am not sure if this is something I should even worry about, especially since I am already a physician. With experiences that not many applicants have, such as already having the first hand experience of being the primary care provider for patients. On top of that everything else about my application is stellar. Great letters, great experience, my reason for applying is very sound and seems to get great support for it. Not trying to sound arrogant, just trying to give everyone a fuller understanding of my situation. Just last few days, the GPA thing has been sitting in the back of my mind and wanted to get some feedback from people.

Thanks to anyone who can give some feedback about this.

I don't know much about dental school GPAs but I'm hoping, despite those stellar credentials, yours gets you rejected from medical school

 

[Lady Netter]

I don't know much about dental school GPAs but I'm hoping, despite those stellar credentials, yours gets you rejected from medical school

Harsh lol. I know at least two very successful MD/DMD/DDS (whichever one...) and they both have very legit, professional/career reasons for having both.

But honestly, I have no idea about the GPA thing. But if the rest of your app is good (MCAT score), then I don't think you have to worry too much more than the average applicant. Just apply to the right schools.

There's a pharmD and a DPT in my med school class, so having another professional degree should not be a reason why you can't get another one.

 

[goldonboy]

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate it.Just been curious is all. I am actually looking at going into a specialty that is a couple of my fellow colleagues have perused. They seem to really enjoy it and having my current background, seems like a great fit.

 

[deleted307836]

That's an interesting transition. What specialty are you looking at?

And with all due respect, I would avoid referring to yourself as a "physician" in any interview since dentists aren't usually considered physicians.

 

[goldonboy]

ENT. The name badges that we have at the hospital says physician, There is definitely a bias in the medical world against dentist, I know this. The main reason is that they are unaware of everything that we do. On a weekly basis, I am performing procedures that the common medical doctor would be surprised to know about. from the common cavity prep that everyone is most familiar with (even this is still a surgical procedure) to sinus lifts,surgical EXT,s,O&B's,placement of implants, tissue grafting, diagnosis and nonsurgical management of diseases of the orofacial complex and systemic and behavioral disorders that impact oral health, including:Orofacial pain, Neurosensory and motor disorders Mucosal diseases, Oral cancer and complications of cancer therapy, Oral complications of systemic illnesses. Some of the cases that present to us can be very interesting to try and figure out what is going on,especially when dealing with PT'S that are having acute and or chronic orofacial Pain. I already did plan on not using the term during the process just encase I ran into someone who may have a ego problem. the one the that the healthcare system is not lacking.
Physician As defined by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services in Sec. 1861.[42 U.S.C.1395x] of the
The term "physician," when used in connection with
the performance of any function or action, means
(1) a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally author-
ized to practice medicine and surgery by the State
in which he performs such function or action
(including a physician within the meaning of section
1101(a)(7)),
(2) a doctor of dental surgery or of dental medicine
who is legally authorized to practice dentistry by
the State in which he performs such function and
who is acting within the scope of his license when
he performs such functions

 

[Surive123]

ENT. The name badges that we have at the hospital says physician, There is definitely a bias in the medical world against dentist, I know this. The main reason is that they are unaware of everything that we do. On a weekly basis, I am performing procedures that the common medical doctor would be surprised to know about. from the common cavity prep that everyone is most familiar with (even this is still a surgical procedure) to sinus lifts,surgical EXT,s,O&B's,placement of implants, tissue grafting, diagnosis and nonsurgical management of diseases of the orofacial complex and systemic and behavioral disorders that impact oral health, including:Orofacial pain, Neurosensory and motor disorders Mucosal diseases, Oral cancer and complications of cancer therapy, Oral complications of systemic illnesses. Some of the cases that present to us can be very interesting to try and figure out what is going on,especially when dealing with PT'S that are having acute and or chronic orofacial Pain. I already did plan on not using the term during the process just encase I ran into someone who may have a ego problem. the one the that the healthcare system is not lacking.
Physician As defined by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services in Sec. 1861.[42 U.S.C.1395x] of the
The term “physician,” when used in connection with
the performance of any function or action, means
(1) a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally author-
ized to practice medicine and surgery by the State
in which he performs such function or action
(including a physician within the meaning of section
1101(a)(7)),
(2) a doctor of dental surgery or of dental medicine
who is legally authorized to practice dentistry by
the State in which he performs such function and
who is acting within the scope of his license when
he performs such functions

Essentially, physicians of the mouth.

Ain't no different than physicians of the colon etc.... 😎

Dentistry is practically a specialty of medicine that broke off the path that typical medicine takes.

Just for the purposes though - wouldn't use the term physician. Doctor would be more appropriate.

 

[TopTomato]

Why pursue medical school if you already are a dentist? The only reason I can see this being is that if some how somebody other than yourself paid for dental school and might be willing to pay for medical school as well. Seeing how both will put you into insane amounts of debt, and if you already graduated dental school you should be half a million dollars in debt, the fact that you would even consider putting yourself into a another half a million dollars in debt PLUS after you graduate make no money in residency leads me to believe that somewhere along the line dental school was free for you. I don't mean to be offensive but i'm just having trouble understanding why switch careers? Monetary reasons alone for the normal person would cause them not to consider doing such a thing.

 

[yehhhboiii]

Why pursue medical school if you already are a dentist? The only reason I can see this being is that if some how somebody other than yourself paid for dental school and might be willing to pay for medical school as well. Seeing how both will put you into insane amounts of debt, and if you already graduated dental school you should be half a million dollars in debt, the fact that you would even consider putting yourself into a another half a million dollars in debt PLUS after you graduate make no money in residency leads me to believe that somewhere along the line dental school was free for you. I don't mean to be offensive but i'm just having trouble understanding why switch careers? Monetary reasons alone for the normal person would cause them not to consider doing such a thing.

oral and maxillofacial surgery

 

[TopTomato]

oral and maxillofacial surgery

That's a specialty of dentistry..

 

[La Presse]

That's a specialty of dentistry..

Yes it is. It is also a residency program that sometimes awards an MD along with the DDS/DMD. This is the reason I almost decided to attend dental school. I am not sure what OP matched into after dental school, but he could have done a combined OMFS residency program.

 

[TopTomato]

Ahhhh I see, very interesting. Well that would make a lot of sense I suppose. I could only imagine how competitive such a spot would be.

 

[Hemorrage]

OP why not just apply to OMFS specialty programs? you'll get an MD in 6 years as well as being board certified to do facial surgery.. thats way less time than doing med school + residency (8+ years)

 

[Surive123]

OP why not just apply to OMFS specialty programs? you'll get an MD in 6 years as well as being board certified to do facial surgery.. thats way less time than doing med school + residency (8+ years)

You need to literally be in the top 10% of your class with amazing board scores (>90-95) and have extensive OMFS externship experience.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

If/when you apply-- UConn might look favorably on your past as a dentist since the med and dental schools are very closely intertwined-- 1st and 2nd years in both schools take the same classes and they have a degree program for students who want to do both. Not that you would be taking advantage of that, but I think it shows they might be more friendly to you than other schools.

 

[Hemorrage]

You need to literally be in the top 10% of your class with amazing board scores (>90-95) and have extensive OMFS externship experience.

Well it's not like getting into an allopathic school is any easier. If anything the OMFS route would be more personally fulfilling and relatively faster than doing med school from scratch

 

[Surive123]

Well it's not like getting into an allopathic school is any easier. If anything the OMFS route would be more personally fulfilling and relatively faster than doing med school from scratch

You are joking right? You are saying getting into a MD school is just as difficult as getting an OMFS residency?

lmao.....

 

[LizzyM]

I would strongly urge you to get a letter of recommendation from the dean of studnets at your dental school or someone in a similar capacity at that school who could interprete your dental school transcript and put it in context. If this person doesn't already know you well, you might need to make an appointment and provide access to your transcript and CV.

I have been in the care of an ENT who had started as a dentist (emergent problem, he was on call). Wonderful gentleman. Left me with warm fuzzies for dentists who want to be medical doctors.

Frankly, the aggressive trreatment of oral-facial cancers that can be done by an ENT who also understands how to deal with teeth, gums and jaw... it is getting two docs in one. Just don't ask me to sit through a continuing medical education slideshow.... it left me green.

 

[stems]

I was wondering if my dental school GPA will affect my application to medical school. My undergraduate GPA prior to dental school was 3.8. My dental school GPA was 3.2. The dental school GPA is not very representative of how an individual performed at my particular program. For example, one of the classes that I had taken I received a 2.2, bought the highest grade in class was 2.5, and during the 4 years of the program, the grades were always up and down. To shorten up a long explanation, the grades if viewed from someone inside the program are more then ok, but if viewed from outside the program ,could appear bad. I am not sure if this is something I should even worry about, especially since I am already a physician. With experiences that not many applicants have, such as already having the first hand experience of being the primary care provider for patients. On top of that everything else about my application is stellar. Great letters, great experience, my reason for applying is very sound and seems to get great support for it. Not trying to sound arrogant, just trying to give everyone a fuller understanding of my situation. Just last few days, the GPA thing has been sitting in the back of my mind and wanted to get some feedback from people.

Thanks to anyone who can give some feedback about this.

delete

 

[Surive123]

Lol, this guy's a troll whose trying to say dentists are equal to physicians. He's not really trying to get into medical school. Kind of a funny thread I must admit!

My dad's a dentist and he still gets angry when I tell him dentists aren't real doctors! I'm a PGY-4 resident so this is after 15 years or so of me joking and him still being sensitive about it! 😛 Relax goldenboy it doesn't matter what others think of you, it's what you think of yourself that matters

 

[stems]

Lol I knew Surive123 and goldenboy was the same person posting under different names.

 

[Hemorrage]

Lol, this guy's a troll whose trying to say dentists are equal to physicians. He's not really trying to get into medical school. Kind of a funny thread I must admit!

My dad's a dentist and he still gets angry when I tell him dentists aren't real doctors! I'm a PGY-4 resident so this is after 15 years or so of me joking and him still being sensitive about it! 😛 Relax goldenboy it doesn't matter what others think of you, it's what you think of yourself that matters

Not really sure why dentists wouldn't be consider "doctors". They have a doctorate degree in dentistry, if you mean physician then no they aren't. Then again this goes in a circle. If dentistry was a sub specialty of medicine then would they be "doctors" then? Yes. The mere fact that dentists went to dental school doesn't make them any less qualified than a "doctor" to treat ailments of their specific cavity.

 

[stems]

Not really sure why dentists wouldn't be consider "doctors". They have a doctorate degree in dentistry, if you mean physician then no they aren't. Then again this goes in a circle. If dentistry was a sub specialty of medicine then would they be "doctors" then? Yes. The mere fact that dentists went to dental school doesn't make them any less qualified than a "doctor" to treat ailments of their specific cavity.

I just think it's just comical how this guy is so sensitive about it. He's prolly some dental student on spring break whose bored so decides to start these stupid threads.

 

[Surive123]

Lol I knew Surive123 and goldenboy was the same person posting under different names.

Not sure how you would come to that conclusion.