****Do they really look at DAT for OMFS Residency?****

[zoralsurgeon]

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Hey guys and girls,

So...I'm accepted into dental school.......

And I am 1 MILLION % sure I am going to specialize in OMFS (been shadowing it for the last 6 years)... However, a few people from the ds are telling me that I should try to get a higher dat score because they look at it before going to oral & maxillofacial surgery residency...

Is this true?

B/c it sounds like a bunch of bs to me! I thought all residency programs cared about were class rank, gpa, board scores, and involvement......?

Please let me know!

Thanks!!

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Thanks in advance!

 

[Regmata]

Some of them even look at your undergrad grades...

 

[6897round2]

Hey guys and girls,

So...I'm accepted into dental school.......

And I am 1 MILLION % sure I am going to specialize in OMFS (been shadowing it for the last 6 years)... However, a few people from the ds are telling me that I should try to get a higher dat score because they look at it before going to oral & maxillofacial surgery residency...

Is this true?

B/c it sounds like a bunch of bs to me! I thought all residency programs cared about were class rank, gpa, board scores, and involvement......?

Please let me know!

Thanks!!

I really wouldn't sweat it. You will take the dental boards (or some specialty exam with standardized scoring) and likely also have a dental school GPA and ranking, so your DAT score will likely not be looked at even a tiny bit.

Anybody who tells you that your DAT score matters for OMFS residency is either a) trying to mess with you or b) completely clueless.

The previous poster was correct that they look at your undergrad grades, but this is usually for MD-integrated programs where the medical school has some say in who gets an interview.

Even in the case of undergrad GPA, there are a number of OMFS residents who, for one reason or another, had less-than-stellar undergrad grades and still matched into terrific OMFS programs.

Keep your head up and just work like a dog in dental school.

 

[armorshell]

There is 1 program out of 100 something that requests your DAT scores (LLU).

 

[zoralsurgeon]

I really wouldn't sweat it. You will take the dental boards (or some specialty exam with standardized scoring) and likely also have a dental school GPA and ranking, so your DAT score will likely not be looked at even a tiny bit.

Anybody who tells you that your DAT score matters for OMFS residency is either a) trying to mess with you or b) completely clueless.

The previous poster was correct that they look at your undergrad grades, but this is usually for MD-integrated programs where the medical school has some say in who gets an interview.

Even in the case of undergrad GPA, there are a number of OMFS residents who, for one reason or another, had less-than-stellar undergrad grades and still matched into terrific OMFS programs.

Keep your head up and just work like a dog in dental school.

Thanks for the reply! Do you think, perhaps, they want me to raise my score to raise the schools dat average of acceptance? I got 19's as a sophomore before taking biochem, genetics, immunology, and pathogenic microbio. I mean I am confident in that I truly could raise it significantly, but since I am into DS already, why the heck should I for one, pay another two hundred and some bucks, and two - go through that 5 hour long test!

As far as undergrad. grades go...I have a 3.95 (damn organic 1, how do i pull an A in orgo 2 and a B in 1?...fml lol)....I am double majoring in Human Bio and Business...and I am the Student Government Assoc. President...please note I am not bragging or boasting - bc Im certainly not. I'm curious as to whether these can over-rule these people at the DS wanting me to retake the dat!!!!! It seems ridiculous!!! Oh, and I'm fluent in Spanish...what more do these people seriously want...lol...me to get 20's? I dont understand! lol!

let me know what you think! Sorry for typing a book!

 

[Atu14]

Thanks for the reply! Do you think, perhaps, they want me to raise my score to raise the schools dat average of acceptance? I got 19's as a sophomore before taking biochem, genetics, immunology, and pathogenic microbio. I mean I am confident in that I truly could raise it significantly, but since I am into DS already, why the heck should I for one, pay another two hundred and some bucks, and two - go through that 5 hour long test!

As far as undergrad. grades go...I have a 3.95 (damn organic 1, how do i pull an A in orgo 2 and a B in 1?...fml lol)....I am double majoring in Human Bio and Business...and I am the Student Government Assoc. President...please note I am not bragging or boasting - bc Im certainly not. I'm curious as to whether these can over-rule these people at the DS wanting me to retake the dat!!!!! It seems ridiculous!!! Oh, and I'm fluent in Spanish...what more do these people seriously want...lol...me to get 20's? I dont understand! lol!

let me know what you think! Sorry for typing a book!

🤣
A TRUE GUNNER!!

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Now back to my initial sincere question... Anyone!?

 

[eventualOMFS]

Look bud (atu) - I came here for very valuable advice from some people who care; take your insulting, derogatory words and shove 'em where the sun doesn't shine!

Now back to my initial sincere question... Anyone!?

Unless ATU edited his post, I don't think he was being all that insulting/derogatory.

To answer your question - no, don't bother re-taking the DAT. Your Part I board scores and GPA will matter. How you interact with other humans will matter. Your DAT score will not (in almost all cases) matter.

I too applied to DS after working for 4+ years assisting oral surgeons, thinking that I would def go for oral surgery. I'm now a first-year dental student. I'm getting good grades in DS, but I have already realized that I am no longer 100% sure about oral surgery, due to the time commitment (I'm married) and the highly competitive application process. I'm still interested, and I'm part of the OS club, etc. But I've also realized that every dental class will seem extremely boring if I only want to do OS! Most of dental school is just that....dentistry.

I'm not doubting your ability; it sounds like you're a very hard worker. My biggest piece of advice would be to go to DS with an open mind. Work your butt off and keep your possible options open. At the most, you might find something you enjoy more - at the very least, at least you won't be completely miserable for the 3.5 years that you aren't doing oral surgery!

Congrats on your acceptance and best of luck!

 

[Atu14]

Hey guys and girls,

So...I'm accepted into dental school.......

And I am 1 MILLION % sure I am going to specialize in OMFS (been shadowing it for the last 6 years)... However, a few people from the ds are telling me that I should try to get a higher dat score because they look at it before going to oral & maxillofacial surgery residency...

Is this true?

B/c it sounds like a bunch of bs to me! I thought all residency programs cared about were class rank, gpa, board scores, and involvement......?

Please let me know!

Thanks!!

Unless ATU edited his post, I don't think he was being all that insulting/derogatory.

To answer your question - no, don't bother re-taking the DAT. Your Part I board scores and GPA will matter. How you interact with other humans will matter. Your DAT score will not (in almost all cases) matter.

I too applied to DS after working for 4+ years assisting oral surgeons, thinking that I would def go for oral surgery. I'm now a first-year dental student. I'm getting good grades in DS, but I have already realized that I am no longer 100% sure about oral surgery, due to the time commitment (I'm married) and the highly competitive application process. I'm still interested, and I'm part of the OS club, etc. But I've also realized that every dental class will seem extremely boring if I only want to do OS! Most of dental school is just that....dentistry.

I'm not doubting your ability; it sounds like you're a very hard worker. My biggest piece of advice would be to go to DS with an open mind. Work your butt off and keep your possible options open. At the most, you might find something you enjoy more - at the very least, at least you won't be completely miserable for the 3.5 years that you aren't doing oral surgery!

Congrats on your acceptance and best of luck!

Insulting and derogatory? LOL, ever heard of the word SARCASM??

eventual, he is 1 million % sure he wants to be an OS. I wish he had some direct route of skipping D school, straight to OMFS programs.
Btw, Zoral, can you tell us what do you like about OMFS? Why are you so passionate about OMFS?

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Insulting and derogatory? LOL, ever heard of the word SARCASM??

eventual, he is 1 million % sure he wants to be an OS. I wish he had some direct route of skipping D school, straight to OMFS programs.
Btw, Zoral, can you tell us what do you like about OMFS? Why are you so passionate about OMFS?

lol. Yes. I have. imagine that!

To answer your question in a manner that wouldn't take us days to read....I'd like to mention that I truly feel that it is a calling from God.

I've had the amazing opportunities to travel around the world (mexico 3 times) and argentina...to assist with dentistry and oral surgery cases. I've been able to gain a greater understanding of the culture and the language, being able to become fluent at the same time network with hundreds of people, physicians, etc.

My favorite omfs cases that I've been present on were: (1) bullet to the maxilla, (2) facial reconstruction after vehicle accident, (3) orthognatic surgery procedure - cleft palate, (4) TONS of oral cancer, (5) tons of extractions both simple and difficult..., (6) implants... and (7) a few plastic surgery cases...(8) alveoplasties...etc...

I have been so very fortunate to be able to see these as I've been able to gain a great relationship with the surgeon in my region. In fact, he wants me to take over his practice when I'm done..But I'm really considering doing Navy or Air Force before opening private practice....In fact I have two meetings coming up over Christmas vacay..

I too have shadowing general dentistry and prosthodontics, as well as ortho..but truthully OMFS, for some reason, interests me MUCH more! It's crazy to think about....

And who knows where I'll end up...

But until then, I was just sincerely asking whether my dat is necessary for omfs residency interviews...and I have kind of come up with the consensus that they are quite...pointless for that🙂

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Unless ATU edited his post, I don't think he was being all that insulting/derogatory.

To answer your question - no, don't bother re-taking the DAT. Your Part I board scores and GPA will matter. How you interact with other humans will matter. Your DAT score will not (in almost all cases) matter.

I too applied to DS after working for 4+ years assisting oral surgeons, thinking that I would def go for oral surgery. I'm now a first-year dental student. I'm getting good grades in DS, but I have already realized that I am no longer 100% sure about oral surgery, due to the time commitment (I'm married) and the highly competitive application process. I'm still interested, and I'm part of the OS club, etc. But I've also realized that every dental class will seem extremely boring if I only want to do OS! Most of dental school is just that....dentistry.

I'm not doubting your ability; it sounds like you're a very hard worker. My biggest piece of advice would be to go to DS with an open mind. Work your butt off and keep your possible options open. At the most, you might find something you enjoy more - at the very least, at least you won't be completely miserable for the 3.5 years that you aren't doing oral surgery!

Congrats on your acceptance and best of luck!

Hey, I want you to know I really value your reply. Thanks for taking the time to write this. It really meant a lot to hear it from that angle.

I most definitely need to keep my mind open...and hey, I wish you the best of luck with your career as well! Thank yoU!

 

[homegrown85]

To be a little redundant, it really depends on which program you are applying. Even though programs do not advertise that they include this information in their evaluation of an applicant, does not mean that they won't check or ask you during an interview. The best route would probably be to speak with the higher orders of the programs you are interested in, hearing it directly from the bulls mouth is usually the best way of insuring accurate info.

As far as your complete positivity of entering into OMFS goes: First off that's great that you are so compassionate about this career; however, I would be careful about how I let this shape my mindset for DS. Many people aspire to become OMFS, Ortho, etc. but are just not able to attain the grades/scores needed for continuing their education in these areas (I'm not doubting your determination or academic skill at all, just cautioning). Most OMFS programs require 90+ on boards, and top of class; neither of which is an easy feat(but possible still). Not to ruffle feathers, but if you would not be content/happy being a "dentist", you are only setting yourself up for disappointment (in the off chance you have a bad semester in DS, or for some reason you wake up on the wrong side of the bed on Board day).
- just thoughts to ponder

I wish you the best of luck and continued success, and I hope that you become a great and successful OMFS. Just work as hard as you can will the goal being to become a great dentist with the possibility of entering OMFS, not the other way around.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

To be a little redundant, it really depends on which program you are applying. Even though programs do not advertise that they include this information in their evaluation of an applicant, does not mean that they won't check or ask you during an interview. The best route would probably be to speak with the higher orders of the programs you are interested in, hearing it directly from the bulls mouth is usually the best way of insuring accurate info.

As far as your complete positivity of entering into OMFS goes: First off that's great that you are so compassionate about this career; however, I would be careful about how I let this shape my mindset for DS. Many people aspire to become OMFS, Ortho, etc. but are just not able to attain the grades/scores needed for continuing their education in these areas (I'm not doubting your determination or academic skill at all, just cautioning). Most OMFS programs require 90+ on boards, and top of class; neither of which is an easy feat(but possible still). Not to ruffle feathers, but if you would not be content/happy being a "dentist", you are only setting yourself up for disappointment (in the off chance you have a bad semester in DS, or for some reason you wake up on the wrong side of the bed on Board day).
- just thoughts to ponder

I wish you the best of luck and continued success, and I hope that you become a great and successful OMFS. Just work as hard as you can will the goal being to become a great dentist with the possibility of entering OMFS, not the other way around.

Hey! I appreciate the advice. And its well taken and understood. I completely hear you. Either way, I will be content as I love dentistry...

But as aforementioned, omfs is my goal...and im quite the determined person...so if it is meant to be and God wants me to become one, I'm confident that it will happen.

I appreciate the good advice and all..but I am curious your opinion....what are these pass/fail boards going to do for people like me wanting to get into residency??? I'm just going to have to have impressive extracurriculars or what.....? Because basically everyone passes, or eventually passes, the boards.......ya know? Just curious!!

Thanks much for your advice...and to you I wish the best of success as well. I better get to studying for my final in the morning! 🙂

 

[Mulberry Tooth]

IMO, You are being too obssessed with OMFS at this point. I suggest you start DS first, and see if you can rank in the top 10-20% of your class, and pull up a +90 on your boards. Later, you can worry about your DAT score, which I doubt will have an effect on specializing. Good luck anyways.

 

[armorshell]

I really don't understand why everyone is riding zorasurgeon for knowing he wants to do oral surgery. He's a pre-dent who has done a wealth of shadowing in OMFS (and presumably general dentistry as well), so I can conclude that if he's had a good shadowing experience in OMFS, he can know he wants to do OMFS just about as much as any of us "knew" we wanted to go in to general dentistry.

Even those of us in dental school get away with surprisingly little actual experience in the whole scope of OMFS to make career decisions. I've met a more than a few OMFS residents who had done zero externships, and far more who did only 1-2 weeks. I'd conjecture our friend here might know he wants OMFS more than some people eagerly waiting for January 25 to roll around.

Lastly, why does it matter if he tries and can't make the grades/boards. Obviously that will hurt his ego, and might be a little embarrassing (Say if he tells all his classmates he wants OMFS), but knowing from the start can also serve as a great motivator, and a huge advantage in terms of time. Time in dental school is something you just don't have too much of, and having an extra 1-2 years to shadow in OMFS clinic, go on externships, buddy up to the residents at your home school and do research is invaluable.

zoralsurgeon, for your own sake though, I'd rein in your enthusiasm just a notch, if only because people will continue to see it as precocious. As a dental student, you're socially expected (At least for the first year) to say things like "Oh I'm just waiting to see how things work out" or "I'm getting good grades just to keep my options open." Don't worry about the DAT (It's meaningless everywhere except possibly the one program I mentioned above, and spend your time worrying about the 5 big criteria for OMFS admission: Boards, rank, externships, LORs and research.

 

[anschutz1913]

I really don't understand why everyone is riding zorasurgeon for knowing he wants to do oral surgery. He's a pre-dent who has done a wealth of shadowing in OMFS (and presumably general dentistry as well), so I can conclude that if he's had a good shadowing experience in OMFS, he can know he wants to do OMFS just about as much as any of us "knew" we wanted to go in to general dentistry.

Even those of us in dental school get away with surprisingly little actual experience in the whole scope of OMFS to make career decisions. I've met a more than a few OMFS residents who had done zero externships, and far more who did only 1-2 weeks. I'd conjecture our friend here might know he wants OMFS more than some people eagerly waiting for January 25 to roll around.

Lastly, why does it matter if he tries and can't make the grades/boards. Obviously that will hurt his ego, and might be a little embarrassing (Say if he tells all his classmates he wants OMFS), but knowing from the start can also serve as a great motivator, and a huge advantage in terms of time. Time in dental school is something you just don't have too much of, and having an extra 1-2 years to shadow in OMFS clinic, go on externships, buddy up to the residents at your home school and do research is invaluable.

zoralsurgeon, for your own sake though,I'd rein in your enthusiasm just a notch, if only because people will continue to see it as precocious. As a dental student, you're socially expected (At least for the first year) to say things like "Oh I'm just waiting to see how things work out" or "I'm getting good grades just to keep my options open." Don't worry about the DAT (It's meaningless everywhere except possibly the one program I
mentioned above, and spend your time worrying about the 5 big criteria for OMFS admission: Boards, rank, externships, LORs and research.

Thank you, well said.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

I really don't understand why everyone is riding zorasurgeon for knowing he wants to do oral surgery. He's a pre-dent who has done a wealth of shadowing in OMFS (and presumably general dentistry as well), so I can conclude that if he's had a good shadowing experience in OMFS, he can know he wants to do OMFS just about as much as any of us "knew" we wanted to go in to general dentistry.

Even those of us in dental school get away with surprisingly little actual experience in the whole scope of OMFS to make career decisions. I've met a more than a few OMFS residents who had done zero externships, and far more who did only 1-2 weeks. I'd conjecture our friend here might know he wants OMFS more than some people eagerly waiting for January 25 to roll around.

Lastly, why does it matter if he tries and can't make the grades/boards. Obviously that will hurt his ego, and might be a little embarrassing (Say if he tells all his classmates he wants OMFS), but knowing from the start can also serve as a great motivator, and a huge advantage in terms of time. Time in dental school is something you just don't have too much of, and having an extra 1-2 years to shadow in OMFS clinic, go on externships, buddy up to the residents at your home school and do research is invaluable.

zoralsurgeon, for your own sake though,I'd rein in your enthusiasm just a notch, if only because people will continue to see it as precocious. As a dental student, you're socially expected (At least for the first year) to say things like "Oh I'm just waiting to see how things work out" or "I'm getting good grades just to keep my options open." Don't worry about the DAT (It's meaningless everywhere except possibly the one program I mentioned above, and spend your time worrying about the 5 big criteria for OMFS admission: Boards, rank, externships, LORs and research.

Thank YOU. Very well said.

Ya know, I do not see why people come into this thread and many others and simply write posts...without even attempting to answer the OP's question.

And you said, "As a dental student, you're socially expected (At least for the first year) to say things like 'Oh I'm just waiting to see how things work out' or 'I'm getting good grades just to keep my options open.'....."

Well, I am very open. I've shadowed perio, pedo, ortho, omfs, and gd on NUMEROUS occasions...and omfs is what I'm becoming...I don't care if I fail out of ds and have to move to some 18th world country..lol...

I know the steps ahead on the staircase of my career...but ya know what? It can be done. And I'm going to work my hardest at making it to the top of the stairs.

I came here to ask a simple question. And for some reason, many people begin to question my abilities...and totally forget to answer the question.

And whats up with everyone talking about board scores?? Aren't they pass/fail now??? How is Tom's pass better than my pass????? Please explain.

Thanks to you for your great advice, armorshell.. And to the rest of those of you who cast doubt...Thank you too. It's people like you that give people like me the motivation and inspiration to succeed in this world. Because ya know what - You arent the only successful person in this world..and just because you did it (OR lack thereof)..certainly does not mean that no one else is going to.

Armorshell - seriously, thanks for your valuable words. I appreciate it 🙂

 

[TJNova2011]

zoral, I like you attitude- keep it up.

You need something to motivate you through those tough ridiculous test, nights and weeks. Try looking into a "pre-d1" research opportunity, I know some institution have those.

 

[homegrown85]

Thank YOU. Very well said.

Ya know, I do not see why people come into this thread and many others and simply write posts...without even attempting to answer the OP's question.

And you said, "As a dental student, you're socially expected (At least for the first year) to say things like 'Oh I'm just waiting to see how things work out' or 'I'm getting good grades just to keep my options open.'....."

Well, I am very open. I've shadowed perio, pedo, ortho, omfs, and gd on NUMEROUS occasions...and omfs is what I'm becoming...I don't care if I fail out of ds and have to move to some 18th world country..lol...

I know the steps ahead on the staircase of my career...but ya know what? It can be done. And I'm going to work my hardest at making it to the top of the stairs.

I came here to ask a simple question. And for some reason, many people begin to question my abilities...and totally forget to answer the question.

And whats up with everyone talking about board scores?? Aren't they pass/fail now??? How is Tom's pass better than my pass????? Please explain.

Thanks to you for your great advice, armorshell.. And to the rest of those of you who cast doubt...Thank you too. It's people like you that give people like me the motivation and inspiration to succeed in this world. Because ya know what - You arent the only successful person in this world..and just because you did it (OR lack thereof)..certainly does not mean that no one else is going to.

Armorshell - seriously, thanks for your valuable words. I appreciate it 🙂

zoral- no one is casting doubt. we are just trying to convey how difficult it really is to actually become a OMFS. No one said you are not capable; as i said earlier i hope that you DO reach your goal! If you look it any thread about specializing, you will notice that there is rarely just one aspect covered; afterall, this is an opinionated forum. Nothing that anyone says is an ABSOLUTE. BY all means, keep the determination, but just check the "100 million percent certain" attitued at the door for the first year or so.

As far as the pass/fail boards go, I have just as much uncertainty as you do. I've heard so many different things concerning this issue. I still have not heard, from a credible source, WHEN the new scoring system will take effect. (if you know please enlighten me) I would THINK that this means interviews and extracurriculars will carry more weight than in the past, but who knows?

Again, best of luck!

 

[armorshell]

They are looking at having people applying to OMFS take the NBME pre-test because it has a high correlation with Step 1 scores. This is what I've heard from a half dozen program directors.

 

[PChemGrad]

🤣
A TRUE GUNNER!!

Sounds like a Gunner to me!👍
Dude you're not even in dental school. you're only accepted. wait until you start taking classes before you decide you want to do OS.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Sounds like a Gunner to me!👍
Dude you're not even in dental school. you're only accepted. wait until you start taking classes before you decide you want to do OS.

Dude, contrary to popular belief (yours specifically), I don't really care to hear this type of advice. Please, once again, read my original post. If you do not know how to answer the question, don't even attempt.

Stop bashing my future based off of my age and educational experience. I think I'm doing excellent currently. Don't doubt me - you've never met me, and probably never will. I will get there someday whether you type messages like this to me or not. So, if you can't answer my question, then write this type of reply some place else...because it certainly didn't answer my question.

Thank you 🙂 Merry Christmas!👍

 

[Atu14]

Dude, contrary to popular belief (yours specifically), I don't really care to hear this type of advice. Please, once again, read my original post. If you do not know how to answer the question, don't even attempt.

Stop bashing my future based off of my age and educational experience. I think I'm doing excellent currently. Don't doubt me - you've never met me, and probably never will. I will get there someday whether you type messages like this to me or not. So, if you can't answer my question, then write this type of reply some place else...because it certainly didn't answer my question.

Thank you 🙂 Merry Christmas!👍

Awesome personality. You will have a fun time getting through your OMFS interviews!!

 

[TJNova2011]

Dude, contrary to popular belief (yours specifically), I don't really care to hear this type of advice. Please, once again, read my original post. If you do not know how to answer the question, don't even attempt.

Stop bashing my future based off of my age and educational experience. I think I'm doing excellent currently. Don't doubt me - you've never met me, and probably never will. I will get there someday whether you type messages like this to me or not. So, if you can't answer my question, then write this type of reply some place else...because it certainly didn't answer my question.

Thank you 🙂 Merry Christmas!👍

He is giving you some excellent advice... "dont count your chickens before they hatch"

There were countless number of people who wanted to specialize...the first year and the number slowly diminishes. You have to be realistic and as we can see people, including yourself, get offended by a realistic approach. There are many things that are uncontrollable, subjective, and sometimes just plain luck. You might not be the best waxer, your pre clinical preps might not be that A quality that you're used to... it's just part of the game.

Everyone appreciates your motivation, but if you're a complete tool, arrogant, etc like you're acting now, see this forum ASAP http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=687580

No one is bashing your OMFS ambitions since you have not walked into dental school yet. You will be with the best of the best. You guys were chosen out of the several thousand people who applied to that school. Stop acting like an ignorant dbag and enjoy your Christmas.

 

[carl spackler]

i honestly wish i had your experience before starting dental school. i didn't really know anything about dentistry until 4th year, and i didn't find out which areas i liked until i was out practicing! now 2 yrs after graduation i'm applying to OMS as a "non-traditional" candidate. it takes so much planning and preparation to go into a specialty, you really have to start early. i think it's a huge advantage if you know what you want going in. good luck 🙂

none of the programs i applied to asked for DATs. think i might have heard iowa does though?

 

[zoralsurgeon]

i honestly wish i had your experience before starting dental school. i didn't really know anything about dentistry until 4th year, and i didn't find out which areas i liked until i was out practicing! now 2 yrs after graduation i'm applying to OMS as a "non-traditional" candidate. it takes so much planning and preparation to go into a specialty, you really have to start early. i think it's a huge advantage if you know what you want going in. good luck 🙂

none of the programs i applied to asked for DATs. think i might have heard iowa does though?

Wow! Thank you for that reply. Made me smile.

It gets quite old reading people's replies to my original post that go completely around answering my question to simply bashing my future goals.

I totally respect you for going back to OMS after practicing - it really shows that you truly care about maximizing your potential in helping people throughout the world.

When I meet oral surgeons in person that actually know me (Unlike all of these hardcore bashers), they say similar things as you. They are quite encouraging, and unlike many of the above posts, are sincere and want to help me get through the adversity that is yet to come - not discourage me from doing anything by telling me how hard it is going to be and that most people aren't capable of doing such a thing.

Although, as aforementioned, it motivates me and inspires me. So really, I thank you.

Have a Merry Christmas, and BEST of luck with your residency!

 

[Fedekz]

Dude, contrary to popular belief (yours specifically), I don't really care to hear this type of advice. Please, once again, read my original post. If you do not know how to answer the question, don't even attempt.

Stop bashing my future based off of my age and educational experience. I think I'm doing excellent currently. Don't doubt me - you've never met me, and probably never will. I will get there someday whether you type messages like this to me or not. So, if you can't answer my question, then write this type of reply some place else...because it certainly didn't answer my question.

Thank you 🙂 Merry Christmas!👍

You need to take a step back and get into dental school first.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

You need to take a step back and get into dental school first.

I'm in, mate! Way to read!

 

[TJNova2011]

I'm in, mate! Way to read!

"pre-meds" read?

 

[schmack]

I don't think everyone on here is "bashing" your future goals. But as a current OMS resident, let me give you a few pointers.

People are giving you good advice as far as "reigning in" your enthusiasm. It's fine to be enthusiastic about your specialty, but don't publicize it to all your classmates/instructors once you're in school. I can tell you right away that DS is a huge GAME with tons of hoops that you have to jump through. And if you don't at least ACT like you're interested in all aspects of dentistry, and "really get into" that sweet tooth waxing exercise, or that badass class II amalgam that you put tertiary anatomy into, your instructors and classmates will begin to resent you.

Also, you'll soon see that DS is full of "gunners" that want to be the "only ones" to specialize in a certain area, and they will do everything in their power to make their rank go up and, subsequently, make yours go down.

There are things like old exams, etc that will be extremely valuable in DS, and if you're out on a limb in your own "OMS world," trust me, people will exclude you from such resources. Try and find common ground with as many people as possible and actually say things like, "I think OMS is cool, but who knows, there's a lot about dentistry that I really like."

Bottom line: DS is basically a hoops game, and if you're not willing to jump through them like everyone else, (at LEAST for the first 2 years) you'll be intentionally excluded from important resources that will help you succeed, people will be unwilling to "lend" you a patient or two to fulfill a requirement, and instructors of other specialty areas will be less lenient in their subjective grading if they feel you "don't care" about what you're learning from them.

Learn the hoops game. It won't end soon.

 

[TJNova2011]

Exactly ^^^^

"It's not what you know but rather who you know" definitely applies.

 

[BIGDENT]

zoralsurgeon,

NO ONE is discrediting your future based off your age and educational experience as much as you are crediting your future based on that SAME criteria. What logical people on this board are simply saying to you is that tact and humility along with your goals and dreams can go along way. If you think this board is harsh on your dreams, if you keep this kind of attitude your ENTIRE dental school class will be rooting for you to fail. It is better for you to learn this lesson on this chat board than experience it in a real life situation. You MAY have all of the ability in the world, but how you carry yourself can hinder that quicker than you may realize.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

zoralsurgeon,

NO ONE is discrediting your future based off your age and educational experience as much as you are crediting your future based on that SAME criteria. What logical people on this board are simply saying to you is that tact and humility along with your goals and dreams can go along way. If you think this board is harsh on your dreams, if you keep this kind of attitude your ENTIRE dental school class will be rooting for you to fail. It is better for you to learn this lesson on this chat board than experience it in a real life situation. You MAY have all of the ability in the world, but how you carry yourself can hinder that quicker than you may realize.

"Hey" to all the recent posters...Thanks much for your time, I do appreciate it.

We're all in this together. Let's go out and make a difference in 2010!! Happy New Year!


God Bless ~

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

Okay, everybody...I think we've had enough posts telling the OP to "reign in" his enthusiasm, and keep his options open. ok?

From what I gather, he is interested in two things:

1. Are DAT scores looked at by the OMFS adcoms?

2. What will be the case when the boards change to P/F?

If you can not answer either of those questions, don't post anything.

I am quite sure that he knows the OMFS path is not going to be easy, and he might not make it..yadda..yadda...

I am sure some of you are only trying to be helpful, but you should have seen that those topics have been covered ad nauseum and it is not what the OP is looking for information on.

And I am also sure that the others are annoyed at constantly seeing people not in dental school talk about specialties. If that is the case, you need to grow up and just ignore threads that you do not want to read.

I do not know the answers to the OPs questions, but I am also interested in the answer to those two questions, and I would appreciate it if you only responded by providing relevant information.

Thank you

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Okay, everybody...I think we've had enough posts telling the OP to "reign in" his enthusiasm, and keep his options open. ok?

From what I gather, he is interested in two things:

1. Are DAT scores looked at by the OMFS adcoms?

2. What will be the case when the boards change to P/F?

If you can not answer either of those questions, don't post anything.

I am quite sure that he knows the OMFS path is not going to be easy, and he might not make it..yadda..yadda...

I am sure some of you are only trying to be helpful, but you should have seen that those topics have been covered ad nauseum and it is not what the OP is looking for information on.

And I am also sure that the others are annoyed at constantly seeing people not in dental school talk about specialties. If that is the case, you need to grow up and just ignore threads that you do not want to read.

I do not know the answers to the OPs questions, but I am also interested in the answer to those two questions, and I would appreciate it if you only responded by providing relevant information.

Thank you

lol! omg. I'm finally on the same page with someone! Woo Hoo! lol. Thanks buddy!

 

[schmack]

Okay, everybody...I think we've had enough posts telling the OP to "reign in" his enthusiasm, and keep his options open. ok?

From what I gather, he is interested in two things:

1. Are DAT scores looked at by the OMFS adcoms?

2. What will be the case when the boards change to P/F?

If you can not answer either of those questions, don't post anything.

I am quite sure that he knows the OMFS path is not going to be easy, and he might not make it..yadda..yadda...

I am sure some of you are only trying to be helpful, but you should have seen that those topics have been covered ad nauseum and it is not what the OP is looking for information on.

And I am also sure that the others are annoyed at constantly seeing people not in dental school talk about specialties. If that is the case, you need to grow up and just ignore threads that you do not want to read.

I do not know the answers to the OPs questions, but I am also interested in the answer to those two questions, and I would appreciate it if you only responded by providing relevant information.

Thank you

Answers:

1. No. But still irrelevant if OP doesn't follow "irrelevant" advice above.
2. Refer to 1.

 

[americanpierg]

And you said, "As a dental student, you're socially expected (At least for the first year) to say things like 'Oh I'm just waiting to see how things work out' or 'I'm getting good grades just to keep my options open.'....."

Well, I am very open. I've shadowed perio, pedo, ortho, omfs, and gd on NUMEROUS occasions...and omfs is what I'm becoming...I don't care if I fail out of ds and have to move to some 18th world country..lol...

He means be respectful and have the courtesy to not come off the annoying boasting prick in the class that everyone hates. Its okay if you want to become an OMFS, just dont make everyone else hate you by constantly telling people that you are class president and have a perfect GPA and have 5 million hours of volunteer service and helped deliver a premature baby in Africa. I have no problem with gunners, they do what they need to do and I think theyre great people. They get their grades and they dont brag... everyone knows it was them who got the 100% on the exam... but people still like them because they didn't go around bragging about it. What I DO have a problem with are gunners who can't ever have a conversation without boasting about their ECs or their grades.

Its like Donald Trump going to homeless shelters and telling people there how much money he has and where his new golf course is going to be built.

Use some common sense man... or you're going to go through life with no friends.

 

[armorshell]

We're not bumping >1 year old threads to lambaste people anymore.