So I just finished my first year of dental school and contacted an OMFS program about doing an externship after my sophomore year and was told by the course director I was welcome to come this summer after completing only one year, so obviously, I accept, right? I would think this would give me some extra experience and one extra externship that looks good, but at the same time I don't want to look like a d-bag that doesn't know anything because I haven't spent much time in the clinic. I don't know if OMFS is what I want to do, but I'd like to take this opportunity to find out. Any advice? Also, what should I expect to do for a week? I did a search and saw many people actually helped quite a bit, but should I expect the same or am I in the bleachers 24/7? Thanks.
Its a great idea. Looking back I wish I had done exactly that. If they are willing to let you extern as a D2 do it - It will give you an opportunity to learn from the residents as they progress through the program, help you network with faculty, and give you ideas about where to extern next. No one will expect to you know a ton about OMFS as a 2nd year. Be prepared to get as involved as they will let you, and don't pretend you know/know how to do things that you don't. Good Luck
It's a great idea, of course I'm biased since I'm doing exactly the same thing, as well as 2 others from my school. Just because you can't take out teeth doesn't prevent you from learning about the wider scope of OMFS and the nature of residency.
Thanks! I'm looking forward to the opportunity and challenge. Anybody got any advice for the UT-Knoxville externship and what to expect?
I just finished my 2nd yr last week and I'm doing an extenship this week ... So far, it has been great.I have pulled a total of 6 teeth (Had never pulled teeth before) so far, and given injections and helped out with alveoloplasty and retraction. Tomorrow is the OR day and I am soo excited about it. . yea it is true I don't know tons about OMS. But it has given me the chance to interact with the faculty and resident, build network and most importantly see the program. I suggest it after your second year though. That way you have some sort of a class in oral surgery so you won't feel lost when they are asking you for an instrument or when they are having their rounds/conferences. One class that has help me so very much besides anesth and OS classes was Oral Pathology. Like I said... it has been a very great experience for me thus far. I'd say go for it!! Let me know if you have any Qs.
This is a great externship for seeing the broader scope of OMFS. 4 pan-facials in the first 3 days I was there. You won't pull any teeth. You will get to sew a lot of lacs in the ER. You will be in the OR a lot and for some very long cases. Carlson is very student friendly. Residents are totally nice. They do a lot of cancer, and a LOT of trauma - all of it there in fact. Be prepared for little to no sleep. I got a total of about 8 hours of sleep my first 3 or 4 nights combined. You won't get pimped at all (at least I didn't as a rising D3). I think Carlson is one of the best teachers out there and a rising leader in the field. You can learn a lot from him while there.
