GPR at VA hospitals

[Cold Front]

Few questions about VA hospitals...

1. How many VA hospitals offer GPR in the country?
2. How competitive are they to get into (i.e. part 1/class rank)?
3. What's the salary/stipend like?
4. If you know anyone who have done it, did they enjoy it or learn a lot?

Thanks

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[crazy_sherm]

Few questions about VA hospitals...

1. How many VA hospitals offer GPR in the country?
2. How competitive are they to get into (i.e. part 1/class rank)?
3. What's the salary/stipend like?
4. If you know anyone who have done it, did they enjoy it or learn a lot?

Thanks

1. http://www.va.gov/dental/residency.asp
2. the ones in my area (bay area) like to see 90+ on part 1 but if you're a solid candidate, you will have a chance
3. $40k-ish
4. I know people that have gone to the 3 around here (Mare Island, SF, and Palo Alto). They all loved it and thought it was a great experience.

 

[Cold Front]

thanks sherm!

It sounds like you have to be as competitive as an oral surgery or ortho candidate to get into VA hospital GPR! (I didn't see that one coming! 😀 ).

Thanks again!

 

[aphistis]

Few questions about VA hospitals...

1. How many VA hospitals offer GPR in the country?
2. How competitive are they to get into (i.e. part 1/class rank)?
3. What's the salary/stipend like?
4. If you know anyone who have done it, did they enjoy it or learn a lot?

Thanks

1. Check the web page sherm linked. There are quite a few.
2. My GPR (Indianapolis VA) was much more interested in my personality and clinical competence than they were on my board scores or class rank.
3. It'll vary from location to location, but my stipend in low-cost-of-living Indy is substantially greater than $40k. I would be very surprised if more expensive geographic areas didn't pay at least comparably to mine.
4. I'm loving mine. I have a great work environment and I'm learning a ton. I don't regret coming here at all.

 

[pietrodds]

VA residencies are second to none because the patients don't have to pay for anything the the programs are subsidized to have specialists train residents. They're also the highest paid GPRs 45-55K. You'll get to do everything surgery, implants, endo, etc. on massive levels. Your only limitation is your ability to motivate yourself. I did the Baltimore VA and it'll put you 5 years ahead of your fellow dentists the same age. That equates to more confidence and better income potential... and lower stress in private practice. Trying to be an associate who only does fillings and crowns is a miserable existance and you'll hate dentistry.

 

[Cold Front]

Thanks guys, really appreciate your responses.

Is it possible to extern at VA hospital for about a week? just get to a feel if it's actually the kind of program I would see myself in? and how would one get around such goal? Feel free to name VA programs that have allowed students to extern with them before.

 

[WestCoast]

1. Check the web page sherm linked. There are quite a few.
2. My GPR (Indianapolis VA) was much more interested in my personality and clinical competence than they were on my board scores or class rank.
3. It'll vary from location to location, but my stipend in low-cost-of-living Indy is substantially greater than $40k. I would be very surprised if more expensive geographic areas didn't pay at least comparably to mine.
4. I'm loving mine. I have a great work environment and I'm learning a ton. I don't regret coming here at all.

does your student loan qualify for a deferment if you do a gpr at a VA hospital?

 

[aphistis]

does your student loan qualify for a deferment if you do a gpr at a VA hospital?

GPR's qualify for a residency deferment, yes, but my VA pay is enough that between my wife's salary and my stipend, my student loan payments haven't been a problem.

 

[The Candidate]

2. My GPR (Indianapolis VA) was much more interested in my personality and clinical competence than they were on my board scores or class rank.

I too am VERY interested in doing GPR at VA hospitals, but my boards score and rank (shall we say) are not competitive. Are there cut-offs? Any ideas what I can do to improve my chances?

 

[aphistis]

I too am VERY interested in doing GPR at VA hospitals, but my boards score and rank (shall we say) are not competitive. Are there cut-offs? Any ideas what I can do to improve my chances?

I don't think there are any universal standards; competition may vary widely from one program to the next, which may or may not include GPA/NBDE/class rank cutoffs at a given program. The best way to learn more, and a good way to ingratiate yourself, is to contact the programs you're considering directly, and consider spending some face time with the program and its staff. Making a good personal impression and showing some proactive interest in the program may not get you into a program by itself, but it can only help your overall application.

 

[JTDDS]

I had a great experience in the VA system. I attended the GPR program at the VA in Denver. I am going to pedo residency this summer, but it still prepared me for the medically compromised, OR, etc. The youngest person I treated was 20 and the oldest was 91, mostly men, occasionally a woman. A ton of oral sx and endo and they are doing more and more implants. I didn't place a lot (maybe 4), but one guy in my program did a bunch. My one disadvantage - it is hard to get patients through treatment (at least in Denver). Dentures were taking 9 months, appts where booked out three months. It is frustrating at time, just not enough time to take care of everyone in the system. Overall, great experience!

 

[crazy_sherm]

A ton of oral sx and endo and they are doing more and more implants.

When I first read this, I thought maybe I chose the wrong program...

 

[armorshell]

When I first read this, I thought maybe I chose the wrong program...

Sherm you're doing a GPR?

 

[crazy_sherm]

Sherm you're doing a GPR?

Yup, I start July 1st at the VA on Mare Island. No WREB for me!

 

[aphistis]

When I first read this, I thought maybe I chose the wrong program...

Trust me, you don't want oral sx from anyone you're seeing at a VA hospital. 😛

 

[Cold Front]

Yup, I start July 1st at the VA on Mare Island. No WREB for me!

GRP at VA hospitals = WREB? is this the case for NERB too? 🙂

 

[crazy_sherm]

GRP at VA hospitals = WREB? is this the case for NERB too? 🙂

You'll have to check with the state dental board of where you plan to practice, most require some form of a board exam. I'm planning to practice in California, so instead of taking WREB, I can do a GPR or AEGD instead of taking boards. It doesn't have to be part of the VA, just ADA accredited. If you're planning to practice in NY or Delaware, I believe this would work too.

 

[The Candidate]

The best way to learn more, and a good way to ingratiate yourself, is to contact the programs you're considering directly, and consider spending some face time with the program and its staff. Making a good personal impression and showing some proactive interest in the program may not get you into a program by itself, but it can only help your overall application.

Do you mean to contact the programs for an a week or 2 externship? if so, do they need transcripts and board scores for the externship?

I am thinking about doing one in the midwest area, either OH, IN or PA! - which one would you recommend?

thanx