GPR Programs and IMPLANTS

[ak007]

Hello,

I'm a 4th yr dental student interested in applying to GPR programs for extra training. The areas that interest me the most are being able to get experience in the surgical placement and restorations of implants, lots of oral surg experience and IV sedation training. If anyone has any suggestions for programs that may fit some or all of these areas of interest i would very much appreciate it. THanks!

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[nghe.luu]

I don't know about GPR programs, but if you want to consider AEGD programs, the University of Pittsburgh would fit the bill.

 

[endo07]

I have heard that VA hospitals offer the chance to place and restore implants at a much higher rate than many other programs. This is because the care is free for the patients so you do not have to sell implants, crown and bridge, or endo to anyone.

 

[dougedouguf]

I'm in the same boat. What are the best GPRs and the AEGDs? Please let me know so I can eliminate those and get on to the ones that may actually let me in.

 

[FreshBreath]

Though Implants is not considered a speciality, there are three schools that have recognized approved programs in Implants. The ones I know of are BU, Loma Linda, and NYU. These might be an option for learning more about restroation and surgical placement of implants 👍 .

 

[KidBrettdds]

I was in your shoes last year. My interests were implant surgery and restoration, surgeries, advanced prosth cases, and sedation. I started off my research by ordering the ASDA guide to postdoctoral AEGD and GPR progams. This book gives a summary of every program in the US. From this, I identified the programs that best matched what I was looking for and began searching the web and thoroughly researched on their websites. I would recommend doing the same.

What you are probably more interested in however is what I found out. Well the top programs that I could find that met my geographical requirements (Southeast) were: Palmetto Health GPR in Columbia, SC; San Antonio VA AEGD; Univ. of Florida-Jacksonville AEGD, Univ. of Florida-St Petersburg AEGD; UAB-GDR in Alabama; Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. I applied to and interviewed at the first 4 that I listed.

San Antonio, Jacksonville, Columbia, and ST. Petersburg, I believe are some of the top AEGD/GPR programs in the country, if not the top. All of the programs give you a thorough education in comprehensive dentistry and allow you to place and restore implants, and give much more advanced surgical training. Anyone who has done their research will agree that these programs are some of the best and theirfore are some of the most competitive to get into. And unlike popular belief all AEGD/GPR's are not all easy to get into. As far as numbers of Implant surgeries go, Jacksonville in my oppinion places the most implants of any AEGD/GPR residency in the country (guarantee 20 and one resident placed 44 a year ago) followed by San Antonio, Columbia, and St. petersburg. Each of these programs is a little different and offers slightly different experiences. My recommendation is to do your research and when you interview really talk to the residents. Also know specifically what you want out of program. AEGD/GPR's can be an awesome experience or they can be a complete waste of your time if you go to a bad one.

I am currently doing my residency in Jacksonville, FL and I am really enjoying myself. I have learned more in the past month than in the last year of dental school. I placed 2 implants yesterday, and will be placing 2 more next week. I have also treatment planned many advanced cases and should begin them soon. I have extracted a few sets of impacted wisdom teeth and completed some other more advanced oral surgical procedures. I am also getting a lot of experience with esthetic cases, which I got none of in Dental School. Only possible downside here is that their is no sedation training, although I am starting to realize it isn't a big deal.

I hope this helps,

 

[heyoo]

I was curious if anyone researched and found AEGD/GPR programs that focus on implant placement/restoration in New York City or California. KidBrett?

Thanks

 

[rarm1]

Each program is different, few if any will met all your goals. Sedation often requires a 2 year program. Implants and sedation is not required for accrediation.

Many programs, like ours teach want happens in the locale. Here most of the general dentists do not want the surgical headaches and work closely with periodontists and OS. The GP treatment plans the case, reviews it, has the surgery done and the patient returns for the pros. Less headaches, more profit. We have a stong program in implants - TP and restore. Check the web sites of each program. Speak to current residents.

VA programs are strong in pros, but often weaker in sedation, and if they have an OMS residency, less surgery. Here to all programs vary.

A good place to check would be at the greater NY meeting... over 20 programs are generally there.

 

[KidBrettdds]

Heyoo,
I didn't do much research in the NE and California areas. Others would probably be better for advice in these areas. The best way to find out is to go to the PASS website and get the ASDA guide. The Pass website has all the programs that are in PASS and has most of their websites. From these two sources you should be able to get websites for all of the programs. Then carefully go through all of the websites to see if they are what you're looking for.

 

[setdoc7]

Lots of good GPRs in NYC metro area. Surgical placement usually done by the OMS residents or attendings, but restoration done by residents with attending supervision. Keep in mind that the most complex cases are rarely done by PGY1 residents, and surgical placement of 20 (or whatever amount you may wish to stick in that slot) does not make anyone an expert at placement. It is more often than not a function of time (only 12 months) that prohibit GPR's from accomplishing an extensive implant training.

 

[heyoo]

Can you give me any specific programs in the metro area?

BTW, I recall my attending OMFS faculty saying over and over "the best way to learn [surgical procedures] is see one, do one, teach one". I feel like a foundation of coursework in surgical placement of implants without hands on training is BS and, yes, placing 20 (or whatever number) implants is the only way to become "an expert" at placement. Since I intend to place implants in private practice, it only makes sense that I should look for programs that offer more than just limited exposure and a once a week class at 7:00 am.

 

[setdoc7]

The OMS residents place 150-200 implants, and obviously get more exposure not only in placement but the management of surgical complications. Keep in mind that the typical GPR is only in the clinic for 38 weeks, and there are CODA requirements for the performance of numerous procedures. Implant placement is not currently one of these requirements. That is not to say that the GPR's in my program do not spend time restoring implants, but given the limited amount of clinical time they have, and the amount of other procedures they must do, it is not reasonable to assume that a GPR will get an extensive implant training. Perhaps a training program which is implant specific is more interesting to you.