GPR vs. AEGD vs. Private Practice

[rochrome]

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I am a DS2 who is thinking about specializing. I've heard that that an applicant thinking about applying to residencies can improve their chances by having experience practicing after dental school. So my questions are...

What is the difference between GPR and AEGD? They sound like nearly the same thing.

Do you pay tuition to be in these residencies (GPR or AEGD)?

Why would anyone who wants to supplement their application with a year or 2 of experience choose a GPR/AEGD when they can go into a private practice as an associate and take home 100k and then apply? You get experience either way, so why not get paid?

 

[bigfish]

If you are serious about getting into a speciality, then a GPR/AGD program carries much more academic weight than a year or two of private practice. the programs are formalized and approved by the ADA, plus you can ask the Staff for letters of recommendation as well as seeing if you REALLY like what the specialists do in your field of interest. Private practice has the bucks, but you can not be guranteed that you will learn alot or maybe learn it the "right way", vs the most economical or fastest way. NOt all practitioners are good mentors, alot just want you sit in the chair and make them money so choose carefully!

 

[krmower]

If you are serious about getting into a speciality, then a GPR/AGD program carries much more academic weight than a year or two of private practice. the programs are formalized and approved by the ADA, plus you can ask the Staff for letters of recommendation as well as seeing if you REALLY like what the specialists do in your field of interest. Private practice has the bucks, but you can not be guranteed that you will learn alot or maybe learn it the "right way", vs the most economical or fastest way. NOt all practitioners are good mentors, alot just want you sit in the chair and make them money so choose carefully!

I would agree with BigFish. I did a 2-year AEGD, and would not have done it any other way. I think it definately makes you more competative if you do want to specialize. It also gives you a great way to improve skills by doing more complex procedures - and will give you that time to re-evaluate and decide if the specialty you think you want to do is really what you should do.

I came out more proficient in a lot more procedures than many of my friends.

 

[dentalJSS]

so would you recommend an AEGD over a GPR? were you put on a salary during the AEGD or was it tuition based?

 

[krmower]

so would you recommend an AEGD over a GPR? were you put on a salary during the AEGD or was it tuition based?

It depends upon the type of practice you will have later on. GPRs are great if you will be treating medically compromised patients. You should get some IV sedation experience/training also.

AEGDs are great if you are going to be a GP. Decide early what type of AEGD you will be doing. There are 3 types - 12 month, 12 month + 12 month (1 yr with an optional year after), and 2 year. The 12 + 12 is not the same as a 2 year. Fewer locations will offer a 2 year - some VA Hospitals will have them. All 3 will improve your skills, the 2 year will bring you the most.

Either AEGD or GPR will improve your chances of getting picked up for specialty training if that is your ultimate goal.

Salary will range $25,000-35,000.

 

[baddog]

I'd agree and recommend an AEGD program vs the GPR which has more interest in treating severely medically compromised patients--who you may not want to treat in private practice. You waste alot of time working up those guys when you should be practicing clinical skills you can actually use so stick with the AEGD. I did and it was a great experience and really helped me improve my dental skills as well as treatment planning skills.

 

[rarm1]

Hi
I agree with the above... BUT it depends on what YOU want.

An AEGD is an excellant experience in general dentistry, confidence and will help you get into an advanced program. It generally has no night call.

A GPR will also give you experence, buit they are more concenmtrated on medically compromised. They generally pay more. You will see more dental emergencies especially after hours (trauma, avulsed teeth, bleeding).

Each program is different. Our program has a splint personality. We teach medically compromised/special needs patients but also have a strong implant program.

Also, you get out of a program what you put in.

Look around with an open mind. See what's best for you.

I will be more than happy to answer any question... just give a call

 

[KifsterDDS]

First off, if you aren't competitive for your desired dental specialty by the end of your third year, then the first thing you should do is get as much advice as possible and take steps based on that advice. Don't make decisions on your own. AEGDs and GPRs are typically quite different, and depending on the specialty you're pursuing, one may me preferable to the other (or perhaps neither are good choices).

AEGDs, for all intents and purposes, amount to a fifth year of dental school. You take on some tougher cases and you have much more autonomy. A GPR is an entirely different animal. GPRs are hospital-based residencies designed to expose you to medicine as well as more advanced dentistry. In a GPR, you will certainly learn to handle more difficult dental cases, but you will alsorotate through various medical specialties like internal medicine, anesthesiology, cardiology, maybe even OBGYN (yes, I've heard of this in GPRs). As a result, you come out more in-tune with the medicine side of dentistry than you would upon completing an AEGD. Am I biased towards GPRs? You bet. I myself didn't do either.

As for entering private practice, you can certainly do so. Keep in mind, though, that you're rarely better off doing that than, say, a GPR or AEGD. To my knowledge, some specialties (endo, for example) like residents who have some private practice under their belt. If you're ultimately interested in OMFS, however, then private practice as a general dentist will not help.

I am a DS2 who is thinking about specializing. I've heard that that an applicant thinking about applying to residencies can improve their chances by having experience practicing after dental school. So my questions are...

What is the difference between GPR and AEGD? They sound like nearly the same thing.

Do you pay tuition to be in these residencies (GPR or AEGD)?

Why would anyone who wants to supplement their application with a year or 2 of experience choose a GPR/AEGD when they can go into a private practice as an associate and take home 100k and then apply? You get experience either way, so why not get paid?

 

[mx41]

How do you get in a AEGD?
Do you have to apply? Is it competitive to get in?