GPR vs. practice?

[Dukie]

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If I decide to apply to endo and don't get in right out of school (I haven't made that decision yet), is there a big advantage to doing a GPR or AEGD over private practice? I know it may look slightly better, but money would be nice too...

 

[NileBDS]

I guess mainly the advanced training in a controlled/supervised environment. I also imagine that you would not be doing many complex endos (molar, retreat) your first couple of years in a private practice, which does not hold true for most AEGD/GPR's.
As far as money is concerned, just find a decent paying GPR (40-45K) with a good call schedule and moonlight for some extra $$$. It's kind of sad that you will be making close to a week's GPR pay in just one day worth of moonlighting. When you look at it that way, 70K ain't too shabby (for a PGY-1).

 

[gryffindor]

You have to carefully research your GPRs. At mine, there was very little opportunity to do endo because of the patient population and affordability issues. People were more likely to extract the tooth. I did a lot more endo in private practice because the patient population was more likely to try and save the tooth before getting rid of it.

But really, you should ask this question to people in academics because they may value a GPR for some reason.

 

[Endogirl]

You would get to do a lot of endo if you did a GPR at a VA Hospital. Pt don't pay for tx and you can virtually do anything you want (implants, RCTs, lots of fixed etc) as long as what you want to do makes sense, of course 😀!

 

[dlux]

I'm a fan of a GOOD GPR/AEGD over private practice anyday. The problem is they are NOT all good. Research them carefully...

And it's hard to hear it(and I wouldn't have believed it when I was living on Top Ramen and Corned Beef hash in Dental School), but don't worry about money, it takes care of itself. It really does.

Good luck.

 

[gottago]

I'll second the VA GPR suggestion. VA programs usually offer good training and they do pay somewhat better than the rest. Bottom line is if the GPR program is solid, you have a lot to gain by doing it but if it's not then you will definetly be much better off going the private practice route ( good money and good learning experience).

 

[jaxdds]

I'll second the VA GPR suggestion. VA programs usually offer good training and they do pay somewhat better than the rest. Bottom line is if the GPR program is solid, you have a lot to gain by doing it but if it's not then you will definetly be much better off going the private practice route ( good money and good learning experience).

I did 80 endo cases in my VA GPR over the course of 9 months (three months on rotation to general surgery, oral sx, and anesthesiology so no pt tx at that time). In private practice I only do on average 4 endos a month and refer out the molar endos unless the endo is straight forward. Endo in private practice comes in waves, in my opinion, but in a GPR, especially a VA GPR I guarantee there is a wait list for endo tx!

-Dr. J

 

[rarm1]

Each program is different... and they often vary year to year... you need to speak to the residents...

BUT ALL PROGRAMS -
give you experience
give you confidence and speed
let you make "errors" on them with help available.

you get paid for learning... all my residents are able to get good jobs when they are done

 

[Cold Front]

Each program is different... and they often vary year to year... you need to speak to the residents...

BUT ALL PROGRAMS -
give you experience
give you confidence and speed
let you make "errors" on them with help available.

you get paid for learning... all my residents are able to get good jobs when they are done

Typically how many patients can a GPR resident see a day on a busy schedule?

 

[dlux]

Typically how many patients can a GPR resident see a day on a busy schedule?

It definitely depends on the program, and where you are in it. In my program, we had four hour half days in different disciplines. So Monday AM we had one hour ortho lecture, then three hours ortho clinic, Monday PM was pedo lecture then pedo clinic, and this went on for all specialties. Each day someone was on emergency and someone else was on oral surgery. Emergency could see 30+ per day easy, oral surgery(most of whom came from emergency)maybe 10-12 patients. Assigned clinic time you would see different numbers of patients, depending on what unit you were in and what you were doing. During the 3 hour clinic, maybe you would see one pros patient who needed a six unit bridge with precision attachments, while during restorative,you might have seen three or four patients in the same three hour period. In a good program, you will keep very busy preparing you very well for private practice.

 

[Bean03]

Dlux, which VA did you go to?

 

[dlux]

I did not train at a VA hospital, although I heard good things about some of the programs. I did my GPR at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ. I cannot say a bad word about my experience there. As my friends growing up would have said: "It was all that and a bag of chips..."

 

[udem]

I did not train at a VA hospital, although I heard good things about some of the programs. I did my GPR at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ. I cannot say a bad word about my experience there. As my friends growing up would have said: "It was all that and a bag of chips..."

nice insight, dlux. I'll be interviewing there on Dec. 2nd.
During the training, do you get enough exposure in endo tx and surgical exo?
Is the neighborhood safe?

 

[dlux]

nice insight, dlux. I'll be interviewing there on Dec. 2nd.
During the training, do you get enough exposure in endo tx and surgical exo?
Is the neighborhood safe?

Congrats on the interview. As far as exposure, there was no weak department there. I'm not kidding. As far as endo and surgery, there is more to be done than you can imagine.

You won't choose to live in the neighborhood if that's what you mean. But parking, and coming and going in the area was not an issue for me. Good luck.