NYC residencies pay over 60 grand which is above the national average. That being said cost of living in NY is also way higher.
NYC GPRs will be busy because they're the largest dental providers for Medicaid patients. A busy schedule will not be an issue. Ask yourself what you want out of residency. Are you looking for just a large volume of simple "bread and butter" dentistry or are you looking to elevate your capabilities? You may not have the answer to this question until midway through your D4 year.
Most NYC GPRs are dental mills. Daily, expect a large mix of walk-in emergencies and your scheduled patients. Medicaid patients are not the most compliant population either and it's very difficult to sell them on Fee-For-Service. If the insurance will not cover the crown/bridge or partial, most of these patients will not follow through with your treatment plan.
Unlike dental school where you felt as though the school was there to meet your needs, at an NYC GPR you'll feel as though your purpose is to serve the hospital's needs.
Personally, I would do a GPR/AGED outside of NYC. If you must do a NY-based GPR then seek one out with a smaller size of residents. Select one without other specialty programs so that you can place implants and do surgical extractions (if this is what you're looking for).
Grind hard in dental school either way. Do the harder procedures yourself and don't refer. Work with the tougher faculty. You will never have the support system you have in dental school elsewhere in your dental career so take advantage. Depending on your dental school, you may honestly come out prepared enough to start working in private practice.
