How do you make this work?

[Walden5]

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My eventual goal is to go to Dental School and then pursue an OMS degree after that. How does the residency work to be a surgeon compare to that of an MD? I was told that Oral and Max. school is held at the dental school with didactic course work compared to the years spent at the hospital for those MD's. Is that true that Dentists just have lecture for the 5-7 years in classroom? Second, How is one suppsose to support a family during their dental residency on a $30,000 stipend and pay off loans at the same time? I understand the econmic dissability in dental school but it seems impossible to raise a family during the pursuit of an OMS degree? Im hoping someone can clear this up for me.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Hi there,

Your best bet is to post this question in the Residency Forum where OMFS residents can answer your questions in details. Basically, to be an OMFS requires 4 years of dental school plus 4-6 years of residency training. The 4 year offers the certificate in OMFS while the 6 year offers MD degree as well as the cert. in OMFS. Both programs involve hospital setting due to the surgical nature of the specialty. Regarding raising a family while in DS school? It can be tough as many of my classmates who have children unplanned complained about the difficulty to balance parenting and school work. But if there is a will there is a way. DP

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

My eventual goal is to go to Dental School and then pursue an OMS degree after that. How does the residency work to be a surgeon compare to that of an MD? I was told that Oral and Max. school is held at the dental school with didactic course work compared to the years spent at the hospital for those MD's. Is that true that Dentists just have lecture for the 5-7 years in classroom? Second, How is one suppsose to support a family during their dental residency on a $30,000 stipend and pay off loans at the same time? I understand the econmic dissability in dental school but it seems impossible to raise a family during the pursuit of an OMS degree? Im hoping someone can clear this up for me.

You're way off base with the OMFS residency being all about "lectures". There are tons of posts about this already--I suggest you search for those.

As for loans, while in residency you'll qualify for "economic hardship". You won't have to start paying them back until you finish, but they will continue to accrue interest.

 

[aphistis]

Moving. Play nice with the newbie, please.

 

[esclavo]

You're way off base with the OMFS residency being all about "lectures". There are tons of posts about this already--I suggest you search for those.

As for loans, while in residency you'll qualify for "economic hardship". You won't have to start paying them back until you finish, but they will continue to accrue interest.

It is possible to work in dental school. Not easy but possible. I always made 4-6 grand extra during dental school each year. The military also offers help and a package that is appealing to some. Some residencies also pay more than 30,000 per year (I think you are on the low end for OMFS residencies at 30 g's). We start at 43 grand and end and just a hair under 50 grand over the four years (which is probably average or a hair above average0. OMFS residencies in hospitals with medical residencies can sometimes get more comparable pay to the medical residencies. Lastly, where there is a will there is a way to make things happen. I find the toughest thing about residency and family is time, not money. Dental school was more financial hardship than residency. The spouse is the one who feels it it more. Kids could care less if they have a new toy or an old one (my kids favorite all time toy was the box our filing cabinent came in-played with it until it decomposed-I buy them a toy and they play with it for a week and never touch it again-go figure!). They could care less if the food is gourmet or left-overs. Loans wait until you're done with it all but they also grow. No handouts to get you through, it is a big sacrifice period...worth it for me, wouldn't trade my wife nor kids for my profession or future potential! It has been memorable to take them all with me for this crazy ride called "professional development".

 

[Yah-E]

I was told that Oral and Max. school is held at the dental school with didactic course work compared to the years spent at the hospital for those MD's. Is that true that Dentists just have lecture for the 5-7 years in classroom?

Who ever told you this, please go tell him to stick to what he knows best! Obviously, that person is clueless about OMFS.

There are many pre-existing threads about what, who, how, when, where, and why about Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS). Please do the following:

Click on Search -> Advanced Search -> type in "OMFS" in the key words field -> highlight Dental Residency in forums selection -> click on Search Now

Voila! Happy reading!

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Who ever told you this, please go tell him to stick to what he knows best! Obviously, that person is clueless about OMFS.

There are many pre-existing threads about what, who, how, when, where, and why about Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS). Please do the following:

Click on Search -> Advanced Search -> type in "OMFS" in the key words field -> highlight Dental Residency in forums selection -> click on Search Now

Voila! Happy reading!

Hello,

I did read the thread you started in 2003 about OMFS/MD program. It is amazing some MD students are such narrowminded to make some comments on how dental residents should NOT be awarded the MD degrees! It amazes me how medical community are damn naieve about dentistry in general. It is due to those ignorances that dentistry does not get the proper recognition that it rightfully deserves. DP

 

[Yah-E]

Hello,

I did read the thread you started in 2003 about OMFS/MD program. It is amazing some MD students are such narrowminded to make some comments on how dental residents should NOT be awarded the MD degrees! It amazes me how medical community are damn naieve about dentistry in general. It is due to those ignorances that dentistry does not get the proper recognition that it rightfully deserves. DP

Yes, although there are medical students who felt that way, but also there are many who respect OMFSs because they are more aware and know what OMFSs go through.

As you read in that thread, some medical students are very knowledgable and some are cluess. Therefore, that thread was started to educate them.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Yes, although there are medical students who felt that way, but also there are many who respect OMFSs because they are more aware and know what OMFSs go through.

As you read in that thread, some medical students are very knowledgable and some are cluess. Therefore, that thread was started to educate them.

Let me say that there is also naive perceptions about my specialty too. When I did my fellowship in maxillofacial prosthdontics, I had to go to the OR sometimes three times a week to insert surgical obturators after ENT doc finished the tumor removal. Everynow and then, some of the nurses or even docs are totally suprised that I am a DDS. They thought that as DDS, we just drill and fill. Some even make the comments like " I thought he's a dentist" when they see me in surgical outfits (headcap and shoe covers). And the public too. They will be totally suprised if you tell them that as dentists, they can do surgery in the face such as OMFS. And don't forget the press as there was an article about OMFS peforming cosmetic surgey in CA. The headline goes like this.... " Hey, how about a facelift with that crown?" or something like that... DP