How did you find it overall though?
Overall, I was disappointed in my program. I wish I had spent more time researching it and talking with the residents, because later on I found out that all of them were unhappy with their choice.
Was it more overwhelming than D-school, lots of on-calls, or less stressful because of the lack of exams?
No.
We did not have any exams or call schedule. It was not stressful. While a non stress environment may sound appealing especially to a dental student, I would encourage you not to place too high a value on this criteria. WHile you are doing an residency you should be learning new skills, and receiving training. If you are doing non stressful procedures such as class 1 amalgams all day long you are just wasting your time.
Also, do u think the residency greatly improved your dental skills?
No. At my residency I felt that my skills were decreasing due to the limited amount of pros experience. I became faster at operative and extractions but became slower in other disciplines due to limited exposure ( complete, removable, fixed). My residency was basically a medicaid clinic experience and I was encouraged by my faculty to do as little as possible per patient and to see as many as possible to increase productivity.
and helped you be more efficient and more marketable as an associate?[/QUOTE]
Yes. COmpleting an AEGD does look good on your resume and it will help you land a job. Personally, I felt my year to be a complete waste of my time. I am not saying anything negative about that GPR's or AEGD's in general. I have friends that are very happy with their programs, and have received extensive training in implant therapy, IV sedation, impacted 3rd molar Extractions. You just have to put in the time and research each program. Don't believe that just because a program has the ADA's seal of approval that it will provide any advanced training.
