how hard is it to get into a residency program for dental student?

[premedrocks]

i heard that you have to be in the top 10% of your class in order to enter a residency program. is this true? if so, what to dentists that graduate dental school and dont get into a residency do? is there another chance later in life to enter a residency program? are dentists even required to go into residency? also, how long does it take for a dentist to open his/her own private office once dental school is over? there is so much debt, what do they do after dental school? i was wondering this for a long time and figured that i should ask someone that knows about this.
Thanks

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[Jake8]

1) Residencies are competitive to get into. Most dental students become General Practice. Worry about getting in and through dental school before worrying about specializing.
2) Residencies are not necessary, in fact most dental students don't specialize. There has been an increase in dental students entering AEGD and GPR programs though.
3) You can partake in mini residencies while you are a GP. Basically you take a course on the weekends or nights over the course of several months and then are certified by your association to do certain procedures. An example would be basic orthodontics and basic implants. You will never do the super complex cases of a specialist but it allows you to do some specialty work in house.
4) Opening a practice is a personal decision. A select few open one right out of school. Most associate at various practices and then gauge the market from there.
5) After school you work and try to make some money to pay that debt off

 

[OMFS08]

i heard that you have to be in the top 10% of your class in order to enter a residency program. is this true? if so, what to dentists that graduate dental school and dont get into a residency do? is there another chance later in life to enter a residency program? are dentists even required to go into residency? also, how long does it take for a dentist to open his/her own private office once dental school is over? there is so much debt, what do they do after dental school? i was wondering this for a long time and figured that i should ask someone that knows about this.
Thanks

You are correct that it is very competitive to get into a dental residency like any residency program. I disagree with the other responder stating to not worry about residency until you complete dental school. It would make sense to consider your options so you have a goal to work towards. If you do not plan on residency and your grades are just average then if you do decide on residency, you would have severely limited your chances.

I plan on pursuing OMFS at this point so I go into dental school this fall, with that in mind so I will certainly aim for the highest performace I can attain so as to better my chances later. Even if I do not go to residency, my hard work would still be beneficial in whatever I decide post-dental.

 

[Danny289]

You are correct that it is very competitive to get into a dental residency like any residency program. I disagree with the other responder stating to not worry about residency until you complete dental school. It would make sense to consider your options so you have a goal to work towards. If you do not plan on residency and your grades are just average then if you do decide on residency, you would have severely limited your chances.

I plan on pursuing OMFS at this point so I go into dental school this fall, with that in mind so I will certainly aim for the highest performace I can attain so as to better my chances later. Even if I do not go to residency, my hard work would still be beneficial in whatever I decide post-dental.

Jist think how many students think like you?

 

[DShopeful]

Jist think how many students think like you?

 

[Contach]

im going to eat you before you get into residency.