How much medical knowledge a dentist has?

[muveb]

Hi

I want to apply for dental school but I have some trouble with deciding between dentistry and medicine; I like every aspect of dental school and dentistry. but I also like having medical knowledge and using it in my own life, the ability of diagnosing basic/common diseases of the whole body and knowing how to prevent basic/common health problems.(i.e. having enough medical knowledge to improve my personal health)

So, my question is: how much medical knowledge you will obtain through dental school? do physicians live healthier?

Thanks

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[Microorchidism]

You dont really learn much medicine or clinical science in dental school. As much as educators like to lump dentistry into medicine, dentistry is actually quite separate from medicine, and calling dentistry "dental medicine" is more of a marketing/branding scheme than anything else. If you want to do dentistry and repair teeth then go to dental school, but if you think you might be interested in medicine or clinical biomedical sciences or basic patient management, then I would not recommend dental school at all.

 

[DaleDoback]

:troll:

 

[OMSWannaB]

Hi

I want to apply for dental school but I have some trouble with deciding between dentistry and medicine; I like every aspect of dental school and dentistry. but I also like having medical knowledge and using it in my own life, the ability of diagnosing basic/common diseases of the whole body and knowing how to prevent basic/common health problems.(i.e. having enough medical knowledge to improve my personal health)

So, my question is: how much medical knowledge you will obtain through dental school? do physicians live healthier?

Thanks

I'm not speaking for all, but having experienced both dental and medical school, I can say they are totally different. At my dental school, the basic sciences I was exposed to covered only 5-10 % of what I learned in medical school (and I may be exaggerating a bit).

 

[yappy]

I'm not speaking for all, but having experienced both dental and medical school, I can say they are totally different. At my dental school, the basic sciences I was exposed to covered only 5-10 % of what I learned in medical school (and I may be exaggerating a bit).

That's interesting. How much beyond Robins Path, Guyton Hall physio, classic text et al. did you learn in medical school? I've noticed I'm literally reading the same stuff that medical students are.

 

[MetroHealthOMFS]

Take the CBSE after dental school medicine classes and then you'll see how little medical knowledge you gain from dental school.

 

[OMSWannaB]

That's interesting. How much beyond Robins Path, Guyton Hall physio, classic text et al. did you learn in medical school? I've noticed I'm literally reading the same stuff that medical students are.

As I said, I'm not speaking on behalf of everyone because all dental schools have different curriculum. I'm sharing my experience and others who have been through the same are welcome to chime in if they wish to provide their version or rebuttal what I've been discussing.

Which Robbin's Path book are you using? There 2 versions: Basic Pathology (900 pages) or Pathologic Basis of Diseases (1400 pages with molecular genetics in more detail).
And I remember referencing Guyton Hall Physiology in dental school. I probably read only 20 pages from that 1000+ page book. Are you covering the entire book?
Is your dental school reading Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine which covers pathophysiology?

My dental school covered head and neck, basic cardio and lungs. The other chunk focused mainly on teeth.
In medical school, we covered full body anatomy (that means head and neck also) and full body organ systems in extensive detail (renal, hematology, cardio, neuroscience, psychiatry, pulmonary, dermatology, rheumatology, musculoskeletal, liver, endocrine, reproductive, genitourinary, genetics, gastrointestinal). Plus, we covered microbiology and pharmacology for each system. Are you learning all of these at your dental school?

 

[Screwtape]

As I said, I'm not speaking on behalf of everyone because all dental schools have different curriculum. I'm sharing my experience and others who have been through the same are welcome to chime in if they wish to provide their version or rebuttal what I've been discussing.

Which Robbin's Path book are you using? There 2 versions: Basic Pathology (900 pages) or Pathologic Basis of Diseases (1400 pages with molecular genetics in more detail).
And I remember referencing Guyton Hall Physiology in dental school. I probably read only 20 pages from that 1000+ page book. Are you covering the entire book?
Is your dental school reading Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine which covers pathophysiology?

My dental school covered head and neck, basic cardio and lungs. The other chunk focused mainly on teeth.
In medical school, we covered full body anatomy (that means head and neck also) and full body organ systems in extensive detail (renal, hematology, cardio, neuroscience, psychiatry, pulmonary, dermatology, rheumatology, musculoskeletal, liver, endocrine, reproductive, genitourinary, genetics, gastrointestinal). Plus, we covered microbiology and pharmacology for each system. Are you learning all of these at your dental school?

Yeah, but how fast are you at shucking wizzies?

 

[OMSWannaB]

Yeah, but how fast are you at shucking wizzies?

This doesn't answer the original post. What's your reasoning for asking this question? It's off topic.

 

[Screwtape]

This doesn't answer the original post. What's your reasoning for asking this question? It's off topic.

I guess what I am getting at is... a lot of the information learned in medical school is pretty much binge and purge (large concepts stick, but vast majority of the minutiae do not--unless you're extremely bright). The real learning comes in residency which is more directed towards future practice. You know what you practice. Ask an average ophthalmologist about the detailed anatomy/physiology of the kidney, or ask an anesthesiologist what the best regimen for a hypertensive patient with mitral valve prolapse is-- most won't have the answer because they aren't a necessity for everyday practice. Honestly I think this is a stupid question, if the OP truly wants to be able to "diagnose basic (I guess it depends on how you define basic) diseases of the whole body" he should go into a field of medicine or NP/PA that does this on a regular basis. Or he could just read a few medical books and play doctor-- either way this is a stupid thread (I mean come on, do "physicians live healthier" just because they know more about the human body...).

 

[yappy]

As I said, I'm not speaking on behalf of everyone because all dental schools have different curriculum. I'm sharing my experience and others who have been through the same are welcome to chime in if they wish to provide their version or rebuttal what I've been discussing.

Which Robbin's Path book are you using? There 2 versions: Basic Pathology (900 pages) or Pathologic Basis of Diseases (1400 pages with molecular genetics in more detail).
And I remember referencing Guyton Hall Physiology in dental school. I probably read only 20 pages from that 1000+ page book. Are you covering the entire book?
Is your dental school reading Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine which covers pathophysiology?

My dental school covered head and neck, basic cardio and lungs. The other chunk focused mainly on teeth.
In medical school, we covered full body anatomy (that means head and neck also) and full body organ systems in extensive detail (renal, hematology, cardio, neuroscience, psychiatry, pulmonary, dermatology, rheumatology, musculoskeletal, liver, endocrine, reproductive, genitourinary, genetics, gastrointestinal). Plus, we covered microbiology and pharmacology for each system. Are you learning all of these at your dental school?

I don't know if I'm learning them in as much detail as medical students but I'm learning them to the extent that USMLE first aid is a review book rather than something I'll have to learn new ideas from. In fact, their step 1 seems to be less comprehensive than many of the text I've been reading from. I'm sure beyond the basic sciences medical and dental school diverge greatly.

I agree with the above poster. Going to medical school to learn "medical knowledge" for healthier living or to form basic ddx is not needed. If you go to dental school you'll be literate in science, and many aspects of medicine, and then can let your interests guide you from there. OP, I think you should go into whatever field you want to work in after you graduate.

EDIT. To take it even further I think you would know more about health/diet if you did a masters or phd in biochemistry than if you obtained an MD.

 

[AU07DMD]

Take the CBSE after dental school medicine classes and then you'll see how little medical knowledge you gain from dental school.

^^^ +1. Dental school basic sciences are like a nice outline that allow you to pass the NDBE Part 1. Nothing more. You learn very little about medicine and especially how to apply medicine to various patient presentations while in dental school.

 

[dentalschoolstudent]

Hi

I want to apply for dental school but I have some trouble with deciding between dentistry and medicine; I like every aspect of dental school and dentistry. but I also like having medical knowledge and using it in my own life, the ability of diagnosing basic/common diseases of the whole body and knowing how to prevent basic/common health problems.(i.e. having enough medical knowledge to improve my personal health)

So, my question is: how much medical knowledge you will obtain through dental school? do physicians live healthier?

Thanks

I disagree with what some of these responses say. It is truly up to each dental school how much medicine a dental student learns. Most of the basic sciences are geared toward oral biophysiology because we are dental students. We used many of the same textbooks the medical students used because the medical instructors came to our school and taught us the exact same class. Sometimes it was the same class in a shorter amount of time. My pathophysiology class was the hardest class I took in dental school. I used the USMLE Part I as a study guide to go along with the required textbook. WE did not cover it all, but we did cover a large amount of it and in great detail. So I would suggest going to the admissions counselor and asking how much medicine the students receive before you make a decision.

 

[Kittenz]

Depends on the dental school. All of the BMS classes at the dental schools of Harvard and UConn share their BMS classes with med students for the first 2 years, first 1 and 1/2 years for Columbia, and I think maybe some for UCSF and Stonybrook. They would be expected to know a broader range of medical material depending on how many BMS classes the dental students share with the med students.

 

[PikminOC]

I don't know if I'm learning them in as much detail as medical students but I'm learning them to the extent that USMLE first aid is a review book rather than something I'll have to learn new ideas from. In fact, their step 1 seems to be less comprehensive than many of the text I've been reading from. I'm sure beyond the basic sciences medical and dental school diverge greatly.

I agree with the above poster. Going to medical school to learn "medical knowledge" for healthier living or to form basic ddx is not needed. If you go to dental school you'll be literate in science, and many aspects of medicine, and then can let your interests guide you from there. OP, I think you should go into whatever field you want to work in after you graduate.

EDIT. To take it even further I think you would know more about health/diet if you did a masters or phd in biochemistry than if you obtained an MD.

I'm sure you can take a practice Step one from Kaplan if you'd like.

 

[PikminOC]

I disagree with what some of these responses say. It is truly up to each dental school how much medicine a dental student learns. Most of the basic sciences are geared toward oral biophysiology because we are dental students. We used many of the same textbooks the medical students used because the medical instructors came to our school and taught us the exact same class. Sometimes it was the same class in a shorter amount of time. My pathophysiology class was the hardest class I took in dental school. I used the USMLE Part I as a study guide to go along with the required textbook. WE did not cover it all, but we did cover a large amount of it and in great detail. So I would suggest going to the admissions counselor and asking how much medicine the students receive before you make a decision.

My husband is a dentist.
We went to school together a med and dental school.
It's not just the reading that matters. Do not make that mistake. And first aid is not good at all for medical school or step 1. We all buy it bc everyone has it.
The medical school questions were multistep questions and more in depth. We studied together, and he helped me a great deal, so I know he knows a lot. He also got a 95 percent on his first dental board exam.

 

[yappy]

My husband is a dentist.
We went to school together a med and dental school.
It's not just the reading that matters. Do not make that mistake. And first aid is not good at all for medical school or step 1. We all buy it bc everyone has it.
The medical school questions were multistep questions and more in depth. We studied together, and he helped me a great deal, so I know he knows a lot. He also got a 95 percent on his first dental board exam.

I know several medical students who thought their 230+ was from taking a few months to cover first aid and USMLE world; this from students who "got by" in medical school.

 

[PikminOC]

I know several medical students who thought their 230+ was from taking a few months to cover first aid and USMLE world; this from students who "got by" in medical school.

There is a poster on here who did dental school and medical school. And I assume he did medical school afterwards as he had the knowledge of dental school to help as well.
"Getting by" in medical school is a lot harder than getting by in any other graduate school.

As I said, you can take the Kaplan step 1 exams anytime you want.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

There is a poster on here who did dental school and medical school. And I assume he did medical school afterwards as he had the knowledge of dental school to help as well.
"Getting by" in medical school is a lot harder than getting by in any other graduate school.

As I said, you can take the Kaplan step 1 exams anytime you want.

The underdlined suggests you do not know a lot about a prominent specialty of the dental field and thus calls into question your knowledge of the field in general and the bold needs a source and a pair of oven mitts for such a scorching hot take.

 

[CMistry]

"Getting by" in medical school is a lot harder than getting by in any other graduate school.

This could not be further from the truth.

 

[PikminOC]

This could not be further from the truth.

To each his own. That is my opinion.
I found First Aid to be terrible.
And when nurses, dentists, pharmacists, PA's go to medical school, they still have their base knowledge from their educations to help.
I went straight to medical school without any other degrees than my undergraduate one.
And it was very hard. Especially when competing with other students who have post baccs, dental degrees, pa etc.

 

[gn4]

depends on the school. I go to a dental school where I take the same classes with and same tests as the medstudents

 

[PikminOC]

Not the same grading curve

 

[gn4]

I don't know if that was directed at me, but we were on the same grading curve. If anything, it might have been easier to be a medstudent because they have just p/f while we had p/f/h and we were graded by the same medical professors. So...Again, it depends on the school.

 

[mmc12]

Would you say most dentists are comfortable in handling medical emergencies in their officea?

 

[nobeldds]

Would you say most dentists are comfortable in handling medical emergencies in their officea?

Having medical knowledge from a book, and being able to apply that knowledge practically is a much different thing. Medical students get many hours of hands-on experience in their 3rd and 4th year rotations, where they are applying that knowledge. Dental student clinics rotations do not demand the same level of medical knowledge, and these concepts are never exercised practically to the same extent.

In my experience, we learned largely the same material as the medical students in the first 2 years, but we had less time to study due to the dental courses and labs we had. Of course the faculty had lower expectations of us, and we were not expected to remember the material in the same level of detail and we were therefore lectured to and tested separately. I think some of us could have ended up with an ok score on step 1.

I remember a lot of dental students were upset that we had gone into so much detail about the body, especially while we were dissecting feet.

 

[BlackThought]

In my experience, we learned largely the same material as the medical students in the first 2 years

Not really. But I guess this depends on the school you go to.

I think some of us could have ended up with an ok score on step 1.

I think you may be underestimating the Step 1. It requires dedicated studying time, with the large majority of topics not being covered in dental school.

 

[TanMan]

Would you say most dentists are comfortable in handling medical emergencies in their officea?

Handle (yes, especially if you don't sedate), but not long term management from the potential complications of medical emergencies. Most of the time, just know when to activate EMS, be cool and don't act like it's your fault. If you make a big deal out of something, then it's perceived as a big deal.

Do not let them die in your chair. I've seen a well established office go down pretty quickly from a death.

 

[beannaithe]

Would you say most dentists are comfortable in handling medical emergencies in their officea?

You should be able to handle medical emergencies from CPR training. The most important thing is to know how to maintain an airway (head tilt/jaw thrust), check vitals and know when to call 911. Know when to terminate a procedure if something is going wrong. Don't keep going. And always remember that patients can/will lie about medications/drugs they take. I have had a few that piggybacked some sort of sedative (Xanax/Valium, etc) prior to a nitrous appointment and flat out denied when asked prior to using nitrous. Be sure to note this in your chart.

And take blood pressures prior to big procedures like extractions. There's potential for a patient to have crazy high blood pressure, you try to a procedure, stress them out and they either go into cardiac arrest or stroke out.

And ask diabetics (especially the insulin dependent type I) about the last time they've eaten and checked their blood sugar. Low blood sugar can happen when you least expect it.

That tends to be the most common medical emergencies you might experience in a dental office.

 

[scoopdaboop]

I think you may be underestimating the Step 1. It requires dedicated studying time, with the large majority of topics not being covered in dental school.

when you realize some kids who want to do OMFS get 70s on their CBSE with studying, which is considered a decent score, is around 200 step, which is considered awful in medicine, then you realize most dental kids can't "get by".

 

[DavesNotHere]

when you realize some kids who want to do OMFS get 70s on their CBSE with studying, which is considered a decent score, is around 200 step, which is considered awful in medicine, then you realize most dental kids can't "get by".

The cbse conversion table to step 1 isn’t very accurate though. Of the 32 omfs resident scores i saw, ALL of them scored at least 10 points higher on Step1 than what their CBSE predicted.

And knock off the attitude, you couldn’t even get into an MD school.

 

[scoopdaboop]

And knock off the attitude, you couldn’t even get into an MD school.

I hadn't applied to MD schools because my first MCAT was a 507. I retook it and got a 515, so yes, I could have gotten in the next cycle. I was interested in dentistry prior and got a 21 DAT which is the 92nd percentile. The DAT is a joke. And it is not "attitude", it is simply the truth.

In addition, I don't see how not being a MD is even applicable in this situation. It is comparing the medical knowledge between 2 fields of medicine and dental "medicine". You seem to resort to ad hominem attacks when you can't handle the truth.

 

[DavesNotHere]

I hadn't applied to MD schools because my first MCAT was a 507. I retook it and got a 515, so yes, I could have gotten in the next cycle. I was interested in dentistry prior and got a 21 DAT which is the 92nd percentile. The DAT is a joke. And it is not "attitude", it is simply the truth.

In addition, I don't see how not being a MD is even applicable in this situation. It is comparing the medical knowledge between 2 fields of medicine and dental "medicine". You seem to resort to ad hominem attacks when you can't handle the truth.

Keep telling yourself you “could have” been an MD...meanwhile I am. I just find it shocking that you have this superior attitude while being unable to get into an allopathic school. Please just go to another forum friendo.

I think mods are safe to lock this one.

 

[TanMan]

You should be able to handle medical emergencies from CPR training. The most important thing is to know how to maintain an airway (head tilt/jaw thrust), check vitals and know when to call 911. Know when to terminate a procedure if something is going wrong. Don't keep going. And always remember that patients can/will lie about medications/drugs they take. I have had a few that piggybacked some sort of sedative (Xanax/Valium, etc) prior to a nitrous appointment and flat out denied when asked prior to using nitrous. Be sure to note this in your chart.

And take blood pressures prior to big procedures like extractions. There's potential for a patient to have crazy high blood pressure, you try to a procedure, stress them out and they either go into cardiac arrest or stroke out.

And ask diabetics (especially the insulin dependent type I) about the last time they've eaten and checked their blood sugar. Low blood sugar can happen when you least expect it.

That tends to be the most common medical emergencies you might experience in a dental office.

Most emergencies can be fixed with one of the following... O2/glucose packets/positioning/know when to activate EMS. I'm a slight skeptic about BP in times of dental pain, as I see BP's drop down significantly after administration of anesthetic.

when you realize some kids who want to do OMFS get 70s on their CBSE with studying, which is considered a decent score, is around 200 step, which is considered awful in medicine, then you realize most dental kids can't "get by".

I wish dentists would stop trying to be physicians of the whole body. We specialize in the oral cavity and anything else that could be connected to it. I wouldn't want the responsibility of anything else besides teeth and gums. MD's/DO's can have the rest.

 

[ibuprofen400mg]

Go through OMFS training. You will be able to think and talk like a real doc.

 

[slowthai]

Go through OMFS training. You will be able to think and talk like a real doc.

You are a real doc, honestly. A full fledged surgeon.

 

[BlackThought]

You are a real doc, honestly. A full fledged surgeon.

Alright mods. Lets lock/close/shutdown this dumpster fire of a thread.

 

[slowthai]

Alright mods. Lets lock/close/shutdown this dumpster fire of a thread.

I don't understand. You disagree that OMFS are doctors?

 

[BlackThought]

I don't understand. You disagree that OMFS are doctors?

My comment wasn't directed to you. Apologies.

I just dont think this thread has any productive dialogue going for a while. Its becoming a d**k-measuring contest.

 

[schmoob]

My comment wasn't directed to you. Apologies.

I just dont think this thread has any productive dialogue going for a while. Its becoming a d**k-measuring contest.

Agreed. A dentist has enough medical knowledge to safely practice dentistry. We are not allopathic/osteopathic physicians, unless you’ve completed a 6y program

 

[ibuprofen400mg]

Well said

 

[RIPHarambe4]

when you realize some kids who want to do OMFS get 70s on their CBSE with studying, which is considered a decent score, is around 200 step, which is considered awful in medicine, then you realize most dental kids can't "get by".

I don't particularly care about this thread, but I would like to shed some light on how incorrect this statement is.

1. Dental students pursuing OMFS take the CBSE while they are full time DENTAL students. This means they have a full schedule in clinic and studying for dental school tests. I took the CBSE (scored 70+) and I studied for 2 months from 6pm-10pm through the week and 12 hr days on the weekends. I had at least 5 dental school tests during that 2 month span so you can reduce my study time even more. There isn't a med student out there that studied that little for Step 1. Med students are granted a dedicated multiple month long study period where they have zero responsibilities. Also, that is after they participated in a 1-2 yr curriculum that is specifically designed to prepare them for step.
2. Most dental schools rank their students and generally this is considered just as important if not more important when applying for OMFS. Most OMFS programs just want to see that the student could pass step 1 if they matriculated into their program. So given that OMFS applicants need to tend to their dental school responsibilites, they are usually shooting for a "pass" rather than the highest score possible. If an OMFS applicant can make a 70+ on the CBSE while maintaining a top 10% class rank they will most likely match. If they want a CBSE score higher than 70 it is likely for ease of mind, some sort of personal goal, or they are compensating for a low class rank.
3. As mentioned above there are certain dental schools where the students spend the first 2 years in med school classes. It is very common for OMFS applicants from these schools to score anywhere from 80-98 on the CBSE rather than in the 70s.

In summary, this is comparing apples to oranges.

 

[SoftGel]

"Getting by" in medical school is a lot harder than getting by in any other graduate school.

This is why so many physicians have reputations as a**holes. I speak from experience, as the son of a physician, brother of an RN, and friend to many MD's. So many MD's believe they walk on water and that they are the smartest people in the room.

I never went to medical school, but as an undergrad the engineering degrees are significantly more challenging than the pre-med courses. I am sure that extends to grad school. How many MD's are awarded annually? How about physics PhDs?

The arrogance of doctors never ceases to amaze me 🙂

 

[schmoob]

This is why so many physicians have reputations as a**holes. I speak from experience, as the son of a physician, brother of an RN, and friend to many MD's. So many MD's believe they walk on water and that they are the smartest people in the room.

I never went to medical school, but as an undergrad the engineering degrees are significantly more challenging than the pre-med courses. I am sure that extends to grad school. How many MD's are awarded annually? How about physics PhDs?

The arrogance of doctors never ceases to amaze me 🙂

So you’re actually not speaking from experience. I am not understanding your point here or what the correlation is to the quoted comment. What graduate or professional programs have you done?

Also, I have met PLENTY of nurses that would benefit from an attitude adjustment

 

[omfsing]

This thread is why we can’t have nice things

 

[Sublimazing]

No Medical Knowledge?!! Tell that to the 8 placentas I delivered!

 

[PikminOC]

This is why so many physicians have reputations as a**holes. I speak from experience, as the son of a physician, brother of an RN, and friend to many MD's. So many MD's believe they walk on water and that they are the smartest people in the room.

I never went to medical school, but as an undergrad the engineering degrees are significantly more challenging than the pre-med courses. I am sure that extends to grad school. How many MD's are awarded annually? How about physics PhDs?

The arrogance of doctors never ceases to amaze me 🙂

You quoted my post from 2015! Had alot of time to chew on the answer eh

 

[ProspectivePostPreDent]

I love how these threads always draw in a variety of ego-based answers hiding so subtly under a thin veneer of neutrality and pragmatism.

Oh, my repeated responses and unmistakable condescension in this thread? Nothing to do with my personal insecurities. I'm doing my best as a helpful denizen of this forum whose primary concern is aiding the up-and-comers in keeping with SDN's mission statement.

Lmao. Stop it.

Let's just clear out all the horsecrap: a certain chunk of physicians (particularly the type who rack up large post counts on "doctor forums") place all their identity in the idea that their job is the absolute hardest, most cerebral, most important, etc, and that the majority of people who aren't physicians simply couldn't make the cut in one way or another.

So can you guys who post like that just tack a transparent statement announcing your superiority over all other humans onto your signatures? It would save us so much time in distinguishing who is an adult and who still thinks in terms of middle-school hierarchical paradigms.

I know, I know. If only I had experienced some of the rigor of the medical world, I might be able to finally understand that the dripping snobbery and ceaseless desire for affirmation is actually just a manifestation of the overwhelming passion that every SDN MD candidate (blessings be upon them) exudes in their role as healers, teachers, and lifelong learners.

I can only speak as a lowly dental who passed two years of medical school with no issue (same tests taken simultaneously on the same grading curve, before that embarrassed wife of an inferior intellect attempts to correct yet another person about their own school). It's applied biology: a giant problem solving game featuring essentially zero abstraction.. at least until you talk to the computational medicine types who are largely PhDs anyways. You can memorize all the molecules and organisms that you want, as well as the conditions under which they interact with every other molecule or organism and where this occurs; at the end of the day, it's a giant heaping pile of empirical knowledge, sharing epistemological category with a chimpanzee's understanding of his own genitals.

Hell, if I wuz one o' them real smart fellers, I'da taken a swing at a doctorate in mathematics er maybe theoretical physics. Fer the rest of us idiots who only deal with thangs that map 1:1 with reality, there's always memorizin' more enzymes!

 

[schmoob]

I love how these threads always draw in a variety of ego-based answers hiding so subtly under a thin veneer of neutrality and pragmatism.

Oh, my repeated responses and unmistakable condescension in this thread? Nothing to do with my personal insecurities. I'm doing my best as a helpful denizen of this forum whose primary concern is aiding the up-and-comers in keeping with SDN's mission statement.

Lmao. Stop it.

Let's just clear out all the horsecrap: a certain chunk of physicians (particularly the type who rack up large post counts on "doctor forums") place all their identity in the idea that their job is the absolute hardest, most cerebral, most important, etc, and that the majority of people who aren't physicians simply couldn't make the cut in one way or another.

So can you guys who post like that just tack a transparent statement announcing your superiority over all other humans onto your signatures? It would save us so much time in distinguishing who is an adult and who still thinks in terms of middle-school hierarchical paradigms.

I know, I know. If only I had experienced some of the rigor of the medical world, I might be able to finally understand that the dripping snobbery and ceaseless desire for affirmation is actually just a manifestation of the overwhelming passion that every SDN MD candidate (blessings be upon them) exudes in their role as healers, teachers, and lifelong learners.

I can only speak as a lowly dental who passed two years of medical school with no issue (same tests taken simultaneously on the same grading curve, before that embarrassed wife of an inferior intellect attempts to correct yet another person about their own school). It's applied biology: a giant problem solving game featuring essentially zero abstraction.. at least until you talk to the computational medicine types who are largely PhDs anyways. You can memorize all the molecules and organisms that you want, as well as the conditions under which they interact with every other molecule or organism and where this occurs; at the end of the day, it's a giant heaping pile of empirical knowledge, sharing epistemological category with a chimpanzee's understanding of his own genitals.

Hell, if I wuz one o' them real smart fellers, I'da taken a swing at a doctorate in mathematics er maybe theoretical physics. Fer the rest of us idiots who only deal with thangs that map 1:1 with reality, there's always memorizin' more enzymes!

Get back to studying for D2 final exams. This is no place to take out your frustrations with a pretentious manifesto.