I know this has been done to death but...

[kitejunky27]

People speculate alot about what columbia does ranking wise, but I dont think anyone really knows for sure. I have heard the thirds thing and it might be true, but I also feel that being in the bottom third doesnt lock people out of specialties here.

I think there has to be a lot of truth in the idea that specialty programs know what to expect from these high match programs and so they take more candidates each year.

Someone said it above and its absolutely true, that even though we might have half the class matching into competitive specialties it is not necessarily the top half of the class. I know some of the top students in each year plan on being GPs. Personally I like being at a school were we all have a good chance of getting to do what we want so we help each other, instead of gunning for the top 10%.

I am not saying Columbia is the only school with a match situation like this, but its the one i know and the truth of the matter is that SDN's go to answer of always go to the cheapest school isnt always true, particularly when you can invest a little more in your education, have your choice of specialty if you want it, and potentially be making at least another third in additional income every year for the rest of your life.

theres more to picking a dental school then just cheapest price tag.

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[rockclock]

People speculate alot about what columbia does ranking wise, but I dont think anyone really knows for sure. I have heard the thirds thing and it might be true, but I also feel that being in the bottom third doesnt lock people out of specialties here.

I think there has to be a lot of truth in the idea that specialty programs know what to expect from these high match programs and so they take more candidates each year.

Someone said it above and its absolutely true, that even though we might have half the class matching into competitive specialties it is not necessarily the top half of the class. I know some of the top students in each year plan on being GPs. Personally I like being at a school were we all have a good chance of getting to do what we want so we help each other, instead of gunning for the top 10%.

I am not saying Columbia is the only school with a match situation like this, but its the one i know and the truth of the matter is that SDN's go to answer of always go to the cheapest school isnt always true, particularly when you can invest a little more in your education, have your choice of specialty if you want it, and potentially be making at least another third in additional income every year for the rest of your life.

theres more to picking a dental school then just cheapest price tag.

I agree with what you're saying about columbia...that's why this decision took me such a long time. I personally don't think that the 85k difference (150k to 200k in repayment depending on how long I take to pay it back and how long I spend in deferment during speciality training) would have made or broken my career in any way shape or form. At the same time, UCLA can certainly hold a candle to columbia and I don't think I crippled my chances at achieving my speciality/career/salary of my choice in any way shape or form either.

all the best to you at columbia.

 

[Maygyver]

I agree with what you're saying about columbia...that's why this decision took me such a long time. I personally don't think that the 85k difference (150k to 200k in repayment depending on how long I take to pay it back and how long I spend in deferment during speciality training) would have made or broken my career in any way shape or form. At the same time, UCLA can certainly hold a candle to columbia and I don't think I crippled my chances at achieving my speciality/career/salary of my choice in any way shape or form either.

all the best to you at columbia.

I definitely agree. I think when it comes down to those two schools you can't really think of specializing differences because they are both such good programs. For me it came down to proximity to family, and the fact that I'm weary about UCLA's financial situation. I definitely loved the program and area there though. I think both schools allow you to really fulfill any goal you have.

 

[kitejunky27]

was not really trying to argue against UCLA as I would put it in the high match rate group of schools.

More sort of thinking along the lines of arguing against the "going to the cheapest school possible no matter what" argument.

UCLA will be great

 

[rockclock]

was not really trying to argue against UCLA as I would put it in the high match rate group of schools.

More sort of thinking along the lines of arguing against the "going to the cheapest school possible no matter what" argument.

UCLA will be great

ah gotcha...I misinterpreted what you wrote in the context of ucla vs. columbia.

agreed 100%. blindly applying one-dimensional decision making to something as complex as this would be a recipe for disaster.

 

[YaYa57]

UCLA all the way!! Honestly it can not get any better to go grad school in Westwood. =)

 

[UltimateHombre]

I am not a dental professional yet, but I think there is no substitute to natural teeth... Extraction should only be a last resort.

My main mentor is a endodontist and this is the argument that he and many other dentists use.

Natural teeth are attached to periodontal nerves and you feel what you are biting and how you are biting it. An implant allows no such action (as far as my minuscule knowledge goes).

Another big thing to consider is the area of research that has been done in regeneration of teeth. Currently regeneration is one of the core procedures done under endodontists scope of practice. Although the science is still not understood completely, there are certain methods that stimulate periodontal stem cells to go in to dead nerve/root tissue and bring the tooth back to life. The growth of complete new teeth from stem cells have already been done it rats, it is only a matter of time, before it happens in humans. And when that time comes, you know that the root/pulpal nerve experts, the endos, will be heading the way.

I think one last thing to consider is insurance reimbursement. I know the cost of a RCT is about $1000 and a crown is about another $1000. Most insurances will pay anywhere from 40-60% of these procedures depending on provider. I am not sure how much an extraction and implant placement costs? And i also don't know what insurance covers on this? Will someone please share more light on this for me?

 

[dentalWorks]

My main mentor is a endodontist and this is the argument that he and many other dentists use.

Natural teeth are attached to periodontal nerves and you feel what you are biting and how you are biting it. An implant allows no such action (as far as my minuscule knowledge goes).

Another big thing to consider is the area of research that has been done in regeneration of teeth. Currently regeneration is one of the core procedures done under endodontists scope of practice. Although the science is still not understood completely, there are certain methods that stimulate periodontal stem cells to go in to dead nerve/root tissue and bring the tooth back to life. The growth of complete new teeth from stem cells have already been done it rats, it is only a matter of time, before it happens in humans. And when that time comes, you know that the root/pulpal nerve experts, the endos, will be heading the way.

I think one last thing to consider is insurance reimbursement. I know the cost of a RCT is about $1000 and a crown is about another $1000. Most insurances will pay anywhere from 40-60% of these procedures depending on provider. I am not sure how much an extraction and implant placement costs? And i also don't know what insurance covers on this? Will someone please share more light on this for me?

valid points you bring up.... unfortunately, the average patient has the knowledge of a 5-year old when it comes to whats best for them.... when they go into the office of an implant-master (whether it be a GP or a specialist), they sometimes get advised to get an implant... or the patient is hellbent on an implant cause they know someone who got it and is happy about it..... In situations like this, the patient is almost always going to end up with an implant even if the "better" treatment option was to go to an endo

There is another thing to consider.... do you know much time it takes to actually get an implant to finally attach? Months (2-4 months is what i've heard). You gotta screw the metal in and wait several months for the bone to grow around and anchor it..... then the patient goes and finally gets a crown (usually $1000)

 

[pinetar321]

flapa is correct in saying that the 2014's were the highest DAT in the country again