Is a bachelor's degree necessary for specialization after dental school?

[purekitten]

Hi, I'm a high school senior that is currently considering UoP's 5 and 6 year dental program. If I went into their 5 year program, I would complete 2 years of undergrad work at their Stockton campus, then go directly to the dental school after that. Going to their 6 year dental program would require me to do 3 years of undergraduate work and then be granted a bachelors in science after my first year in UoP's dental school. After attending UoP's profile day for admitted students, I learned from the pre-dental faculty that the 5 year program is not the favored path of most students because the lack of having a bachelor's degree negatively impacts a candidate's chance of being accepted into a specialization program after dental school. Is this true? This is an important decision for me because I want to keep my options open in the future, and yet if a lack of a bachelor's degree will not hurt me, I'll probably go for the 5 year option.

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[dentalprodigy]

"I learned from the faculty"...dude U already know the answer from the actual school faculty that its unfavorable

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[433439]

This question has been asked a ton of times, use the search function.

 

[tothepark]

Some residencies require a transcript from your undergraduate institution. Therefore, if you do not have a bachelors degree or have a limited undergrad transcript it can potentially have a negative result.

 

[gryffindor]

If you are a rockstar in dental school, the lack of a bachelor's degree is not going to matter. The only place that MIGHT get hung up on it is a med school attached to a 6-yr OMFS residency that has some silly undergrad requirement, not the actual OMFS residency itself. But if they really want you, they will make it happen. The 4 year programs and other specialties won't care about a bachelor's or not.

 

[doc toothache]

Some residencies require a transcript from your undergraduate institution. Therefore, if you do not have a bachelors degree or have a limited undergrad transcript it can potentially have a negative result.

A requirement for transcripts is a bit different than a requirement for an undergradute degree.

 

[tothepark]

Of course, but a lack of a degree will most likely mean a limited transcript. From my understanding this is usually the case for OMFS residency where the med schools get to see your undergrad transcript for acceptance, im sure a lack of a degree can only hurt you

 

[CMistry]

I heard that some residency programs that grant you a post-grad degree (M.S., M.D., Ph.D.) may have an issue with the lack of a bachelors degree. Again I don't mean every M.S.-based program, just some. But I'm no authority.

 

[doc toothache]

A professional degree will more than make up for a lack of an undegrad degree.

 

[Michael Scarn]

If you want to do an MD integrated OMFS program it will absolutely be a huge problem. You will not be accepted. It is a requirement of every med school for the students to have a bachelor degree.
I'd do the 3+3 program at Pacific. You'll fast track and still get your degree.

 

[SexyMariGal]

If you want to do an MD integrated OMFS program it will absolutely be a huge problem. You will not be accepted. It is a requirement of every med school for the students to have a bachelor degree.
I'd do the 3+3 program at Pacific. You'll fast track and still get your degree.

So a bachelor's is worth more than a doctoral degree at those schools? They must have a really big stick up their ass of superiority complex. The fact that not everyone can make it into dental school and that the applicant has a dental degree says more than any schmuck with a BA/BS.

 

[Michael Scarn]

So a bachelor's is worth more than a doctoral degree at those schools? They must have a really big stick up their ass of superiority complex. The fact that not everyone can make it into dental school and that the applicant has a dental degree says more than any schmuck with a BA/BS.

Agreed. But med schools find it extremely difficult to think outside the box. They had to get a BA so you do too.
I took online courses during dental school to finish up my BA so I'd be eligible. I know as much as anyone how bad it sucks.

 

[gryffindor]

Agreed. But med schools find it extremely difficult to think outside the box. They had to get a BA so you do too.
I took online courses during dental school to finish up my BA so I'd be eligible. I know as much as anyone how bad it sucks.

So in the remote chance that the OP ends up wanting to apply for 6 year MD programs, then he/she would need a BA and could do some online courses like you did. Otherwise, if he decides to do any of the other 8 specialties or 4 year OMS programs, it won't matter.

I vote for 5 year program, get in, get your degree, keep your debt down. Undergrad is mostly a waste of time if dentistry is your final career destination.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I vote for 5 year program, get in, get your degree, keep your debt down. Undergrad is mostly a waste of time if dentistry is your final career destination.

👍

10 points for Gryffindor!