I'm free for a bit
LECOM D4 AMA
- Thread starter srynotsry
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What’s the average debt? Do you guys learn to place implants?
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Do you feel like you've gotten/will have enough experience to be a competent dentist without an extra year of training post-graduation?
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I dont know anyone from SDN irl but im pretty sure most know me because its very obvious if you spend any time around me. My username is pretty close to my actual name and Im that obnoxious loud cowboys fan that everyone hates during football season.
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EAT ZEKE EAT
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Can you provide some insight into whether students like the PBL curriculum, how much clinical experience you think you are getting, and how clinic works in D3/4
hint: everyone hates obnoxious loud cowboys fans outside of football season too 😉
I'm in Erie. You can go to Erie PA or Defuniak Springs FL. Transition was bad, because you get a taste of Lakewood Ranch FL for three years and then they rip that away from you. In third and fourth year there are a set of prereq procedures you have to complete before you challenge the competency on that procedure. Most people have no problem reaching them and then some.
no clue
Yes? I think so? Speaking to my friends at other dental schools, it's clear to me I've gotten to do a lot more procedures than them and a lot earlier on as well. I don't think anyone is 100% confident of going into "the real world" but I feel like no excuses at this point. One advantage of not having residency programs in the school is that we get to do the procedures (root canals, oral surgery) that residents might do. As you know, they also separate the D3 and D4 classes, so there is less competition for procedures in that aspect as well.
I don't like PBL. Some people do, some people don't.
I think we get a good amount of clinical experience.
D3 year, we have class from 7-9 AM and then see one patient from 9-12 and another from 1-4.
D4 year, we are split into AM and PM shifts. half the clinic sees two patients from 7-1 and then the other half sees patients from 1-7. If you feel you can see more than that in those six hours, you're encouraged to. The reason most people choose to only keep two patients a day is to have time to clean up and set up their rooms and get a food and bathroom break in between
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Molar endo experience?
Yes we get molar endo experience. I've done one so far this year. Many of my classmates have done a lot more. I've done four anterior endo besides that.
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What is the Erie area like? Considering choosing that location...
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Interesting. How many crowns do y’all do? Also not sure if you saw my question high up above when I asked about debt and placing implants?
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Do you think how the school is set up with the D4s at external campuses is beneficial? If they kept everyone at the Lakewood Ranch campus, would/could they have enough patients to go around? Do you have any lecture hours during D4 at all? Are you on your own for moving and finding a new place ect?
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How much did you hate the schedule? Having barely any days off sounds brutal when combined with mandatory attendance.
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This is an accurate statement
It is the worst. I am so burnt out. If you are someone who's close to your family and will be living away from them it's gonna be difficult for you. First and second year were more relaxed just because the schedule had shorter days and we didn't always have school five days a week, but ever since third year I haven't had a moment to breathe.
I think so. I don't know logistically the population required to keep a dental school in business, but I felt that as D3's we had a ton of work. I'm sure having d4's around may have affected that though.
In D4, we don't have lectures. You're either in from 7-1 or 1-7 and the rest of the day is yours, although a lot of people stay behind to treatment plan with preceptors or do lab work.
You are DEFINITELY on your own. They give you one week to move all your belongings from Bradenton to Defuniak or to Erie, and that is about the only break you get from January 2 to Thanksgiving in November, and you're spending it moving. Can you tell I'm bitter about this?
I've done 8 crowns so far between D3 and D4. We get a lot more implant experience in D4. Our oral surgeon places the implants but we are the assistants and we restore them. But I guess extensive education on placing them will have to be done after graduation in CE's.
Nothing like Lakewood Ranch. Very old. Very cold. Everything you need is within a ten minute drive (Target, Marshalls, mall, movie theater, chain restaurants), but don't expect anything extra or fancy. Not a lot of diverse food options. People are very nice. People here love their little town. The four months of summer you get here are the best weather you'll ever get (sunny skies, 75 degrees) but I know that the next five-six months will be hell.
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Is it not 8-5 every day for D1 and D2? I wasn't able to get a straight answer during the interview.
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Thanks for the answers and for doing this. Definitely helpful for people still in the decision-making process or to know what types of questions to ask.
I was accepted to LECOM, but this ended up being the main reason I declined the offer. I really liked Lakewood Ranch and I knew I wouldn't want to move to Erie or Defuniak.
They probably didn't give you a straight answer because there is no straight answer. It depends on which courses you're taking, and some courses last 2-3 months while others are a whole semester, and depends on which group you're in. I wish I could give you a straight answer but honestly don't remember and it also changed a lot with the courses. Some semesters you have SIM lab every day, some you have it every other day. PBL is three days a week generally. I remember the schedule being pretty chill for D1 and D2.
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When do you start looking/applying for jobs?
All of my friends that I've talked to have started. Corporate practices will start helping you from now but private practices won't show interest until soon before they need the position filled. Many will tell you it is too soon to look for jobs.
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Anyone plan to do a GPR or AEGD?
Yeah I don't know the exact number, but I would guess about 5 or 6 just based on the people I know. Most are going for GPRs not AEGDs.
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Do you think those give added experience and knowledge on certain procedures that will help greatly in practice and give a head start? Or is it more like start practicing in the world and you’ll learn it anyway
Not sure. I am going straight into practice and am hoping for the second. I think jumping into practice is the most important way to learn, but many people need the safety net of being under a university system in order to try new things. It can be scary to try a procedure for the first time on your own and under your license. That's something I definitely think about. At the same time, I don't think I have it in me to give up another year of my life away from family and not make a significant amount of money.
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Yeah that’s the exact same thought process I have when thinking about doing any further programs after dental school. Can be helpful but more time in school away from fam and not making money.
How long do you think you’ll take to pay off loans? Sometimes I wonder dental school is worth the 400k debt to get into dentistry. Even LECOM as a cheaper private is estimated close to 400k. Some of the more expensive schools may end up being my only options.
