M.S. Degree & New Grad Salary...

[Rubber Dam Man]

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I will have earned my M.S. degree prior to matriculating into dental school. My question to you guys is ... does having a Master's Degree has any effect on your salary when you graduate dental school and are looking to associate? I know GPRs, etc... can boost your salary as a new grad, but what about a masters (or is it essentially a waste aside from helping you gain acceptance into dental school)?

Anyone with some real world insight - feel free to answer... Thanks

 

[dentaldawg32]

An MS in Molecular and Cell Biology will have absolutely no effect on your salary as a dentist. A GPR provides you with the skills needed to be a competent dentist, hence why salary is higher. An MS (which are a dime a dozen these days) does not. Common sense, my friend - no real world insight required.

 

[mike3kgt]

MS degree means absolutely nothing for the private practice of dentistry. If you want to go into academia, it can help, however.

GPR does not translate into higher starting salary as a rule. You may get preference over a fresh dental grad because you have 1 additional year of experience. You would also have preference over another candidate with a similar resume if you had the GPR on your record.

Basically, the only thing that matters to salary for associate positions is your ability to make money and produce dentistry. It just so happens that if your GPR program provides you with IV sedation experience and you want to work in an office that does lots of sedation, it would definitely help. Or if you had a lot of implant surgery experience or oral surgery experiences you could tailor yourself to this type of office.

Sorry, GPR program is over-rated in regards to expected gain vs. actual gain for the average good dental student. Find a good one with lots of experience in something you want to do, it may be worth it.

 

[Rubber Dam Man]

Yea - that's what I figured, but just wanted to see if I was mistaken. Thanks guys - I appreciate the feedback