Melbourne's Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Program

[yunowu]

I am an US trained dentist who is currently applying to Melbourne's Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Program (special needs Dentistry). I have no problem in terms of financing my post-graduate Aussie dental education. Any experts out there want to share their thoughts and/or experiences about the Melbourne program ? I will bring my family (wife and 2 pre-teen children) along for the duration of this program, which I believe is 3 years. Any input relating to the local housing, lifestyle, primary school education and the program itself is appreciated. 🙂

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[Dr.Millisevert]

I am an US trained dentist who is currently applying to Melbourne's Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Program (special needs Dentistry). I have no problem in terms of financing my post-graduate Aussie dental education. Any experts out there want to share their thoughts and/or experiences about the Melbourne program ? I will bring my family (wife and 2 pre-teen children) along for the duration of this program, which I believe is 3 years. Any input relating to the local housing, lifestyle, primary school education and the program itself is appreciated. 🙂

Are you also considering Sydney's SND DClinDent program?

I know the US doesn't have any SND specific programs... Only GPR/pedo/geri focused units. What are your plans post SND graduation? You going to stick around Aus or go back to the states? Would be interesting to see an Aus SND grad in Academics in a US Dental school heading up a new SND Unit. Maybe you could create the first US SND program. 🙂

 

[BlueToothHunter]

I am an US trained dentist who is currently applying to Melbourne's Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Program (special needs Dentistry). I have no problem in terms of financing my post-graduate Aussie dental education. Any experts out there want to share their thoughts and/or experiences about the Melbourne program ? I will bring my family (wife and 2 pre-teen children) along for the duration of this program, which I believe is 3 years. Any input relating to the local housing, lifestyle, primary school education and the program itself is appreciated. 🙂

Since Melbourne isn't an ADA-accredited school (but is in Canada) and Special Needs Dentistry isn't an accredited specialty program in the U.S., I wonder if you would be able to register as such. If you are from California, specialty recognition doesn't really matter anyway, so you'll be fine.

I used to be a special needs dentist in Sydney (Westmead Dental Hospital) and basically it's a government dental services for the handicapped or medically compromised. You will get a chance to do plenty of IV-sedation cases and go into the operating room to do full-mouth dentistry (mostly extractions and amalgams/composite).

You will probably meet a lot of transplants in metro Australian cities. You would probably meet lots of Brits and Kiwis as well as South Africans who had immigrated recently to Australia. As for sports, you would have no choice but to follow local rugby league and Aussie Rules Football(!). You will have plenty of time to immerse in the sports.

Caveat for you! You (or your family) may NOT want to leave Australia after the three year's up! So think about the possibility of staying put and ask about obtaining an Aussie dental license!

The Aussie dollar went all time high against the US dollar just a few days ago. Might be a good idea to think long term in the "Lucky Country"!

 

[yunowu]

I was recently informed by U of Sydney that they will not offer SND for the 2012 cycle. Currently just pondering about my career options.....but yes, I would not mind to stay in Australia post-graduation, whether it is in academics or otherwise. Australia is considered much more laid back than the US and is probably better for my blood pressure. As you can tell, I am getting tired of the rat race in the States. My wife claims that I am going thru a period of "mid-life" crisis, although I beg to differ..LOL..I like to be in the company of "revolutionary' thinkers, and my Aussie fnancial advisor is definitely one of them..🙂. He currently resides at Gold Coast. Following his persistent and honest financial advice, I liquidated my US real estate investment at 2004 (at the height of US real estate bubble), and just very recently my asian real estate investment. Although I initially very much doubted his words of wisdom, I am eternally grateful for them now. The decade of 2010-2020 is considered as the decade for commodities. And of course Aussie Dollar is deemed as the commodity currency (anti-US dollar) in the world of professional investors. Investment guru Jim Rogers predicted the present commodity bull run may last another 20 years or so due to the emergence of China as an economic superpower....I may jump into Melbourne and Sydney real estate market after the current real estate bubble deflates just a bit..

Are you also considering Sydney's SND DClinDent program?

I know the US doesn't have any SND specific programs... Only GPR/pedo/geri focused units. What are your plans post SND graduation? You going to stick around Aus or go back to the states? Would be interesting to see an Aus SND grad in Academics in a US Dental school heading up a new SND Unit. Maybe you could create the first US SND program. 🙂

 

[yunowu]

Since Melbourne isn't an ADA-accredited school (but is in Canada) and Special Needs Dentistry isn't an accredited specialty program in the U.S., I wonder if you would be able to register as such. If you are from California, specialty recognition doesn't really matter anyway, so you'll be fine.

I used to be a special needs dentist in Sydney (Westmead Dental Hospital) and basically it's a government dental services for the handicapped or medically compromised. You will get a chance to do plenty of IV-sedation cases and go into the operating room to do full-mouth dentistry (mostly extractions and amalgams/composite).

You will probably meet a lot of transplants in metro Australian cities. You would probably meet lots of Brits and Kiwis as well as South Africans who had immigrated recently to Australia. As for sports, you would have no choice but to follow local rugby league and Aussie Rules Football(!). You will have plenty of time to immerse in the sports.

Caveat for you! You (or your family) may NOT want to leave Australia after the three year's up! So think about the possibility of staying put and ask about obtaining an Aussie dental license!

The Aussie dollar went all time high against the US dollar just a few days ago. Might be a good idea to think long term in the "Lucky Country"!

I appreciate your input. I currently reside in Nevada..but yea the economy here sucks as well. May be even more so than California.LOL..Thank goodness I made my fortune before the onset of recent economic downturn. It is my pleasure to meet with a fellow SND specialist. Unlike Australia, SND is not a recognized speciality here in the States. I was the dental director of a Washington State developmentally-disabled (down-syndrome) institution for about three years before moving on to the greener pasture of Las Vegas. Down syndrome patients are notoriously known for being difficult to treat. Although I do enjoy the challenge. Even with heavy sedation (before the institution was able to hire an anesthesiologist), I was constantly kicked, elbowed, bumped...At this point of my career (in my mid-forties and post-private practice), I want to keep myself busy by pursuing a post-graduate degree and giving back to the patient pool that got me started in the profession of dentistry.
My wife and I took a vow (during our 1997 Antarctica cruise) to visit South Pole again in the future. This time with our kids..🙂. We will fly this time around, instead of sailing in the violent waters of Drakes Passage...lol. I think being a future permanent melbourne and/or syndey resident should fulfill my promise rather easily..
http://www.antarcticaflights.com.au/

 

[Mordecai]

I appreciate your input. I currently reside in Nevada..but yea the economy here sucks as well. May be even more so than California.LOL..Thank goodness I made my fortune before the onset of recent economic downturn. It is my pleasure to meet with a fellow SND specialist. Unlike Australia, SND is not a recognized speciality here in the States. I was the dental director of a Washington State developmentally-disabled (down-syndrome) institution for about three years before moving on to the greener pasture of Las Vegas. Down syndrome patients are notoriously known for being difficult to treat. Although I do enjoy the challenge. Even with heavy sedation (before the institution was able to hire an anesthesiologist), I was constantly kicked, elbowed, bumped...At this point of my career (in my mid-forties and post-private practice), I want to keep myself busy by pursuing a post-graduate degree and giving back to the patient pool that got me started in the profession of dentistry.
My wife and I took a vow (during our 1997 Antarctica cruise) to visit South Pole again in the future. This time with our kids..🙂. We will fly this time around, instead of sailing in the violent waters of Drakes Passage...lol. I think being a future permanent melbourne and/or syndey resident should fulfill my promise rather easily..
http://www.antarcticaflights.com.au/

Hello,

I can't say alot about Sydney. My wife used to live in Parramatta in the west, but that's far from the prettiest part of that city. I am a Melbourne boy so I can tell you about the city.
Real estate prices are currently quite high, due to the rapid growth of the city, and people complain about traffic and congestion. Having said that, Melbourne is an incredibly culturally and ethnically varied city. There are people from every corner of the planet.
The University of Melbourne is a good place to be, it's in the middle of the city and has some really beautiful old buildings (Sydney Uni is nicer though).
There is alot to do in Melbourne, and it is an easier place to get around than Sydney.
The sea is close by (but is cold- bring a wetsuit except in the summer), and the surrounding Dandenong hills, and yarra valley have great get away spots for the family. In winter you can drive a few hours north and ski at Mt Buller or Hotham.

In terms of private practice (should you settle down), I am not sure what special needs private practice is like, but general dentists at present make a very good living. (My first degree was a dental degree, and I work part time as one while in med school).

M.

 

[yunowu]

Thank you Mordecai. 👍Having the world's largest extensive tram network is definitely a big plus in my book.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Melbourne
since the cost of petro is current about $ 1.40 AUD/litre (if the given information is current)
http://www.travelmath.com/fuel-cost/from/Sydney,+Australia/to/Melbourne,+Australia

I understand Aussies drive on left side of the road, very much unlike here in the states. It will probably take some time to become acclimated to the local driving conditions..
In terms of career outlook, I probably look for a position in the public health sector or a teaching/research position with the University upon graduation from the melbourne program. Pursuing additional PhD degree in research is not out of the question. I like to share my life and work experience with the younger Aussie generation. 🙂 After years of slaving away in private practice and the constant worrying about paying for my overhead, it will be my pleasure to let someone else taking care of the daily logistics for a change.

I would love to have my two young kids grow up in a culturally and ethnic diverse city. I am a firm believer of "seeing is believing". My wife and I were able to live and travel on multiple continents during our younger days. I hope our kids would get the same chance to experience different cultures..