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Official Perio interviews thread
Started by archer123
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I was wondering which of the perio programs focus more on clinical experience over research experience. Some of the programs seem to be aimed more for those who will continue in academia versus going on to practicing perio.
I am interested in a program in the Northeast which offers top clinical experience and some implant training. I am a 3rd year now and trying to narrow down which programs to look at.
I am interested in a program in the Northeast which offers top clinical experience and some implant training. I am a 3rd year now and trying to narrow down which programs to look at.
Boston: the first year is devoted solely to research (no clinical experience at all, years 2 and 3 clinical with didactics). 50K/yr + living expenses.
Currently there are no perio residents at Boston that are American..all are foreign trained. They have been taking 9 residents per year, this year 6. There must be 15+ residents working at any given time, but residents claim they do lots of surgery, so there must be a demand for it. There is also an implant program here, but not sure that eats much into the perio side.
Tufts: Largely clinical, slight research, 40K/yr + living expenses.
Connecticut: Clinical, a little research, 100+ implants during 3 yrs of training. A good deal.
NY VA: probably they want you to have some GPR or experience beyond just the DDS/DMD. You get paid, but it's a hospital environment. VA's tend to be good in the sense that you can do ideal treatment plans because the gov picks up the tab. Lots of surgery, not sure of the number of implants placed.
Go public unless you have money to burn. I'd rather do a GPR and then re-apply to a competitive public program than to be stuck in 250K debt from private specialty perio + interest + undergrad + dental school debt, but that's just me. The only way I could concieve one of these private programs is if you had a spouse or something and for some reason you had no choice but to be in that area.
Currently there are no perio residents at Boston that are American..all are foreign trained. They have been taking 9 residents per year, this year 6. There must be 15+ residents working at any given time, but residents claim they do lots of surgery, so there must be a demand for it. There is also an implant program here, but not sure that eats much into the perio side.
Tufts: Largely clinical, slight research, 40K/yr + living expenses.
Connecticut: Clinical, a little research, 100+ implants during 3 yrs of training. A good deal.
NY VA: probably they want you to have some GPR or experience beyond just the DDS/DMD. You get paid, but it's a hospital environment. VA's tend to be good in the sense that you can do ideal treatment plans because the gov picks up the tab. Lots of surgery, not sure of the number of implants placed.
Go public unless you have money to burn. I'd rather do a GPR and then re-apply to a competitive public program than to be stuck in 250K debt from private specialty perio + interest + undergrad + dental school debt, but that's just me. The only way I could concieve one of these private programs is if you had a spouse or something and for some reason you had no choice but to be in that area.
paceman said:
Per the AAP website:
The American Academy of Periodontology recommends that programs accept students with class standing in the upper 50 percent; National Board scores about 80 percentile; and, when applicable, GRE scores above 1000.
....these are only recommendations. Programs can make exceptions to this and they do....there are residents out there with low 80s on their boards and who are not in the top 25% or even 50% of their class. Nothing is always cut and dry, but being in the top 25% means you are probably quite competitive for perio.
paceman said:
UW, VA LA, Maryland, Mich, UCLA, Detroit, Oregon, UBC
Boston and Tufts...applied, but decided not to send in payment....after visiting Boston, and hearing about Tufts, I decided not to continue with the application process at these programs....I didn't get a good vibe at Boston and the residents didn't seem happy and it's too expensive.
Concerning Columbia...I don't know much about it. The only programs that I hear are weak are Houston, Nova and Loma Linda. They may infact be great programs, but this is only what I've heard. The programs that I always hear as being strong are SA, Connecticut, Washington, Baylor, Mich, UCLA. Surely there are others.
archer123 said:
Most of what I know about program rep is anecdotal from residents and faculty. I chose programs that were supposed to be more clinically based and then looked if they paid me or I paid them. That separated the chaff from the wheat. Gets rid of all the northeastern programs. Too damn expensive. Then I chose programs mostly in places I wouldn't mind living, have assistants, good group of residents and/or clinic schedules are busy. Ended up applying to OSU, MUSC, UK, UCLA and LSU. I started the Mayo application, but they aren't taking a resident this year.
By the way, residents and dental students seem to have a different opinion of programs than do faculty. Faculty is focusing on research and past reputation.
What I've heard about some of the programs you've mentioned:
SA: run by ex-military, no clinic for 1st years, strong focus on research.
Mich: faculty are tools, slow in clinic.
UCLA: no patients
Tufts: busy but do the same procedures over and over and over. Not doing enough of the complex cases.
That's what I heard. Know anything different?
gumgardener2009 said:
I don't know who gave you this information but I am in my first year at SA, have 3 full days per week devoted to clinic, have done crown lengthenings, osseous surgeries, bone grafts, and implants w/ IV sedation (all since August). The only research I have planned is clinical-based for my Master's (Note-if anything this gets me more experience because I can offer these surgeries to the patients at decreased fees). Your research comment may, however, have derived from the fact that our program sends more representatives each year to the Orband (the AAP's award for research performed in a residency) than any other program (this year 4 out of 8 finalists are associated with our program). As for the faculty, we have the best in the country. We have faculty on the AAP board (as in board certification), faculty who have written textbooks, are extremely well-published, and are experts in their field. I would also hazard to guess that your comments about the other programs were as far off base as they were about our program (it would be interesting to hear from any residents). If you have constructive comments about programs, please post away. However, your ignorant malignant criticism serves no purpose.
As far as I know Columbia ended their interviews on Sept. 14th. A friend of mine interviewed there on that day. She wanted to change to another day and was told that the 14th was the absolute last day for interviews. I don't know they have made any decisions though. When did you send in your application?
propel said:
I haven't heard anything from UW either. I e-mailed the coordinator to verify that my app was complete 2 weeks ago and she never wrote back. I know that they don't start looking at applications until after the Sept 1 deadline, but it's getting close to October now. I do know that there are some progratms who haven't even sent any invites off yet and maybe this is one of them.
paceman said:
Word is Columbia already offered at least one position already.
Hey everybody,
An update:
1) Rochester has completed its interviews/application process
2) So has Seattle
If you haven't heard from them already, I guess it's safe to assume that they are not going to contact you. If anyone else knows of anything about any other school..PLEASE post it here for everyone to view. I would appreciate it and I am sure so would alot of other people who are wondering what's going on with the interviews.
If you happened to get an interview from either one of these schools, please let us know. I am curious to see what kinds of stats they were looking for.
Thanks..and good luck!
An update:
1) Rochester has completed its interviews/application process
2) So has Seattle
If you haven't heard from them already, I guess it's safe to assume that they are not going to contact you. If anyone else knows of anything about any other school..PLEASE post it here for everyone to view. I would appreciate it and I am sure so would alot of other people who are wondering what's going on with the interviews.
If you happened to get an interview from either one of these schools, please let us know. I am curious to see what kinds of stats they were looking for.
Thanks..and good luck!
Has anyone heard anything about Minnesota? I haven't heard a thing since my application was sent. They aren't answering any email (like every other program) and not picking up their phones either. Anyone have any idea what's going on with them? Have they sent out any invitations for interviews? Still reviewing applications? What's going on?
-Any news from UCLA or UCSF?
A classmate of mine had an interview at UCSF about a week ago. I know another girl who had interview with UCLA on the 19th of this month. However, I don't know if they are finished with their interviews or still calling people in. I hope you hear from them soon. Good luck!!!
sridhar said:
Hi Sridhar,
I am a foreign trained dentist too. GPA:3.6, NBDEI:85. Applied to 4, got interviews from U of Manitoba and St.Louis University.
Do you plan to practice after MS? I heard there are ONLY 8 states wehere you can practice if you have a MS + Indian BDS??? Limited....
good luck,
MMNdentist
