OMFS concerns

[Mocizzle]

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Hi guys I am a dental student right now and wanted to pursue omfs, what's bothering me is as I conduct more and more research Im noticing a lot of third molar extractions are plain unneseccary at best. From my understanding omfs private practice is predicated on chucking thirds, I have no problem with that in fact thats why I liked omfs, extractions are fun! but i only want to do them when the patient *needs* it. Abscesses, pain, irritation, infection, etc and not just because they turned 16.

Is this going to limit my production potential? Are there other omfs who feel the same way? I obviously like the more complex surgeries but this is like the bread and butter and i'm just curious if this is possible? the idea of only pulling molars of ppl who actually need it (in private practice)? Or am I just going to be forced to be stuck in the hospital doing the big procedures

 

[Van Der Woude]

Just go to an affordable 6 year program and do a cosmetics fellowship after. big $$ and you only do want the patient needs for teeth but wants for their clavicle up.

 

[lp3k11]

Your concern is legitimate, but you have some misconceptions.

Firstly, work can persuade you to do procedures, but cannot force you. If you ask about the economical rammifications, there is nothing worst that being caught doing an unnecessary or wrong procedure. There are many lawyers waiting out there.

Secondly, about the necessity of extracting third molars. I am pretty sure that the evidence suggests the contrary of what you are saying. Not always there is space for eruption, the direction of the molar is not usually orthognatic, they are prone to cysts and tumours, more that any other tooth, etc. Maybe some expert will appear on this thread to talk more in detail.

You haven't finish dental school yet, so I hope you will have time to clarify those doubts.

 

[BlackThought]

Some stuff to look at:

White Paper on Third Molar Data

AAMOS Clinical Paper

AAMOS Position Statement
"Predicated on the best evidence-based data, third molar teeth that are associated with disease, or are at high risk of developing disease, should be surgically managed. In the absence of disease or significant risk of disease, active clinical and radiographic surveillance is indicated."

Evaluation and management of asymptomatic third molars: Lack of symptoms does not equate to lack of pathology (White & Proffit, 2011)
"It is appropriate to tell adolescents and young adults that, based on recent data, at least 70 of 100 young adults with third molars that are “symptom free” already have pathology or will experience pathology with time. Conversely then, 30 or possibly fewer of 100 young adults will not experience pathology with retained asymptomatic third molars. No current data can be more specific about the odds for any patient. In this circumstance, patients must decide about management of their third molars, with either removal or retention with periodic monitoring. No decision is a decision to retain third molars and accept the risks associated with that decision."

...what's bothering me is as I conduct more and more research Im noticing a lot of third molar extractions are plain unneseccary at best.

Do better research. See above.

...thats why I liked omfs, extractions are fun!

If extractions are what interest you the most about OMFS you will have a bad time in residency. Do an externship.

...but i only want to do them when the patient *needs* it. Abscesses, pain, irritation, infection, etc

Don't be a hero.

...am I just going to be forced to be stuck in the hospital doing the big procedures

If this is your mindset you will have a bad time in residency. Do an externship.

 

[Eli Manning]

You can still do extractions as a general dentist. Sounds like you may not be a good fit for omfs. There is a lot more to it (especially during residency) than extractions. You would benefit from going on externships to see if this is really something you really want.

 

[futuredoctor262626]

I'm about to finish undergrad and I have 1 year off. Would it be nuts to start on writing a review article for OMFS? Ik its really competitive to get in and with the CBSE etc and managing dental school, so I'm wondering if it would be prudent to get a head start on gettig some OMFS review article pubs to look good for down the road.....?

 

[321931]

I'm about to finish undergrad and I have 1 year off. Would it be nuts to start on writing a review article for OMFS? Ik its really competitive to get in and with the CBSE etc and managing dental school, so I'm wondering if it would be prudent to get a head start on gettig some OMFS review article pubs to look good for down the road.....?

Lol go enjoy life. You have a gap year where you can binge play Classic WOW, travel the world, run, work out.