OMFS lifestyle

[SC-Z]

I was wondering what life is like for a private practice oral surgeon? I know residents work 80-100 hours during their 4-6 years, but what about life after? Do many work 50-60 hours a week? Or the typical 40? How about how often they are on call? Do you only have to be on call if you want to have hospital previleges? I would call a private prace OS, but its too late and don't feel like waiting for tommorrow. Thanks

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[Jediwendell]

I was wondering what life is like for a private practice oral surgeon? I know residents work 80-100 hours during their 4-6 years, but what about life after? Do many work 50-60 hours a week? Or the typical 40? How about how often they are on call? Do you only have to be on call if you want to have hospital previleges? I would call a private prace OS, but its too late and don't feel like waiting for tommorrow. Thanks

You are always responsible for your own call, unless you are in a call group or group practice (eg bleeders, surgical comps). You may not have to take call if you have hospital privileges, it just depends on the deal you work out with the hospital. Most will insist on you taking call, however. I assume you could work as much or as little as you want, it just depends if you want to make any money. No, you probably won't work 80 hours per week.

 

[dentwannabe]

I was wondering what life is like for a private practice oral surgeon? I know residents work 80-100 hours during their 4-6 years, but what about life after? Do many work 50-60 hours a week? Or the typical 40? How about how often they are on call? Do you only have to be on call if you want to have hospital previleges? I would call a private prace OS, but its too late and don't feel like waiting for tommorrow. Thanks

i'm just a predent, but I worked as a clinical assist. at a private oral surgery practice, had about 5 doctors in it. They each did about 4-5 days a week and they would alternate saturdays. Seems less, but they would still do a few hospital cases a week. Still I dont think it came out to a lot. Wasn't bad considering how much they made.

 

[esclavo]

i'm just a predent, but I worked as a clinical assist. at a private oral surgery practice, had about 5 doctors in it. They each did about 4-5 days a week and they would alternate saturdays. Seems less, but they would still do a few hospital cases a week. Still I dont think it came out to a lot. Wasn't bad considering how much they made.

"It might of not been bad considering what they made", but they deserved every cent of what they made for what they had to go through to make it!

 

[drhobie7]

"It might of not been bad considering what they made", but they deserved every cent of what they made for what they had to go through to make it!

I second this. Also, I think the residency hours mentioned previously are more like 100+ rather than 80-100, especially during the earlier years.

 

[Rube]

Whats life like for an OMS. I've been as close to OMS as anyone has who has never done it. Here is my take. You work like hell. Then you work like hell. The residency hours makes dental school look like a joke. Here is probably the key untold difference: you work with people who are largely different in personality than the people you went to dental school with. They are much more driven. They have egos. They love to win. They love to compete. The personalities are much more like you find in medicine not in dentistry. So you work with some talented, hardworking people, but you also deal with that really faggity, primadonna streak that sometimes comes with the physicians.

 

[SC-Z]

Whats life like for an OMS. I've been as close to OMS as anyone has who has never done it. Here is my take. You work like hell. Then you work like hell. The residency hours makes dental school look like a joke. Here is probably the key untold difference: you work with people who are largely different in personality than the people you went to dental school with. They are much more driven. They have egos. They love to win. They love to compete. The personalities are much more like you find in medicine not in dentistry. So you work with some talented, hardworking people, but you also deal with that really faggity, primadonna streak that sometimes comes with the physicians.

Cool! I think I'm just one of those types.

 

[esclavo]

Whats life like for an OMS. I've been as close to OMS as anyone has who has never done it. Here is my take. You work like hell. Then you work like hell. The residency hours makes dental school look like a joke. Here is probably the key untold difference: you work with people who are largely different in personality than the people you went to dental school with. They are much more driven. They have egos. They love to win. They love to compete. The personalities are much more like you find in medicine not in dentistry. So you work with some talented, hardworking people, but you also deal with that really faggity, primadonna streak that sometimes comes with the physicians.

When you say "medicine", I think specifically surgeons. Most medicine people in nonsurgical arenas are pretty chill. But surgeons can be cut-throat, jerks, egotistical, and tough to please. There is a huge variety in medicine. Dentistry tends to be a little more homogenous. I notice this when I am on rotations, doing anesthesia in MOR cases. Here is my unofficial ranking of "difficult to deal with" specialties:

1. Orthopedics (these guys in my brief experience act like they are the bomb. Then when you watch them handle the soft tissue-you realize they literally are the "BOMB"-except hand fellows. Nothing exists besides bones, tendons, and ligaments. As the CV surgeons say, orthopedic surgeons think the function of the heart is to pump Ancef to the bones... this joke I heard from a neurosurgeon that when trying to hold the elevator door from closing, a radiologist uses their foot/leg, a internist uses his hand, and an orthopedic surgeon uses his head)

2. Neurosurgeons (with a residency that long and tough they can act however they want-closest thing to being in a concentration camp...)

3. Plastic Surgery (high expectations, they consider themselves the apex preditor-clean up everyone elses complications)

4. Ophthalmologist (but only between 4pm and 7am- try to consult one of these guys after hours....you'd think you're asking them to help in killing their mothers...)

I'm sure others have experiences of which specialties are the toughest to work with....let others chime in on their lists...

 

[toofache32]

...you work with people who are largely different in personality than the people you went to dental school with. They are much more driven. They have egos. They love to win. They love to compete. The personalities are much more like you find in medicine not in dentistry...

This is SOO true. General surgeons are the most defensive and aggresive people I know. They're like a bunch of damn Silverback Gorillas. Or Apes, whatever. But they develop this personality for a reason...their attendings are always blasting them and they have to be defensive/aggresive to survive.

The Plastics guys seem to be the worst. I hate saying that because a few of them are my buddies where I work, but it's still a safe generalization...ask anyone who has had to work with them. I would run their anesthesia for a lot of their cases and I was amazed at how they treated the nurses and ancillary staff in the room. If I even thought of speaking that way to the staff in the OMFS operating room, I would seriously jeopardize my future as a resident in my program because my program director wouldn't have it.

 

[Rube]

This is SOO true. General surgeons are the most defensive and aggresive people I know. They're like a bunch of damn Silverback Gorillas. Or Apes, whatever. But they develop this personality for a reason...their attendings are always blasting them and they have to be defensive/aggresive to survive.

The Plastics guys seem to be the worst. I hate saying that because a few of them are my buddies where I work, but it's still a safe generalization...ask anyone who has had to work with them. I would run their anesthesia for a lot of their cases and I was amazed at how they treated the nurses and ancillary staff in the room. If I even thought of speaking that way to the staff in the OMFS operating room, I would seriously jeopardize my future as a resident in my program because my program director wouldn't have it.

It really is amazing isn't it. The thing is I know a couple of OMFS that bought into all that stuff. Now they are well into their careers and they act, well kinda like dicks. Everyone has a choice as to how they react to things that are thrown at them in life.

No surgical residency is easy, but I think OMFS is probably the best of them if you can keep out of the MD lifestyle afterwards.

Here is my take on surgeons: Things are falling away from these smart men. They have sacrificed and worked tirelessly for years doing noble work. The money has never quite satisfied. The hours are worse than they imagined. They have lost things along the way, things you are probably unaware of. And they are hungry for the promise that never materialized. That is why sometimes they lash out in childish ways. That is why they over inflate their egos.

 

[esclavo]

It really is amazing isn't it. The thing is I know a couple of OMFS that bought into all that stuff. Now they are well into their careers and they act, well kinda like dicks. Everyone has a choice as to how they react to things that are thrown at them in life.

No surgical residency is easy, but I think OMFS is probably the best of them if you can keep out of the MD lifestyle afterwards.

Here is my take on surgeons: Things are falling away from these smart men. They have sacrificed and worked tirelessly for years doing noble work. The money has never quite satisfied. The hours are worse than they imagined. They have lost things along the way, things you are probably unaware of. And they are hungry for the promise that never materialized. That is why sometimes they lash out in childish ways. That is why they over inflate their egos.

I can understand this point of view looking from the outside in. It is a whole other world which is hard to explain so that others understand how the process affects the individual. Being on the inside and trying to explain it, I find myself frustrated and inadequate. Best said, it can be hard to relate to my dental collegues. Sometimes, I find it easier to relate/sympathize with surgeons (pricks) because the process of becoming what we do is far more similar. Yet, most of my interaction in the long run will be with dentists. I don't think we as OMFS are unique. I find other surgeons frusterated with medicine doctors. When you pick your path of residency after medical school there is a large fork in the road-medicine vs surgery. With few exceptions, most residencies take you down these different paths. I personally have felt most frusterated/foreign on internal medicine rotation and more familiar/similar on surgical rotations. The two have similar feels for each other as I see in some dental residencies. (Each thinks the other is incompetent-twisted etc...)

 

[Rube]

I can understand this point of view looking from the outside in. It is a whole other world which is hard to explain so that others understand how the process affects the individual. Being on the inside and trying to explain it, I find myself frustrated and inadequate. Best said, it can be hard to relate to my dental collegues. Sometimes, I find it easier to relate/sympathize with surgeons (pricks) because the process of becoming what we do is far more similar. Yet, most of my interaction in the long run will be with dentists. I don't think we as OMFS are unique. I find other surgeons frusterated with medicine doctors. When you pick your path of residency after medical school there is a large fork in the road-medicine vs surgery. With few exceptions, most residencies take you down these different paths. I personally have felt most frusterated/foreign on internal medicine rotation and more familiar/similar on surgical rotations. The two have similar feels for each other as I see in some dental residencies. (Each thinks the other is incompetent-twisted etc...)

What you say seems very logical. A bond is formed by going through it together.

I don't mean to bag on surgeons, even nuerosurgeons, God bless these guys. I was just commenting on the dark side of the profession. It must be tough. You sever so many teathers to reality when you go through this stuff, its easy to change, to adopt unhealthy behaviors and attitudes toward yourself and others. I really think surgeons should go through a stress debriefing after residency. Do they?

 

[toofache32]

...Being on the inside and trying to explain it, I find myself frustrated and inadequate...

Is this what your wife told you?

 

[toofache32]

... I really think surgeons should go through a stress debriefing after residency. Do they?

Yeah. It's called getting a real paycheck.

 

[esclavo]

Yeah. It's called getting a real paycheck.

And two good nights sleep in a row.

 

[esclavo]

Is this what your wife told you?

Closest thing to it was when my cousin came home all shot up from fighting in Fallujah in Iraq. I could tell when he tried to tell us what it was like that we would never really understand- more likely misunderstand. I try not to explain what I'm doing or what the experience is like to my dental buds or my family because I feel the same way....thus I like this forum cause I can just unwind, have fun, and spout my views to all of you gomers....this is my temporary therapy until I get my real paycheck and my two consecutive nights of sleep...

 

[EyeAmCommi]

"It might of not been bad considering what they made", but they deserved every cent of what they made for what they had to go through to make it!

What kind of money are you suggessting? Half a mil a year? or more?

 

[esclavo]

What kind of money are you suggessting? Half a mil a year? or more?

Why would you want to know if you are communist? I don't know what OMFS make in RED CHINA? I have already berated another person on another thread about money questions. This is the good old USA. You can make a ton of money doing alot of other things. I have four friends who all graduated from undergrad within 1 year of me who are millionaires-retired and the oldest is 35. None of them had a sugar daddy. They busted their hump and took risk. You can make what ever money you want here in this great land. You can charge what ever you want for what you do. Making money is up to you not up to your profession...I'm sure the average OMFS is making out well for himself... but he still has to get up and work to do it...

 

[toofache32]

...They busted their hump and took risk. You can make what ever money you want here in this great land. ...

Pimpin' dem ho's BABYYYYYY!!!!

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Why would you want to know if you are communist? I don't know what OMFS make in RED CHINA? I have already berated another person on another thread about money questions. This is the good old USA. You can make a ton of money doing alot of other things. I have four friends who all graduated from undergrad within 1 year of me who are millionaires-retired and the oldest is 35. None of them had a sugar daddy. They busted their hump and took risk. You can make what ever money you want here in this great land. You can charge what ever you want for what you do. Making money is up to you not up to your profession...I'm sure the average OMFS is making out well for himself... but he still has to get up and work to do it...

Wow, I think I struck a nerve.

It was a simple question really; makes me wonder why you're so defensive to have to "berate" another person. Perhaps you value that MD attached to your DDS, and that prestige that goes with it, a lot more than money huh? Please, no need to explain. Keep the ranting to threads that you start.

To anyone who cares/knows: How much greater are the financial rewards as an oral surgeon? The reason why I am asking is because there are no resources averaging the incomes of dental specialties (at least none that I know of). However, there are many that average medical specialties. If anyone has any sources of information about this income average, please do share. It is a legimate "OMFS lifestyle" question. 🙂

By the way, "RED CHINA" is more like green china now. More economic freedoms have led to their huge boom. They're still communists...but they love "good old USA" greenbacks.

 

[ItsGavinC]

The reason why I am asking is because there are no resources averaging the incomes of dental specialties (at least none that I know of).

These are ADA averages from 2001.

Oral Surg: 336,000
Endo: 303,900
Pedo: 294,430
Ortho: 279,440
Perio: 216,430
Prosth: 190,972

Those are from the 2001 ADA Survey of Dental Practice. 4 years old, but the best info I have. Others may have more recent info.

 

[Doggie]

These are ADA averages from 2001.

Oral Surg: 336,000
Endo: 303,900
Pedo: 294,430
Ortho: 279,440
Perio: 216,430
Prosth: 190,972

Those are from the 2001 ADA Survey of Dental Practice. 4 years old, but the best info I have. Others may have more recent info.

Interesting.......I've always had the impression that endodontists in general made the most......

 

[esclavo]

These are ADA averages from 2001.

Oral Surg: 336,000
Endo: 303,900
Pedo: 294,430
Ortho: 279,440
Perio: 216,430
Prosth: 190,972

Those are from the 2001 ADA Survey of Dental Practice. 4 years old, but the best info I have. Others may have more recent info.

Since the communist californian has forbidden my opinion in relation to his question, thank you for giving him the information he desires to know. Some just don't feel comfortable with the big picture. Next he'll ask you how many hours does the average OMFS work or how many times a week does the average OMFS resident get his !#@@ chewed out... The average feel comfortable knowing the average....

 

[toofache32]

Interesting.......I've always had the impression that endodontists in general made the most......

That's what I thought also. But we all know there is HUGE variation in all these specialties. I would argue that Endo's make the most relative to time in school and hours worked.

 

[Doggie]

That's what I thought also. But we all know there is HUGE variation in all these specialties. I would argue that Endo's make the most relative to time in school and hours worked.

To make all the dental specialities happy, they should just make all dental specialities 6 years long.

 

[toofache32]

To make all the dental specialities happy, they should just make all dental specialities 6 years long.

...including an OB/GYN rotation. Can't get enough of that stratified-squamous epithelium...

 

[drhobie7]

To make all the dental specialities happy, they should just make all dental specialities 6 years long.

HA! That oughta whittle down the ortho and endo applicants.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Next he'll ask you how many hours does the average OMFS work or how many times a week does the average OMFS resident get his !#@@ chewed out... The average feel comfortable knowing the average....

Actually, I'm satisfied with the numbers ItsGavinC posted. I'll ask the questions that you fabricated when the time is right.

Dentistry has changed a lot in the last four years hasn't it? I would expect more recent averages to be higher but maybe not a whole lot.

I would have thought that orthos made the most. Hmm interesting.

 

[esclavo]

Actually, I'm satisfied with the numbers ItsGavinC posted. I'll ask the questions that you fabricated when the time is right.

Dentistry has changed a lot in the last four years hasn't it? I would expect more recent averages to be higher but maybe not a whole lot.

I would have thought that orthos made the most. Hmm interesting.

This is why your question isn't intelligent. The variety, style, type, and location of our profession in general is so diverse. No one can tell you if Gavinc's numbers are based upon full-time, part time work. No one can tell if if it is gross salary or net salary after personal taxes. Since most dentists work for themselves and are set up as S-type corporations, you can pay yourself a lower salary and then claim a ton of money at the end of the year as your yearly bonus. This bonus is taxed not based upon your tax bracket but based upon capital gains. This doesn't have to be reported as salary but as profit sharing as an owner in the corporation. Thus when you ask the question how much does someone make, you obvioiusly don't understand the complexity of the question you ask. Your question is more appropriate for China or Cuba. Little variation there. There, now I've explained to you why I think your question is....naive or innocent. You're better off calling an accounting firm that deals strictly with health professionals in an area where you'd like to end up to know the information that is legit. Even then, as a professional what you make is up to you... you can sell sugar cookies and be a millionaire if you want.... its about business and not the profession. Some sharpies will do well because of their business skills. They skew the average. They know how to spread the money out to have the least tax liability. They know the legality of it. Go to the business school and have a sit down or go to the accountants. Then you'll realize your question is like trying to pin down a fart in a frying pan....

 

[Doggie]

Then you'll realize your question is like trying to pin down a fart in a frying pan....

the silent ones will always kill ya....

 

[ItsGavinC]

the silent ones will always kill ya....

They're deadly.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

They're deadly.

Like esclavo's personality.

 

[drhobie7]

Mr. Slave gave a good interpretation of those income values. It's really the only rational conclusion you can make from those 6 numbers. I was talking with a professor at my school who said something that really hit home. He said to be happy in dentistry you should first determine how you want to practice, and then create your lifestyle based on how much money you make working how you want. The opposite would be creating a lavish lifestyle that must be supported with dentistry. This puts you in the position of constantly chasing the dollar without greatest regard for patient health or your own professional satisfaction. I'm not saying it's an easy philosophy to follow. A phat house, ferrari, and gold digging beauties are mighty tempting. But ultimately I think the former is the path of greater happiness.

Tying this into your original question. You should be asking yourself, "what kind of dentistry do I like to do and what environment do I want to practice in?" Then see how much money that brings in and create your lifestyle based on your means.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Mr. Slave gave a good interpretation of those income values. It's really the only rational conclusion you can make from those 6 numbers. I was talking with a professor at my school who said something that really hit home. He said to be happy in dentistry you should first determine how you want to practice, and then create your lifestyle based on how much money you make working how you want. The opposite would be creating a lavish lifestyle that must be supported with dentistry. This puts you in the position of constantly chasing the dollar without greatest regard for patient health or your own professional satisfaction. I'm not saying it's an easy philosophy to follow. A phat house, ferrari, and gold digging beauties are mighty tempting. But ultimately I think the former is the path of greater happiness.

Tying this into your original question. You should be asking yourself, "what kind of dentistry do I like to do and what environment do I want to practice in?" Then see how much money that brings in and create your lifestyle based on your means.

It's funny how you and esclavo have already made conclusions for people (in this case me) about how they (or I) should choose to interpret the data presented to them (me). "Constantly chasing the dollar"...a very premature assumption indeed.

However, I do find your post to be very interesting and non-threatening and I totally agree with your professor. But the main point behind all this is that it's totally weird to see so many demons stirred up from SDN when that "evil" word...income...is mentioned. It seems to be a hot button topic in every thread. Sure you can establish a warning as to what conclusions can be drawn but when you start to assume things are only black and white and that only one "rational conclusion" can be drawn from a statistic, then I'm afraid you've aligned yourself with the misinformed.

It's almost as if some people want to try to avoid the fact that dentists make any money at all! 😕

 

[WestCoast]

It seems to be a hot button topic in every thread. Sure you can establish a warning as to what conclusions can be drawn but when you start to assume things are only black and white and that only one "rational conclusion" can be drawn from a statistic, then I'm afraid you've aligned yourself with the misinformed.

It's almost as if some people want to try to avoid the fact that dentists make any money at all! 😕

I wanna make a ton of money. thats why i am putting 6 yrs of my life on hold to do omfs. 😀

 

[esclavo]

It's funny how you and esclavo have already made conclusions for people (in this case me) about how they (or I) should choose to interpret the data presented to them (me). "Constantly chasing the dollar"...a very premature assumption indeed.

However, I do find your post to be very interesting and non-threatening and I totally agree with your professor. But the main point behind all this is that it's totally weird to see so many demons stirred up from SDN when that "evil" word...income...is mentioned. It seems to be a hot button topic in every thread. Sure you can establish a warning as to what conclusions can be drawn but when you start to assume things are only black and white and that only one "rational conclusion" can be drawn from a statistic, then I'm afraid you've aligned yourself with the misinformed.

It's almost as if some people want to try to avoid the fact that dentists make any money at all! 😕

Dentists make a lot of money. There are you happy. I will take it one step further; I will make a lot of money. The numbers put out by the ADA are useless; that is my point. We've beat this topic to death so many times on prior threads. Maybe you could just do your homework on this RESIDENCY forum to find out stuff. Your like an innocent child walking into a hornets nest. We aren't the dental forum, it is the residency forum. If you want answers and someone to validate the significance of your question, this is the wrong forum. If you think my personality is threatening, you have your first clue that you might not want to do a residency in OMFS or surgery. We don't handle people with "little kid gloves". I'm actually soft and gentle like a lamb. Just ask Uvula.

 

[drhobie7]

But the main point behind all this is that it's totally weird to see so many demons stirred up from SDN when that "evil" word...income...is mentioned. It seems to be a hot button topic in every thread.

I think once you enter a profession (like dentistry) you'll understand that you have a strong interest in protecting the integrity of that profession. When you see people expressing the desire to enter your profession based on money it's disappointing. Individuals who focus primarily on profit generally do not provide the best patient care. This reflects poorly on the profession, of which you are a part.

I'm not saying you want to do OMS to get rich. I'm explaining why some postings about income are met with distaste.

 

[Bifid Uvula]

Dentists make a lot of money. There are you happy. I will take it one step further; I will make a lot of money. The numbers put out by the ADA are useless; that is my point. We've beat this topic to death so many times on prior threads. Maybe you could just do your homework on this RESIDENCY forum to find out stuff. Your like an innocent child walking into a hornets nest. We aren't the dental forum, it is the residency forum. If you want answers and someone to validate the significance of your question, this is the wrong forum. If you think my personality is threatening, you have your first clue that you might not want to do a residency in OMFS or surgery. We don't handle people with "little kid gloves". I'm actually soft and gentle like a lamb. Just ask Uvula.

Esclavo is pretty soft and gentle... I'm a lot rougher and tougher (better looking too) I just don't like to type that much. But he's right.

 

[esclavo]

Esclavo is pretty soft and gentle... I'm a lot rougher and tougher (better looking too) I just don't like to type that much. But he's right.

the hunt and peck method sure brings out the beads of sweat on poor little uvula's forehead... you can see his poor little brain straining to put in words the demented thoughts in his head...

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

I wanna make a ton of money. thats why i am putting 6 yrs of my life on hold to do omfs. 😀

Hell yeah...me too. I'm thrilled to death that I can make a killing AND love what I do.

 

[Doggie]

Hell yeah...me too. I'm thrilled to death that I can make a killing AND love what I do.

I often question myself if it's the money that's motivating me to go through these 6 years.......or is it that I really love what i do........

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

When you see people expressing the desire to enter your profession based on money it's disappointing.

Just because you are interested in the dollars and cents doesn't necessarily mean that you want to do dentistry for the money. I think you're getting a little carried away...

Individuals who focus primarily on profit generally do not provide the best patient care.

I don't agree with this statement at all. There are dumb schmucks everywhere practicing dentistry below the standard of care, and I can promise you that these guys are not the ones making the big dollars. Generally, I think it's the opposite of what you say. The people who take better care of the patients and provide better treatment have less complications and less hassles, which ends up costing them less time and money in the long run. If I decide to stop irrigating 3rd molar sockets and placing sutures to save time, I may do more cases and make more money. However, I'm going to end up paying for it in post-op visits, packing dry sockets and removing bone spicules. Doing quality work efficiently is what puts the money in the bank.

 

[drhobie7]

Just because you are interested in the dollars and cents doesn't necessarily mean that you want to do dentistry for the money. I think you're getting a little carried away...

That's not what I meant. I was talking about money being the driving force behind the decision to enter a profession (e.g. endo), rather than an added benefit. Sometimes it seems people pick their specialty based on income rank.

There are dumb schmucks everywhere practicing dentistry below the standard of care, and I can promise you that these guys are not the ones making the big dollars. Generally, I think it's the opposite of what you say. The people who take better care of the patients and provide better treatment have less complications and less hassles, which ends up costing them less time and money in the long run. If I decide to stop irrigating 3rd molar sockets and placing sutures to save time, I may do more cases and make more money. However, I'm going to end up paying for it in post-op visits, packing dry sockets and removing bone spicules. Doing quality work efficiently is what puts the money in the bank.

This actually makes a lot of sense to me, but I've seen several restorative dentists who did lousy work and charged an arm and a leg. Maybe they can get away with it easier than surgeons since it's impossible for a patient to detect an open margin or PFM with internal voids. These problems wouldn't surface for years. I've got visions of chop shop practices that use paperclips for endo posts and other shady practices. I agree that the best business is treating patients/customers well. I dunno, you've got a good argument here.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Dentists make a lot of money. There are you happy. I will take it one step further; I will make a lot of money. The numbers put out by the ADA are useless; that is my point. We've beat this topic to death so many times on prior threads. Maybe you could just do your homework on this RESIDENCY forum to find out stuff. Your like an innocent child walking into a hornets nest. We aren't the dental forum, it is the residency forum. If you want answers and someone to validate the significance of your question, this is the wrong forum. If you think my personality is threatening, you have your first clue that you might not want to do a residency in OMFS or surgery. We don't handle people with "little kid gloves". I'm actually soft and gentle like a lamb. Just ask Uvula.

Haha alright. I'll quit asking about money. No hard feelings.

 

[omfsres]

If I decide to stop irrigating 3rd molar sockets and placing sutures to save time, I may do more cases and make more money. However, I'm going to end up paying for it in post-op visits, packing dry sockets and removing bone spicules. Doing quality work efficiently is what puts the money in the bank.

Is that true for the follicles as well? Just asking, ace.

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

Is that true for the follicles as well? Just asking, ace.

This brings up a good discussion. I've been told by several oral surgeons that if you don't see the follicle right in front of you, don't waste time trying to find it. What are some other opinions?

 

[tx oms]

This brings up a good discussion. I've been told by several oral surgeons that if you don't see the follicle right in front of you, don't waste time trying to find it. What are some other opinions?

The plural of anecdote is not fact. It is not a waste of time. Sometimes it may be dangerous, particularly in the mandible.

 

[Jediwendell]

I think you should dig around for it until you pound the nerve into oblivion or get your hemostats into the orbital floor.

Rock on!

This brings up a good discussion. I've been told by several oral surgeons that if you don't see the follicle right in front of you, don't waste time trying to find it. What are some other opinions?

 

[esclavo]

This brings up a good discussion. I've been told by several oral surgeons that if you don't see the follicle right in front of you, don't waste time trying to find it. What are some other opinions?

If the tooth is completely soft tissue impacted but not complete bony impacted, I won't get to aggresive with follicular debridement in the mandible. We've seen two lingual nerve transections from local OMFS who have gone a little haywire and wala... complete and profound tongue anesthesia. Did someone say neurorrhaphy? 🙂 The only place I go crazy getting a follicle out is a complete bony in the mandible. I know I'm safe because the bone is my boundary-easy to see vs folllicle in soft tissue. Maxilla is easier because you don't whack the follicle with the Hall Drill. I did see a resident debride the maxilla and he took out a little Schniederian membrane as well as follicle.... "Dr. Dum@ss" as my attending likes to call us...

 

[toofache32]

What's a follicle?