- Joined
- Aug 5, 2016
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Hi guys,
I have dig into this topic and found only a few threads mentioning it. So I thought I would start a post and hopefully I can pick all your smart brains a bit.
Essentially, I am close to the end of my military service obligation and I am interested in applying for civilian OMFS programs (6 yrs) all throughout North America. The reason I am not staying with the military for OMFS is because the school where selected candidate is sent to is a 4 yr program and candidate will not have the choice of advancing further into a fellowship of his/her interest. I am very interested in craniofacial, and therefore this will not rhyme well with the current job specification of OMFS in the military (I am a mbr of the Canadian Armed Forces).
That said, I have been told/have seen/have heard that programs usually would tend to pick fresh grads out of dental school because they are still very academically-oriented, easier to train, and would generally be younger and hence have less obligations.
But from my perspective, I would argue that being a military dentist, the work environment and job requirements are actually advantageous in preparing us for specialty training. Because we were trained and required to be effective military officer and dentist at the same time, so we are required to be effective leader, team player, and competent clinician. On top of that, being posted to different position means one gets to explore different aspects of dentistry: clinical, teaching, policy making, dentistry on the field, etc. So the various hats we have to wear sometimes would give us that flexibility and adaptability in any working environment. As to being away from academia for too long, I made sure my CBSE is decent enough to show the PDs that I haven't lost my touch yet (CBSE of 80).
Take me for example; I first worked three years in the clinic during which time I was given different taskings such as leading a dental team to provide dental care to bases in remote places, organizing various social events, and engaging in base and clinic duties; and now I am working in a training establishment overlooking and validating the proceeding of all dental courses coming through our training centre. So to me, I found my experience thus far rather sufficient in preparing me to be a specialist who not only is clinically competent, but also a team player and leader as well.
If I have to put my service into a context, I feel like this has been a long GPR where I need to see patients (both emergency and comprehensive), engage in teaching (even supervise/monitor others teach as my current job requires me to do), serve the underserved communities, taking emergency calls, and still need to participate in annual CE conferences.
Personally, I have colleagues who were in the service as well but applied at the end of his service to civilian OMFS and got in. So I know it's possible, but it could also be an one off.
So prior to actually dedicating my time in putting an application together, I just want to throw this question out there, and ask for all of your advices.
My stats are as follow:
Grad of 2012
GPA (not sure) but percentage wise I am at about 84% (so maybe close to 3.8?)
Research: I had a MSc. prior to my DMD, so I have a couple publications in biochemistry; several posters presentation (both at national and international conferences) and one talk given on a national conference. I was also selected in undergrad on an exchange program to Japan to do some research (very small project given the time) for an year.
Extracurricular: nothing official, but was on the battle of the band back in dental school for three years (fun times for sure!).
CBSE: 80 (first shot, and not gonna do a second 😛)
OMFS related training (selection all based on merits): two military OMFS clinical courses (both US and Canada), and one OM/OP course through the US Air Force. Other military clinical courses too but they are prostho and endo, so not quite relevant.
Any advices would be greatly appreciated!!
I have dig into this topic and found only a few threads mentioning it. So I thought I would start a post and hopefully I can pick all your smart brains a bit.
Essentially, I am close to the end of my military service obligation and I am interested in applying for civilian OMFS programs (6 yrs) all throughout North America. The reason I am not staying with the military for OMFS is because the school where selected candidate is sent to is a 4 yr program and candidate will not have the choice of advancing further into a fellowship of his/her interest. I am very interested in craniofacial, and therefore this will not rhyme well with the current job specification of OMFS in the military (I am a mbr of the Canadian Armed Forces).
That said, I have been told/have seen/have heard that programs usually would tend to pick fresh grads out of dental school because they are still very academically-oriented, easier to train, and would generally be younger and hence have less obligations.
But from my perspective, I would argue that being a military dentist, the work environment and job requirements are actually advantageous in preparing us for specialty training. Because we were trained and required to be effective military officer and dentist at the same time, so we are required to be effective leader, team player, and competent clinician. On top of that, being posted to different position means one gets to explore different aspects of dentistry: clinical, teaching, policy making, dentistry on the field, etc. So the various hats we have to wear sometimes would give us that flexibility and adaptability in any working environment. As to being away from academia for too long, I made sure my CBSE is decent enough to show the PDs that I haven't lost my touch yet (CBSE of 80).
Take me for example; I first worked three years in the clinic during which time I was given different taskings such as leading a dental team to provide dental care to bases in remote places, organizing various social events, and engaging in base and clinic duties; and now I am working in a training establishment overlooking and validating the proceeding of all dental courses coming through our training centre. So to me, I found my experience thus far rather sufficient in preparing me to be a specialist who not only is clinically competent, but also a team player and leader as well.
If I have to put my service into a context, I feel like this has been a long GPR where I need to see patients (both emergency and comprehensive), engage in teaching (even supervise/monitor others teach as my current job requires me to do), serve the underserved communities, taking emergency calls, and still need to participate in annual CE conferences.
Personally, I have colleagues who were in the service as well but applied at the end of his service to civilian OMFS and got in. So I know it's possible, but it could also be an one off.
So prior to actually dedicating my time in putting an application together, I just want to throw this question out there, and ask for all of your advices.
My stats are as follow:
Grad of 2012
GPA (not sure) but percentage wise I am at about 84% (so maybe close to 3.8?)
Research: I had a MSc. prior to my DMD, so I have a couple publications in biochemistry; several posters presentation (both at national and international conferences) and one talk given on a national conference. I was also selected in undergrad on an exchange program to Japan to do some research (very small project given the time) for an year.
Extracurricular: nothing official, but was on the battle of the band back in dental school for three years (fun times for sure!).
CBSE: 80 (first shot, and not gonna do a second 😛)
OMFS related training (selection all based on merits): two military OMFS clinical courses (both US and Canada), and one OM/OP course through the US Air Force. Other military clinical courses too but they are prostho and endo, so not quite relevant.
Any advices would be greatly appreciated!!
