OMFS vs Other Surgical Specialties

[Wiscobadger13]

I'm getting ready to apply to either Medical or Dental school this summer. I have shadowed oral, general, and orthopedic surgeons. I have enjoyed all three, but seeing as the choice between oral surgery and other surgical specialties should be made before I apply, I was wondering if anyone can give an insiders view about their opinions on each profession.

Disclaimer: I know these are other people's opinions, and I need to make the decision myself, so don't tell me that. This forum is meant for sharing opinions and I'm looking for information I can't gain until I'm actually practicing. I also know that OMFS is very hard to match, but I have shadowed dentists and I wouldn't mind working as one if I missed OMFS because of the inherent hands-on, surgical aspect of dentistry.

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[slatermd]

I'm getting ready to apply to either Medical or Dental school this summer. I have shadowed oral, general, and orthopedic surgeons. I have enjoyed all three, but seeing as the choice between oral surgery and other surgical specialties should be made before I apply, I was wondering if anyone can give an insiders view about their opinions on each profession.

Disclaimer: I know these are other people's opinions, and I need to make the decision myself, so don't tell me that. This forum is meant for sharing opinions and I'm looking for information I can't gain until I'm actually practicing. I also know that OMFS is very hard to match, but I have shadowed dentists and I wouldn't mind working as one if I missed OMFS because of the inherent hands-on, surgical aspect of dentistry.

Well, this is getting shipped to pre-allo.

Two things: 1) don't put the cart before the horse and assume you'll get into either. Have you taken the MCAT or the DAT?

2) I would definitely apply to dental school based on what you said. Is there anything to keep you from applying to both medical and dental?

 

[VisionaryTics]

.

 

[Jolie South]

Moving to Pre-dental.

 

[Wiscobadger13]

Why not pre-allopathic?

 

[DrReo]

If you're considering surgical specialities,I'd put my eggs in more baskets and consider attending medical school.

 

[txlonghorn]

Go to medical school. You can become an OMFS after medical school as well, but only a few programs offer this option, such as Harvard and UT-Houston.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

Not sure why everyone is pushing you to apply to medical school.

I'd go dental. It's way better.

Just make sure that being a general dentist isn't just an acceptable 2nd choice to OMS, and that it is actually a great option for your personality and wants. In fact, make sure general dental is your first choice, and OMS is your 2nd. Does it still feel right? If so, apply.

Medicine does have lots more 'options' on the surface. I'd argue that dentistry has a place for every personality though, just like medicine. Also, listen to residents/med students talk about their 'dream practice' and it sounds a lot like a dental office.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

Go to medical school. You can become an OMFS after medical school as well, but only a few programs offer this option, such as Harvard and UT-Houston.

This is feasible but not realistic for most people.

 

[476515678234896]

If you want to be a surgeon, go to medical school. If you want to be happy and not burnt out, go to dental school.


Also, I'm not sure why this is a pre-dental/medical discussion. This should be a question posed to residents and dentists.

 

[Dentinmyarmor]

There are probably less than 50 medical students who went OMFS route post medical school (I am speculating - please refrain from flame wars here).

Point being, realistically, your referals even as OMFS are from dentists. Big H&N cases, and plastic cases go to ENT and Plastics. You can carve out your own niche as OMFS doing big cases, but it is exceedingly rare in big academic centers - they usually have teams for onc cases where OMFS mostly pull teeth out 🙂

If you want more options in the surgical field medicine is the better option you can choose btw ENT, plastics, urology, orthopedic, general (with many subspcializations) etc etc.

Lifestyle blows though 🙂 OMFS makes a ton of money pulling wisdoms - i'd go there if $$

 

[GTFOOMICT]

they usually have teams for onc cases where OMFS mostly pull teeth out 🙂

Not entirely true. But in cases where this does happen, the OMS makes more than the rest of the oncology team combined. I'm exaggerating....maybe....

 

[Wiscobadger13]

GTFOOMITC: Thanks for the advice. I actually shadowed a general dentist today to get a feel for it, because I realize that even if I did shoot for OMS, there is still a very good chance that I will end up a GP (it was a very nice practice, it just seemed kind of lonely; not much collegiality with only one dentist there). In addition, my dad is a GP and has been advertising the lifestyle/stress benefits of a dentist compared to most medical specialties, especially surgeons.

4765156758234896: I completely agree with you. I originally posted this in allopathic, because I was interested in some of the more in depth procedures of oral surgeons compared to other surgical specialties (from a medical standpoint because I was curious on their take about it). I will have a chance to shadow an oral surgeon this summer. However, many (not all), of the med students/doctors seem over-protective, for lack of a better word, when it comes to posts about OMS. If it had to be moved it should have been moved to dental.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

Thanks for the advice. I actually shadowed a general dentist today to get a feel for it, because I realize that even if I did shoot for OMS, there is still a very good chance that I will end up a GP (it was a very nice practice, it just seemed kind of lonely; not much collegiality with only one dentist there).

You make an extremely important point that I occasionally hear from private practice dentists. They are stuck with generally high school/community college educated, generally woman as assistants. They miss the interaction with others at the same level of education. This is not elitist, everyone likes to interact with similar folks. But you have lots of opportunities to find profession interaction: academic positions, study clubs, group practice, after work social, etc.

At the end of the day, sounds like you have the best insight to rule in/out being a dentist due to your family. Seek out resources to rule in/out medicine as a career and apply.

 

[glo1984]

GTFOOMITC: Thanks for the advice. I actually shadowed a general dentist today to get a feel for it, because I realize that even if I did shoot for OMS, there is still a very good chance that I will end up a GP (it was a very nice practice, it just seemed kind of lonely; not much collegiality with only one dentist there). In addition, my dad is a GP and has been advertising the lifestyle/stress benefits of a dentist compared to most medical specialties, especially surgeons.

4765156758234896: I completely agree with you. I originally posted this in allopathic, because I was interested in some of the more in depth procedures of oral surgeons compared to other surgical specialties (from a medical standpoint because I was curious on their take about it). I will have a chance to shadow an oral surgeon this summer. However, many (not all), of the med students/doctors seem over-protective, for lack of a better word, when it comes to posts about OMS. If it had to be moved it should have been moved to dental.

Matriculate at a great DS, be #1 in your class, show genuine dedication and foster relationships = Good chance to match into OMS.

 

[Wiscobadger13]

At the end of the day, sounds like you have the best insight to rule in/out being a dentist due to your family. Seek out resources to rule in/out medicine as a career and apply.[/QUOTE]

Thats good advice. I will definitely seek out some more doctors to talk to.

 

[flapaTron]

Matriculate at a great DS, be #1 in your class.

easy 😎

 

[dentalWorks]

Matriculate at a great DS, be #1 in your class, show genuine dedication and foster relationships = Good chance to match into OMS.

Isn't this alot easier said than done? Cause isn't it true that to be ranked that high, you need more than just acing the didactics, but also need to have exceptional lab works (gifted dexterity)

 

[glo1984]

Isn't this alot easier said than done? Cause isn't it true that to be ranked that high, you need more than just acing the didactics, but also need to have exceptional lab works (gifted dexterity)

Yes, very true. I forget to mention that a large part of being #1 or even top 5 has to do with your ability to craft magic. I assumed others knew dental school required gifted dexterity. 🙂

 

[DREDAY]

Otolaryngologists do a huge amount of oral/maxillofacial surgery. If you're interested in facial surgery (trauma, maxillomandibular, oral, etc), ENT has plenty to offer. So you leave yourself plenty of latitude if you go the MD route (especially if you find a non-surgical specialty that you enjoy).

If the OP wants facial trauma I recommend OMFS, OMFS does alot more facial trauma in the US than ENT.

The distribution of facial trauma coverage at level 1 trauma centers in the United States by the different specialties was as follows: plastic surgeons, 39.6%; oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 36.6%; otolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons, 23.3%; and other services (general surgery and oculoplastics), 0.5%.

*Facial Trauma Coverage Among Level-1 Trauma Centers of the United States. S.Bagheri e.tal

 

[DREDAY]

Big H&N cases, and plastic cases go to ENT and Plastics. You can carve out your own niche as OMFS doing big cases, but it is exceedingly rare in big academic centers - they usually have teams for onc cases where OMFS mostly pull teeth out 🙂

BIG academic centers is where OMFS are doing the big cases. It is not "exceedingly rare" as you put it. Currently OMFS are doing big H&N cancer cases at UW, NYU, Michigan, Oregon, LSU x2, Parkland, jacksonville, mayo, jackson memorial, Merit care, and im sure i am missing more

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

Since when can you become an OMFS after attending medical school? I thought after gaining acceptance to dental school (Harvard for example), you would apply for their OMFS program immediately upon starting dental school. Then right after the fourth year, you attend medical school for one year, or they intertwine the curricula (at least that is what the oral surgeon I am shadowing told me).

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

Since when can you become an OMFS after attending medical school? I thought after gaining acceptance to dental school (Harvard for example), you would apply for their OMFS program immediately upon starting dental school. Then right after the fourth year, you attend medical school for one year, or they intertwine the curricula (at least that is what the oral surgeon I am shadowing told me).

Whoa.

Four years dental school. Four years OMS residency. Add two years if your OMS residency has an MD integrated track which you attend third and fourth years of medical school.