Oral Surgery Question

[molarseeker]

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SDN,

I want to become an oral surgeon but am a little nervous because of the length it takes to do so. After graduating dental school, it takes 4-6 years of residency to become an oral surgeon. I am already 24 and have one more year at UCLA. I am then taking a year off before starting dental school (if I get in). Therefore, I won't graduate dental school till about 30, and then won't be an oral surgeon till about 36. What do you feel about these ages? Is 36 too old to start oral surgery? I know most are going to say that if it is my passion, then age shouldn't matter, but it kinda does because I do want to have a family, house, and make money.

My second question is, can I work as a general associate dentist while doing my oral surgery residency? A dentist I am shadowing said that when I graduate that he would have me work in his office. Is there a way that I can work a few days a week and do the residency or how does that work? I am new to the whole thing.

Thanks!

 

[UCLAzy]

I know most are going to say that if it is my passion, then age shouldn't matter, but it kinda does because I do want to have a family, house, and make money.

i feel like more people are going to belittle/harass you because you want to do oral surgery before having any dental schooling

 

[molarseeker]

I've always been interested in surgery. Why would that matter? No one would belittle someone who wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon before going to medical school. Why is it any different?

 

[krishnanvadrevu]

Hi... I Completed my BDS in Bangalore, India...I want to go to USA to work there.....anyone can give the information what I have to do?

Regards
Krishna

 

[molarseeker]

Hi... I Completed my BDS in Bangalore, India...I want to go to USA to work there.....anyone can give the information what I have to do?

Regards
Krishna

Please delete this post. Wrong thread.

 

[Ortho88]

Hi Molar Seeker,

You should not get a head of yourself here. It's good to have those aspiration and ambitions, but first thing first is to focus on finishing your bachelor's degree and do well on DAT, also apply early for the next cycle. Life is not a race, it's not like if you run faster on the treadmill you'll be "more" successful. There are advantages and disadvantages of being too young or too old in dental school. Of course, if you're young (<22 yo) then you might be able to absorb the materials easier compared to your older peers (due to your degenerating neuronal connections). However, if you're older, you might be able to compose or manage stress better compared to your younger peers. Of course, it feel like that you're "behind" to your standards. I am in the same boat like yourself. Let's not measure life by quantifiable life achievements alone, however by choosing "road less traveled by". I see everyday as a new opportunity to diversify myself in any aspect of my life. After several years of working in the dental field (since high school), I've met some burned out dentists working at corporation dental offices and lost their passion. I think they've wasted their life by going that route, but it's all up to you to judge.

In the end, let me quote: ""Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away".


and Frost's famous quote: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

 

[molarseeker]

I know i would love surgery but do you think it's too late to start

 

[ushaseos]

2 things:

1) These specialization plans will probably change. Its not that you don't know what you want to do, its just that once you have more information, you might change your mind.

2) 36 is not too late. As an Oral Surgeon you'll be making bank in no time so financial concerns will disappear. Even if you promptly retire at 65, you'll have 29 years to practice and achieve whatever you want professionally. There are people who decide to enroll in med school at the age of 40 and end up doing surgical specialties...so they are 49-51 by the time they finish. If you really like something you'll enjoy it, even if you can only do it for a a few years less than you can practice other specialties.

 

[CMistry]

34-36 is not too old at all. Many of my coresidents are in that position. But you need to make sure you'd be happy to be a general dentist first - getting into OMFS is MUCH harder than getting into dental school.

 

[molarseeker]

34-36 is not too old at all. Many of my coresidents are in that position. But you need to make sure you'd be happy to be a general dentist first - getting into OMFS is MUCH harder than getting into dental school.

I volunteer in a dentist office and love it so I know I would like it. I have also volunteered in surgery clinics watching orthopedic surgery. I love the surgery scene much more so this is why I know it is for me. I got a position shadowing an oral surgeon and I will start when I go back to school! So excited!

 

[jojohygienist]

SDN,

I want to become an oral surgeon but am a little nervous because of the length it takes to do so. After graduating dental school, it takes 4-6 years of residency to become an oral surgeon. I am already 24 and have one more year at UCLA. I am then taking a year off before starting dental school (if I get in). Therefore, I won't graduate dental school till about 30, and then won't be an oral surgeon till about 36. What do you feel about these ages? Is 36 too old to start oral surgery? I know most are going to say that if it is my passion, then age shouldn't matter, but it kinda does because I do want to have a family, house, and make money.

My second question is, can I work as a general associate dentist while doing my oral surgery residency? A dentist I am shadowing said that when I graduate that he would have me work in his office. Is there a way that I can work a few days a week and do the residency or how does that work? I am new to the whole thing.

Thanks!

Eh! get over it!! I'm freaking 40 already and applying to dental school. You are never too old!! DO IT NOW or wait until you are 40 like me and then you will really feel that you are too old and either way its your choice.

 

[asdfray]

SDN,

I want to become an oral surgeon but am a little nervous because of the length it takes to do so. After graduating dental school, it takes 4-6 years of residency to become an oral surgeon. I am already 24 and have one more year at UCLA. I am then taking a year off before starting dental school (if I get in). Therefore, I won't graduate dental school till about 30, and then won't be an oral surgeon till about 36. What do you feel about these ages? Is 36 too old to start oral surgery? I know most are going to say that if it is my passion, then age shouldn't matter, but it kinda does because I do want to have a family, house, and make money.

My second question is, can I work as a general associate dentist while doing my oral surgery residency? A dentist I am shadowing said that when I graduate that he would have me work in his office. Is there a way that I can work a few days a week and do the residency or how does that work? I am new to the whole thing.

Thanks!

Coming from a post-bach, no it's never too old to do what you love.

I do agree with everyone here about taking it one step at a time. Yes, a goal is good and all but only the top 5% (or 10%) of the class get to specialize in oral surgery AFTER getting into dental school.

I think you like the aspect of surgery more than the actual field. Lets say you don't make it to the top of your class and you end up as just a general dentist, would you be happy? That's the real question right here.

Good luck on everything. Not trying to bash on you but just giving you an idea of what I think.

 

[KittySquared]

Going to dental school means you have to accept the fact that your best may not be good enough for you to specialize. Youre up against some VERY brilliant classmates. you should have enough love and open mind for general dentistry which 90% of dental school graduates will do. If the though of doing general dentistry annoys you or you feel like you're settling, then you should go to med school and do surgery.

 

[cwoodds]

Eh! get over it!! I'm freaking 40 already and applying to dental school. You are never too old!! DO IT NOW or wait until you are 40 like me and then you will really feel that you are too old and either way its your choice.

Got you beat, just turned 41! 😀 Good Luck!

 

[Kahr]

OP: You might want to check this thread out, and ask questions there if you still have any. 🙂

Armorshell's "Ask an OMS resident":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=876000

 

[molarseeker]

Going to dental school means you have to accept the fact that your best may not be good enough for you to specialize. Youre up against some VERY brilliant classmates. you should have enough love and open mind for general dentistry which 90% of dental school graduates will do. If the though of doing general dentistry annoys you or you feel like you're settling, then you should go to med school and do surgery.

Thanks everyone for your postings. I would love to do dentistry, but would absolutely love oral surgery.

 

[jojohygienist]

Got you beat, just turned 41! 😀 Good Luck!

Hey cwoodds-age is only a number right??? good luck to you as well!!

 

[molarseeker]

Thank you for doing this. I have a few questions that I would like to ask.

1. What are the differences if you have the MD license? Can you do more and what are the benefits of having the MD?

2. Do you go to medical school and take classes during the 6 year program and how does this work?

3. During the 6 years, what part (year wise) do you pay for and what part (year wise) are you paid?

4. Since you will have a DDS, can you practice on the side during residency?

Thank you in advance!

 

[autoclavemonkey]

Thank you for doing this. I have a few questions that I would like to ask.

1. What are the differences if you have the MD license? Can you do more and what are the benefits of having the MD?

2. Do you go to medical school and take classes during the 6 year program and how does this work?

3. During the 6 years, what part (year wise) do you pay for and what part (year wise) are you paid?

4. Since you will have a DDS, can you practice on the side during residency?

Thank you in advance!

I wouldn't say there's a clear benefit of having an MD DDS over just DDS. It's just the types of surgeries you will perform. The former will be more invasive...(i.e. oral surgeons will probably use scalpels for whatever they're doing... general dentists probably won't) schools' programs can vary so I'd suggest taking a look at school websites or try calling them for specific questions. I just looked at Upenn's and they seem to have very detailed descriptions as to what their OMS program has to offer and what you will be doing in those 6 years.

Also ask the oral surgeon you'll be shadowing to find out more information. You have plenty of time to figure this out so go to more accurate resources than a pre-dental forum. good luck!

 

[KillaCam]

I wouldn't say there's a clear benefit of having an MD DDS over just DDS. It's just the types of surgeries you will perform. The former will be more invasive...(i.e. oral surgeons will probably use scalpels for whatever they're doing... general dentists probably won't)

He was wondering the difference between a 4 year OMFS program and a 6yr MD OMFS program.....NOT the difference between a general dentist and a someone with as a 6 year MD OMFS!!!!!!! Scalpel usage as a difference..... Wow

Of course there is a clear benefit of having the OMFS certification with or without the MD over a general dentist. They do COMPLETELY different things, like actual surgery.

 

[goffdent]

Most residency programs that I know of dont allow you to practice on the side while in the program. If they find out they can kick you out. Also.. You will be on call and wont have time..

 

[Stacker]

OP: You might want to check this thread out, and ask questions there if you still have any. 🙂

Armorshell's "Ask an OMS resident":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=876000

That thread is almost half a year old. Is armorshell still answering questions?

 

[molarseeker]

He was wondering the difference between a 4 year OMFS program and a 6yr MD OMFS program.....NOT the difference between a general dentist and a someone with as a 6 year MD OMFS!!!!!!! Scalpel usage as a difference..... Wow

Of course there is a clear benefit of having the OMFS certification with or without the MD over a general dentist. They do COMPLETELY different things, like actual surgery.

Actual surgery as in...what kind of surgery?

 

[autoclavemonkey]

He was wondering the difference between a 4 year OMFS program and a 6yr MD OMFS program.....NOT the difference between a general dentist and a someone with as a 6 year MD OMFS!!!!!!! Scalpel usage as a difference..... Wow

Of course there is a clear benefit of having the OMFS certification with or without the MD over a general dentist. They do COMPLETELY different things, like actual surgery.

Get off your high horse and answer his question instead. Was just a way to show that omfs will do more invasive procedures than dentists on regular basis. It wasn't my specific answer as to providing a difference if you havn't been able to figure that out. jeez Sure I can talk about how a dentist specializing in OMFS, facial pain and TMJ disorder of your jaw can give treatments like arthrocentesis and open joint surgery(arthroplasty). Also You're probably more qualified to remove something like supernumerary tooth and impacted wisdom tooth, something alot of general dentists wouldn't do. But answering this way is useless cause I'm sure there are alot of other things that OMFS entails that we pre-dentals wouldn't know about. So he would be much better off finding out from different sources(i.e. actual oral surgeons, dental schools).

But is it a benefit? He already said he likes surgery and that's why he wants to get into it. For him, I guess it would be a benefit since he sounds like he'll be happier with it. But other than that this seems like a personal preference to me.

 

[autoclavemonkey]

Most residency programs that I know of dont allow you to practice on the side while in the program. If they find out they can kick you out. Also.. You will be on call and wont have time..

Oh wow...I figured it wouldn't be realistic to practice while in the program. But I guess some tried to in the past? since they do take extreme measure by kicking you out

 

[goffdent]

The programs at my school strictly say that private practice moonlighting is not allowed and subject to release from the program. Often you get a contingency license from the state to practice only within the confines of the dental school.