Ortho and Pedo

[novabx]

Hi, I am interested in pursuing Ortho and Pedo and was wondering if anyone has gone about this and can share some insight on the process please?
Is it better to be upfront with the programs that interview me or more clandestine? I have heard many programs (especially Ortho) are not a fan of applicants who want to pursue both as it shows a lack of passion.
I would like to eventually do both and was wondering what I can do to become an ideal candidate during my application process without hurting my chances. If anyone has done both and can share their experiences it would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

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[Firm]

I would be upfront that you want to be a dual specialist. Very few people want to do that. I hear that pedo is tough to get into but that might be a better route to go first because it's less expensive, then you'll be more competitive for an ortho state school. You might even get the second residency paid for if you stay at the same school.

 

[Wax n Relax]

How about applying to pedo programs that have a strong ortho component. Some do exist. Get two birds stoned at once.

 

[Firm]

You can't market yourself as an orthodontist.

 

[Wax n Relax]

True, but you also have your own referral base.

 

[Silent Cool]

Hi, I am interested in pursuing Ortho and Pedo and was wondering if anyone has gone about this and can share some insight on the process please?
Is it better to be upfront with the programs that interview me or more clandestine? I have heard many programs (especially Ortho) are not a fan of applicants who want to pursue both as it shows a lack of passion.
I would like to eventually do both and was wondering what I can do to become an ideal candidate during my application process without hurting my chances. If anyone has done both and can share their experiences it would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

Pedo programs train you to do (minor) ortho .

 

[Tooth]

You can't market yourself as an orthodontist.

It depends on the state where you practice, but I too would recommend Pedo first. There are many Pediatric dentists who practice orthodontics. A pediatric dentist is really a glorified general dentist who specializes in children. There's no reason why you can't offer orthodontics to your pediatric patients <19. If you decide to go back and specialize as an orthodontist too at a later date you wouldn't be the first or the last. It doesn't work out that easily if you do ortho first.

 

[DocPedo]

A pediatric dentist is a glorified general dentist treating children just as a pediatrician is a glorified internist treating children NOT. Sorry, that is just a different discussion. As far as doing pedo/ortho...lots of folks have done that. Most that I know, primarily focus on ortho. So....if you want to do orthodontics, just specialize in ortho. If you want to specialize in pedo and and offer limited ortho in your practice , do that. If your program is week in ortho, PM me for courses to take.

 

[novabx]

Thanks!

 

[yappy]

Just curious but how many hours are you planning on working as a duel specialist? Because we're in a field where you must perform [dental] duties yourself it seems like the utility of each degree diminishes unless you're going to plan on working the equivalent of 2 full time jobs. I think it may be possible to achieve a level of efficiency where hours worked can lower (<80), yet maintain the full utility of each specialty, but the sweet spot is still >40 hours per week.
If working that much is not desirable is there really any financial reason to do a duel specialty? Are you doing it for professional satisfaction?

 

[xkc9126x]

How about applying to pedo programs that have a strong ortho component. Some do exist. Get two birds stoned at once.

Hi do you know where we can find this information?

 

[pjscholar]

Yea most dual trained seem to do pedo first, however on interviews this year I met someone who was already an orthodontist now applying to pedo. I feel like they are a closely related field, and I'm disappointed that there are no combined programs offered (3 or 4 year ). And yea different pedo programs offer different amounts of ortho experience, it varies widely.

 

[joc]

I am a dual trained ortho/pedo and practice both. 2days a week ortho, 2 days a week pedo, and 1 day a week OR cases. I did ortho first was practicing in a big office for a few years and decided to go back for pedo. I can honestly say that after going on 14 interviews there was only 1 that gave me any negative response for wanting to do both.

I think doing ortho first is the best route. Reason being that ortho is like riding a bike, it really hasn't changed much over time. You can still treat most Class II cases with a headgear. When I finished residency in Pedo in 14 I was surprised that my ortho skills had actually gotten better because I understood more about how the kids are developing and dealing with mixed dentition cases are a piece of cake. We actually will get some cases from other orthos in the area for interceptive treatment.

As for as practice if you are a single doctor then yes it may be a bit chaotic. Half of the time it all kind of gets lumped together. There are 2 other pedo's and 1 general DDS in our group. We really don't need outside ortho referrals, but still get quite a few from the area. All in all I can say if being dual trained is your desire go for it. 30 years from now when you back aches everyday you don't want to look back and think what could have been.