pediatric dentistry

Probably around 85+ on boards and top 15% rank. Pedo tends to have slightly lower academic requirements than other specialties, they tend to focus more on personality and fit.

 

Pedo is the hot specialty right now. There are a ton of applicants this year. At UCLA we have more applicants to pedo (it beat out ortho!) than any other specialty this year. I wouldn't be surprised if the academic competition gets a lot tougher.

 

Not too tough, your scores should get you into a program, heck similar scores got my best friend in her top choice U of M, not to mention she was execpted to 6 out of the 8 residency programs she applied to.

 

After volunteering in pediatric dentistry clinic at UF I don't think I have the nerve to listen and deal with screaming children, granted it is kind of fun seeing them in there. Saw a couple cleft lip surgeries being performed and check ups afterwards, it is amazing what can be done. I admire those who can work in this field, it really does take a certain personality to do well in it.

 

Specialties seem to go in cycles.

Just a few years ago pedo was one of the "easy" specialties to get into - almost like perio and prosth. But right now it is hot. There are also more pedo applicants at my school than applicants to any other specialty.

Part of it is money. Part of it is lack of significant exposure to screaming, tears and vomit in the predoctoral curriculum.

 

While it's certainly doable with an 85 things are certainly more competitive than in the past. To be competitive at this point it really takes 90+. Of course there are always exceptions with regards to extracurriculars, etc. I know at our program our board avg is prob. in the low to mid 90s.

Getting the interview is the key. The rest is all about personality. That's the great part...it can't be bs'd. I don't care if someone comes in w/ 99 boards and top in the class, if they are annoying and the residents don't like them then they won't get in, period. And the ones who try to fake it and be what they think we want them to be, we can see right through it.

My advice to all those who will be going through the interview process is to be yourself. It may not be the easiest advice, but it's what we as residents want to see. You'll be surprised, residents have a lot of pull at many programs. All it takes is rubbing one or two people the wrong way and it will be it for you. I'm not saying it to intimidate, moreso to bring it to your attention.