Pediatrics Dentistry

[DMD-2-B]

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I was wondering what one would have to do in order to specialize in peds?

I know this is what I want to do, but don't know what path to take.

So far I have not yet entered dental school, but plan on applying as soon as I finish my pre-reqs.

Any thoughts?

 

[ItsGavinC]

Well you still have plenty of obstacles (or events?) in your way prior to becoming a pediatric dentist, so it's best to take care of those short-term goals first, and then move on, but I think it's great that you have some idea of what you'd like to do in the long term.

Peds residencies are getting more and more competitive. We've got a couple guests who have far better information than I do, and I suspect they'll post some of the application specifics.

Your first priority is to get into dental school, and then maintain good grades and class standing, as well as doing well on the NBDE. That really is *the* only path, and there isn't much deviation from it.

Also, keep your mind open when you enter dental school. Don't limit yourself or shut out anything that doesn't fall in line with your goal of becoming a pediatric dentist. It could be that peds is what lured you into dentistry, but you may find out that your talents and abilities are actually better suited for another area of the profession. There isn't anything wrong with that process, and it's one that most of us will go through.

Good luck.

 

[rocknightmare]

Well you still have plenty of obstacles (or events?) in your way prior to becoming a pediatric dentist, so it's best to take care of those short-term goals first, and then move on, but I think it's great that you have some idea of what you'd like to do in the long term.

Peds residencies are getting more and more competitive. We've got a couple guests who have far better information than I do, and I suspect they'll post some of the application specifics.

Your first priority is to get into dental school, and then maintain good grades and class standing, as well as doing well on the NBDE. That really is *the* only path, and there isn't much deviation from it.

Also, keep your mind open when you enter dental school. Don't limit yourself or shut out anything that doesn't fall in line with your goal of becoming a pediatric dentist. It could be that peds is what lured you into dentistry, but you may find out that your talents and abilities are actually better suited for another area of the profession. There isn't anything wrong with that process, and it's one that most of us will go through.

Good luck.

what he said.

 

[lnn2]

I was wondering what one would have to do in order to specialize in peds?

I know this is what I want to do, but don't know what path to take.

So far I have not yet entered dental school, but plan on applying as soon as I finish my pre-reqs.

Any thoughts?

If you can talk to kids in funny voices, be able to talk to them like they were ******s then you'll fit right in! Do you love kids? more than you should?! 😀 How do you know that you want to get in peds? Have you ever dealt with kids in a dental clinic & female Pedo instructors?

 

[jk5177]

Open up. Goo che goo che goo. Here comes the lollipop. Uhmum.

 

[toofache32]

How do you know that you want to get in peds? Have you ever dealt with kids in a dental clinic & female Pedo instructors?

...and those moms are worse than the kids.

 

[unlvdmd]

...and those moms are worse than the kids.

your avatars just keep getting better and better! Who is that anyway... Brigette Nielson?

 

[DMD-2-B]

your avatars just keep getting better and better! Who is that anyway... Brigette Nielson?

You guys are a riot. Yes I absolutely adore kids. I think they're way more interesting than adults, and being with children energizes me because of their imagination and fresh outlook on the world. Anyway, working with children in a private practice is what I want to do. Besides, their teeth can't be as nasty and rotted as adults (or am I wrong?). All in all it just seems like a more pleasant work environment.

So what is the NBDE, and do different dental schools offer more opportunities for peds specialties than others? I looked at Columbia'a stats. In the past few years an average of about 6 out of 75 of their students went on to get accepted into peds.

Whats the rank order of specialties from most competitive to least???

 

[GQ1]

You guys are a riot. Yes I absolutely adore kids. I think they're way more interesting than adults, and being with children energizes me because of their imagination and fresh outlook on the world. Anyway, working with children in a private practice is what I want to do. Besides, their teeth can't be as nasty and rotted as adults (or am I wrong?). All in all it just seems like a more pleasant work environment.

So what is the NBDE, and do different dental schools offer more opportunities for peds specialties than others? I looked at Columbia'a stats. In the past few years an average of about 6 out of 75 of their students went on to get accepted into peds.

Whats the rank order of specialties from most competitive to least???

endo, ortho - non oec, omfs, pedo, prostho, perio

 

[unlvdmd]

You guys are a riot. Yes I absolutely adore kids. I think they're way more interesting than adults, and being with children energizes me because of their imagination and fresh outlook on the world. Anyway, working with children in a private practice is what I want to do. Besides, their teeth can't be as nasty and rotted as adults (or am I wrong?). All in all it just seems like a more pleasant work environment.

So what is the NBDE, and do different dental schools offer more opportunities for peds specialties than others? I looked at Columbia'a stats. In the past few years an average of about 6 out of 75 of their students went on to get accepted into peds.

Whats the rank order of specialties from most competitive to least???

Children can have WAY WORSE teeth than adults because of bottle rot. Some of the saddest cases I have seen are 6 year olds with bombed out mouths.

 

[drPheta]

Yeah, it's pretty sad to see kids with full stainless crowns covering their primaries.

 

[dWiz]

i wuz just wondering do pediatric dentists lose their hearing after a while? having to hear all that loud crying doesn't pop the drum?

 

[DcS]

i wuz just wondering do pediatric dentists lose their hearing after a while? having to hear all that loud crying doesn't pop the drum?

Yes, this is why the deaf have a 10x greater acceptance rate into Pedo than those with hearing.

 

[flat4]

While were on the topic of Pedo, anybody see anything wrong with this or is it just me:

 

[johnkimdmd]

While were on the topic of Pedo, anybody see anything wrong with this or is it just me:

I'm not taking my kids there.

 

[toofache32]

While were on the topic of Pedo, anybody see anything wrong with this or is it just me:

I think that sign is posted outside Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch.

 

[jk5177]

i wuz just wondering do pediatric dentists lose their hearing after a while? having to hear all that loud crying doesn't pop the drum?

Isn't there some way to lessen the amount of crying and suffering that occur to kids in a dental office?

Perhaps one can play kids music, or use lasers as oppose to drills, have stickers everywhere, or have drills that have colorful lights? There is got to be some way to make the office really kid-like.

 

[Jediwendell]

Isn't there some way to lessen the amount of crying and suffering that occur to kids in a dental office?

Perhaps one can play kids music, or use lasers as oppose to drills, have stickers everywhere, or have drills that have colorful lights? There is got to be some way to make the office really kid-like.

The pedi doc that retired when I came to the practice is getting disability for hearing loss, but they figured out it was from the handpieces and not the kids screaming. And honestly I think you guys must have a warped sense of what a pediatric office is like. If a kid is screaming and crying during treatment I stop and sedate or go to the OR. I don't work through it unless it's an emergency. The only time I typically have kids crying is on exam and that's usually 1 and 2 year olds, not everyone. Most kids actually love coming to the pediatric dentist because we are so kid friendly. Video games in the waiting room, Disney movies playing in the back and overhead of the operatories, toys everywhere, etc and a staff that knows how to work really well with kids. I can't tell you how many times in a day I hear kids say how much fun it is to come to the dentist. When you are completely centered around making the child happy and making it a positive experience it's totally different. And when all else fails there are always drugs, and that's why doing a residency is so great!
Emily

 

[predentchick]

That picture is sooooooooooo bad!!!! 😱 It wouldn't necessarily be if it wasn't a pedo place!! That will wind up on Jay Leno...

 

[DcS]

The pedi doc that retired when I came to the practice is getting disability for hearing loss, but they figured out it was from the handpieces and not the kids screaming. And honestly I think you guys must have a warped sense of what a pediatric office is like. If a kid is screaming and crying during treatment I stop and sedate or go to the OR. I don't work through it unless it's an emergency. The only time I typically have kids crying is on exam and that's usually 1 and 2 year olds, not everyone. Most kids actually love coming to the pediatric dentist because we are so kid friendly. Video games in the waiting room, Disney movies playing in the back and overhead of the operatories, toys everywhere, etc and a staff that knows how to work really well with kids. I can't tell you how many times in a day I hear kids say how much fun it is to come to the dentist. When you are completely centered around making the child happy and making it a positive experience it's totally different. And when all else fails there are always drugs, and that's why doing a residency is so great!
Emily

Don't let out the secret Emily, more people might go pedo 😉

 

[Jediwendell]

Don't let out the secret Emily, more people might go pedo 😉

Thankfully there is still only a limited number of residency positions!

 

[toofache32]

Yep, it's for real...