PEDS residency vs GD seeing kids

[toothfairy1122]

Hey everyone. I wanted to ask what are the specific benefits to going through speciality for peds? I currently am a d2 who for sure wants to see only kids/teens with a 3.37 GPA so i feel that may hinder me when applying. I've heard from a dentist that she's a GD working in a peds office and makes 500k+ because of the hygiene/volume of patients in a Medicaid accepting peds office. She mentioned that the peds specialists do not get speciality pay. Is that true? Do you really need to do a residency? Is it just good for the credentials? Any other benefits?

Also, if I don't match, would it be best to do a GPR and then reapply or just go straight into a private practice and then reapply?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DustFreeEraser]

If you can find a good office looking for a gd interested in peds, yes you will do fine financially and will get to be exposed to nearly all the procedures pediatric dentists can do including oral sedation and general anesthesia cases (this will vary by state).

There are always post match spots, particularly Boston, Tufts, and other expensive programs; I would not worry about not matching if tuition is not a concern. In case you do not match, I would recommend private practice.

 

[JacquesVallee]

I've heard from a dentist that she's a GD working in a peds office and makes 500k+ because of the hygiene/volume of patients in a Medicaid accepting peds office.

If true, this is a total anomaly. Be weary of seemingly too good to be true anecdotes. You have to look at averages. I don't know a single general dentist associate who makes 300k+.

You need to ask yourself if you want to see pediatric patients exclusively or would be comfortable having a mix of kids and adults as a general dentist. If you just want to see kids, then you should specialize in peds. What's nice about being a general dentist is you can always try to increase your peds volume and still refer out the really really challenging cases. It's really nice to be able to refer when you want to.