physical exam needed prior to enrollment?

[logistical99]

Recently, I had been getting all these medical forms from several dental schools that I got into. The forms have to be filled out by a doctor and a physical exam is required for the nature of the questions on the forms.

What is a "physical exam" really? Is it what I think it is? Is the doctor really going to tell me to take my entire clothes off? If so, how do I find the appropriate doctor to perform these examinations on me? Is there anyway I can find a doctor that would just fill out the forms without doing the physical?

I'm asking because, even though I'm not a girl, I do not want to be touched, judged, or looked at by anyone.

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[dragonfly9]

I'm not sure if you are a little confused here. . . They don't mean a judgement of your body, they are referring to a medical exam. If you went to undergrad in the states, I am sure that these forms would have been required for entrance to your undergrad institution as well.

You will most certainly need current DPT, MMR and Hep B vaccinations. I had to get the Hep B before I started working in my lab even though I don't directly work Also, I'm sure you will need a TB test within 6 months of starting school.

Having a physical isn't a bad idea. I went to have one a little while ago so I could get a referral for an orthopaedic injury and they picked up that I had anemia because my ferritin was very low even though my hematocrit was low normal.

 

[ALI]

they do check for hernia though. That was not fun.

 

[grettlin2]

What is Hepatitise B? Does it mean if the person has this disease, he/she won't be allowed to register? ......

 

[puffy1]

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease of the liver. For 90% of the people who contract it, the body's immune system fights it off and becomes permanently immune to it. The other 10% can become chronic cases. If you're born with HepB, I think there's a 90% chance that you're going to become chronically ill. The HepB vaccine is highly effective and provides complete immunity to the virus.

I know of one dental school that requires incoming students to be tested for HepB, HepC and HIV before registration. If a student is so unfortunate enough to be sero-positive AND chronically ill with any of those diseases, they are STRONGLY advised by the school to give up dentistry due to the invasive nature of the practice and the increased risk they pose of infecting their patients.

If either the HepB or C is proven to be acute, the students wait it out and sees if they can recover from the illness.

This was a recent change (as in the past four years) in policy in regards to this situation. In the past, students' blood were drawn and tested AT registration and tested for the Heps and HIV...so a person would have actually started up dental school by the time they found out if they had a chronic case of the mentioned diseases.

 

[Comet208]

With all the respect due to everyone, I find it very embarrassing that some of our future health professionals yet do not know about Hepatitis B and are afraid of physical exams.

If you have lived in the U.S., I assume that you have a primary care physician; s/he performs annual check ups to make sure everything in your body is functioning properly. There is no judging involved (unless you are a contestant for miss world!) There is some touching involved; otherwise there is no way of taking your blood pressure. (reminder: dentistry is a very intimate profession, think about this before getting into something that you might not like)

Hepatitis B is a blood born disease caused by a virus called hepatitis B virus. It spreads like HIV, but affects your kidney instead. The best way to prevent Hep B is to get vaccinated (sequence of 3 shots in period of 6 months). All dental students are required to have the vaccines prior to day of registration. Read more about this on http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/

Comet!

 

[puffy1]

Originally posted by Comet208
Hepatitis B is a blood born disease caused by a virus called hepatitis B virus. It spreads like HIV, but affects your kidney instead. The best way to prevent Hep B is to get vaccinated (sequence of 3 shots in period of 6 months). All dental students are required to have the vaccines prior to day of registration. Read more about this on http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/

Comet!

er...Hep B infects the liver, not the kidney.

 

[grettlin2]

Hi, thanks for your explaintion. I called the doctor this morning and asked about having a Hep B +/- test. However, he said I can do it after six months (since i just received the screen).
My question is "Would the student be dropped from the DDS program if he/she has the disease?" Could the students provide the evaluation forms to the dental school or the students should do the test at the school?
I never know except the academic and extra activities factors, and there is other reason that will prevent people to go to dschool. Thanks for all of your reply.

 

[DeltronZ]

does anyone else find the original post CRAZY? what the hell you had to get a physical at some point prior to this. Yes if the doctor doesnt like your physique he will mark on your form and you wont be allowed into dental school.

 

[logistical99]

My post wasn't crazy; it was just normal human reaction.

I'm not afraid of getting shots, checked for blood pressure, or getting a knee-jerk test, etc. However, I just wanted to know if the doctor(s) will actually tell me to take off my clothes ( even my underwear ) for the physical examination.

That alone, for me, is just too much and I'm sure that there are many others who feel the same on this board.

I'm just trying to be a dentist, for pete's sake, and I can't understand why the physical exam is required.

 

[booshwa]

I suppose that you also wonder why a dental student needs to learn anatomy as well?

 

[Brand]

Wow. This is wild. Normal human behavior is to understand what a physical entails. In all seriousness the doctor may ask you to drop your underwear and lift up your gown. He/she will then feel your testicles for lumps. Then, the physician will pull a piece of skin and ask you to cough a few times. On rare occasions they will pull on your unit and check for discharge.
This is a normal procedure. Its been done to me ten times or more(every year to be involved in sports). It may be your "privates" that the doctor is ckecking, but that part of an overall physical. The doctor may not do this, but be prepared. If this is scary to you... well, I don't know what to say. Last time I talked to a guy who was frightened by this was in 5th grade little league.

 

[Comet208]

..yes, thats it: Hep B affects liver, not the kidney. thx for the correction. maybe i shouldnt be posting at 3 am!!!!

logistical, do not worry about getting a physical. its not at all an erotic thing, though you will be asked to drop your underwear and that s/he will be touching your testicles. go to a male doctor if you feel more comfortable. afterall, as a doctor you have to learn that different parts of the body should receive equal attention and that each part needs to be checked out regularly. if this bothers you, just wait till after age 35 when you are due for anual prostate exams!!!!

Comet!

 

[logistical99]

I hate to bring this up again but this is the only place where I can ask this.

Am I supposed to find a doctor using the yellow pages? Or do you recommend that I go to my school's medical center? ( which I don't particularly like because I don't want to be examined by young resident doctors. )

What type of doctor am I supposed to be looking for? I haven't been to a doctor for an awfully long time. I could go back to my old pediatrician but he is one of those extroverted guys that always enjoy asking what you are doing whenever you come back as a grown person, and I am too embarassed to tell him what I'll end up becoming.

What type of fees should I be expecting? I'm a person with acne, big stomach, and flabby arms, chest, thighs, and etc. For those of you sharing the same characteristics, don't you ever feel embarassed about undressing and being looked at?

 

[Supernumerary]

Logistical, you can find a real old geezer GP in the phonebook if that would make you more comfortable. Your description of yourself applies to about 80% of the adult U.S. population. I wouldn't sweat it so much. Chances are the doctor is probably gonna be in worse shape than you are. Oh, and it'll prolly set you back about $50 bucks.

One thing I don't get, why would you be embarrassed to say that you're gonna be a dentist? It's not exactly like you're aspiring to be a garbage man or anything. There are thousands of people every year who want to become dentists and can't get into a school. You should be proud of your achievements.

 

[logistical99]

50 bucks? Is that how much they charge in big cities? And does that includes the physical exam and the whole set of shots I'm required to get?

 

[Brand]

I am too embarassed to tell him what I'll end up becoming.

What??? Can you explain that? If you are embarassed to be a dentist then be something else. I am lost when it comes to understanding you.

And it is going to cost more than $50. Don't stress so much.

 

[DeltronZ]

This is a joke

 

[DMX9911]

logistical,

Ok, i've been reading this thread for awile, biting my tongue and waiting to see how this thread plays out. However, some of the things you have said really disturb me.

First, like Brand said, are you really ashamed of becoming a dentist? or are we interpreting this incorretly? Surely, after what i've gone through, as well as every other applicant, I am damn well proud to have been accepted and will do my utmost to become a respected professional.

This leads me to my next point. Medical Doctors are PROFESSIONALS. They will not judge you based on appearance...they have gone thorugh 4 years of medical school plus residency and I'm sure they have seen worse than anything you can provide. They are not coming from elementary school where people like to giggle about immature things.

Also, with you becoming a dentist, i truly hope that you will not judge your patients based on appearance and laugh at them if they are overweight or have bad breath. Cuz if you can't imagine yourself doing this, i'm sure your doctor will have the same notion.

Finally, with what you said about having a big stomach, acne, etc; perhaps it would be best for your health to have regular checkups (to look for high bp, irregular hormone levels, or any other pathological ailments) and not just for entrance into dental school.

I too was overweight w/ acne when I was younger and embarressed about my appearance, but whenever i went to the doctor for a checkup, i felt assured that he/she would provide a professional diagnosis, without laughing at me. After all, this is part of what being a professional means.

Anyways, you should probably be looking for a general practioner...they should be equipped to take care of all your dental school needs.

 

[logistical99]

There has been some misunderstanding here. I'm not saying that dentistry is bad or anything; I just don't want to tell anyone about it. I also feel embarassed to tell others what ethnicity I am. So there is no need to feel that I am singling out dentistry only.

Anyway, are you sure that a general/family practitioner is good enough for my needs? If what you say concerning my health is valid, then shouldn't I go for an internist or a pediatrician instead?

I know for a sure fact that internists/peds go thru a more extensive residency training than general doctors. Not that it makes for a great physician but, since I don't have any referrals, I personally find it justifiable to choose a doctor based on credentials. Due to my lack of referrals, should I also consider the medical school and post grad training that the doctor went thru?

And all doctors ( for my checkup and immunization needs ) will charge me at around the same price, right?

I know that my questions sound very amateurish but there are some people here that went through this procedure before dental school and hence this is the only place where I can get answers.

Thanks much.

 

[Brand]

This is killing me. I don't know if I should cry or scream. Uh oh, looks like the tears won.

 

[pongebob]

About being embarrassed when telling people that I am going to be a dentist, I sometimes feel like I am bragging when I tell them. I'm not the type of person that brags about anything, so in my case feeling embarrassed is actually wanting to NOT be pretentious.

 

[Comet208]

Logistical,

(if this is all true and you are not pulling our legs), i am really wondering why you dont have a family doctor by now. does ANYONE in your extended family sees a doctor at least once a year? how about the elderly? maybe (i am just assuming here, and i am soory if i am wrong) your family is not really into having a healthly lifestyle (which might explain your apearance), but now that you know how important the role of healthcare professinals is, you should be the one who promotes this in your family.

all you need to do is to ask around for a good general practicioner, or randomly pick a doctor from the yellow pages...or go to your university doctor.... it does not make a difference... at the end of the day you are the one who needs their help.

your check up costs should be covered by your insurance (do you know have any???? i wonder!) and the cost of your hep B vaccine and TB test and etc are sually partially covered by your insurance.

hope this helps... if you have any more questions please ask away!

Comet!

PS: why are you feeling "embarassed" about your ethnicity? be proud of who you are otherwise no one else would be proud of you. all these clubs and gropus that you see are b/c people are proud of their race and culture. i was born and raised in Iran, and will not change that with anything, b.c it is a part of me.

 

[logistical99]

I appreciate everyone's comments but I don't know why some people can't understand all this from the viewpoint of someone who doesn't usually go to the doctor ( because I don't want to spend a lot of money, and all that goes for my whole family ) and has no health insurance. Like most people, there are more important things to do and I could care less until a dental school makes these checkups mandatory or when I get a heart attack or a tumor.

I'll just compare the board certified internists in the phone book and pick the most affordable one because all shots are the same.

 

[Supernumerary]

I'm just as cheap as you logistical. I went to the county health dept for the shots; it's cheaper because there's a NP instead of a doc. No need to get an IM guy, he'll most likely just end up having his nurse give you the shots anyway. And any old doc can give a physical.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Wow, some of these posts remind me why I'm now too busy to post here.

 

[ItsGavinC]

And regarding the required shots: I also went to my local county health department -- and they were all free!

Can't beat free!

 

[dentist2008]

If it bothers you so much that a doctor sees you, just pick a random doctor and get done with the physical exam. You are not going to see that doctor anymore if you don't want to, and I am pretty sure that doctors don't remember any of the petients by name or face. They see an awful lot of them every day.
Just do it and get done with it.
And I don't think paying 100 (or even 200) dollars for a good physical exam after so many years would be a bad idea.
you will be going to dental school. You will be paying 100 times more than that before you get done with dental school.
Don't be so critical of your self. Take it easy.
And about ethnicity issue, I am not an american too, I kinda know what you are talking about. However, you can't change your ethnicity. I am proud of it and let other people know it too.

 

[logistical99]

dentist2008,

I really appreciate your empathy but you needn't take this too solemnly. I mean, I just simply don't want to take my clothes off in front of someone, not even to my parents. I'll just get the physical asap so that it'll soon be over.

As for the issue about ethnicity, I have a different case. It's just that my country of origin really sucks and has always been invaded, victimized, etc. by arrogant people on both sides of it. I won't mention the name of this country because I'm afraid that I'll anger some readers here who refuse to accept the truth in light. ( but I'll tell you beforehand that I am not affiliated in any way with the Middle East or Africa so that there would be no false impressions)

 

[ddstothecor]

logisitical99--please don't take this the wrong way, but I have a suggestion to help you in your struggle to be comfortable in removing your clothes in front of people:
Become a stripper. You'll get paid for removing your gown, and you'll get acclimated to the state of nakedness. By the time you see the doctor, you'll be whipping of your garb before he/she even asks! The benefits to this approach are astounding.
Just a thought...

On a side note, just try to relax. I'm sure it will be fine, and before you know it, the appointment will be over, and you can wait eighteen more years to go back (although that's not my professional recommendation). Good luck!

 

[johnstoner]

is it because you are fat or have a deformity or something? Have you ever taken your clothes off in front of a girl?

The first time is nervewracking but after that...dang those clothes come off soooo fast!

lastly, physicians don't give a crap about whether you look weird with your clothes off, its like a gynecologist...when you see em everyday, everyone of them starts to look the same.

by the way...i've been to sooo many doctors for so many problems its not funny.

I even was examined in the nutz by at least 5 doctors in one room at the same time...it was like a viewing gallery or something, i'm like yeah...this is my sidekick...my one eyed beast...etc etc.

don't worry about it

 

[logistical99]

That is just so nasty.