Questions about OMS

[2badr]

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Since OMS is so competitive,what would be the other alternative for a practicing dentist if not accepted into an OMS program? I first became interested in OMS while researching medical schools.I must admit after finding out how competitive it was I did not venture any further and continued on my journey to medschool.But it is still a nagging thought in my mind.Would you just toss all to the wind and take a chance on something as competitive as OMS? And by the way if I am going to change gears in my career decision, now would be the time for me to do so. And is anyone familiar with hospital dentistry? Just wondering...I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me.
Thanks for your time.

 

[vixen]

hey 2badr,

Im not really sure if I understand your question? If one didnt get into their OMS program, there are lots of other possibilities....general dentistry, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics etc...I think a lot of people are interested in OMS, which adds onto why its so competitive...I know YahE on here is really interested in it...he or someone in the Dental forum could prob help you more.....I think if you're considering dentistry as opposed to medicine, I would def shadow a dentist sometime....Dr.Jeff and BigPoppaDDS in the dental forum could also describe the career well also...I volunteered one semester in a hospital dental clinic....it was basically for all hospital patients, and two of the dentists were doing their general residency (which isnt req'd, but good experience to have). Sorry I couldn't help out anymore, but those people I've mentioned and others on here might have some good advice....I wish you the best!!

 

[2badr]

Thanks vixen for your reply. I had been wondering about the OMS profession for quite a while. I have done some searches on it as well but wanted to hear some experienced advice on the subject.

 

[millmm]

Hey,
I am in the exact same boat as you. I became interested in OMS while considering med school. First of all, you need to consider general dentistry, Its what you will be learning in dental school and you will have a better experience if you enjoy it and find it interesting. I have a friend who is a D1 and although I was interested in med school, this guy showed me that dental school is by all means just as interesting.
Now back to OMS; keeping in mind what I just said, I will be taking the chance you mentioned, and gunning for this residency. I beieve that with hard work this is possible. As for competitivness, OMS is about the third hardest specialty to get into, behind Ortho and Endo. For OMS, several attributes while in school are 'required' 1) high class rank (Ive heard of as low as top 15% and as high as top 5%) 2)high board scores on NBDE1-around 90% 3)research experience and 4)a possible externship in OMS. A general trend that I have also heard as of late is that people are steering away from OMS due to the program length (4-6 yrs). For only 2 yrs in some of the other speacialties, you can make more $. I am not doing it for the $ however, but more a love for surgery. So keeping all of this in mind although matching OMS is difficult, it is by no means impossible. Just go into your first year KNOWING how hard you will have to work and this will be good motivation for you.
As for alternatives, 1)if you are unsucessful in matching OMS, you can 'scramble' and get into a first year OMS internship that is 1 year in duration. Although there is no garuntee here these internships will often feed you into a residency program. 2) millitary residencies for OMS exist that are less competitive. After this you will owe Uncle Sam some time however. 3)Periodontics is a highly surgical field that has a lot of overlap w/OMS. 4) a General practice resedency for 1yr or experience as a general dentist will often make you more competitive for a OMS residency. Hope this all helps, and good luck.

 

[2badr]

Thanks millmm!! I appreciate all the replies I have recieved. I believe that I can now go in the right direction. You guys have answered most of my questions. I did not know that I was still wondering about OMS until I happen to stumble upon a "where are they now" piece authored by one of the posters here. In any case it is a lot to consider either way.At least now I feel I am headed in the right direction to make the best decision.
Thanks Again!!!!!
And good luck,millmm.Let us know how things are going.

 

[Doggie]

I'm also interested in OMS........but I guess it's a bit too early to worry about that at this point. I am just going on to my 2nd year this coming fall.....

Anyways, my questions is this........do you guys know how I can obtain a list of all the schools/hospitals that offer OMS?

thanks for any help.

 

[gryffindor]

2badr - There is a student who graduated this year from my school and has began his OMS training program. His friends said that he had actually enrolled and started in medical school, then decided to switch to dental school the next year and by the end of dental school, ended up enrolling in an MD granting OMS program. So even if you are already on the med track, it is not impossible at all to pursue OMS if that is your passion. Don't be discouraged by the "top 10%" notion. There are lots of OMS programs out there and not all students in the top 10 are fighting it out for OMS. I am aware of students from my school in the last two years who got into OMS programs in NYC and were not in the top 10 of their classes. Don't lose hope if this is what you want to do. I have talked to a number of dental students jaded by one specialty b/c of the notion that "it is easier" or "it is a huge moneymaker w/o much effort" and it really irritates me.

millmm is right on the money with his advice. There are many opportunities to do OMS externships around the country; just type it into a google search and you'll get lots of returns. Externships would be a good way to show commitment and interest in the specialty.

doggie - ASDA publishes a residency guide listing solely OMS residencies. This is the most comprehensive source out there since it states what each program is looking for in applicants. You can order it from their website as or find it in your dental school library. Each program is probably different, for example some focusing more on experience, others on research, and some solely on stats. If you just want a listing, check out this link from the AAOMS website - OMS Programs. This list looks really long, it's probably pretty complete.

I attended a talk last year given by residents representing the AAOMS. They spoke highly of OMS and said you can still live a reasonable life as a resident; many residents are apparently married and "the wife takes care of the kids." I asked about this comment after the talk and was told that only about 5% of the residents are women. After residency, the salaries he listed were very lucrative - I don't have the #s on me, I'll post them when I find them.

 

[gryffindor]

Actually, you should all check out this link from the AAOMS website - OMS Info. There is some really good info here not only on all the OMS programs offered, but also 1 year internships for after dental school and externship opportunities.

 

[Big_Poppa DDS]

I agree with Millmm. The guy in my class who matched into a program was ranked 13th of 75 and did not score 90 or above on either of the NDBE, but he did show a genuine interest in the field and was involved in research activities with some Oral Surgeons and participated in summer externship program and visited the hospital at least once a week during the school year to watch surgeries.

 

[2badr]

The information I have recieved has been so helpful..that is why I posted because I knew you guys would know. I don't like making life-changing decisions w/o all the facts.Here's to all who replied....

 

[angelic02]

A question from the stupid one:

What is periodontics, and what is the role of a specialist in this field as compared to that of an OMFS?

 

[gryffindor]

Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry dealing with the gums. A periodontist has three years of training after dental school and manages patients with gum disease. Examples of gum disease include gingivitis (the one they always advertise on TV) which is inflammation of the gums and periodontitis which is actual bacterial infection of the gums. If someone has periodontitis, it is often due to neglecting their oral hygiene (like not brushing and esp not flossing) and their teeth become loose to varying degrees. There is also buildup of plaque and calculus (also called tartar on TV; calculus is plaque that is mineralized). Periodontal disease is very often seen in smokers. Sometimes it is a manifestation of a systemic disease and not related to the patient's oral hygiene (diabetes, Chediak-Higashi syndrome - a neutrophil disorder). A periodontist would try to help the patient remedy that situation by thorough cleanings and various antibacterial treatments, gum surgery, bone grafts, and a number of other procedures. They are essentially trying to save the teeth from falling out or having to be extracted and replaced with a denture. Periodontists can also place implants, as can prosthodontist (a dental specialty that makes dentures and crowns) and oral surgeons.

As a med student, it would be interesting for you to know that current research is pointing to a correlation between patients with periodontial disease and cardiovascular disease. Major national studies are underway to strengthen this correlation.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Researchers from UNC, in conjunction with Harvard, have been publishing results lately of studies linking periodontitis with pre-term labor in expectant mothers. Others have also studied similar axis and it is pretty fascinating stuff.

 

[angelic02]

Griffin04,

Thank you for the definition, but I am not a med student.

 

[gryffindor]

oops. I just glanced at the bottom of your post and saw "Baylor" so I assumed Baylor Med school. sorry about that.