Questions regarding OMFS externship

[Dr. Brownies]

Hi guys!

I'll be starting my first omfs externship next month and wanted to know a few things.

1) when they ask you to wear scrubs, is it acceptable to wear scrubs that ur own dental school gave you, with your dental schools name and ur name on them? Would this be a problem since your externing at a different institution? If so, what color scrubs should one wear?
2) are u expected to wear ur white coat when ur externing? Obviously not in the OR, but everywhere else?
3) how were your experiences extending and what advice would u like to give?
4) I read that people suggested I bring the maxwell medical references and the pharmacopia pocket size versions. Are thee suppose to be in my white coat pocket at all times? How often did you guys use these?

I also read that you should have tongue depressors and gauze in your pocket? Isn't this Unsterile? How does this work?

5) did u have to present at your externship? How did that go?

Sorry if my questions seems too obvious and thank you for your help!

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[ncide]

I have to get a particular set of scrubs to be in the OR at VCU, so I'd imagine the same is true for other schools.

 

[deleted660390]

Hi guys!

I'll be starting my first omfs externship next month and wanted to know a few things.

1) when they ask you to wear scrubs, is it acceptable to wear scrubs that ur own dental school gave you, with your dental schools name and ur name on them? Would this be a problem since your externing at a different institution? If so, what color scrubs should one wear?

Every program will provides scrubs - usually, residents will lend you their scrubs.

2) are u expected to wear ur white coat when ur externing? Obviously not in the OR, but everywhere else?

Some programs will require a white coat with business attire for grand rounds or didactic sessions.

3) how were your experiences extending and what advice would u like to give?

Most externships will be hands off except a few in the south so expect to learn a lot and read up on things you see in the OR. You'll most likely hold sticks in the OR and extract teeth in the clinic if the interns are busy. Don't be timid and ask a lot of questions to maximize your learning experience.

4) I read that people suggested I bring the maxwell medical references and the pharmacopia pocket size versions. Are thee suppose to be in my white coat pocket at all times? How often did you guys use these?

Never

I also read that you should have tongue depressors and gauze in your pocket? Isn't this Unsterile? How does this work?

The interns will have everything in their pockets

5) did u have to present at your externship? How did that go?

Rare, I heard a few programs will ask you to present a topic

Sorry if my questions seems too obvious and thank you for your help!

 

[alexeb91]

Email the program you are externing at and ask them if they have any special recommendations for what to bring. Every program I externed at gave me scrubs specific for the hospital. I didn't bring any books. The only thing that MIGHT be useful is a small flashlight for use during rounds.


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[ramsdent]

I'd recommend skimming this document that LSU NO has on their website (link below). It's not all encompassing, and not everything on there applies to every program, but I found it to be a good reference. Definitely bring a few pens (you never know when a resident may need one at a crucial time), a pocket notepad/Maxwell's, tongue blades (you can probably pick up some extra during your first day), a pocket flashlight, and a light sweatshirt.

Another great reference for externs is Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Secrets by Dr. Abubaker. I read it on the plane and skimmed it here and there.

With regards to scrubs - every program I visited provided me with scrubs (either full access to machines, or the residents gave me a few pairs). The only program that required me to bring a white coat was UF Jacksonville. I would take it just in case, but you most likely won't need it depending on the program.

http://www.lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/omfs/docs/LSU OMFS Extern Experience.pdf

Best of luck! I really enjoyed all my externships, and I wish I had been able to go on a few more.

 

[Kazanjian]

With regards to the nuanced behavior that's expected of you on these externships, I recommend reading the attached document containing advice from a medical student on clinical rotation. Take it as a grain of salt.

It's of some utility to take a look at the OR schedule the week you're externing and reading up on the relevant anatomy and common complications related to the procedures beforehand. I like Atlas of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and you should have online access to it from your school's library website. You'll appreciate the procedure more and it's not uncommon for some programs to gently pimp you while you're holding sticks.

In addition to what ramsdent recommended, you should also bring a stethoscope and carry one around because the interns don't like lugging it around. That's where you, the extern mule, come in.