residency after few years' practice?

[japolloniac09]

I haven't heard of any dental specialist who worked as a general dentist before deciding to apply to a specialty program. Is that rare? Do specialty programs generally prefer students who have just graduated from dental school? Or do you think that the experience of having worked in a practice is actually a benefit especially if the applicant didn't have the best stats upon graduation from dental school?

 

[sweetyork]

Although I am a Canadian and don't know how American schools work, from what I understand, people who specialize have more likely practiced for a few years (2 or 3) before being accepted to graduate schools for specializing. Unless you graduated at the top of your class, you most likely would need to work a couple of years before you have a good chance of being accepted.

 

[ip]

It depends on the specialty. OMS wants people out of school or GPR, no private practice. From what I've seen, endo takes alot of people that practiced for a few years. Prosth is opposite because the practicing GP has typically developed their own bad habits already. I don't think it makes a difference for pedo or perio.

 

[japolloniac09]

really? the number of kids i met awhile ago who were in a specialty progra had just come out of dental school. but what u're saying i would think makes sense.

 

[bcDDS]

really? the number of kids i met awhile ago who were in a specialty progra had just come out of dental school. but what u're saying i would think makes sense.

Do a search on the 'Part I scores and specialty' thread. There is some info there that might help answer your question.