Residency becoming the norm?

[kov82]

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I've been speaking to people at an east coast dental school recently and have heard that because of state cuts for dentistry many students are having a hard time finding patients, and these students end up going into residency programs because they are not prepared

When I first applied to dental school the way I thought things would work out is that I would graduate, go work for someone in a place with few dentists, lots of patients and get lots of practice and learn how to run an office, then when I felt confident I could do things on my own I would move back home and start up my own practice, now I am hearing from people that to want to go straight into work after graduation is greedy and that I would be sacrificing learning good hand skills to make that money, the person I spoke with said the residency program would teach me to be a better general dentist in the long run, I said they would be using him to make money since he would barely be paid but he said he didnt care as long as he gets the experience and they teach him what they promised, I figured thats what dental school was for, I figured the things I did not know I would learn in the few years working for someone after graduation

So should I go into the co 2015 expecting to join a residency program after graduation? (I know its a long way away but I dont want surprises)

I felt going into a residency was a BAD thing, a sign the school you went to did NOT do its job, but am I wrong? is this the norm today? he said its not just his school but in most schools now the graduates are joining residency programs.

 

[Vapor1122]

I felt going into a residency was a BAD thing, a sign the school you went to did NOT do its job, but am I wrong?

No dental school anywhere is going to get you as fast as a good residency will, that's for damn sure.

 

[Daurang]

My BU roommate went to UCSF for AEGD and quit after a few months. He said it was a waste of time. I have no feeling either way. I immediately opened my practice right after getting my license.

 

[DrJeff]

There are some residencies that will definately improve one's overall speed and skills and others that won't be more than just a "5th year of dental school" and in some cases for 2 different people that can be the same program.

So much of what one gets (or doesn't get) out of a residency has to do with how that resident approaches it, and how much they want to learn (both from direct over the shoulder attending supervision AND from INDEPENDENT learning). If a person goes into a residency and just expects things to be handed/spoon fed to them, well then you might as well just go into private practice and learn your lessons there. If one wants to push their dental skills (both diagnostically, clinically and often practice management wise), then more often than not a residency will be looked back upon as a very worthwhile experience.

 

[ItsGavinC]

There are some residencies that will definately improve one's overall speed and skills and others that won't be more than just a "5th year of dental school" and in some cases for 2 different people that can be the same program.

So much of what one gets (or doesn't get) out of a residency has to do with how that resident approaches it, and how much they want to learn (both from direct over the shoulder attending supervision AND from INDEPENDENT learning). If a person goes into a residency and just expects things to be handed/spoon fed to them, well then you might as well just go into private practice and learn your lessons there. If one wants to push their dental skills (both diagnostically, clinically and often practice management wise), then more often than not a residency will be looked back upon as a very worthwhile experience.

I agree with Jeff. I think residencies are a wonderful thing and a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and really get in over your head without assuming all the risk that is associated with that for a practicing dentist. I'd go into residency and make mistakes and learn from them--you'll be better on the flip side for doing it.

 

[gatorfan99]

I Highly recommend an AEGD. I graduated from BU in 2008 and did my AEGD through the Army (no bills) which was great in fine tuning my hand skills and broadening my knowledge in all areas of dentistry.

 

[Mackchops]

I think GPRs were viewed in the past as the route to take if you didn't have the skills to make it in the real world right out. That's been changing and currently a lot of entry level associateships want residency-trained dentists.

Something that's not mentioned is that while there are good and bad residencies, the same can be true for associateships. You have to feel out the situation and find a good fit -- but you also have to position yourself somewhere you can grow and mature as a dentist.