Shadowing Oral Surgeons

[roboflytrap]

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Since I started shadowing, I have worked with a few different types of surgeons. Most of my hours were with an orthopedic surgeon or a plastic surgeon and a few with an anesthesiologist. However, a fraction (8 hours out of 100 hours) of my shadowing time was with oral surgeons. Those 8 hours convinced me that dental school is not my first choice, at least for now. I was wondering if it would be appropriate to list that time, since I plan on applying to MD schools and oral surgeons hold DDS degrees.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Since I started shadowing, I have worked with a few different types of surgeons. Most of my hours were with an orthopedic surgeon or a plastic surgeon and a few with an anesthesiologist. However, a fraction (8 hours out of 100 hours) of my shadowing time was with oral surgeons. Those 8 hours convinced me that dental school is not my first choice, at least for now. I was wondering if it would be appropriate to list that time, since I plan on applying to MD schools and oral surgeons hold DDS degrees.

There are oral surgeons with MD degrees, and I think oral surgery is an MD surgical subspecialty. I would definitely put it on your app. It's always a good idea to demonstrate that you've considered careers other than medicine because it makes your motivations stronger.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Since I started shadowing, I have worked with a few different types of surgeons. Most of my hours were with an orthopedic surgeon or a plastic surgeon and a few with an anesthesiologist. However, a fraction (8 hours out of 100 hours) of my shadowing time was with oral surgeons. Those 8 hours convinced me that dental school is not my first choice, at least for now. I was wondering if it would be appropriate to list that time, since I plan on applying to MD schools and oral surgeons hold DDS degrees.

Oral surgeons can have dual DDS and MD degrees too. No one is going to hold it against you for doing 8 hours of dental shadowing, even if it wasn't oral surgery. If you intend to somehow shape your application on the basis of wanting to be an oral surgeon, you should include it. However, typically students try to project a general interest in medicine within their primary application.

 

[sliceofbread136]

There are oral surgeons with MD degrees, and I think oral surgery is an MD surgical subspecialty. I would definitely put it on your app. It's always a good idea to demonstrate that you've considered careers other than medicine because it makes your motivations stronger.

I'm pretty sure oral surgery is a dentistry subspecialty and wikipedia seems to confirm it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_surgery
I could be wrong though.

Either way I would do it OP. Can't hurt.

 

[Poetic Silence]

Some oral surgery residencies have accepted MD applicants who had no dental training.

I believe there is a program in Louisiana that regularly accepts MD applicants.

 

[trinstudent]

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialty of dentistry only. It is a 4 year certificate program after dental school, however, approximately 40% of these programs are 6 years in length and grant an M.D. as well. The M.D. is peripheral to oral surgery training and plays no role in scope of practice.

There are a select few spots (read maybe 1 or 2) that will go to M.D. students each year, but this is due to other circumstances and these students must complete dental school as well.

 

[muhali3]

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialty of dentistry only. It is a 4 year certificate program after dental school, however, approximately 40% of these programs are 6 years in length and grant an M.D. as well. The M.D. is peripheral to oral surgery training and plays no role in scope of practice.

There are a select few spots (read maybe 1 or 2) that will go to M.D. students each year, but this is due to other circumstances and these students must complete dental school as well.

this.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

There are oral surgeons with MD degrees, and I think oral surgery is an MD surgical subspecialty. I would definitely put it on your app. It's always a good idea to demonstrate that you've considered careers other than medicine because it makes your motivations stronger.

Yeah, Maxillofacial surgery.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I had jaw surgery it it was the worst experience of my life. I'm definitely running far away from oral surgery and people's faces.

 

[Parklife]

Many surgeons hold DDS/DMDs and MDs. Usually, they're 6 year programs. The dental forum might be of more help.

 

[LizzyM]

It would be great to list the shadowing of an oral surgeon. When an adcom wonders "what other careers have you considered?" they'll have one answer right there!

 

[trinstudent]

Many surgeons hold DDS/DMDs and MDs. Usually, they're 6 year programs. The dental forum might be of more help.

As I said before. It is a dental residency ONLY. MDs are not qualified to enter the match with the rare exception and all MUST complete dental school. If you are interested in Oral Surgery you would realistically need to attend dental school first.

 

[muhali3]

As I said before. It is a dental residency ONLY. MDs are not qualified to enter the match with the rare exception and all MUST complete dental school. If you are interested in Oral Surgery you would realistically need to attend dental school first.

yes, I believe the programs that do accept MDs require them to complete the DDS/DMD first before even starting the residency.

 

[Poetic Silence]

yes, I believe the programs that do accept MDs require them to complete the DDS/DMD first before even starting the residency.

After doing some research, that seems to be correct.

It's interesting to note that in some Latin American countries, as well as significant portion of Europe, oral and maxillofacial surgery is solely a medical specialty and requires no training in dentistry.

O&M is pretty hardcore in what they can do for patients, though, I see a lot of overlap with otorhynolaryngology and head and neck surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and even ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

There's even a fellowship at Legacy Emmanuel in Portland, OR for head and neck oncology. That's pretty awesome.

 

[trinstudent]

yes, I believe the programs that do accept MDs require them to complete the DDS/DMD first before even starting the residency.

Yes, there have been a couple that have done it over the years, but it is essentially non-existent. I believe Harvard discontinued this program a couple of years ago and only a couple of other spots for M.D. students remain. Best bet is to cold call programs and see if they would be willing to accept an M.D. student.

In all countries that I am aware of (including the European ones), it is still a dental specialty, but they will also often times require medical training as well.

Remember that although the scope of practice is amazingly varied, the VAST majority of practices are doing dental-related surgeries only (i.e. extractions, implants, oral path, etc.).