Should I go for PhD/DMD?

[prattstar]

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Hey, everyone!

I have been accepted to the UAB School of Dentistry Class of 2019, and I'm seriously considering their PhD/DMD program. I've done three years of undergraduate research (these past two at UAB SOD's Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), and while ~8 years of school sounds really intimidating, I'm reluctant to shut the door on a career in academia. The thought of owning a private practice is very appealing, but I fear that I'll get bored with it after however many years and wish that I'd gone for the dual degree so I could return to research/teach.

I read some of the older threads on this topic, but they were pretty focused on the financial benefits of doing the dual degree. I'm trying to think about that as little as possible -- I am well aware that this degree is incredibly demanding, and that I shouldn't just do it for the money. Any opinions/insight? Anyone turn down this offer and regret it later? Any passionate lovers of research who have words of encouragement?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DMV1234]

I am interested in this also. From my research these programs run from 7-8 years alternating from dental focused to research focuesed in years 3,4, and 5. Research is a great thing to couple with practice work. You can get the long term satisfaction of a discory and instant statisfaction of procedures. I say go for it.

 

[bjpenn]

no offense, but if you knew where dentistry is heading in the next 5-10 years, the last thing you would do if you were lucky to own a practice is be bored.

congrats on getting into dental school though 🙂

 

[TourdeTeeth]

From what I've read, you don't have to have a PhD/DMD to be a dental professor or researcher. A DMD degree is a terminal degree and you can do research and publish dental research with that alone.

 

[480640]

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