Specializing After Working

[Doctor Pretty]

Instead of specializing and going into a residency program straight after dental school, is it possible to work as a General Dentist for 2 to 3 years and then go back and specialize? If so, do they still go by your rank in dental school or do they take your work experience into consideration?

 

[DCRedskinsRule]

I'm almost 100% sure that you can go back to specialize pretty much any time you're willing to stop your income and go back for training. In terms of what they take into consideration, I'm sure they still look at your rank and your Part I scores, but I do also think they take your entire of body of work into consideration. Now whether 2 years of practice can out weigh a 75th percentile rank...i'm not too sure but it would depend on what program you're trying to get into and what type of experience you had after dental school. I'm sure there are others who can provide more specific insight on here. 👍

 

[rarm1]

Instead of specializing and going into a residency program straight after dental school, is it possible to work as a General Dentist for 2 to 3 years and then go back and specialize? If so, do they still go by your rank in dental school or do they take your work experience into consideration?

many speciality programs like a few years of practice... but still need good letters of recommendation. Often the school won't remember as well....
Practice and part-time teaching.... or do a AEGD/GPR then practice with part-time teaching may keep up inthe minds to get great recommendations...

Several of my former residents have decided on speciallity years later.... all got in