Specializing later in career

[determined1]

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Can a gen. dentist or gen. physician decides later in their careers to go back to school or residency program to specialize in a particular field? If So, what are the pros and the cons of doing this?

Thank You

 

[djeffreyt]

Yes, a gen dentist can go back to school Most don't, but I've known a few that have. Can't tell you the pros and cons, but I would assume that a con is that you'd have to sell your current practice most likely and then start kinda from scratch, but a pro might be that upon your return, you might already have connections with some dentists who would refer to you.

 

[reapply2007]

I've heard of dentists going back to do residencies because they have specific aspirations that require a residency and they cannot present themselves as a specialist without the residency. With the credential supposedly they can charge more.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Let me say that going back to residency or "school" as some call it is a very rare occurance. It is not suprising since selling a practice and move to a different state is a major undertaking so not many people do it. Plus, a person has to "gear" his/her brain back to a schooling mode. It is like people saying "I am going to work for couple years, then enroll in so and so to get my Bachelor". From my personal experience, it is more of a wishful thinking than a reality. The bottom line, go straight to residency if you know what you want. If not, do couple years of general dentistry residency (AEGD,GPR) to find out just like I did. DP

 

[gryffindor]

Can a gen. dentist or gen. physician decides later in their careers to go back to school or residency program to specialize in a particular field? If So, what are the pros and the cons of doing this?

Thank You

I worked for 2 years as a general dentist before going back to specialize. It's not uncommon to be out before going back to specialize, but the majority of those specializing usually come straight from dental school. In my case, I knew I wanted to go back, so I worked as an employee so I wouldn't have to deal with selling a practice when I got in.

The pro is that you are getting the chance to specialize in the area of dentistry you really like, so your career after the specialty residency will be something you really enjoy. Another pro is that you spent time doing general dentistry, so you can know for sure what you like & don't like about it which has helped your decision to specialize. IMO, those with general dentistry backgrounds also make better specialists because they can view the specialty treatment plan from both sides - the general dentist's view & the specialist's view.

The con is that while you are working, you are earning a pretty nice paycheck and it is hard to give that up and go back to the student budget. You also have to be open to moving to a new location for your residency, particularly if you are applying to a very competitive specialty like ortho or OMS. These 2 cons can be even more difficult to manage if you have a spouse & kids who have come to enjoy the lifestyle from your paycheck and gotten used to living in the area where you are practicing and now they too have to go through a big change with you.