Specializing

[burgler09]

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I really don't see people on here talking about specializing at all on here. What I really want to do is specialize in orthodontics. Is this something you generally don't say in interviews or talk about much until the time comes? When you bring up that you want to specialize is it something people kind of roll their eyes at?

 

[jpollei]

I really don't see people on here talking about specializing at all on here. What I really want to do is specialize in orthodontics. Is this something you generally don't say in interviews or talk about much until the time comes? When you bring up that you want to specialize is it something people kind of roll their eyes at?

Um, you really don't know you want to specialize in anything until you've done it a few times in dental school. Deciding to be a dentist is a bit of a stretch since you've never done it...specializing is completely different.

You mention interest in ortho during your dental school interviews and I wouldn't so much roll my eyes in front of you. But the adcom might find it amusing.

 

[SugarNaCl]

I agree that maybe you should leave that out of your interview. Focus on getting into and through dental school first. Ortho is a very, very popular specialty which unfortunately means that you in most situations need to be near the very top of your class in GPA and you need to score toward the top percentile on your boards. Oral surgery and Ortho are both like this I believe.

 

[armorshell]

The rules of specializing:
1. Don't talk about specializing
2. Don't talk about specializing
3. Don't talk about fight club

 

[PChemGrad]

my attitude towards specializign is to wait and see how I like each one before I decide.

This was my attitude in my interviews and pretty much what I said, and I was accepted everywhere I interviewed at.
You never know what you like until you try it.
Having an idea of wanting to specialize is good it will get you to work hard, but dont let that stop you from trying other specialties you may enjoy them even more. That is what you really want, is something you enjoy.

 

[OceanBlue]

yeah they asked me that question at the interviews...think i said pedodontics...I also said that a lot of to women...it makes me look sensitive....hence the acceptances! hehe kiddin' 😀
....but i did tell them I have thoughts about specializing in pedo because I like working with kids and I worked with a pedo before...etc...