summer research program vs. paid dental assistant

[bdrensch]

In your opinion, what do you think would look more favorable towards admissions into dental school? A somewhat competitive 12 week stipend summer biomedical research program or a working all summer in an orthodontist's clinic as his assistant?

I can't quite decide which would be more valuable...

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[tlt2796]

+1 for dental assistant unless you have TONS of hours for dental related experience

 

[doc toothache]

This a rhetorical question, right?

 

[bdrensch]

This a rhetorical question, right?

I can take a hint 😉 I come from a pre-med background so it's hard for me to get the research thing out of my head.

 

[doc toothache]

I can take a hint 😉 I come from a pre-med background so it's hard for me to get the research thing out of my head.

It appears you misunderstood the hint. However, do continue to keep concentrating on your research. There is not much you will learn from being a da for an ortho.

 

[bdrensch]

It appears you misunderstood the hint. However, do continue to keep concentrating on your research. There is not much you will learn from being a da for an ortho.

Yes apparently I did misinterpret your statement. The problem is the research program is essentially 9-5, which would make shadowing difficult. I have very limited exposure (shadowing or clinical work) to the dental field except for general dentistry. On the other hand many people seem to state how unimportant research really is for a pre-dent. I can see how both would be valuable learning experiences so I'm kind of torn on what to commit to...

 

[doc toothache]

As fortune would have

Yes apparently I did misinterpret your statement. The problem is the research program is essentially 9-5, which would make shadowing difficult. I have very limited exposure (shadowing or clinical work) to the dental field except for general dentistry. On the other hand many people seem to state how unimportant research really is for a pre-dent. I can see how both would be valuable learning experiences so I'm kind of torn on what to commit to...

Research may be unimportant to "many people", but it certainly is above working for an ortho in importance. It does appear that you have made up your mind.

 

[dental13]

Research experience will make you a better applicant. A lot of dental schools highlights the importance of research these days (check their websites).
Just shadow a local dental office on Saturday to get minimum of 30 hours.

 

[Troyvdg]

1 summer of research won't make you a better applicant (speaking from experience and I'm planning to attend a very research heavy institution). Do whichever one you enjoy more. That way, If it does happen to come up in an interview, you'll be able to talk about it passionately, instead of..ehh, yeah I did that..

 

[Blake1e]

Research seems like the better option. Ive seen cases where a student who's grades normally would only get him 1 or 2 interviews receive over 6 interview invites just because he did tons of research. The research youre doing is much more better/unique than what most other students do, so itll help your application even more.

Since you need more dental experience just go to a bunch of clinics and private practices until you find a place thatll let you shadow at the times youre able to. See if they have weekends. If you arent able to do this during the summer dont sweat it, do it during regular semester. Generally 100hrs of shadowing is sufficient for d school; you can rack those numbers up quick if you wanted to.

 

[Illfavor]

Research is the single-most overrated EC, and I think dental experience is underrated. As others have said, you can shadow elsewhere, but it's not the same as actually working in the environment. Meh, I think it's a wash.

 

[Cheburashka]

Just to share my experience, I applied this cycle with 0 hours of research, but three years of dental related work experience. I applied to 7 schools, received 4 interview invites, attended 3 and was accepted at 3. I do not mean to sway you in one direction, but as you see it is very possible to get in without doing research.

 

[ILLchief]

will this research get you published on any papers?? that would be something to seriously consider... however i do agree that dental-related work experience is underrated. i've seen a bunch of kids attend interviews and not even know names of the different instruments. get yourself more familiar with the career that you are choosing!

 

[bdrensch]

Thanks for your advice guys. Ill have to play it by ear. I have quite a few months to decide and will see where I'm lacking by the time summer comes around and focus on that.

 

[InspiredDDS]

Nobody asked me the names of any instruments during my interviews..

 

[mts2801]

Do whatever you think you'd enjoy/be interested in more. Both experiences seem like they would be interesting and teach you a lot. Speaking from experience, dental interviewers seem to really appreciate enthusiasm and passion. Not everything you do in undergrad should be about your dental application and it's really a shame that some people don't see that.

 

[doc toothache]

will this research get you published on any papers?? that would be something to seriously consider... however i do agree that dental-related work experience is underrated. i've seen a bunch of kids attend interviews and not even know names of the different instruments. get yourself more familiar with the career that you are choosing!

If one can tell the difference between a mirror and an explorer, that should suffice for dental school.

 

[ILLchief]

If one can tell the difference between a mirror and an explorer, that should suffice for dental school.

You betcha doc

 

[doc toothache]

You betcha doc

Extra points are awarded if an applicant knows which end of the mirror to hold.

 

[sacapuntas]

I would go research all of the way. Most of the established dental schools have strong research programs and those are the schools I would prefer to attend. Even if you don't do research in dental school, it's great to have respected research authorities guest lecture or teach certain classes as well as have peers doing interesting things in dental research. It's likely that all schools you interview at will ask you about your research experience but I don't think most schools will care at all if you have been an assistant since the skills you would learn are so rudimentary.

If you haven't done any shadowing, you need to get some of that in (100 hours meets requirements at all schools I am aware of) but I would try and do that if you have any days off in between the research program and your semester starting or finishing or if you have any half days off built into your school schedule.

 

[ILLchief]

Extra points are awarded if an applicant knows which end of the mirror to hold.

again, you are spot on there "doc"