To specialize or not to specialize...

[ah877]

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I'm at a point in my life where I have to make a decision about whether I want to practice as a general dentist for the rest of my life, or pursue oral surgery.

Some background info: I graduated dental school in May 2013, started realizing that I like oral surgery, more so than other aspects of general dentistry. I did a 1 year GPR, did a lot of extractions, assisted oral surgeons in the operating room, and realized how amazing oral surgery is as a field. I'm at a point now where I have the possibility of doing another GPR that focuses on implants, prosth and oral surgery, which would boost my application if I applied for oral surgery. Or, I could work in a general dentist's office, and keep working until I find an associateship somewhere, which was my plan if I didn't get into oral surgery (and if I work as a general dentist now, I basically close the door on oral surgery...from what I understand, residencies won't look at applicants who went into general practice).

I like oral surgery and it's scope of practice. I think I would be happy practicing as an oral surgeon for the rest of my life. However, one of my personal issues is that I'm not comfortable leaving my family (mom, and her extended family) to go to a different state for residencies. Also, I don't really mind being a general dentist for the rest of my life. I could go down either path and be content. If I went with oral surgery, I'd obviously be making more money, and be involved in more exciting work. If I went with general dentistry, my life would be easier (no 4 year residency, 80+ hour/week), I wouldn't have to leave my family, and I'd still be satisfied with the work. So, what do you think? Has anyone of you been in a similar situation before? Did any of you decide against specializing, and now regret it? Or did you specialize, and regret not continuing with general dentistry?

 

[rbmdmd]

door is never closed…discuss with the wife and do whats best for you and your family. You have to make that decision but it's a win/win either way other than working wknds as an oral surgeon

 

[Contach]

Why isn't there an option to do an OMFS internship?

If you choose to apply to OMFS, it sounds like you'll only apply to the program that is close to you... you are destined for failure if you are only going to apply to 1 program... The chances are heavily against you because that program will interview 10-20 people for each spot it has... The way *the average* applicant balances those odds back into his/her favour is by applying to many programs... You are trying to pull a superhero move. Frankly, your GPR experience and even your "GPR with heavy implant, prostho and oral surgery" isn't going to help your chances of getting that superhero acceptance. You'll be compared to people who actually did do the internship, not to mention, they're going to ask you some questions about why you didn't do a real internship - you won't have a good answer.

That being said... my program accepted a candidate this year who worked as a general dentist for many years and decided 5+ years out of dental school that he wanted to do OMFS. He had great NBDE part 1 board scores, so didn't "need to take the NBME" regardless, to show his commitment to wanting to do OMFS, while working as a GP, he took the NBME and did well... again. He's a non-traditional applicant, and shows that there is hope for all. But in reality, few have the work ethic and drive that he has - and that is why people tell you that being a GP kills your chances.