Wanting to specialize

[pinkgloves]

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If I want to specialize, how important is it to pick a dental school based off of that? Does it really matter where you go or do some schools prepare you better for certain specialties

I am strongly considering pediatric dentistry

Thank you!

 

[PointEstimate]

Probably not a whole lot.... Dental school is designed to make you a general dentist, if you want to specialize, then the rest is on you. If you're really interested in pediatrics, hang out/shadow/network with the peds residents/attending so you get face time and learn more about the specialty. Down the road, when it comes to getting LOR, at the very least, they can write something substantial about you. Other than that, study hard and crush the ADAT.

Pick a place that has the right balance of cost, location, and learning environment that works for you.

 

[Life of Pablo]

Here we go...

 

[ChewyDrop]

If I want to specialize, how important is it to pick a dental school based off of that? Does it really matter where you go or do some schools prepare you better for certain specialties

I am strongly considering pediatric dentistry

Thank you!

1st step.. get into dental school. From there you will discover your interests.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Big Hoss

 

[dentalschool123]

Aside from some of the newer schools, I don’t think it matters much where you go. Get good grades, letters, and have some decent EC’s and you’ll have a shot. Assuming you interview well.


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Why aside from newer schools?

 

[caffeine jitters]

Why aside from newer schools?

Because they are unproven, meaning residency PDs won’t know what to expect from those candidates. On the other hand, state schools and established privates have history; therefore, residency PDs can make reasonable conclusions about candidates coming from those programs. Also, new schools tend to not have residency programs of their own which makes it difficult to tailor your application to your specialty of interest.

Edit: This being said, you can absolutely specialize from a new School. It has certainly been done before.

 

[Likkriue]

Doesn't matter.

 

[kingenamel]

You can go to Harvard and still not match, there are no guarantees in life.

You can look at if a school is known to get a lot of their students into speciality programs but it shouldn't be the deciding factor for where you go.

 

[kingenamel]

and I agree with swoops on avoiding the newer schools if you can