What about going to Dental Lab Tech School??? Any opinion?

[drstyller]

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Hi All,

I talked an owner of dental lab who is a friend of the dentist I have shadowed.

I visited his laboratory, chatted with him a little, and asked for any job openings for dental technician, and he said no AND yes: he said NO since I don't know anything about dental lab work, but YES if I want work for them as a delivery guy.. (both answers sounded sensible to me at least)

During the conversation, he strongly recommended that I go to dental lab tech school which will definitely help me get into dental school..

So.. what do you guys think?

I just graduated last May and been thinking about starting post-bac next spring. Now, I have one more option to think about.... which drive me crazier!! because I wanted to get a job somewhere in dentistry and work for a year before I, hopefully, get into d.school in '09 but have decided to start smp since my gpa is below average...

Which would help me more to get into d.school? d. lab. tech school or post-bac or gain work experience??
What's your opinions on that? OR other options to be considered??

Your help will be much appreciated!
Thanks

 

[prydA]

i'd probably just stick with dentistry.. i don't think dental lab work looks that good if at all, and plus you run the risk of getting sidetracked. my dentist told me to just go straight to dentistry, no dental assistant school, lab school, etc. because it was a waste of time. maybe it's just him though.

and what's your gpa? if its over a 3.0 i think you should take it easy and ace the DAT first and foremost. good luck!

 

[drstyller]

Thanks for the first opinion!
my gpa is 2.82sci/3.03cum. pretty bad..

I'm also taking my 2nd DAT in a month and really trying hard to get 21-22 and above in all sections..

So you think I should still go for post-bac?

 

[prydA]

if you're taking a whole year off, might as well! try to get your sGPA over 3, and get those scores on the DAT and you're good to go

 

[drstyller]

yeah.. but my concern is that the earliest time I can start a post-bac will be spring semester of 2009.

Any grades from that one semester would NOT be considered in the admission process, right?

If so, does that mean that I'm doomed and just re-apply for 2010 cycle after I stay 1.5-2 years in post-bac?

 

[Ding2daDong]

Your GPA and DAT scores should come first and foremost. All the extra volunteer hours, shadowing, and clubs etc. are just frosting on the top.

hth

-Matthew

 

[drstyller]

Your GPA and DAT scores should come first and foremost. All the extra volunteer hours, shadowing, and clubs etc. are just frosting on the top.

hth

-Matthew

]
That means I def. need to go to SMP?

 

[doc toothache]

With a degree in your pocket the best you aspire for is a delivery position for a dental lab?

 

[drstyller]

With a degree in your pocket the best you aspire for is a delivery position for a dental lab?

No. Of course not! I'm just desperate that I would do anything do increase my chances of getting in.

So I just wondered whether having a work exp. in dental lab (even if it would be a deliver position) would help...

 

[doc toothache]

No. Of course not! I'm just desperate that I would do anything do increase my chances of getting in.

So I just wondered whether having a work exp. in dental lab (even if it would be a deliver position) would help...

Being desperate is not going to help you. If you are willing to do anything to increase your chances than you should consider options such as post bac or a formal graduate degree. Doing deliveries for a dental lab or for that matter being employed in a dental lab with other responsibilities is no more helpful than moping floors in a dental office.

 

[mshopeful]

I worked as a dental lab tech for over two years. I was trained on the job, learned a lot, and it was great experience. However, I think going to dental lab school is a waste of time and money. The people we hired that just graduated from dental lab school knew very little about everything, which translates to nothing really at all. So I'd rather put my money towards increasing my GPA with an SMP, like everyone has been saying.

 

[drstyller]

Thanks for all of your comments!

Another thing is..
I already missed the chance to apply post-bac/smp for this Fall, so now I'm just preparing to start in Spring next year.

Even if I get in to an smp and do good there, it would not help me get into d. schools for this cycle, right? or no???

If it is not gonna help me, should I just save money to start next fall (of 2009)??

 

[dent2009]

I'm sure having "dental lab school" on your resume is an added bonus but truthfully, i don't think it'll look all that impressive. I have a feeling that an overwhelming majority of past and current dental applicants never did dental work aside from volunteering/shadowing and have/are doing quite fine in dental school. On that note, does anyone know of how many percent of the 5400 or so enrollees were dental assistant/hygienist/lab tech in the past???

IMO, what is more important is to have solid GPAs and DATs which have strong correlations to your performance in dental school. Without good scores, your applications will see the bottom of the trash can at most schools regardless of how wonderful the rest your application is.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

I'm sure having "dental lab school" on your resume is an added bonus but truthfully, i don't think it'll look all that impressive. I have a feeling that an overwhelming majority of past and current dental applicants never did dental work aside from volunteering/shadowing and have/are doing quite fine in dental school. On that note, does anyone know of how many percent of the 5400 or so enrollees were dental assistant/hygienist/lab tech in the past???

IMO, what is more important is to have solid GPAs and DATs which have strong correlations to your performance in dental school. Without good scores, your applications will see the bottom of the trash can at most schools regardless of how wonderful the rest your application is.

Dental Lab Techs can make realllllly good money..our guy made $10,000 last month AFTER taxes, and just from our office. I would say do dental lab tech school instead of doing a post-bac if you dont get in..atleast this way you'll have a solid job if dentistry doesnt work out.

 

[mshopeful]

Dental Lab Techs can make realllllly good money..our guy made $10,000 last month AFTER taxes, and just from our office. I would say do dental lab tech school instead of doing a post-bac if you dont get in..atleast this way you'll have a solid job if dentistry doesnt work out.

Sounds cool, but do you know how long it took him to get to that point?.

 

[doc toothache]

I'm sure having "dental lab school" on your resume is an added bonus but truthfully, i don't think it'll look all that impressive. I have a feeling that an overwhelming majority of past and current dental applicants never did dental work aside from volunteering/shadowing and have/are doing quite fine in dental school. On that note, does anyone know of how many percent of the 5400 or so enrollees were dental assistant/hygienist/lab tech in the past???

Probably not many.

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