What do I do?

[ISU_Steve]

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OK....I was reading another thread on here and the advice was to not even mention during interviews that you want to specialize because then they just assume you're wanting into dentistry for the paycheck...well then am I supposed to lie about my career intentions?

I have no real interest in general dentistry, nor could I see myself bending wire for the rest of my adult life as an orthodontist. I want to do oral-maxillofacial surgery. So am I supposed to just smile, nod and BS my way through the interviews? I'm honestly not selecting OMFS because of the paycheck....I want to specialize in reconstructing facial trauma. If I were looking just for a big paycheck, I would just go to med school and become a dermatologist.

So what do I do? Any suggestions?

 

[delicious]

OK....I was reading another thread on here and the advice was to not even mention during interviews that you want to specialize because then they just assume you're wanting into dentistry for the paycheck...well then am I supposed to lie about my career intentions?

I have no real interest in general dentistry, nor could I see myself bending wire for the rest of my adult life as an orthodontist. I want to do oral-maxillofacial surgery. So am I supposed to just smile, nod and BS my way through the interviews? I'm honestly not selecting OMFS because of the paycheck....I want to specialize in reconstructing facial trauma. If I were looking just for a big paycheck, I would just go to med school and become a dermatologist.

So what do I do? Any suggestions?

I don't think it's a paycheck issue.

If I were interviewing you I would be skeptical. What the hell do you really know about dentistry? Even first/second yr dental students only have a very superficial knowledge of what it would be like being a certain specialist. In medicine and dentistry, it's really important to be able to recognize the limitations of what you know (& when to pass it off to someone else). So, my advice would be to say that you're interested in the more medical side of dentistry, but don't say that you're like 100% gonna be some hard-core surgeon.

Oh, also, from what you said about having no interest in general dentistry. If you really meant that, you shouldn't apply to dental school. Go to med school buddy. 🙁

 

[Rezdawg]

Dude, if you have no interest in doing general dentistry, you may as well save yourself the time now. You have to be interested in general dentistry first and foremost.

 

[snoosnoo]

Well, if you have a lot of personal experience and backround either shadowing or working for an omfs, then i would say that that is what you're really interested in b/c of your extensive experience. People can tell when you BS them, so dont. Be honest and be humble. Plus it sounds like you have a specific goal with helping "facial trama" victims.

Interviewers are looking for mature people that are comfortable in their own skin. Why say something that would make you feel uncomfortable and take you out of your own comfort zone. 😉

 

[ISU_Steve]

I've spent a lot of time around several general dentists, an orthodontist and two oral surgeons the past 6 months or so (I work night shift as a respiratory therapist so I am free to do what I want during the day most of the time) and from what I have seen I just don't see anything terribly fascinating in pulling teeth, placing crowns, and doing fillings for 8 hrs a day (like I have witnessed as the day in and day out routine of every one of the general dentists I have spent time around) and I certainly can not see myself doing that for the next 20+ years. Anyone who can do that has my respect more than any of the high profile specialties people use for comparisions (brain surgeons being the obvious example). I think the general aspects of dentistry are interesting, just like I think where are a lot of things I find interesting that I can't see myself doing for a living.

The reason I chose dentistry, primarily started from a friend of mine who is an oral surgeon who suggested that I look into doing that as a profession, because it would be more in line with what I want out of life- I get to help people and I get to work a far more normal schedule than any MD I have ever encountered in any medical specialty I had even considered.

All the dentists I know are happy, well-adjusted and don't see displeased that they have to come to work everyday, which is the attitude of a great number of physicians I work with. That's why I do not want to be an MD, but rather a dentist......

 

[Biogirl361]

you don't have to lie. what I always said (and in my opinion this is the truth for just about everyone whether you know it now or not) was some variation of: "I am just trying to get into dental school right now, and after I have been there and had a chance to experience all the different areas for myself, then at that point I'll be more qualified to make a decision about specializing. Right now I am really just keeping all my options open, since there is plenty of time and learning ahead before I have to decide." As far as I could tell the interviewers really liked this response, and even if right now you think you know what you want to do, it is true that anything could happen in dental school and you could change your mind. it's just to early to know. therefore it is not a lie.

 

[Pikeyman]

If you say Oral Surgery is your goal, they might be impressed that you did your HW on dentistry but who knows?

I don't think you know what you want to do.

 

[ISU_Steve]

I know quite well what I want to do. I didn't ask for people to tell me not to pursue my goal, but rather I wanted advice such as what BioGirl and SnooSnoo delivered. Thank you both. Good luck to everyone in whatever pursuits you undertake. 🙂

 

[delicious]

I know quite well what I want to do. I didn't ask for people to tell me not to pursue my goal, but rather...

no problemo man, i'm glad I helped! 🙄

Listen dude, it's one thing to talk to and shadow a bunch dentists. It's another to get to d-school and actually experience a bit of what they do.

You want to work reconstructing facial trauma? But you've picked dentistry because it has "a far more normal schedule than any MD." It doesn't mix. If you're serious about this facial trauma thing - you'll do an MD oral surgery program and residency, which will require you to pull years of 9PM-11AM shifts. Also, you think reconstructive surgery is something you can do in your own private operatory? No, you're probably gonna have to do that in a hospital. And guess what? You won't decide the times of your surgeries - the hospital will. A lot of surgery goes on at 4 in the morning you know. Also, facial trauma, like in car crashes - doesn't happen from 9-5. But then you'll probably learn all these things when you go to dental school.

You're not cheating any system here. You cannot combine the good parts of dentistry, with the good parts of medicine. You should really talk to some of the OMFS residents in the dental forum. They're actually usually really helpful. But that'll probably be a waste of your time, since it sounds like you know everything already.

 

[Sprgrover]

I know quite well what I want to do. I didn't ask for people to tell me not to pursue my goal, but rather I wanted advice such as what BioGirl and SnooSnoo delivered. Thank you both. Good luck to everyone in whatever pursuits you undertake. 🙂

I too have heard that advice from several sources. I don't think the topic of specialization is necessarily the kiss of the death, but I do believe that how you bring it up or approach such an issue is key. As biogirl pointed out applicants have yet to enter, let alone finish, dental school and exposure to certain faculty, courses, or the clinic can dramatically alter your career decisions over the course of four years. This is a point that was raised by several dentists who coached me on the application process and the dental school interivew circus. Furthermore, the option of being able to specialize is somewhat out of the student's hands - applicants are chosen from a very competitive pool - and that is a reason to formulate a back up plan in case your terminus is a DDS or a DMD (not only for interview purposes but more importantly for yourself and your future). If the subject of specialization is broached during the interview statements such as "I have a deep interest" are key and ones such as "I will" or "I intend" might not go over so well with your interviewers. Best of luck!

 

[Rezdawg]

Steve, keep in mind that there is no guarentee that you will get into OMFS. There are many qualified applicants, but only a limited number get there. You need to finish in the top 10 of your class AND rip up the boards. Even then, you may not get into oral surgery. That is why I mentioned earlier that if you dont like general dentistry, then it may not be a good idea to go to dental school.

I would love to be able to do oral surgery or endodontics. I will go to dental school with that as my goal. However, I have absolutely no problems "settling" for general dentistry. I would be happy either way.

 

[ISU_Steve]

I'm sorry....I didn't mean to come across as short tempered or anything. Thanks for your input everyone.

 

[The Godfather]

OK....I was reading another thread on here and the advice was to not even mention during interviews that you want to specialize because then they just assume you're wanting into dentistry for the paycheck...well then am I supposed to lie about my career intentions?

I have no real interest in general dentistry, nor could I see myself bending wire for the rest of my adult life as an orthodontist. I want to do oral-maxillofacial surgery. So am I supposed to just smile, nod and BS my way through the interviews? I'm honestly not selecting OMFS because of the paycheck....I want to specialize in reconstructing facial trauma. If I were looking just for a big paycheck, I would just go to med school and become a dermatologist.

So what do I do? Any suggestions?

I would just be honest. An orthodontist that interviewed me at one of the schools asked what my plans were. I told him right now I wanted to be a general dentist, but who knows, when I get in school, I might find something that especially strikes my fancy (which is the truth). By the end of the interview I had the impression he was trying to convince me to go into ortho. It was like being rushed or something! I think if you are honest, and qualify your answers the right way you could probably pull it off (the interview is a delicate balance between confidence and humility). I wouldn't bring it up, but if you're asked be honest. I do think it's easy to turn someone off if you seem really gung-ho. You never know if the person interviewing you has any prejudices. Good luck on the interviews! Relaxing, and being yourself is the best advice I can give you. Try not to think about this person holding your destiny in the palm of his/her hand!

 

[ISU_Steve]

Very well said, The Godfather.

I think that I should relay some more information, as there have been some very valid developments in my way of thinking today. After reading everyone's posts I went and I talked to one of the local dentists with whom I am friends (and with whom I have spent a fair amount of observation time). I stated my views as to what I had seen of general dentistry so far and he proceeded to look at me kind of funny (I thought I might have made him mad ) and then he proceeded to tell me that what I was feeling was the same thing he had felt when he had observed when he was a predental student- that there didn't seem to be a lot to doing a filling, etc. His advice was that I not make any major decisions or limit myself to anything until I have had the chance to try them out for myself (i.e. once I get into dental school) and that the "simplest" procedures are often the most challenging.

He went on to tell me that he thinks I would be a good dentist and that my reasoning for wanting to become a dentist is one of the better ones he has heard (my parents basically didn't get me the preventative dental care I needed (partly because we didn't have the money or the insurance for it) when I was younger and I have had to have a lot of restorative care done to attempt to correct this; I know how much it hurts to have a mouth full of sore teeth and I want to make sure that no one has to suffer like I did just because they can't afford it.) This man has been a great role model to me, and he has been the type of practitioner, in an ethical sense, that I want to be when I graduate. He gives of his time to take care of those who would otherwise not get the care that they need (including myself in my late teens).

I'm sorry if I came across the wrong way before....I do have an interest in OMFS, but I now think I've been reminded (as we all need to be from time to time) that the important thing in healthcare- be it dentistry, allopathic or osteopathic medicine, respiratory therapy, or veterinary medicine- is not so much the title we hold but rather what we do with the training that earned us that title. I now know I'll be happy and proud to call myself a dentist no matter what specialty I wind up in. I just needed to have some things pointed out to me first.

Thank you all for helping to do that. I never would have talked with my mentor without the help provided by all of you

 

[mvs04]

Very well said, The Godfather.

I think that I should relay some more information, as there have been some very valid developments in my way of thinking today. After reading everyone's posts I went and I talked to one of the local dentists with whom I am friends (and with whom I have spent a fair amount of observation time). I stated my views as to what I had seen of general dentistry so far and he proceeded to look at me kind of funny (I thought I might have made him mad ) and then he proceeded to tell me that what I was feeling was the same thing he had felt when he had observed when he was a predental student- that there didn't seem to be a lot to doing a filling, etc. His advice was that I not make any major decisions or limit myself to anything until I have had the chance to try them out for myself (i.e. once I get into dental school) and that the "simplest" procedures are often the most challenging.

He went on to tell me that he thinks I would be a good dentist and that my reasoning for wanting to become a dentist is one of the better ones he has heard (my parents basically didn't get me the preventative dental care I needed (partly because we didn't have the money or the insurance for it) when I was younger and I have had to have a lot of restorative care done to attempt to correct this; I know how much it hurts to have a mouth full of sore teeth and I want to make sure that no one has to suffer like I did just because they can't afford it.) This man has been a great role model to me, and he has been the type of practitioner, in an ethical sense, that I want to be when I graduate. He gives of his time to take care of those who would otherwise not get the care that they need (including myself in my late teens).

I'm sorry if I came across the wrong way before....I do have an interest in OMFS, but I now think I've been reminded (as we all need to be from time to time) that the important thing in healthcare- be it dentistry, allopathic or osteopathic medicine, respiratory therapy, or veterinary medicine- is not so much the title we hold but rather what we do with the training that earned us that title. I now know I'll be happy and proud to call myself a dentist no matter what specialty I wind up in. I just needed to have some things pointed out to me first.

Thank you all for helping to do that. I never would have talked with my mentor without the help provided by all of you

Good for you! Good luck. Try to incorporate this into your interview when they ask ya (many schools don't though).

 

[ecrdoubles15]

Very well said, The Godfather.

I think that I should relay some more information, as there have been some very valid developments in my way of thinking today. After reading everyone's posts I went and I talked to one of the local dentists with whom I am friends (and with whom I have spent a fair amount of observation time). I stated my views as to what I had seen of general dentistry so far and he proceeded to look at me kind of funny (I thought I might have made him mad ) and then he proceeded to tell me that what I was feeling was the same thing he had felt when he had observed when he was a predental student- that there didn't seem to be a lot to doing a filling, etc. His advice was that I not make any major decisions or limit myself to anything until I have had the chance to try them out for myself (i.e. once I get into dental school) and that the "simplest" procedures are often the most challenging.

He went on to tell me that he thinks I would be a good dentist and that my reasoning for wanting to become a dentist is one of the better ones he has heard (my parents basically didn't get me the preventative dental care I needed (partly because we didn't have the money or the insurance for it) when I was younger and I have had to have a lot of restorative care done to attempt to correct this; I know how much it hurts to have a mouth full of sore teeth and I want to make sure that no one has to suffer like I did just because they can't afford it.) This man has been a great role model to me, and he has been the type of practitioner, in an ethical sense, that I want to be when I graduate. He gives of his time to take care of those who would otherwise not get the care that they need (including myself in my late teens).

I'm sorry if I came across the wrong way before....I do have an interest in OMFS, but I now think I've been reminded (as we all need to be from time to time) that the important thing in healthcare- be it dentistry, allopathic or osteopathic medicine, respiratory therapy, or veterinary medicine- is not so much the title we hold but rather what we do with the training that earned us that title. I now know I'll be happy and proud to call myself a dentist no matter what specialty I wind up in. I just needed to have some things pointed out to me first.

Thank you all for helping to do that. I never would have talked with my mentor without the help provided by all of you

i mentioned that i wanted to specialize in all my interviews and got into all those schools. you can set yourself apart from other interviewees by actually being honest and trust me they respect that. anyways, just be honest and you'll do fine. laters.

 

[msf41]

OK....I was reading another thread on here and the advice was to not even mention during interviews that you want to specialize because then they just assume you're wanting into dentistry for the paycheck...well then am I supposed to lie about my career intentions?

I have no real interest in general dentistry, nor could I see myself bending wire for the rest of my adult life as an orthodontist. I want to do oral-maxillofacial surgery. So am I supposed to just smile, nod and BS my way through the interviews? I'm honestly not selecting OMFS because of the paycheck....I want to specialize in reconstructing facial trauma. If I were looking just for a big paycheck, I would just go to med school and become a dermatologist.

So what do I do? Any suggestions?

I would think that one of the reasons that you wouldn't want to be so certain is the fact that I don't think you can be 100% certain that you won't find other areas of dentistry more appealing than OMFS. I mean, have you spent a great deal of time shadowing OMFS? Is that what makes you sure? Because you may find that actually doing OMFS isn't as appealing or cool as you thought watching it done was?

In general, I think whenevery you talk to ADCOMS they don't want you to simply state your opinions. They want to hear you speak logically, with evidence, research, reason backing your statements up. And few logical claims are ever 100% right. So if you read scientific research papers they never say, "I know that ligand binding energies are cooperative in non-polar solvents." They "hedge" a little by qualifying their conclusions with, "the data suggests", or "in my experience I have found....", but they stay away from certanties.

So if you have found that you are really interested in OMFS than in your interveiw I would think it would be fine to state that IF you back it up with your REASONS. Money could be one of those reasons, but you better not list it first.

What are your reasons for thinking that you want to go into OMFS?