What do you like the most about UoP ?

[TomTomDDS]

1. What do you like the most about UoP?
2. What you like the least about UoP?
3. What was the hardest course in UoP during your first year ?

It's O.K to answer only one question, if you cannot answer all.

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[dWiz]

the sexy ladies

 

[armorshell]

1. What do you like the most about UoP?
2. What you like the least about UoP?
3. What was the hardest course in UoP during your first year ?

It's O.K to answer only one question, if you cannot answer all.

1. I like that my DDS is going to be done in 3 years, and I like the broad scope of the training I'm getting here without residency programs to dilute the procedures I'll do for my patients. I enjoy the lower competition environment. I enjoy the fact that it's easy for me to get lots of individual attention from faculty within the specialty I'm choosing to pursue because of the low number of people here who choose to seek out specialty training. I also enjoy the class dynamic, facilities and location but those really aren't things specific to Pacific.

2. I don't enjoy the fact that a 3 year curriculum doesn't leave much time for someone interested in specializing, like me, or much room for error. You really have to hit the ground running and work your butt off. I don't like that some of the faculty are hesitant to make exceptions for specialty bound students, mostly doing extramural experiences at the expense of class time and trying to get time off of clinic to go on interviews for the 3rd year students. The silver lining on the cloud is that these are totally manageable problems, and we're doing what we can to make changes.

3. So far it's been fixed prosthodontics for me, but you'll get 10 different answers from 10 different people. No class is impossible, but there's definitely a learning curve to the handskills classes in my experience.

 

[gogiantsss]

1. I like that my DDS is going to be done in 3 years, and I like the broad scope of the training I'm getting here without residency programs to dilute the procedures I'll do for my patients. I enjoy the lower competition environment. I enjoy the fact that it's easy for me to get lots of individual attention from faculty within the specialty I'm choosing to pursue because of the low number of people here who choose to seek out specialty training. I also enjoy the class dynamic, facilities and location but those really aren't things specific to Pacific.

2. I don't enjoy the fact that a 3 year curriculum doesn't leave much time for someone interested in specializing, like me, much room for error. You really have to hit the ground running and work your butt off. I don't like that some of the faculty are hesitant to make exceptions specialty bound students, mostly doing extramural experiences at the expense of class time and trying to get time off of clinic to go on interviews for the 3rd year students. The silver lining on the cloud is that these are totally manageable problems, and we're doing what we can to make changes.

3. So far it's been fixed prosthodontics for me, but you'll get 10 different answers from 10 different people. No class is impossible, but there's definitely a learning curve to the handskills classes in my experience.

what specialty are you interested in, armorshell?

 

[djeffreyt]

1. What do you like the most about UoP?
2. What you like the least about UoP?
3. What was the hardest course in UoP during your first year ?

It's O.K to answer only one question, if you cannot answer all.

1. The people (students, instructors, administrators, staff) are all really friendly and do try to work together. And 3 years.

2. Shortages of instructors in preclinical courses, which varies from time to time, and is usually fine, but if 1 or 2 instructors are out...good luck getting any significant time with someone.

3. Most people will probably say Fixed Prosth, but I think Biochem is the hardest, cause it's sooooooo hard to stay awake.

 

[armorshell]

what specialty are you interested in, armorshell?

OMFS.

Jeff, did you hear about to governators plan to eliminate dentical? That would pretty much suck if it happens any time around when we're at school, though I suppose it would mean I'll probably get to do a lot more extractions.

 

[djeffreyt]

OMFS.

Jeff, did you hear about to governators plan to eliminate dentical? That would pretty much suck if it happens any time around when we're at school, though I suppose it would mean I'll probably get to do a lot more extractions.

I'm aware of proposed budget cuts. But, since I don't have all the details on how much patients at our school depend upon denti-cal and how much these cuts will affect other SF health programs...I really don't know what it will do. It will be interesting to see if the proposed budget gets passed.

 

[NileBDS]

1. What do you like the most about UoP?
2. What you like the least about UoP?
3. What was the hardest course in UoP during your first year ?

It's O.K to answer only one question, if you cannot answer all.

1. Not having specialty programs on campus (with an exception of ortho), which gives the pre-docs all the attention and time with specialists in the clinic for complex cases (surgical extractions, molar endo, perio surgery, ...).

2. $$$ living in San Francisco.

 

[NileBDS]

OMFS.

Jeff, did you hear about to governators plan to eliminate dentical? That would pretty much suck if it happens any time around when we're at school, though I suppose it would mean I'll probably get to do a lot more extractions.

As much as it sucks for patients, it would actually make your life a bit easier and more efficient as a student doctor. You can not magine the INSANE amount of paper work you have to go through for dentical patients doing ODTP and CAMBRA products, not to mention all the bureaucracy.

I think the answer is to somehow figure out a way to go paperless with dentical, which would dramatically cut costs and hence make it more affordable for the Guh-ver-naaytor to keep.

 

[armorshell]

As much as it sucks for patients, it would actually make your life a bit easier and more efficient as a student doctor. You can not magine the INSANE amount of paper work you have to go through for dentical patients doing ODTP and CAMBRA products, not to mention all the bureaucracy.

I think the answer is to somehow figure out a way to go paperless with dentical, which would dramatically cut costs and hence make it more affordable for the Guh-ver-naaytor to keep.

Do you need a special exemption from dentical to do ODTP and CAMBRA or something along those lines? SPeaking of CAMBRA, did you see the piece at the beginning of this months CDA journal about CariFree and CAMBRA?

 

[NileBDS]

Do you need a special exemption from dentical to do ODTP and CAMBRA or something along those lines? SPeaking of CAMBRA, did you see the piece at the beginning of this months CDA journal about CariFree and CAMBRA?

Not an exemption, just a pre-authorization (signed by your GPA) for almost every code you bill denti-cal for. I think ODTP/Recall/ITE are pre-approved, but you need separate forms for each of:
-CAMBRA assessment
-OHI
-Dietary counseling
-Cari-free
-High fluoride toothpaste
-Any saliva tests you may need to run
Obviously you won't be running all these codes for every single patient, but you get the picture. The same goes for removable, endo, fixed and perio surgery (if they even qualify or it).
The part that does not make any sense to me, is that even if the patient wants to pay out of pocket, you still need to fill out all the papers, just to have the pre-authorizations denied, and only then can you bill the patient for those specific services. Nonsense.

Yeah, I saw that piece in the CDA journal, which was quite interesting. I'm not sure I know how I feel about that whole debate yet.

 

[bass for less]

I noticed that the same questions were post to UCLA in this forum at approximately the same time.

UCLA has got zip replies.

Way to go PACIFIC!

 

[armorshell]

I noticed that the same questions were post to UCLA in this forum at approximately the same time.

UCLA has got zip replies.

Way to go PACIFIC!

Probably too busy doing things like, uhhh, studying for boards? Awww, crap!

 

[tinker bell]

The part that does not make any sense to me, is that even if the patient wants to pay out of pocket, you still need to fill out all the papers, just to have the pre-authorizations denied, and only then can you bill the patient for those specific services. Nonsense.

Why do you still have to fill out papers if you know it will be denied? That is totally nonsense. I remember that I never had to do that. I knew that patient won't get upper & lower RPDs pay for by medical, so I just told them up front, and if they want to go for it, just pay 50% deposit and then I started. Why is UOP so difficult on paper work for you guys? Well, at least you will only be there for 3 yrs.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Why do you still have to fill out papers if you know it will be denied? That is totally nonsense. I remember that I never had to do that. I knew that patient won't get upper & lower RPDs pay for by medical, so I just told them up front, and if they want to go for it, just pay 50% deposit and then I started. Why is UOP so difficult on paper work for you guys? Well, at least you will only be there for 3 yrs.

The only form they make me fill out to show denial is for S/RP. Since Denti-Cal only covers 4 quads or nothing, they want us to show that if we do a 2 quad equivalent that we tried to bill Denti-Cal? I dunno, its dumb, but at least they don't make me fill out anything else for obvious non-benefit procedures. Maybe they just like picking on NileBDS. Maybe they're hard on us with paperwork because they're so nice to us with everything else.

 

[Yahtzee]

Why do you still have to fill out papers if you know it will be denied? That is totally nonsense. I remember that I never had to do that. I knew that patient won't get upper & lower RPDs pay for by medical, so I just told them up front, and if they want to go for it, just pay 50% deposit and then I started. Why is UOP so difficult on paper work for you guys? Well, at least you will only be there for 3 yrs.

I think it has something to do with fraud. They want to be able to prove that they're not just selecting certain procedures for dentical to fund and requiring self pay for others. For instance, say the practice (UOP) doesn't think Dentical pays enough for endo, so they just charge their own price straight to the patient - it's not really legal. That, or they just love paperwork. Also, I'll chime in here...

1. The people are really a happy bunch for the most part. Specifically, I appreciate that faculty are willing to listen to students' concerns (read: griping) when they have problems. I get the sense that students at other schools just get a swift kick in the @ss if they don't like something.


2. The worst aspects are things that are probably universal to all dental schools (i.e. requirements, politics) Also, I agree with Armorshell on the challenges for students wishing to specialize.

3. Most difficult = dental anatomy lab. Most frustrating = fixed pros.

 

[iLuvDAT]

"I know someone who's a first year at UOP. He was looking at the wall of alumni/donors and saw that many of the people on the wall had last names that were the same as people in his class."

"a large # of their spots go to alumni's kids and people recommended by well known alumni.

That's the truth. First of all, many spots go to their UOP undergrad "advantaged" (?) program. Some also go to people who were wait-listed in the previous app. cycle that didn't get in. Then, many go to people with connections. So you see, not that many spots left to begin with!!"

 

[xxsuzuki1000xx]

For students at UoP:

Do you guys get to do open flap debridements or excisional biopsy on your patients?


______________________________________
Chris NSUCDM2008

http://www.dentalgrad.com - connecting dental students to great jobs

 

[armorshell]

"I know someone who's a first year at UOP. He was looking at the wall of alumni/donors and saw that many of the people on the wall had last names that were the same as people in his class."

"a large # of their spots go to alumni's kids and people recommended by well known alumni.

That's the truth. First of all, many spots go to their UOP undergrad "advantaged" (?) program. Some also go to people who were wait-listed in the previous app. cycle that didn't get in. Then, many go to people with connections. So you see, not that many spots left to begin with!!"

I'm a first year at UoP, and just looking at the most recent yearbook, in which all the children of alumni were published in their own section, there were roughly 13-14 out of ~525 total students. I scanned the donor wall the other day with another SDNer and we found about 4-5 names in our class that were on the wall. Seems like not so big of a deal as people make it out to be.

There are 20 kids in my class from UoP undergrad, which is roughly 15% of the class. Significant yes, but a huge percentage? No.

 

[armorshell]

Yes for sure on the excisional biopsy, and a yes on the open flap debridements assuming you've taken the proper class (All per a second year, I'm not in the clinic yet and could be wrong).

This is all also dependent on you not being a total stooge in clinic. If you can't do a class 2 right they're probably going to balk at letting you cut someone open. Theres definitely no graduation competency for these procedures, so it's all very dependent on your patient pool and skills. Definitely not unheard of though.

For students at UoP:

Do you guys get to do open flap debridements or excisional biopsy on your patients?


______________________________________
Chris NSUCDM2008

http://www.dentalgrad.com - connecting dental students to great jobs

 

[Yahtzee]

I'm a first year at UoP, and just looking at the most recent yearbook, in which all the children of alumni were published in their own section, there were roughly 13-14 out of ~525 total students. I scanned the donor wall the other day with another SDNer and we found about 4-5 names in our class that were on the wall. Seems like not so big of a deal as people make it out to be.

There are 20 kids in my class from UoP undergrad, which is roughly 15% of the class. Significant yes, but a huge percentage? No.

On the other hand, that post had the largest font size ever, so clearly there must be something underhanded going on.

 

[armorshell]

On the other hand, that post had the largest font size ever, so clearly there must be something underhanded going on.

Clearly. Care to weigh in on the issue of open flap debridement and excisional biopsy Mr. 3rd year?

 

[xxsuzuki1000xx]

That's nice how they let you guys at UoP do excisional biopsies and open flap debridements... I also hear that you do molar retreatments as well (not so jealous of this one heh)

_____________________________________
Chris NSUCDM2008

http://www.dentalgrad.com - connecting dental students to great jobs

 

[crazy_sherm]

That's nice how they let you guys at UoP do excisional biopsies and open flap debridements... I also hear that you do molar retreatments as well (not so jealous of this one heh)

Not so sure about the excisional biopsies and open flap debridements. I think it really depends on the instructor and how much experience the student has. If the instructor is pretty confident they won't have to clean up your mess, then they usually let you at least try.

As for the molar retreats, yeah, they "let" us do it all since there is no endo residency program. Some of my classmates' first RCT was a retreat on a molar. Talk about having to sink or swim.

We get to do a lot of stuff since there are no specialties around. A lot more than some schools but still less than others. I think the big difference with UOP though, is that they foster a sense of confidence in ourselves so that we aren't always second guessing ourselves.

 

[armorshell]

Not so sure about the excisional biopsies and open flap debridements. I think it really depends on the instructor and how much experience the student has. If the instructor is pretty confident they won't have to clean up your mess, then they usually let you at least try.

I definitely know my roommate has done an excisional biopsy, no clue on the open-flap debridements though.

 

[NileBDS]

The only form they make me fill out to show denial is for S/RP. Since Denti-Cal only covers 4 quads or nothing, they want us to show that if we do a 2 quad equivalent that we tried to bill Denti-Cal? I dunno, its dumb, but at least they don't make me fill out anything else for obvious non-benefit procedures. Maybe they just like picking on NileBDS. Maybe they're hard on us with paperwork because they're so nice to us with everything else.

Yeah, she did. But now, I made her disappear.
She had me fill out pre-denials for partials, perio (including crown lengthenings) and fixed. Can you believe that !

 

[NileBDS]

Why do you still have to fill out papers if you know it will be denied? That is totally nonsense. I remember that I never had to do that. I knew that patient won't get upper & lower RPDs pay for by medical, so I just told them up front, and if they want to go for it, just pay 50% deposit and then I started. Why is UOP so difficult on paper work for you guys? Well, at least you will only be there for 3 yrs.

It may be that UCSF does not have the denti-cal privileges that Pacific has (which is not a good thing for us).
I can still sometimes understand why we would need to do these pre-denials. The main fear here at school is denti-cal chart audits. If they find out that you charged a denti-cal patient for a procedure that may have been covered by denti-cal, it may turn into a big hoopla.

 

[pine88]

I'm a first year at UoP, and just looking at the most recent yearbook, in which all the children of alumni were published in their own section, there were roughly 13-14 out of ~525 total students. I scanned the donor wall the other day with another SDNer and we found about 4-5 names in our class that were on the wall. Seems like not so big of a deal as people make it out to be.

There are 20 kids in my class from UoP undergrad, which is roughly 15% of the class. Significant yes, but a huge percentage? No.

Add in the people who have had siblings/aunts/uncles, etc. go to Pacific before them, and it's a lot more than 4-5 a class. There's 2 people just in my sim lab row (9ppl in our row, and a class of 143). And 3 more people I know of the top of my head in the neighboring rows. I know Ithere are others too, I just don't remember who. It seems like a lot to me. Whether that is a result of Pacific giving preferential treatment, or the alums being happy with their school experience and endorsing the school to their pre-dent relatives, I don't know.

And now that I think about it, so many of our classmates have a relative that is a dentist, and most people are from california, so it seems kinda inevitable that many current students are family repeats.

And most, or many at least, schools accept wait-listers for the next year. That doesn't reduce your chance. It just means you might have to wait a year.

 

[tooth knockn]

Bump