what is residency like?

[lk2230]

This is just out of curiosity...

what are the dental residencies like? i'm particularly curious about orthodontics residency

basically what i'm asking is how they compare to MD/DO residencies in terms of the hours, the hellishness, etc.? Are they anything like that or totally different? More like the hours of a regular job, less stress?

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[ItsGavinC]

Depends on the residency. Specifically, hospital based residencies (such as OMS) are going to be quite similar to MD/DO residencies. Those residents will pull call, rotate trauma, etc.

Other residencies, such as ortho, are nothing like MD/DO residencies. Probably traditional working hours and no call.

 

[drhobie7]

From what I've seen, with the exception of OMS and pros, dental residents work 4.5 days per week. 9-5.

 

[Toothbuster]

There are huge differences between residencies. Here is a short synopsis:

Ortho: These guys spend a lot of their time modeling matching polo shirts with their schools ORTHO logo and doodling.
Pedo: these guys spend the best years of their life listening to screaming children and driving around in crappy vans to underserved areas.
OMFS: they are usually elbow deep in HIV and HEPC infected blood yanking out 3rd molars and or rearranging a pt’s face. After a few months of being on call every other day most become bitter at the ortho guys with their color-coded polo shirts.
ENDO: Only the brightest dental students can enter this elite group, which is committed to applying their intellect to one monotonous task over and over again for the remainder of their career. 2 yrs working as a cigar roller is a prerequisite.
Perio: They are hygienists who train another 2 years learning how to go “ subgingivally”.
Pros: I think they are just plain dentists in disguise.
Public Health: spend 2 years learning about fluoride after which they spend the rest of their time telling people about fluoride.
Dental Radiology: They learn everything there is to learn about radiographs concerning the maxilla, mandible and 32 teeth. They live in awe of Medical radiologists.
General dentists: these guys just fix simple cavities and decide which specialist to refer their patients to.
There is a sub group of general dentist who work exclusively with composite and refer to themselves esthetic dentists. They hope one day to create an ADA accredited esthetic dentistry residency. After the creation of this residency, dental students will have to choose between completing an esthetic dental residency to obtain a license, or graduate with a certificate as an amalgamator.

 

[Memphis10]

If You Chose Oral Surgery As Your Specialty Do You Think You Will Be Stuck In A Hospital During Your Residency? There Are Some Oral Surgeons Who Have Their Own Office. Are There Any Chance Of Completing Your Residency In One?

 

[scalpel2008]

If You Chose Oral Surgery As Your Specialty Do You Think You Will Be Stuck In A Hospital During Your Residency? There Are Some Oral Surgeons Who Have Their Own Office. Are There Any Chance Of Completing Your Residency In One?

why are you capitalizing the first letter of every word? and the answer to your question is no. you cannot escape the hospital

 

[Memphis10]

well I guess i need to think about changing my specialty, because I don't think I would like to be on call. If you choose Endo as a specialty would u have to work in a hospital?

 

[dexadental]

why are you capitalizing the first letter of every word? and the answer to your question is no. you cannot escape the hospital

I really wondered about the capitalization as well on another post he made in the pre-dental forum. It drove me crazy!

 

[dexadental]

well I guess i need to think about changing my specialty, because I don't think I would like to be on call. If you choose Endo as a specialty would u have to work in a hospital?

You should really think a little harder about the specialty you choose to apply to. A lot of dentists and even endodontists (especially) are on call and offer emergency dental services. Maybe dental public health would interest you...

 

[drhobie7]

public health is a great option if you don't ever want to be on call. they make huge money and work 35hrs per week during residency! sweet!

 

[CorneliusFudge]

well I guess i need to think about changing my specialty, because I don't think I would like to be on call. If you choose Endo as a specialty would u have to work in a hospital?

Is this some kind of bizarre phobia? Oral surgeons will spend many YEARS of their life inside a hospital. There's no way around it.

 

[CorneliusFudge]

There are huge differences between residencies. Here is a short synopsis:

Ortho: These guys spend a lot of their time modeling matching polo shirts with their schools ORTHO logo and doodling.
Pedo: these guys spend the best years of their life listening to screaming children and driving around in crappy vans to underserved areas.
OMFS: they are usually elbow deep in HIV and HEPC infected blood yanking out 3rd molars and or rearranging a pt’s face. After a few months of being on call every other day most become bitter at the ortho guys with their color-coded polo shirts.
ENDO: Only the brightest dental students can enter this elite group, which is committed to applying their intellect to one monotonous task over and over again for the remainder of their career. 2 yrs working as a cigar roller is a prerequisite.
Perio: They are hygienists who train another 2 years learning how to go “ subgingivally”.
Pros: I think they are just plain dentists in disguise.
Public Health: spend 2 years learning about fluoride after which they spend the rest of their time telling people about fluoride.
Dental Radiology: They learn everything there is to learn about radiographs concerning the maxilla, mandible and 32 teeth. They live in awe of Medical radiologists.
General dentists: these guys just fix simple cavities and decide which specialist to refer their patients to.
There is a sub group of general dentist who work exclusively with composite and refer to themselves esthetic dentists. They hope one day to create an ADA accredited esthetic dentistry residency. After the creation of this residency, dental students will have to choose between completing an esthetic dental residency to obtain a license, or graduate with a certificate as an amalgamator.

 

[Memphis10]

Thank you for your advice dex I guess I will look into another specialty, but there is an oral surgeon who lives near me who have their own office.

 

[Dukie]

There are huge differences between residencies. Here is a short synopsis:

Ortho: These guys spend a lot of their time modeling matching polo shirts with their schools ORTHO logo and doodling.
Pedo: these guys spend the best years of their life listening to screaming children and driving around in crappy vans to underserved areas.
OMFS: they are usually elbow deep in HIV and HEPC infected blood yanking out 3rd molars and or rearranging a pt’s face. After a few months of being on call every other day most become bitter at the ortho guys with their color-coded polo shirts.
ENDO: Only the brightest dental students can enter this elite group, which is committed to applying their intellect to one monotonous task over and over again for the remainder of their career. 2 yrs working as a cigar roller is a prerequisite.
Perio: They are hygienists who train another 2 years learning how to go “ subgingivally”.
Pros: I think they are just plain dentists in disguise.
Public Health: spend 2 years learning about fluoride after which they spend the rest of their time telling people about fluoride.
Dental Radiology: They learn everything there is to learn about radiographs concerning the maxilla, mandible and 32 teeth. They live in awe of Medical radiologists.
General dentists: these guys just fix simple cavities and decide which specialist to refer their patients to.
There is a sub group of general dentist who work exclusively with composite and refer to themselves esthetic dentists. They hope one day to create an ADA accredited esthetic dentistry residency. After the creation of this residency, dental students will have to choose between completing an esthetic dental residency to obtain a license, or graduate with a certificate as an amalgamator.

One of the funniest posts ever.

 

[dexadental]

Thank you for your advice dex I guess I will look into another specialty, but there is an oral surgeon who lives near me who have their own office.

A lot of oral surgeons have their own private practices but some do choose to work in a hospital setting or academic environment. However, all do a residency in a hospital before pursuing their interests and career...just extra training after earning their MD or certificate.

 

[toofache32]

Thank you for your advice dex I guess I will look into another specialty, but there is an oral surgeon who lives near me who have their own office.

EVERYONE has their "own office" but it doesn't mean you never leave it.