After dental school, many dentists opt to continue their education and enter a dental residency program. This is not unlike medical school graduates who attend residency for two to eight years. The difference with a dental residency is that residency is not required. It is your choice to complete a residency or not.
Many would recommend completing at least a year of residency after dental school. The reason is that a residency provides a learning environment not found in dental school. In the third and fourth year of dental school, a student begins taking care of patients in a supervised environment. A student would perform basic tasks and see about three or so patients a day.
In a residency, a dental school graduate could see up to ten patients a day. This hospital environment is much more hectic than anything a student has experienced in dental school. It is a great way to practice your profession because although you are licensed to practice by yourself, a recent graduate cannot make up for lack of experience. Completing a residency allows a student to ask questions that an experienced dentist can answer right away.
The patients you see during your residency are also much different than in private practice. Usually a patient will have other health concerns other than their teeth. They may be on many different types of medication. This environment helps you hone your skills in providing the best care for your patient. You might have to converse with other doctors about your patientâs health before performing a procedure or writing a prescription.
A residency is also the path you take if you want to become more than a general dentist. Maybe you are interested in orthodontics or oral surgery. If you desire to specialize in a certain dental field then you must complete a residency. A residency allows you to apprentice with an experienced professional. This could take two to four years depending on your specialty.
Another career choice after dental school is private practice. Unlike medical school, a dental school graduate is licensed to practice immediately. You donât have to complete a residency if you feel like you are ready for private practice.
Private practice means that you set up your own office and see your own clients. This is a good way if you are the entrepreneurial type. Remember that opening your own practice means that you will have to draw patients and hire staff. You may need a dental assistant, a front desk receptionist, and other staff. Donât forget that there are startup costs in opening your own practice such as leasing office space and buying equipment. To reduce these costs, you can open a practice with other dentists.
There are different options out there for dental graduates. Research your next step and think about the lifestyle that you desire.
Catherine Zandueta
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/life-after-dental-school-84856.html
February 18th, 2009 at 3:04 am
What if I don’t get into dental school? My life is over!?
What if I don't get accepted to dental school?! Why am I not good enough for them? Why can I not have the only one thing I ever wanted in my life.I have never wanted something this bad in my life and I can't have it.Why ????
Why only rejection letters.If I am rejected from the only thing I ever wanted in life what am I going to do?
My life is over….That's the only thing I ever wanted in my life…
February 18th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Maybe your destiny is elsewhere?
Have you tried applying to EVERY dental school? Keep trying if it's your dream!
Start a fitness program to deal with the stress.
Here are some good ideas:
1. Do something that gets your heart rate up a bit like, walking, running, biking, and swimming.
2. Eat Whole, Organic foods like: Broccoli, Cabbage, Organic Brown Rice, Beans, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Apples, and other fruits and vegetables in their Natural State.
3. Avoid eating corn, white bread, white rice, candy, sodas, chips, and anything else that you already know you shouldn’t be eating.
4. Drink clean water as your beverage of choice. Avoid Fruit drinks and fruit juices (unless YOU juice them yourself)
5. Stop smoking, drinking beer & wine, and drinking coffee.
6. Get 8 hours of sleep each night.
7. Hang out with people who want to be healthy.
8. Avoid anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Tone up the muscles:
1. Join a gym and get a trainer.
2. If you’re short on cash, start a light stretching & yoga regimen.
3. Do push-ups, and light dumbbell curls for the upper body.
4. As I said above, walk, run, swim, and or bike
5. Take an aerobics class, a yoga class, or some other fitness class.
6. Join the local YMCA..
7. Buy or borrow this book by Bill Pearl called GETTING STRONGER.
In the book, he describes everything you need for a great fitness plan.
Mental Health:
1. Get a friend to talk to each day about your feelings.
2. If you have some money or insurance, get a counselor to talk to.
3. Learn how to meditate.
4. Join a support group for the issue you’re dealing with.
5. Ask your Higher Self (or God) for guidance.
6. Start keeping a diary or journal about your feelings & thoughts.
7. Write a ‘gratitude’ list every night.
8. Do something that makes you happy each day like: listen to your favorite music, draw, paint, write, or anything creative.
9. Do something for someone else who needs help.
References :
February 18th, 2009 at 8:08 am
if you get a chance watch and do what's taught in the dvd "the secret." If your dream is to be a dentist the info within this dvd will help you get it.
References :
been there, did this…
February 18th, 2009 at 8:10 am
I don't think your life is over if you don't get into dental school. I've had two friends, who both didn't get into dental school their first time around. One decided to go for a PhD (and is now loving it), and the second tried another time, and got into the school that he wanted to get in (otherwise, he may have had to settle for a school he didnt' like). Both had different results, but both are happy with how their first 'rejection' helped pave their paths for the future.
Dental schools have become very competitive lately; even the best and brightest are being rejected for various reasons. They want students nowadays who are 'well rounded'; this means not only grades (3.0 and above) and DAT scores (20 and above for california schools), but those who have done research, and perhaps even worked/shadowed in a dental office. This. of course, will vary from school to school; schools like harvard, ucla, ucsf will like those with research backgrounds; those like uop wil appreciate those who have had dental office experience.
The interview process is still in its early phases, so time is still on your side. If you get interviews, take them. While you're waiting, try to see if you can get some time in with shadowing a dentist, or starting some research - that wouldn't hurt.
I applied really really late, and i still got in. It can be a crap shoot sometimes with interviews, so call the schools to make sure they've even received your info from the DAT and stuff.
Best of luck!
References :
been there, done that…fun stuff….:P