Pediatric Dentistry Residency (2024)

B

bumblebeeh3

Full Member

10+ Year Member

Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
  • May 29, 2018
  • #1

Hey everyone. Hoping to get some insight about applying into Pediatric Residencies. I graduated 3 years ago and have been practicing pediatric dentistry in a low-income/medicaid health clinic as a general dentist. Ive taken a ton of CE on peds but its just not enough and I have to refer away a lot of the patients I see and they never do get seen. I have gone back and forth about applying into peds and have decided to just apply this year. The reason for this is cause I was not top 30 of my class. Heck I wasnt even top 50. I was probably top 80. closer to top 90? haha! in dental school i was only looking to survive, never thought about specializing like the other gunners... i guess its biting me in the butt right now. I was hoping for some insight about my situation. I realize my application is not very competitive so to be blunt, should I just select all? and hope someone gives me an interview? are there some residencies I should not even bother with and save some money. Also I dont get paid very well since I work in a clinic so it would be nice to save some application fees

Members don't see this ad.

P

PEDODENT11

New Member

7+ Year Member

Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
  • Jul 10, 2018
  • #2

Don't not go for something you want because you don't think you have a chance. The thing about Pedo residencies that differs from many other residencies is you don't need to be in the top of the class. Personality and commitment to the underserved or special need populations carries its own weight. You have worked for three years with the pediatric population, your motivation to go back to school is not only to continue to serve the population you already treat, but to serve them even better. Go for it. I don't think you need to select all, but include a variety of places you could actually see yourself living and learning. Ask yourself what you want from the education. Then select the programs that offer that. Not all programs offer the same things. Where one program may be great in volume of patients it may lack academics and board prep. I don't think you need to build up your speed because you already have work experience, so I don't think the number of experiences will matter for you as much as the quality of experiences. I'd apply to a variety of programs and see if you get any offers for interviews. If you want to DM me, I would be happy to discuss this further and help you with your application process and program selection. Best of luck, and always chase your dreams, dentistry related and otherwise. You have to live your life for you, no one else.

Reefboss

Membership Revoked

Removed

10+ Year Member

Joined
Jun 18, 2010
Messages
78
Reaction score
8
  • Jun 1, 2019
  • #3

Top of your class to get into Pedes? GTFOH. When did pedes become ortho? Listen if you want to apply to pedes, just go for it. You don't need to be top 10 etc. The fact you are a working dentist and you work with kids will shine through on your app. It will show the directors that your are not applying on a whim like most dental graduates. I applaud you for having an honest reason to apply. 80% of the dental graduates choosing pedes are doing it because they hate general dentistry, and they think pedes will less work procedure wise. They also do it because many of the programs pay you a stipend and are tuition free, so its a double plus, you get paid to get a speciality, because everyone is sooooo afraid to just be a generalist.

Members don't see this ad :)

PhansterZ

Full Member

Verified Member

Physician

Verified Expert

15+ Year Member

Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
364
Reaction score
591
  • Jun 1, 2019
  • #4

If you are not selective on where you want to go for Peds, apply broadly. You'll have a chance to match somewhere.

Sublimazing

Full Member

Verified Member

10+ Year Member

Physician

Dentist

Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
1,083
Reaction score
1,329
  • Jun 1, 2019
  • #5

PhansterZ said:

If you are not selective on where you want to go for Peds, apply broadly. You'll have a chance to match somewhere.

This is what you’re doing with your vacation...responding to peds threads?

doktorinprogres

Full Member

10+ Year Member

Joined
Sep 18, 2013
Messages
306
Reaction score
250
  • Jun 20, 2019
  • #6

Reefboss said:

Top of your class to get into Pedes? GTFOH. When did pedes become ortho? Listen if you want to apply to pedes, just go for it. You don't need to be top 10 etc. The fact you are a working dentist and you work with kids will shine through on your app. It will show the directors that your are not applying on a whim like most dental graduates. I applaud you for having an honest reason to apply. 80% of the dental graduates choosing pedes are doing it because they hate general dentistry, and they think pedes will less work procedure wise. They also do it because many of the programs pay you a stipend and are tuition free, so its a double plus, you get paid to get a speciality, because everyone is sooooo afraid to just be a generalist.

Are they correct about less work, or ignorant?

Show hidden low quality content

You must log in or register to reply here.

Pediatric Dentistry Residency (2024)

FAQs

What is the most competitive dental residency? ›

While ORTHO, PED, and OMS residency programs are very competitive programs, with greater than 90% positions filled to positions offered, PED residency programs were the most competitive due to the increase in number of applicants and relatively unchanged number of positions available.

Is pediatric dentistry competitive on Reddit? ›

Peds is very easy to get into. I'm telling you from experience that dental students in the bottom of the class rank easily got into peds. Definitely a given!

Does dental school matter for residency? ›

For those students interested in attending a dental residency program following graduation, dental school reputation may have slightly more importance. Dental residency programs exist for those interested in specializing (e.g., orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, pediatrics, etc.)

Why do dentists do residency? ›

Dentists in residencies work on advanced issues like full-mouth rehabilitation and surgical work, and real-world experience like that is invaluable in private practice.

What is the lowest paid dental specialty? ›

Out of five types of dental specialists (oral surgeons, endodontists, orthodontists, periodontists, and pediatric dentists), oral surgeons are consistently the highest earning dental specialists while periodontists are the lowest earning dental specialists.

Which is the hardest specialty in dentistry? ›

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

This branch often involves collaboration with other medical professionals and requires specialized training, making it one of the most challenging fields in dentistry.

Is becoming a pediatric dentist hard? ›

Becoming a pediatric dentist may take several years, and the profession is not without its challenges (and difficult patients). However, this profession comes with the reward of helping young patients develop good oral hygiene habits and picture-perfect smiles!

Is a 3.7 GPA competitive for dental school? ›

Although a dental school will be more interested in your academic performance in science courses, it's your overall GPA that matters most. Aim for a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Before you apply, you'll need to take the dental admission test or DAT.

Is dentistry more competitive than med school? ›

Dental schools are generally less competitive, with an average acceptance rate of 53.5% compared to medical schools' average acceptance rate of 5.5%. However, there are also about half as many dental schools as medical schools in the United States, which affects the admissions data.

What is the least competitive dental school? ›

The easiest dental schools to get into in the US, based on acceptance rates, are the University of Mississippi, the University of Minnesota, East Carolina School of Denta Medicine, the University of Puerto Rico, the University of Utah and the University of Detroit Mercy. 7. IS DENTISTRY LESS COMPETITIVE THAN MEDICINE?

Is getting into dental school harder than medical school? ›

With more applicants and more schools, the medical school admissions process could be considered more competitive when compared to dental school admissions. The average M.D. matriculant, according to MedEdits, tends to have an average 3.7 GPA and an MCAT score in the 82nd percentile.

How many dental students go into residency? ›

This is where the dental residency comes into play. According to the ADA, somewhere between 35 and 40% of dental students pursue advanced education in a residency program. Considering many dentists enter residency programs years after graduation, this estimate may even be on the low side.

Do you make money in dental residency? ›

As of Jun 11, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Dental Resident in California is $21.09 an hour.

Why do dentists call themselves doctors? ›

All dentists hold the title doctor because their degree grants a doctorate. In the United States, all dental schools either grant a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental medicine). They're both equivalent but the difference depends on the state which grants the degree.

Is being a dentist prestigious? ›

Many people view dentistry as a prestigious and respectable profession because dentists continually work to improve the lives of their patients. Often, dentists host charitable events that benefit their local community.

What is the least competitive dental specialty? ›

What Is the Easiest Dental Specialty to Get Into?
  • Pediatric Dentistry. ...
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. ...
  • Periodontics. ...
  • Public Health Dentistry. ...
  • Final Thoughts.
Jan 29, 2024

Who has the highest acceptance rate for dentistry? ›

3. What Dental School Has the Highest Acceptance Rate? The University of Mississippi has one of the highest acceptance rates The school has an average acceptance rate of about 38%, which is much higher than many of its competitor dental schools.

What is the highest paid dental specialization? ›

The highest-paying dental specialty is oral and maxillofacial surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat several oral conditions. Some common conditions they handle include TMJ and jaw misalignment, extreme gum and teeth decay, cleft palates, cleft lips, and wisdom tooth extractions.

What specialty has the hardest residency? ›

What Is the Most Difficult Medical Residency to Get into?
  • Plastic Surgery. Plastic Surgery is a competitive field focusing on reconstructive or cosmetic surgery to restore form and function. ...
  • Dermatology. ...
  • Orthopedic Surgery. ...
  • Urology. ...
  • Neurosurgery. ...
  • Thoracic Surgery. ...
  • Radiology. ...
  • Ophthalmology.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Last Updated:

Views: 6387

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Birthday: 1994-06-25

Address: Suite 153 582 Lubowitz Walks, Port Alfredoborough, IN 72879-2838

Phone: +128413562823324

Job: IT Strategist

Hobby: Video gaming, Basketball, Web surfing, Book restoration, Jogging, Shooting, Fishing

Introduction: My name is Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner, I am a zany, graceful, talented, witty, determined, shiny, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.