Interview in Prosthodontics

[samiksha]

I want to start this new thread for all those who have applied to prosthodontics.
It would be great if all of us could share our experiences.

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[Johnson22]

I want to start this new thread for all those who have applied to prosthodontics.
It would be great if all of us could share our experiences.

What programs offer stipends?

 

[samiksha]

Can anyone share their experiences on the questions asked during the interview.
Also if any practical tests were taken during the interviews?

 

[aaram]

I want to start this new thread for all those who have applied to prosthodontics.
It would be great if all of us could share our experiences.

hI SAMIKSHA,
i GUESS YOU ARE AN iNDIAN DENTIST.iAM A PROSTHODONTIST FROM INDIA RECENTLY MARRIED AND RELOCATED TO US .WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS
FOR US IN US TO PRACTICE
IF YOU COULD SHARE THE INFORMATION IT WOULD BE GREAT

 

[StarGirl]

Columbia Prostho

 

[samiksha]

Hi,
Pls check the ada website, www.ada..org
They have a special link on licensure for Foreign trained Dentist.
That should answer all your questions.

hI SAMIKSHA,
i GUESS YOU ARE AN iNDIAN DENTIST.iAM A PROSTHODONTIST FROM INDIA RECENTLY MARRIED AND RELOCATED TO US .WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS
FOR US IN US TO PRACTICE
IF YOU COULD SHARE THE INFORMATION IT WOULD BE GREAT

 

[esclavo]

hI SAMIKSHA,
i GUESS YOU ARE AN iNDIAN DENTIST.iAM A PROSTHODONTIST FROM INDIA RECENTLY MARRIED AND RELOCATED TO US .WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS
FOR US IN US TO PRACTICE
IF YOU COULD SHARE THE INFORMATION IT WOULD BE GREAT

It seems perio and pros residencies are loaded with foreign trained dentists

 

[WestCoast]

It seems perio and pros residencies are loaded with foreign trained dentists

not that there is anything wrong with it.

 

[archer123]

It seems perio and pros residencies are loaded with foreign trained dentists

This is very true. Some perio and many pros residencies are comprised solely of foreign trained dentists (zero US trained) and this is especially true of the expensive programs. I highly doubt there are any OMFS, Ortho or Endo programs that are like that. I bet there are 5-10 times more applicants to Ortho than Pros this year. The reasons for this are many, but stiff competition and higher regard for US trained dentists may be part of the story. I think that a US trained would be chosed over a foreign trained dentists even if the foreign trained had slightly higher numbers.

 

[StarGirl]

This is very true. Some perio and many pros residencies are comprised solely of foreign trained dentists (zero US trained) and this is especially true of the expensive programs. I highly doubt there are any OMFS, Ortho or Endo programs that are like that. I bet there are 5-10 times more applicants to Ortho than Pros this year. The reasons for this are many, but stiff competition and higher regard for US trained dentists may be part of the story. I think that a US trained would be chosed over a foreign trained dentists even if the foreign trained had slightly higher numbers.

what are the reasons for the more applicants to ortho and prostho?
there are a lot more people applying to prostho this year...kinda strange... rumor is that 5 of the 30ish harvard students are applying....few from my class.... and a lot of random people here and there I know from other schools....

 

[ItsGavinC]

not that there is anything wrong with it.

But not that there's anything right with it either. The previous poster was correct in that some programs have ZERO US-trained dentists are are comprised solely of foreign graduates.

 

[OMFS2B]

But not that there's anything right with it either. The previous poster was correct in that some programs have ZERO US-trained dentists are are comprised solely of foreign graduates.

It's the backdoor to a US license.

 

[gryffindor]

But not that there's anything right with it either. The previous poster was correct in that some programs have ZERO US-trained dentists are are comprised solely of foreign graduates.

Yeah, but if there aren't enough US grads applying to those programs then they are going to have to look at the foreign candidates ready to fork over the tuition and attend their programs.

 

[simpledoc]

Yeah, but if there aren't enough US grads applying to those programs then they are going to have to look at the foreign candidates ready to fork over the tuition and attend their programs.

but wouldn't the foreign grads rather blow the money on getting their DMD to get their license?

 

[BlueToothHunter]

Do not assume that every foreign dentist intends to stay in the US! Some do, but most wants to specialize and then return home.

 

[archer123]

Do not assume that every foreign dentist intends to stay in the US! Some do, but most wants to specialize and then return home.

I guess the question is whether there are more foreign trained dentists trying to get the US DDS/DMD or are there more foreign trained dentists that are trying to get into dental specialty programs in the US. If the former is true, then it doesn't make much sense coming to get the US DDS if one doesn't intend to stay, unless you are a masochist and truely enjoy all of the wonderful perks of being a dental student for the second time. Another possible reason may be that US credentials are highly regarded world wide, and having one will be of benefit in one's home country. Whatever the reason, it must certainly be a good one, because many of these program in the US are $$$$$

 

[huskerchild]

I want to start this new thread for all those who have applied to prosthodontics.
It would be great if all of us could share our experiences.

Samiksa:
I applied to Prostho this year. I applied to 6 programs, went on 5 interviews and had 3 acceptances. I have a good idea of what type of resident the programs are looking at having interviewed at some of the best programs in the country. Good luck.

 

[PK_Bond]

Samiksa:
I applied to Prostho this year. I applied to 6 programs, went on 5 interviews and had 3 acceptances. I have a good idea of what type of resident the programs are looking at having interviewed at some of the best programs in the country. Good luck.

Hello
CONGRATS. I have also applied to around 6 Dental programs and havent heard a ything from the schools. Can you let me know the programs you have applied to so that I can know which programs that I need not wait for?
Thanks
PK

 

[sara25]

I wanted to shed some light on the whole foreign dentists applying to mostly perio and prostho. residencies. The reason why most do not go for Ortho. and OMFS is because most of those programs require an incredible amount of experience and well-roundedness in your dental career. When you come from a foreign country and immediately enroll into a 2 year advanced program and graduate in 2 years, and face a very tight schedule...then you really don't have much time to participate in many research/externships. This severely limits your exposure and limits your resume as well. This is in no means to say that they wouldn't be qualified...but just logically..it makes more sense to go for a program which interests you and gives you a good chance to get into. I know a foreign dentist who applied 3 years in a row to get into the program he wanted. That's a burden on your mental and financial state to say the least. Just an insight. I also do know foreign dentists who got into ortho prorams right out of their 2 year program. Again, like with everybody else...a little bit of luck helps as well. But being a foreign dentist has its advantages and disadvantages as does with almost every other case.

 

[archer123]

I wanted to shed some light on the whole foreign dentists applying to mostly perio and prostho. residencies. The reason why most do not go for Ortho. and OMFS is because most of those programs require an incredible amount of experience and well-roundedness in your dental career. When you come from a foreign country and immediately enroll into a 2 year advanced program and graduate in 2 years, and face a very tight schedule...then you really don't have much time to participate in many research/externships. This severely limits your exposure and limits your resume as well. This is in no means to say that they wouldn't be qualified...but just logically..it makes more sense to go for a program which interests you and gives you a good chance to get into. I know a foreign dentist who applied 3 years in a row to get into the program he wanted. That's a burden on your mental and financial state to say the least. Just an insight. I also do know foreign dentists who got into ortho prorams right out of their 2 year program. Again, like with everybody else...a little bit of luck helps as well. But being a foreign dentist has its advantages and disadvantages as does with almost every other case.

I partly agree with what you are saying, except that I do not believe that OMFS or Ortho are specialties that require a lot of well roundedness or experience when compared to Perio or Pros. From a clinical standpoint I think that most US students get far less Ortho training than anything else, and probably not a whole lot of Perio training aside from root planing. Having said this I do believe that OMFS is by far the most difficult residency, distantly followed by Perio. Ortho is probably the easiest residency and it is more removed from general dentistry than all of the other dental specialties. It has been my impression that lots of people go into Ortho and OMFS without being out in the work world first. My understanding is that some Program Director's look for people with experience beyond dental school, especially in Endo and sometimes Perio, but I have not heard that being common in Ortho or OMFS. The foreign trained dentists that I have come across have generally been very solid students, and they often have an uphill battle to get into specialties. I admire their tenacity.

 

[Johnson22]

Samiksa:
I applied to Prostho this year. I applied to 6 programs, went on 5 interviews and had 3 acceptances. I have a good idea of what type of resident the programs are looking at having interviewed at some of the best programs in the country. Good luck.

What scores should we shoot for to be competitive? What did you do to separate yourself from the rest?

 

[huskerchild]

PK bond:
Which programs did you apply to? It is my understanding that many programs have already accepted their residents. There might be a few that have not completed their class yet, but it is to their advantage to accept residents as soon as possible. I accepted at San Antonio and I have no idea how the programs are doing that turned down, but I am sure they have filled those spots already. Good luck.

 

[huskerchild]

Also, at every interview I was told that this year was the best year most program directors had ever seen. There were many quality applications that they had to choose from and many good students that did not get an interview. In my opinion, it will only become harder to get into a prostho residency in the future.

 

[PK_Bond]

Also, at every interview I was told that this year was the best year most program directors had ever seen. There were many quality applications that they had to choose from and many good students that did not get an interview. In my opinion, it will only become harder to get into a prostho residency in the future.

Well I had applied to Umaryland (rejected) Uconn (rejected), NOVA, Alabama, Indiana, UNC (did not attend), Ohio State. I did hear from UConn director that they had many more applications than previous years and the quality of the applicants also was great.

 

[sara25]

foreign trained dentists that I have come across have generally been very solid students, and they often have an uphill battle to get into specialties. I admire their tenacity.[/QUOTE]

That is exactly what I was trying to convey. But what I did not agree with was when you stated that there is a preference for U.S. trained dentists over foreign trained dentists. I think they have just as much of a chance as anyone else....

 

[archer123]

foreign trained dentists that I have come across have generally been very solid students, and they often have an uphill battle to get into specialties. I admire their tenacity.

That is exactly what I was trying to convey. But what I did not agree with was when you stated that there is a preference for U.S. trained dentists over foreign trained dentists. I think they have just as much of a chance as anyone else....[/QUOTE]


For VA programs it is definitely advantageous to have US citizenship...it's actually a requirement I believe, and the only time they will consider foreign applicants is if there are no qualified US applicants. I still think that there is a preference for US grads over internationally trained dentists; not always, but in some instances, yes. When I was initially looking into Tufts and Boston, for example, a dental school Dean told me that aside from me being a good candidate for my speciality, that I am also US trained which will be favorable, especially considering that my intended specialty, Perio, was largely comprised of foreign trained dentists. Its basically like the WICHE Program, or being a resident of a certain state, like California, for example, where preference is given to California residents over applicants from other states. This is mainly true of public institutions, however. I think that foreign trained dentists probably have a better shot at private programs. An ortho program in Kansas, will most likely be more apt to interview an applicant from Texas or Missouri because they believe that an applicant from say, NYC, will not rank a school in Kansas very high, but someone more "local" will. Graduate programs tend to be more lax about this then a predoctoral dental program....I'm going off topic here, but I think an applicant from Texas trying to get into UCLA for dental school is going to have a very difficult time, even with a superior application....probably has a better chance at a private like Harvard. A foreign trained dentist trying to get into a specialty program in the US is analagous to what was alluded to above. I commend them for their industry and think that they will bring a richer and different perspective into their residency programs

 

[sara25]

The only thing that will determine whether you get in or not is not where you are from, where you studied, how tall you are, what color hair you have....but whether the program director likes you or not. The rest is speculation.

 

[archer123]

The only thing that will determine whether you get in or not is not where you are from, where you studied, how tall you are, what color hair you have....but whether the program director likes you or not. The rest is speculation.

Program directors like the guys tall, dark and handsome and the girls short, blonde and petite. They also like applicants from the University of smalltown USA, preferably 80 part 1 score or below who are in the bottom of their class and whose extracurricular activities culminated in an ASDA bakesale. They never take appliants from Penn, Columbia, Harvard, UCLA, or UCSF or people with 95's who publish in Nature. Did you know that half of UCSF's Perio residents are from Harvard, and that USC's incoming class for 2006 has someone from Harvard, UPenn, UOP and UCLA in it. The reason these schools have good match/postgraduate placement success is because program directors know the caliber of student they are getting and school reputation plays an important role. Obviously, there are brilliant applicants from lesser known schools who match into the best of programs; however, my point is that it does matter where you studied. Whether or not Harvard produces clinicians with great hand skills is one thing....take a look at the post graduate placement stats for this years Harvard students when it becomes available. Needless to say they achieve the highest level of success in this area.

 

[sara25]

Program directors like the guys tall, dark and handsome and the girls short, blonde and petite.

WOW! Then I am a shoe in!!! I wish I had known this sooner. I would've applied to more schools.

Well...the bottom line is people from all sorts of schools and programs eventually get in somewhere...so that's good enough for me. The rest is personal opinion and we are all certainly entitled to that.

 

[samiksha]

Hi husker,
Its nice to have you in this thread.
Please elaborate your experiences.

Samiksa:
I applied to Prostho this year. I applied to 6 programs, went on 5 interviews and had 3 acceptances. I have a good idea of what type of resident the programs are looking at having interviewed at some of the best programs in the country. Good luck.

 

[esclavo]

The only thing that will determine whether you get in or not is not where you are from, where you studied, how tall you are, what color hair you have....but whether the program director likes you or not. The rest is speculation.

We do not consider a citizen of another country for our residency. Too many visa issues. Too much headache. No one to work/mess with the issues a foreign student needs. Here, we consider Canada as foreign as Mongolia.... I think the color of someones skin isn't the same as to what country they hold citizenship (our hospital legal team has already confirmed that). Citizenship isn't protected under the equal opportunity laws unless they already have independent visas.... otherwise Hugo Chavez, Jaque Chirac, and Fidel Castro might be in your dental class. Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate....COMMUNISTS/SOCIALISTS...excuse me while I shoot myself in the !@# with about 8mgs of Zofran...

 

[StarGirl]

money helps too, money meaning rich parents... for any of the unpaid specialities... I know one person for ortho that was asked a lot of questions about this issue.... and I know another person for prostho that was asked what the person's parents did (a sly way of seeing if you have money...) Both of these were at what I would considered top programs.