• Clinical Fields
• Length of training for Various Dental Specialties
• Annual Openings
• Number of programs available
• PASS & Match
• Opportunities for Exposure while in Dental School
• Practice Options
• Individuals Who Can Assist In Encouraging Your Future
Decision
• Organizations That Can Assist

• Since 1999, an average of 45% of dental graduates apply to dental postdoctoral or advanced dental education programs
• In 2011, the top advanced education programs applied to were:
– GPR
– AEGD
– Orthodontics
– Pediatric Dentistry
– Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Many clinical fields in dentistry to fulfill one’s professional and personal goals
• Most dentists in private practice are general practitioners (79%), others choose to specialize

Expand the general dentist’s career options and scope of practice.
• General Practice Residency
• Most programs are 13 months, but some vary
• 189 GPR programs with 1,002 residents
• Advanced Education in General Dentistry
• Most programs are 12 months, but some vary
• 88 AEGD programs with 607 residents

Involved in developing policies and programs, such as health care reform, that affect the community at large.
• Types of programs vary widely from certificate programs to master’s (MPH) and doctoral (DPH)
• Length of programs also varies, but the average program is 14 months long
• 10 programs with 16 residents

Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries that are specific to the dental nerves and pulp and tissues that affect the vitality of the teeth.
• Length of programs varies, the average program is 25 months
• 54 programs with 205 residents

Dental scientists who study and research the causes, processes and effects of diseases with oral manifestations.
• Length of programs varies, the average is 38 months long
• 14 programs with 12 residents

Experience in radiation physics, biology, safety, and hygiene related to the taking and interpretation of conventional, digital, CT, MRI and allied imaging modalities of oral facial structures and disease.
• Programs are 24 to 36 months, depending on certificate or degree offered
• 5 programs with 10 residents

Diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the bone and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
• Programs vary from 4 to 6 years, depending on integration of MD degree within the residency
• 102 programs with 239 residents

Treat problems related to irregular dental development, missing teeth, and other abnormalities.
• Length of program varies, most are 24 to 36 months
• 64 programs and 354 residents

Specialize in treating children from birth to adolescence. They also treat disabled patients beyond the age of adolescence.
• Program length varies, most are 24 to 36 months
• 74 programs and 366 residents

Diagnose and treat diseases of the gingival tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
• Program length varies, most are 35months long
• 54 programs with 170 residents

Replace missing natural teeth with fixed or removable appliances, such as dentures, bridges, and implants.
• Program length varies, with training lasting an average of 32 months
• 45 programs with 151 residents

• Important consideration for advanced dental education is the cost associated with entering an advanced program
• Average resident first year tuition and fees and stipends vary considerately by type of program
• GPR and OMS residencies receive stipends while many others require tuition and fees
• Supported by federal funding for direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME).

How To Prepare for Residency
Important Selection Criteria
• Grade point average
• Class rank
• National Board Scores/NBME CBSE Scores (for OMS Programs)
• Externships
• Letters of recommendation are important to gain perspective on your abilities and promise
• Interviewing skills are important
• Obtain information about the program from as many sources as possible.
• Confidence in interviewing is critical;
• More prepared and practiced you are=positive outcome of the interview process
• Some programs interview applicants
• in a group while others interview applicants individually
• seek input from current residents in the interview process

How To Prepare for Residency
Important Selection Criteria
• Rank your preferred programs according to how well they meet your goal
• Develop documentation that supports your accomplishments
• Sharpen your interview skills
• Prepare and complete your application package in a timely manner
• The competition for the best applicants is vigorous!

How To Prepare for Residency
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
• PASS is a centralized application service thru ADEA
• PASS provides programs with uniform standardized information on all candidates, eliminating the need for multiple applications.

How To Prepare for Residency
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
Before Getting Started:
• Research programs by using ADEA PASS Program Search Engine
• http://web.adea.org/webapps/eps/searchform.asp
• Create ADEA PASS Account
• ADEA PASS and National Matching Services, Inc. (NMS) have combined to enable applicants to enter all necessary data at the
PASS site, select one or both services and submit/pay through ADEA
• https://portal.passweb.org/

How To Prepare for Residency
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
Application Information for PASS Account
• Biographical Data
• Background information
• Professional experience
• Test scores
• Awards, distinctions, prizes
• Extracurricular Activities
• Academic History (Undergraduate/Graduate colleges attended)
• Evaluations-Institution, Professional
• Essays
• Program Designations

How To Prepare for Residency
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
Tips for Timely Application Submission:
• Apply early-benefit from being among the first reviewed and considered for interviews
• Submit a complete PASS Application-your application cannot be processed until it is complete!
• complete application contains an essay,
• professional evaluations submitted on your behalf
• Institution evaluation from the Dean of your dental school
• Your official dental school transcript

How To Prepare for Residency
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
Tips for Timely Application Submission (cont):
Opt to use online submission process for professional evaluations-speeds up application process; evaluations cannot be accepted prior start of application cycle
Submit an official transcript from dental schools attended-request that your transcript(s) be sent directly from your registrar’s office to ADEA
PASS; most OMS programs recommend that your third-year grades be posted to your transcript prior to submitting
Monitor the status of your application

How To Prepare for Residency
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
• Customize your PASS Application
• Submit multiple essays that can be designated to specific programs ($35 additional fee for each essay submitted)
• Designate different professional evaluations to specific programs (no additional fee)
• 2014 ADEA PASS application cycle that will open in May 2013.

How To Prepare for Residency
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
ADEA PASS Customer Service Representatives are available
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Eastern time except federal holidays.
Email: passinfo@passweb.org
Phone: 617-612-2065

How To Prepare for Residency
National Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program
• “The Match” provides a systematic method to enable applicants to obtain first year positions of their choice and also help programs obtain applicants of their choice.
• Applicants and programs continue to contact each other directly and interview and evaluate each other independently of the Matching Program.

How To Prepare for Residency
National Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program
• After all the interviews are completed, both applicants and residency programs submit a confidential “Rank
Order List” in which they list the applicants or programs in order of their preference
• Both applicants and programs may safely list preferred choices first without consideration for how they will be ranked by the other party
• All information submitted is kept confidential

How To Prepare for Residency
National Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program
• If you are seeking a residency position for 2014-2015 expected dates will be available on the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program website at the end of April 2013
• National Matching Services Inc.
20 Holly Street, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M4S 3B1
Telephone: (416) 977-3431
Fax: (416) 977-5020 www.natmatch.com/dentres/index.htm

Dr. Payam Afzali
President, Resident Organization of AAOMS
OMS Resident at UCLA
Dr. Adam C. Shisler
Immediate Past President, American Student Dental
Association
Pediatric Dentistry Resident
University of Texas School of Dentistry

How to Prepare for OMS Residency
• Lifestyle
• Ample learning opportunity
• Surgery
• Rounds
• Clinics
• Lectures
• On call
• GME Funding
• Long hours at the hospital
• Resident Work Hours
• Tiring, but rewarding

How to Prepare for OMS Residency
Lifestyle
• After residency, the sky is the limit…
• Freedom to choose your lifestyle:
• Hospital vs. office based practice
• Teaching vs. private practice
• Long hours vs. part time
• Well compensated

How to Prepare for OMS Residency
Lifestyle
• Many accredited OMS programs offer a 1-4 week externship opportunities
• Externships are an excellent opportunity to gain experience and to determine if OMS is the appropriate career choice for you
• Externs participate in conferences, seminars, assist residents and staff in the clinics and operating room
• Most externships are offered to junior or senior dental students
• A letter of recommendation from the Dental School Dean and proof of malpractice coverage
• Externship Opportunities available at
• http://www.aaoms.org/dental_students.php

Specialty Licensure
New Comprehensive Basic Science Examination
Lifestyle
Intended to allow a fair
& standardized comparison of OMS applicants nationwide
Covers basic sciences similar to NBDE 1
Test has been taken for years by second year medical students
Offered through AAOMS at Prometric centers
May 4, 2012 &
September 2012
May be taken multiple times – only highest score counts
Registration opens
November 1, 2012
Sample Exam Content and details about the
CBSE visit aaoms.org/nbme.php

• Seek Externship opportunities
• Visit the dental special program at your dental school
• Meet with the specialty program director to express your interest
• Attend specialty journal clubs

• Self-Employed in Private Practice
• Practice as a Salaried Employee or
Associate
• Academic Dentistry and Dental Education
• Dental Research
• Service in Federal Government
• Public Health Care Policy

• 90% of private practice dentists own their own practices, either individually or in a partnership with other dentists
• Most practitioners will use a fee schedule, participate in a preferred provider plan, or accept some combination of both to provide care.
• Fewer than 7% of independent dentists’ patients are covered by public assistance

• Dentists who are not self-employed may work as salaried employees or associates for dentists or corporations that provide dental care
• Additional salaried opportunities are in managed health care organizations, such as
HMOs

• Opportunity to work in an intellectually stimulating environment with engaged colleagues and bright students
• Participate in a variety of activities, including research, teaching in the laboratory and didactic settings, providing care in school clinics, administration, publishing and exploring new technologies and materials
• Employer-sponsored benefits, including retirement
• No additional debt from starting or managing a private practice
• Enhanced opportunities for professional development through travel to national and international meetings

• Contribute significantly to improving health care nationally and internationally
• Work at universities or in federal facilities such as the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial
Research (NIDCR) and National Institute of Health
(NIH)
• More information visit Association for Dental
Research (AADR) www.aadronline.org

• Military enlists dentists serve the oral health needs of military personnel and their families
• Research opportunities
• Serve disadvantaged populations that do not have adequate access to proper dental care

• Dentists who become experts in public policy may work at universities or may be employed in government agencies such as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or in a state’s department of health
• Work with associations such as ADA & ADEA
• Employed by state and nationally elected officials to help develop health care laws

• Dentistry is a rewarding Profession and has many dynamic dental specialty opportunities
• Interact with dental specialties at your respective schools
• Call or visit programs of choice if interested in pursuing dental specialty

• Visit the exhibit display to seek additional information from the dental specialty organizations represented today.
– AAOMS
• Externship Opportunities, OMS Reference Guide, Schedule a
Lunch and Learn
– AAOMP
– AAPD
– AAE
– AAP

Ms. Mary Allaire-Schnitzer, Director
Advanced Education and Resident Affairs
(800) 822-6637 ext. 4315 mallaire@aaoms.org
www.aaoms.org
Dr. Adam Shisler
ASDA Immediate Past President acshisler@gmail.com