Posted by Amy Carbone on Oct 4, 2021 9:00:00 AM
Some new graduates may choose to forgo a dental residency, immediately starting their own general dentistry practice, joining an existing practice or practicing as a dentist in some other way. For the 40 percent of graduates that decide to continue their training in a postdoctoral residency program, there are close to 800 residency programs in the U.S. to choose from.
Understanding what to consider when comparing residencies may help you to choose the right program, without being overwhelmed by the options. Explore the following considerations and strive to be proactive, curious and thorough in your research.
Residency Program Type
Before you choose a residency, you will want to identify your specialty or concentration, if any, as a dental professional. In a residency program, your training may be very specific to a certain type of dentistry. U.S. dental residencies are divided among 14 different programs recognized by the ADA and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA):
- Advanced General Dentistry Education Programs in Dental Anesthesiology
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry Programs
- Advanced General Dentistry Education Programs in Oral Medicine
- Advanced General Dentistry Education Programs in Orofacial Pain
- Endodontics
- Dental Public Health
- General Practice
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
Residency Program Costs
Residency program costs may vary greatly, especially between public and private institutions. While some programs provide students with an annual stipend covering tuition and beyond, others may cost nearly $100,000 per year. Affordability may be a major consideration for residency candidates, especially considering the years of expensive education that precede this step.
The American Dental Education Association Loan Organizer and Calculator may be a helpful resource for currently enrolled dental students.
If you’re specifically interested in a paid residency, salary websites such as Glassdoor may provide you with the average salary of dental residents in the programs you’re researching, with many residencies ranging between $40,000 and $60,000 per year.
Residency Program Duration and Timing
Dental Specialties typically require a two to four-year residency while some general practice programs last between six months and two years, and some oral and maxillofacial surgery residencies require six years of training.
After what is typically eight years of undergraduate and doctoral education, the duration of a postdoctoral program may be a big consideration. As such, not everyone chooses to begin a residency program immediately following eight years of full-time undergraduate and dental school education. Some may choose to postpone a residency program for a few years in an effort to make the right choice for their career, and family, or even due to the highly competitive application process of certain specialty programs.
Residency Degree or Certificate Earned
Not all dental residency programs offer the same academic credentials upon completion. In fact, these may range widely, from certificates to master degrees in the specialty of the residency. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency programs may be either 4 to 6 years with the latter awarding a MD.
Residencies for Your Niche
The specialty training and certification earned in a dental residency program may add prestige, earning potential and layers of valuable specialty services to your practice. The value of a residency program may depend greatly on the type of dentistry services you’re most interested in providing. Postdoctoral surgical residencies, for example, may be a necessity for hands-on training in the highly-technical skills you’ll need to practice and succeed in that specialized field.
Residency Lifestyle
After so many years of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework, you may want to carefully consider what life will be like during your post-doctorate program. From residency programs with an intense training schedule, to a more relaxed mentoring environment, you may have a wide range of options. Think about what type of structure or options appeal most to you, then do your homework.
For example, consider what you’ll want in family lodging options, childcare, lodging options and affordability, clinical experiences, clinical responsibilities, relocation assistance, on-call requirements, work-life balance and more.
Instead of relying solely on online research or even phone calls, consider shadowing a practicing graduate of the program you’re interested in. Or, complete an externship alongside a current resident, spending up to a week exploring the program without any obligation to commit.
Choosing the Right Dental Residency Program
Postdoctoral residency programs may be just as competitive as dental school itself, requiring extreme levels of both effort and excellence from candidates. Choose your residency program with confidence, knowing you weighed the most important factors in making the right decision for your specific career goals and lifestyle.
Beyond a residency, not every decision you’ll face as a dental student, or even as a practicing dentist, will be clear-cut or simple.
It's also never too early to start thinking about your future after your residency.
Do you want to work at a private practice? Or are you interested in becoming an associate dentist at a corporate office?
You can help narrow your options by clicking the button below and reading our followup blog post.
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