Just to update everyone as to what’s been happening. Basically the past month or so have been just pure clinic and reports. I’m ready for the next challenge and the next semester. During this year there will be three things to concentrate on, a couple of tough classes, board preparation and the third being my masters thesis. I will concentrate on my thesis and my classes the most during the first semester and then the boards I will begin covering a couple of months prior to the exam. This is pretty much it for the year to get me going to the next level. Once I’m past these three things, the rest is straight forward clinical practice.
About the boards. It is a two part exam, first part I take six months prior to graduating and the second part I take six months after graduating. I guess that makes the boards more of a third year priority rather than a second year priority. In any case, I will be back in the groove starting Monday and then the next week the new first year residents begin the program. I can just see them have the exact same complaints that our year, the year before and such have. In the end it’s a process that we all have to go through, but now that I’m a second year I believe I’m going to be able to enjoy the residency even more then before. It is time for me to absorb more and more radiology and not have to worry about basic classes like I had during the first year. I am excited.
Just started my residency. Congrats on starting your second year
Congratulations! Let me know how it goes! Maybe I can give you a user ID on this website and you can post your experiences as well.
That wouldn’t be a bad idea. Do you have my email? You can shoot me an email with the appropriate instructions and maybe I can make a few posts as well.
One of my radiology faculty says that probably only 10% of CBCT scans taken are read and interpreted. What does that mean for us as a profession?
I have set you up with an author account, which means that you should be able to now write something. As far as what you’re faculty says, like I said before I’m not sure how all of this will pan out; however, if you look at 10% now, you can only imagine that five years ago the number was much much smaller. Also the overall number of CBCT scans taken five years ago was also much smaller. This to me actually sounds like a good increase. A higher percentage of a higher volume means more work. Will this become a huge money maker? I have no idea, but I do know several people who make a fair living doing strictly radiology. At minimum the learning experience is huge and for me that is important. Till then, welcome to the website as a new author, you should be free to post your experiences on here.
Hi! I appreciate the blog – it’s very informative. Do you have an email address in which to be reached for Q’s?
Hello Dr O,
I’m glad the blog is helpful. If they are general questions I prefer they be asked on this website on the comment section.
I’m considering applying for a Master’s in O&MF Radiology and was wondering if the focus of your program (your school specifically) is very heavily weighted towards research. Also, if you have any thoughts on options for future research in the field. Feel free to email if preferred. Thanks!
My particular program is more clinical oriented. We do have some research but I would say the majority of the concentration is clinical in nature. I do believe that when I walk out of here I will be fully prepared to work in the private practice sector. What interests you in radiology?
Do you think it’s possible to be a part time general dentist and a part time radiologist, both in private practice? What sorts of obstacles do you think one would face with this sort of career path? Not many OMRs seem to do this. Any thoughts?
Yes I do. I know several dentists who have done that exact thing. If you have your own practice you can also set up your office so that if you have down time, you can get some reports done. That also works. You can basically do anything you want. Radiology is brand new, and so you are wide open to basically practice anyway you see fit. If you would like to do part time that’s fine, full time, that’s fine as well. Don’t limit yourself to what other people think.
Hi,
I can send you my letter of intent if you care to peruse it. As for research I find the efficacies of CTs MRis for diagnosis/tx planning for TMD and implants interesting. In addition: the future of computer software and technological improvements with the imaging modalities.
I appreciate your insight.
Your research topics sounds pretty good. You’re definitely along the correct lines there. I don’t mind reading your letter of intent. Not sure how much help I can be though. I have sent you an email, please check your junk mailbox as well.
Hi OMFR, I sent you an email a few days..not sure if it went to your spam folder. Hoping to hearing from you soon.
Thanks
Hi OMFR,
Your site has been a great (if not the only…) resource for helping one navigate the opportunities in OMFR.
I’ve been always intrigued by the concept of home practice, and one of the reasons that OMFR attracted me was the ability to do this. Plus, I’m well connected with colleagues in various physics and medical device fields, and I myself foresee potential entrepreneurship opportunities not involving practice building but more on product development for medical device.
I was wondering what your opinions are for somebody who would like to NOT go into academics? Would wanting to do just private practice pose a significant disadvantage for a OMFR graduate?
Thanks!
Hi and thanks for the support. You pose an excellent question, truth of the matter is I am not entirely sure. It seems that private practice is viable, however, not nearly as profitable as it could be for several reasons. First, not a lot of dentists know about radiology services. This is obvious considering it’s a relatively new specialty. This will of course alleviate itself over time as more and more students graduate from dental school. Second, currently in private practice the largest complaint I hear is competing with schools who offer OMFR programs. They can offer the services at a cheaper rate (which I think they shouldn’t) because they simply have residents who don’t get paid to write reports. At this point in time, it seems that this is the biggest hurdle to tackle. At some point, private practitioners and schools will need to communicate with each other and figure out how to hash this out. It’s a two edge sword. Schools right now make a lot of money off of radiology, but if their graduates make no money, eventually no one will want to practice radiology and people will stop applying. If private practice makes all the money, there will be no one to teach radiology and no programs to push the career further. Again, either situation will hinder radiology as a whole. Unfortunately it is exactly what we have here and in the end, communication will open things up.
Right this second, as a private practice, I’m not 100% certain of career opportunities because I’m not there yet. Ask me the same question this time next year and I will have a better answer for you.