As the new year begins I feel that it is time to update this blog, even if it is a small update. These days things are getting very very busy. With juggling clinic, reports, undergraduate students and classes things are getting a bit busy. This year the concentration is on a couple of subjects and research as well as board preparation. Next year will almost entirely, if everything goes as planned, concentrate on board preparation. If not, then research as well but I’m hoping to complete all of that before the end of my second year.
On another note, I have been seeing a lot of interest in this blog. Site hits have gone up significantly, which is no surprise considering there is absolutely no information on oral radiology out there. I hope that this website is somewhat helpful. I have gotten a few emails and some requests for me to look at personal statements, and while I love to help, I have decided it to make it my policy that I will not read any more personal statements. I am definitely no admissions expert. I try to answer every question on the comments sections and I hope to keep things at that level. So if you have something to ask, great! I am more than happy to help.
Hi there,
Glad to hear you’re busy in the new school year. I’ve already started my program at the University of Toronto (3 weeks in), and would also like to contribute my experiences on this blog for Canadian dentists interested in this specialty as this seems to be the predominant source of information for new potential applicants. It would be great if you can facilitate a way for me to post as well.
Cheers,
E
Hello Edwin,
I would love for you to post your experiences. I have created an author account for you and the details should be in your email.
Welcome to the specialty.
Hi OMFR, could you please elaborate on what an applicant needs to focus on while preparing for an interview (oral radiology residency program)?
My best advice is to be yourself, as you would need to do for any other interview. Also as you would for any specialty, you probably should be able to explain why you choose radiology as a career choice. My interview consisted of individually speaking with faculty and residents and essentially getting to know each other. I suspect yours will be no different.
Hey Omfr, thanks a lot 🙂 I do wish to contribute to this blog if I make it into the program.
Hi OMFR
Do we need to get a state’s license to have a home based oral radiology practice? Do you by any chance have an idea about it?
Yes, you will always require a license as you would for any specialty. So even if you are thinking about working from home and interpreting scans, you still have to have a license.
Thanks 🙂 but if your going to be reading in a hospital or an academic institution then?
Well for a hospital I would imagine that you have to have a state license. Most of them contract out with a radiology group to join. That being said, I doubt OMFR is prevalent in any hospitals. I wouldn’t count on that. As far as schools are concerned, you could practice under a faculty license, but I don’t really know the inner workings of this. As a career, right now there are not that many institutional positions. At least that’s the word that I hear.
Thank you for the immediate response.
Hey, I was just wanted to thank you for writing up this blog. It is true that there is virtually no information out there on OMFR. I’m a current 2nd year dental student highly interested in OMFR for all the reasons you’ve listed – love technology, love diagnosing, solving puzzles, not having to deal with patients too much.
I am basically running around in circles right now not knowing where to start building my application. Should I start with research? How about externships? I’m still trying to find somebody to shadow but there are no OMFR’s in my entire state. What score on the GRE would I need to be competitive? Thanks so much!
Great question. Honestly the most important thing you can have is experience practicing dentistry. You may have to practice for a few years before being able to apply. The number of applicants each year increases and becomes more impressive. The good news is that there are a couple of more programs that have opened up recently in the US. So that might improve your chances. GRE to me seems irrelevant, and each program will have its own standard. If I remember right, my score was in the 1200s I think.
Hi
I was wondering if I could email you and Edwin about how a typical day for you is. What school do you go to? I can tell from Edwin’s message that he goes to UofT. My email address is [email protected]. I am currently in a graduate program myself but see the value in an OMFR residency. Ideally I would like to do it part time but realize that no programs probably allows this. Hope to hear back from both of you!
Cheers
Hi, I prefer not to give out my email information or which school I attend. I am trying to keep this blog anonymous, but if you have any specific questions I am more than happy to answer those on here. A typical day here is going to be a combination of classes, taking CBCT scans or interpreting scans in the resident’s room. Usually 8 to 5. It generally is a relaxed environment. As far as doing a part time residency, like I said you will probably have to work that out with the director of the program. I can see working part time and doing a full time residency, I imagine it would be hard to go the other way around.