Question:
I recently got accepted to San Antonio, Houston and Baylor dental schools. My
problem is that I personally like Houston, but several people are telling me
that I shouldn't give up an opportunity to go to the best school in the
country- -which is San Antonio.First, is San Antonio really the best and
why?? I visited and really didn't see anything that stood out, to me. Also
does anyone have an idea where Houston stands nationally? If I do decide to
go to Houston, will it hurt me if I wanted to specialize? Also are there any
Houston dental students out there or grads who can tell me why not to attend
houston dental branch? Personally, I feel I can excel at any Dental school
but I need to know that I'm not making a mistake. Please feel free to give
all the input and advice possible.
Answer:
I have never seen an "official " dental school ranking. I am from Alabama, and
when I was down there I heard UAB was # 1 U North Carolina #2. When I started
dental school at Columbia U, I heard Harvard was #1, Columbia #2. You , being
from Texas, have heard Baylor is #1....I am starting to see a trend...
Board scores are probably one of the best indicators of a good
school....Columbia was 5th in the nation last year (I don't Know who the top 4
were) on part 1 of the boards. I don't know how we faired on part 2, but I'm
pretty sure we were not top 5. How the school does on part 1 indicates how good
the basic sciences are, how they do on part 2 indicates how good the clinical
program is. Any school you've been accepted to should provide you this
information. Also, the average GPA and DAT scores of the school's entering
classes gives you an idea of how "sharp" the students are. The schools should
also provide you these statistics.
I went to UT in San Antonio (hygiene school)
It was ranked #1! I feel the reason was the outstanding faculty, they are big
into research and there is alot of money that goes into the school. It is well
supported by the state and alumni. I am extremely proud that I was chosen to
attend and feel I got a top notch education. This doesn't mean you won't get
those things in another school. I am decidely predjudice.
No such thing as a dental school ranking. It is about
as mythical as the tooth fairy. Besides when you go
to establish a practice or join a practice, nobody will
base their decision on where you went to dental school.
Dental school only provides the BASICS. Much of
your dental education will be achieved with continuing
education and hands on postgraduate courses. Having
said that here are things you may want to look out for:
1. Is the school financially sound? Or is there a
chance it may close while you are attending it?
2. Does the school attract a large enough patient
pool to provide all phases of clinical learning?
3. What percentage of the instructors are part time
or full time?
4. Does the school have enough modern new operatories
to work in a pleasant environment?
5. Is the school more didactic oriented or clinical oriented?
To the dental school dilemma,
On the dental school dilemma:
But don't you have to pay to the school? That makes you customers. And with
all the rights that come with that. Here the main (and only) argument for
private schools is that quality will increase. But it doesn't seem like
that. Not judeging from your post.
You pay - you have demands, right? Or how does it work?
My answers (as applied to IU):
1. Yes and no...they had to increase class size to get more money...but
spent no more on additional operatories.
2. No...maybe when class sizes were smaller and Sears dental wasn't
advertising $299 crowns
3. Which is better? I prefer part-time faculty because they contribute
"real-world" ideas
4. No...not enough operatories for number of students...I get stuck on a
waiting list even if I sign up 1 1/2 weeks in advance!
5. Definitely clinically oriented. Our requirements: 4 CD/CD, 1 Immediate
CD, 1 single denture, 32 crowns, 4 single-canal endo, 2 molar-endo, 3
RPD's, 80 direct restorations, 8 perio cases (SC+RP plus reeval), 2 denture
relines, 2 RPD relines, 6 perio maintenance, PLUS a "total point
requirement" and "competencies"....similar to state boards...in all of
these. BTW--we have oral surgery rotations, also, where we do hundreds of
extractions.
