As a dental student you'll have ample time in the classroom learning the differences between molars and incisors via a textbook diagram. But once you've entered dental school you'll need a bit more to make it as a dentist than just being able to identify an eye tooth from a wisdom tooth-you'll need to have practice on patients.
In order to get the proper practice you'll need, dental schools often require either a one- or two-year program known as a General Practice Residency (GPR). A GPR is a training program for students to, as the name suggests, practice their dental skills, be it a root canal or a standard cleaning. During a GPR, students increase their knowledge of what they learned in the classroom and get to see it in real life.
Practice Makes Perfect
Brad Kurowsky, an integrative biology major at the University of Florida, says that completing a GPR is extremely beneficial.
"You have the ability to work on patients in a controlled atmosphere. You still have the liberty to treat the patient just like you would at your own office; however, you have to get all procedures approved by a professor before moving forward," he said.
Although you won't be paid for completing your GPR, it is crucial to getting certified as a dentist in many states. Keep in mind that during your GPR you won't merely be "shadowing" a fellow dentist, but instead you'll be participating actively and getting lots of hands-on experience with supervision by a professor.
Everyone Benefits from a Nice Smile
And if you think you're the only one benefiting from a GPR, think again. Kurowsky says that an interesting aspect to the idea of a GPR is that the patient is not charged as much as he or she would be in a normal dental office. And often, if you know someone who needs something worked on, he or she might even luck out without a bill.
Kyle Reynolds, a student at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, says that an increasing number of dental students are completing their GPRs right out of dental school in order to get their clinical skills up to a speed that would be efficient in a private practice, as well as to expose them to many different clinical cases.
Although it's not required, Reynolds is still deciding on where he wants to do his GPR in addition to a dental specialty program such as orthodontics or oral and maxillofacial surgery.
"[Getting a GPR] is beneficial-it increases the dentist's speed at many different procedures, as well as exposes them to a variety of circumstances and clinical cases. In a GPR, you essentially get to focus just on working with patients, whereas in dental school you also have to worry about classes and exams," Reynolds said.
Most dental schools have a GPR program and you'll probably have a better chance of getting into the one you attended for dental school. Check with your school or academic advisor to see about getting placed-the end result will be worth it, and that's something to smile about.
By Natalie Pezzenti, staff writer
