Dentists are not impressed with the education provided by dental schools, according to a recent Wealthy Dentist survey. Four out of five dentists report that recent graduates are not prepared. 
United States of America (Press Release) February 23, 2008 --
Are graduates of dental school ready for the reality of practicing dentistry? Four out of 5 dentists don't think so, according to a survey by The Wealthy Dentist, citing a lack of business savvy and little knowledge of dental practice management.
Many feel that dental school must also fill the role of business school. "Dental school needs really good business courses to help students get started in practice, even if they are going into an employment situation," opined a Tennessee dentist.
But is business training really within the scope of dental school? "Today's graduates are not prepared to start a business, but neither were we. Business sense is hard to get in a classroom setting," observed a North Carolina dentist. "It's like preparing for parenting: how do you know when you're ready?"
Though dental technology has advanced rapidly, it's not clear that dental education has followed. "It has not changed enough in at least the last 25 years. Clinically, dental students have just enough knowledge and experience to provide basic care and hopefully will understand that they need to continue to learn and develop their capabilities," wrote an Illinois dentist. "There should be some basic business requirement in the pre-dental education, but I don't see that there is room in dental school to cover this (running a business) in any but the most cursory way."
Doing well in dental school is no guarantee that a student will become a good clinician. "Dental school prepares you for your board exams, not the real world of dentistry," commented a New Jersey dentist. "Academically graduates are over-prepared, and clinically they tend to be under-prepared," agreed a general dentist from Missouri.
Of course, some feel that dental schools provide an excellent education. "Dental school has tried to address issues of practice management, dental insurance issues, and advanced restorative techniques including implants and periodontal surgery," said a Pennsylvania periodontist.
One Michigan dentist reported being disappointed by his young associates. "I have gone through a few associates. I have a high-tech, high-end practice, and I try to show them all the tricks. They are not only clueless, but they don't even try - poor confidence level out of school. They want to make the money but they don't want to work the hours or try to learn the communication and practical skills that today's public demands... I think that in the future I'm going to charge a training fee!""
Dental school has never prepared students for the real world, but now the consequences for new graduates are a lot more serious," commented one orthodontist. "In past years, overhead was lower, patients and employees weren't as litigious, fewer employees were needed, regulations were simpler, etc. Today, the system is not as forgiving. There is so much more to be aware of, and a slipup is going to be more costly."
"Dental schools might be great, but they're notoriously bad at addressing business issues," said Jim Du Molin, dental management consultant and founder of The Wealthy Dentist. "Students learn lots of science and very little about practice management. But how can graduates expect to practice dentistry if they can't run a dental practice?"
http://www.thewealthydentist.com/PR/055-Dentists-Find-Dental-School-Students-Unprepared-for-Dentistry.htm
Many feel that dental school must also fill the role of business school. "Dental school needs really good business courses to help students get started in practice, even if they are going into an employment situation," opined a Tennessee dentist.
But is business training really within the scope of dental school? "Today's graduates are not prepared to start a business, but neither were we. Business sense is hard to get in a classroom setting," observed a North Carolina dentist. "It's like preparing for parenting: how do you know when you're ready?"
Though dental technology has advanced rapidly, it's not clear that dental education has followed. "It has not changed enough in at least the last 25 years. Clinically, dental students have just enough knowledge and experience to provide basic care and hopefully will understand that they need to continue to learn and develop their capabilities," wrote an Illinois dentist. "There should be some basic business requirement in the pre-dental education, but I don't see that there is room in dental school to cover this (running a business) in any but the most cursory way."
Doing well in dental school is no guarantee that a student will become a good clinician. "Dental school prepares you for your board exams, not the real world of dentistry," commented a New Jersey dentist. "Academically graduates are over-prepared, and clinically they tend to be under-prepared," agreed a general dentist from Missouri.
Of course, some feel that dental schools provide an excellent education. "Dental school has tried to address issues of practice management, dental insurance issues, and advanced restorative techniques including implants and periodontal surgery," said a Pennsylvania periodontist.
One Michigan dentist reported being disappointed by his young associates. "I have gone through a few associates. I have a high-tech, high-end practice, and I try to show them all the tricks. They are not only clueless, but they don't even try - poor confidence level out of school. They want to make the money but they don't want to work the hours or try to learn the communication and practical skills that today's public demands... I think that in the future I'm going to charge a training fee!""
Dental school has never prepared students for the real world, but now the consequences for new graduates are a lot more serious," commented one orthodontist. "In past years, overhead was lower, patients and employees weren't as litigious, fewer employees were needed, regulations were simpler, etc. Today, the system is not as forgiving. There is so much more to be aware of, and a slipup is going to be more costly."
"Dental schools might be great, but they're notoriously bad at addressing business issues," said Jim Du Molin, dental management consultant and founder of The Wealthy Dentist. "Students learn lots of science and very little about practice management. But how can graduates expect to practice dentistry if they can't run a dental practice?"
http://www.thewealthydentist.com/PR/055-Dentists-Find-Dental-School-Students-Unprepared-for-Dentistry.htm
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