5 tips for treating pediatric patients as a general dentist

As an ADA Success program speaker, I am always honored to speak to dental students from across the country on topics such as practice management, leadership and ethics, and the state of the dental profession. No matter what topic I speak on, however, I am always questioned about something that I mention in my introduction: I am a general dentist who limits my practice of dentistry to treating pediatric patients. 

Calculating the costs and benefits of a residency

474213179(1)For many students, the choice between doing a residency and going straight into private practice is a tough one. In today’s world of growing student debt, it’s important to be aware of the costs and benefits of each.

Here’s a simple model. The American Dental Education Association says 2013 dental school graduates had an average debt of $241,000. If you graduate with the average debt and do a one-year residency, your debt will generate around $15,000 in interest during your first year out. (This assumes 6.8% interest rates.)