Dental School Secrets, Implant Risks, Why Dental Insurance is Failing You & The Future of Dentistry

Top 5 Topics:

- Pediatric Dentistry: Dream Job or Daily Chaos?

- Dental Implants & Complications—What No One Tells You

- Insurance Meltdown: Why ‘Full Coverage’ Isn’t Full

- Dental School Admissions & OMFS: Grades vs. Grit

- The Future of Dentistry: DSOs, New Schools & an Insurance Fix

Top 5 Viewers on this Episode on TikTok LIVE #76 Q&A:

1st - @strictlybaited

2nd – Bri, @briannaanzalone4

3rd – Wilmar Mendoza, @wilmarmend2112

4th – Jfcjdbddj, @_maka_303

5th – FunnyClipz, @dravon.p

6th - @rakheebhasin

7th - Ethan McFarlane500, @ethanmcfarlane500

Quotes & Wisdom:

On managing complications:

"Dentists can do anything as long as we understand how to manage all and every complication that can occur from that procedure."

On choosing a specialty:

"When things really go wrong in dentistry, they end up at the oral surgeon. And we know how to handle those complications."

On learning from others:

"What’s better than learning from others’ mistakes, so you don’t have it happen to you?"

On insurance and the profession:

"Some insurance companies are killing dentistry. They tell patients they have full coverage, but full coverage is $76 for a $500 procedure."

On change in dentistry:

"We need to create a new insurance company—transparent, nonprofit, and focused on patient care. This is my life purpose."

On patient care:

"I’m not a salesman. I tell patients what they need, why they need it, and how I can help."

On pursuing opportunities:

"Don’t worry if you’re on the waiting list. Keep asking, stay persistent, and you’ll find your way in."

On shaping the future:

"I want to see dentistry get better. I’m just starting out, but I already have a lot of ideas, and I’m ready to work. Let’s go!"

Questions:

(00:00) Thoughts on a pediatric dentist career?

(04:55) Can you place an immediate implant if there’s periapical pathology?

(07:40) Is periodontology a decent choice compared to OMFS?

(11:15) Advice for general practitioners wanting to place implants?

(13:22) How much do undergraduate grades matter in OMFS residency?

(15:05) Does the prestige of your undergrad matter for dental school admissions?

(27:10) Are implant certificate residencies worth it?

(41:22) Are pass/fail dental schools better for OMFS placement?

(46:37) What were your grades like in undergrad?

(1:21:14) Should I choose dentistry or medicine?

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date

- 9.2025

#podcast #dentalpodcast #doctor #dentist #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #dentistlife #oralsurgeon #doctorgallagher