Why OMFS Residents Are Mentally BULLETPROOF, BIG DSO Base Salary But No True Ownership, 40h Call Days

Top 5 Topics:

- Why OMFS Residents Are Mentally Bulletproof After the MICU Rotation

- Aspen Dental Truths: Big Paychecks; No Ownership

- $3,400 a Month for THIS? NYC Dental Student Housing Horror Story

- What It’s Really Like to Be on Call for 40 Hours Straight in Oral Surgery

- Is a 3-Year Dental School Too Good to Be True? The Truth About Fast-Track DMD Programs

Top 10 Viewers on this Episode on TikTok LIVE #69 Q&A:

1st - aimen, @aimend06

2nd – Patrick_Williams, @patrick_williams812

3rd – HealthFreakDoc, @lionsmane12

4th – @sam_miller.3

5th – Deyvvi, @deyvida07

6th - Luke, @the.dental.student

7th - Persephone Guerrero, @persephanieguerre

8th - Rowe, @rowemaine

9th - WeKnowBall, @we_knowball

10th - @osmotic_demyelination

Quotes & Wisdom:

“No one likes to see someone die… but in the MICU, it’s every few days. You learn to keep moving.”

- Resilience in healthcare means enduring the emotional weight and still showing up. This quote humanizes the mental strain OMFS residents face.

“You need a plan. A high floor at Aspen means a low ceiling. Private practice gives you ownership — and that’s freedom.”

- An honest breakdown of financial tradeoffs — inspiring young dentists to think long-term.

“You just take what you get, do what you're told, and move on. That’s residency.”

- Blunt, relatable wisdom on humility and endurance in training — speaks to residents and pre-dents alike.

Questions:

(03:20) “What was the hardest rotation of residency — physically, mentally, emotionally?”

(05:50) “Do you think you would have enjoyed being a general dentist if all this didn’t work out?”

(08:45) “What’s your opinion on the new three-year dental schools like Roseman and Pacific?”

(10:10) “What’s your opinion on working somewhere like Aspen Dental right after graduation?”

(02:05) “How closely do you work with head and neck radiology as an oral surgery resident?”

(11:00) “What should dental students consider when comparing private practice vs. DSOs?”

(07:15) “Have you ever slept through a pager call during residency?”

(09:50) “Did going to a dental school with a strong medical school component help with the CBSE?”

(12:20) “What are the best anatomy books and tools to study before dental school?”

(01:00) “Where do you recommend staying for a one-night NYU externship?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date (Blue)

- 7.2025

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