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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject: dental research
hi wanted 2 knw dat if one wants to pursue research in dentistry is it advisable to do it directly after bds or one should first get an mds degree and then go for it
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:24 am Post subject: Re: dental research
drneha wrote:
hi wanted 2 knw dat if one wants to pursue research in dentistry is it advisable to do it directly after bds or one should first get an mds degree and then go for it
It is very heartening to see someone interested in research...
This is a very relatively simple sounding question but it definitely does NOT have a simple answer but I shall try to!
1. MDS is compulsory NOT a requirement for research...infact many researches in the field are done by non-dentists too!
2. I know a few people who have done research of some kind after their BDS degree and have even managed to publish an article or two.
3. If your question is if you can take research as a career, I know of atleat one BDS graduate who is involved in research design and implementation in a research institution after some course.
4. But again no degree is required to do research. Infact, what you are doing now (trying to find answer to your question "How to pursue research?") is by itself a research of a kind. In simplest terms, research attempts to find answers to questions...
Now to the other part. Though it is not a requirement, MDS course puts you through some actual research (for your thesis) and one gets to know the nuances of the same (though not entirely!). Moreover, its part of the curriculum that one is required to do a critical analyses of classic articles, as well as the latest trends/developments and it definitely sets the stage for future work (again... only a few do so!).
Now the most crucial last part... I would definitely say MDS is an easier way out unless you have a very strong financial back up or a big institution. After MDS one can get attached to a college and if the HOD and the management give good support, one can do real work. Otherwise, epidemiological research and/or case studies, case series or perhaps a meta-analysis (assuming you still have access to literature.. which is little difficult unless there is a good academic library around with latest journals though internet is making things easier now a days!).
An example- A simple analysis of the activity and expression of MMP (in relation to Periodontitis) might work out to some INR 20000 - 25000 at its lowest estimate! Now, sometimes after some study the result might be negative. (meaning we might have wanted to find a positive correlation, but ended up finding a negative correlation!). Sometimes, we wouldnt get any results at all!!! (procedural errors, contaminations, biases etc; even after careful design..). At those times, we might have to repeat/redo! So the main aspect with quality research is financial back up!
If we can work out this financial aspect, and get acquainted with research methodologies, study design and basic statistical methods, the degree is not a criteria at all! I have presented only the tip of the iceberg and only one perspective. There are many other aspects that one needs to look into too! But I guess I have already written too much,,, ha ha ha
hello dr akhil
it was really nice 2 read al d valuable info u gav regarding research,it helped me solve many of my queries .do lemme know about doin ms in usa after bds i.e how 2 go abt it and which subjects 2 opt for,also if u could tell me abt its scop ,im interted in joinin some dental firm or smthin similar later on ,as clinicals dnt interst me much.
hello dr akhil
it was really nice 2 read al d valuable info u gav regarding research,it helped me solve many of my queries .do lemme know about doin ms in usa after bds i.e how 2 go abt it and which subjects 2 opt for,also if u could tell me abt its scop ,im interted in joinin some dental firm or smthin similar later on ,as clinicals dnt interst me much.
I am not very much informed in this arena. But on the whole, MS is easier to pursue than DDS(exception being when you enter US as a dependent!).
The procedure for MS, I guess will be to choose your preferred universities and enquire/read about admission procedures. Usually the universities contain a brochure with complete information. More ideal (in addition to procuring information via the brochures) will be to send emails to the Head of the Department/Director of the course. You might even make a call and enquire. The websites might not always be updated and hence getting in touch with the course director will always be helpful. I guess, they will be available for enquiries.
If clinical practice is not a priority, I am sure you have more options opening up. If you have managed to get any publication (or can manage it even now...) in some decent journal some short term attachments might open up in some universities where again you can manage to get yourself enrolled for Ph D programs perhaps. But I am not sure if they expect you to be a PG for such programmes.... further enquiries on your part might bring some light.
Please share any other information that you share with the users of the site by posting it here or send it to me as a private message and I shall make it available to the users as an article.
Hi Akil n Dr.Neha....
I am jus goin to say a few things which might contradict the previous post but pls do bear with me as i am an individual who had cleared my gre, toefl, tse n was very seriously trying to pursue an MS/PhD abroad... There after due to certain commitments had to be here n then joined my mds...
First thing is that, an MS is relatively more difficult to join when compared to dds.... MS is very highly competitive and given that you want a better placement in companies which deal with dental products at a later date by virtue of ur research, then it requires on ur part to do ur MS from a good university (with good funding) which makes things all the more competitive....
An MS in Orthodontics, Endodontics, Oral Surgery is better nt worth dreaming with a non US basic dental degree
To take up only research in future u can opt for an MS/Phd in Oral biology, Biomaterials, Dental materials, Craniofacal research..etc ; depending on the univ which provides u the degree... Once again this requires a very good GRE score, excellent academic record, resume suggestive of good aptitude for research activities in the form of publications, presentations,etc..; moreover they expect u to have (if nt a sound) atleast basic knowledge of various laboratory procedures related to ur research....
Say for example- one of my friends who is pursuing his PhD in oral biology related to Bone Biomechanics, had spent about six months in a high profile biological laboratory(not the simple biochemical ones) and struggled his level best to get a certificate stating proficiency in various lab procedures...
In case u r interested in dental material research then prior experience with some engineering equipments used in the measurement of various types of forces/stresses can help..
These are just examples of the type of homework u nd to do in order to procure an MS/PhD seat in a "good" university....
I go wit Akil in stating tht havin an MDS helps bt is not really a compulsory requisite for obtaining a seat....
u can find the list of all dental colleges in US thru this link n get into their individual websites n check what type of research deg they offer...
www.a2zcolleges.com/dental/dentalusa.html
Pl correct me if i am wrong...
Cheers... el.. hope u have a wonderful future in the field of dental research
Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: dental research
There are also certain european universities that have courses in dental research, oral biology in particular. However, getting admission is a bit difficult. I think the deadlines have already been passed for this year.
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hi wanted 2 knw dat if one wants to pursue research in dentistry is it advisable to do it directly after bds or one should first get an mds degree and then go for it 
.do lemme know about doin ms in usa after bds i.e how 2 go abt it and which subjects 2 opt for,also if u could tell me abt its scop 
,im interted in joinin some dental firm or smthin similar later on ,as clinicals dnt interst me much.