Welcome back to our new blog series featuring specialists in different fields of dentistry. With many readers exploring dentistry as a pre-dental student in college or seeking specialty training, the objective of this blog series is to introduce post-graduate career paths and celebrate some of the amazing work in our dynamic field. We are continuing the series with one of the most desired dental specialties amongst dental students -oral surgery. Today, we will be discussing all clinical, financial, and professional aspects of pursuing a career in oral surgery with Dr. Troy Van Der Groen.
Dr. VDG grew up in East Bay California where he earned a BS in Biology from the University of San Francisco and spent 2 gap years working versatile jobs in the service and education industry. He was a trusted Kaplan DAT instructor, Veterinary assistant, and GED teacher in juvenile prison. These fruitful experiences, in addition to a competitive dental school application, landed him a seat in the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Class of 2018. He is a fellow Navy HPSP recipient and received fully funded dental school education and oral surgery residency. Upon completing residency at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, he completed a 1 year operational tour on the forward-deployed USS Ronald Reagan. In 2023, Troy returned shoreside and currently serves as the division officer of NMRTCU Lemoore Oral Surgery Department, an attending at Travis Air Force Base, and is concurrently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at UC Berkeley.
That being said, time to extract some wisdom!
Why dentistry?
Initially, I was interested in dentistry for the amalgamation of small business ownership, patient care, with a good path to financial freedom. My interest in the profession has grown as I enjoy problem solving, developing my clinical skills with today’s innovative digital technology, and working towards different milestones of goals within the profession.
Why did you join the Navy?
To be transparent, I joined the Navy to fund my dental and oral surgery education. My tuition at Harvard School of Dental Medicine was $600,000 in 2008-2012. I can’t even imagine what it is like today. The other bonus was completing oral surgery residency in the Navy where I was paid an O-3 salary during my four years of training. While the financial benefits were enticing, I found it important to make a pros/cons spreadsheet to determine my career options and the opportunity cost of training vs time dedicated in the military/civilian sector.
How did you get interested in Oral surgery?
I was deciding between medicine and dentistry. I shadowed an oral surgeon and saw their scope of practice and became certain I wanted a career where I could solve problems with the flexibility of an in/outpatient setting. Compared to general dentistry, I appreciate that oral surgery does not require managing continuity of care.
How do you plan to utilize your oral surgery and MBA?
Dentistry is at an interesting crossroads where private equity companies have purchased a lot of retiring boomer generation practices. To be a successful private owner, it requires a very nuanced understanding of your business. The MBA will allow me to strategically position myself to compete with the rest of the market. Extra perk: the MBA program Is funded by the Navy GI Bill.
What has been your coolest experience as a Navy Oral Surgeon?
While forward deployed, I was assisting the general surgeon do an appendix removal surgery. When the CRNA overseeing general anesthesia stepped out, I was proud to utilize my cross-training in both general anesthesia and surgery to control the surgical situation. One unique aspect of OS is that there is no other surgical specialty in dentistry or medicine that can also provide general anesthesia. Outside of oral surgery, I enjoyed forming close friendships with the medical and dental staff onboard as we travelled Guam, Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, and Japan during deployment.
Describe your scope of practice as an oral surgeon.
My bread and butter clinical practice involves extractions, implant placements, Botox, TMD treatments, and orthognathic surgeries. The field of orthognathics is a dynamic interdisciplinary approach as we collaborate with orthodontists and restorative dentists to correct skeletal defects and achieve ideal aesthetic and function.
What are the main differences between a 4 and 6 year oral surgery residency program?
When considering oral surgery residency, there is a 4 year pathway and a 6 year pathway. Because of my interest in medicine, I wanted to pursue the 6 year pathway. However, the Navy only offered the 4 year training program. Here are some differences between the two programs:
4 year program consists of:
Intern year: 3 months medicine, 1 month subspecialty in medicine, 5 months gen surg, rest in oral surgery
2nd year: 6 months anesthesia, 1 month plastics, 5 months trauma surgery
3rd year: 3 months trauma, 3 months free flap/microvascular in OMS, remaining in oral surgery, dental alveolar, orthognathic, TMJ surgery
4th year: Same as 3rd year now as chief of service
6 year program consists of:
In addition to the four year residency curriculum, there are two formal years of medical school training earning you an MD. In addition, there’s additional general surgery time, medical school rotations, shelf exams, and passing Step 1, 2, and 3.
What advice do you have to help guide the decision of a 4 vs 6 year OS program?
I would say take into account the present value of money. For two additional years of training, you are exchanging that time for earning potential in your career. If the MD training is important to you or you have interest in academia, this can validate the longer training program.
In private practice or hospital settings, there is no difference in an oral surgeon’s scope of practice having completed a 4 or 6 year program. In general, I have seen a hierarchy of DDS/MD if you want to get into academics. Some private practices have a preference for dual degrees. Ultimately, I believe competent hand skills will outcompete two years of residency.
How can students be a competitive oral surgery applicant in MATCH?
Earn a competitive score on your CBSE (>85)
Complete externships at interested programs
Understanding you will spend the next 4-6 years with this small community, be yourself in interviews! Assess if you are a good fit for program's environment by connecting with residents, chiefs, and attendings.
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If you are a pre-dental student and would like to seek assistance in your personal statement or mock interview practice, please email us at thepredentalguide@gmail.com or send us a message in our chatbox to your right.
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