Top 5 Topics:

- Truth About Becoming an Oral Surgeon: This You Haven’t Heard About Before

- 24-Hour Shifts, Zero Sleep, Real Trauma — The Brutal Reality of OMFS Residency

- Study Hacks That Changed My Life Forever

- Should You Specialize? The Honest Talk Every Dental Student Needs to Hear

- 4-Year vs 6-Year OMFS: The Debate

Quotes & Wisdom:

[02:40–03:15] “Effective studying gets you A’s; efficient studying gets you your life back.”

[08:55–10:20] “If you can’t see the change, you have to create it.”

[16:40–17:40] “Just because you want your candle to shine brighter doesn’t mean you have to put everyone else’s candle out.”

[19:11–20:05] “There will be time to study later. There won’t be time to go on that trip or see family. Don’t waste your gap year studying for the CBSE.”

[20:05–20:55] “Whatever you study during your gap year, for the CBSE, will go in one ear and 90% out the other until you’re in dental school.”

[24:40–25:40] “When things are hard in residency, your routines — exercise, cooking, music, family — are what you rely on.”

[41:50–43:00] “CBSE first, externships second, research third. But be self-aware. Comparison is the thief of joy.”

[49:44–50:25] “There are so many rumors in dental school that aren’t even true. Don’t get distracted by them.”

Questions:

[05:13] – “What are the real differences between the 4-year and 6-year OMFS pathways, and what fellowships exist after training?”

[13:31] – “How did you personally decide OMFS was right for you when there are so many specialties?”

[18:40] – “Should I start studying for the CBSE during my gap year before dental school?”

[22:11] – “How hard is the transition from dental school to OMFS residency, and what is PGY-1 actually like?”

[30:22] – “How did you study for the CBSE, what resources did you use, and when did you take your last attempt?”

[33:49] – “Can OMFS residents realistically moonlight to supplement income?”

[41:28] – “As a D1 who wants OMFS, when should I start studying for the CBSE and how should I prioritize grades, research, and externships?”

[44:23] – “What CBSE score should we aim for to be competitive in OMFS?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #198

- 11.2025