Page 9 - SPRING 2016

Is a GPR D5?

An Added Bonus of a GPR of

Which You Were Unaware

By James R. Keenan, DDS, MS, MAGD

Every five weeks in the Special Patient Care (SPC) program at Residency is structured differently from dental school in quite a
the NYU College of Dentistry, we encounter a new group of few ways. Beyond the procedures which were performed in den-
fourth year dental students. During the first session of their SPC tal school, a GPR provides a resident with an opportunity to expe-
rotation, we traditionally go around the room and have the stu- rience procedures which were most likely passed onto postgradu-
dents introduce themselves, indicate their home clinic, and share ate students, such as molar endodontics, periodontal surgery,
their experiences, whether clinically or personally, with individu- challenging restorative and prosthodontic cases, implant cases,
als with special needs. Additionally, I will ask the students to and surgical extractions. Personally, I placed and restored my first
share their plans beyond graduation, whether they have intentions implant case during my residency. Additionally, I had my first
of completing a GPR (general practice residency) or an AEGD roundhouse experience and I performed surgical extractions that
(advanced education in general dentistry), completing a postgrad- went beyond my single experience in dental school. Compared to
uate specialty program, or proceeding directly into clinical prac- dental school where a student has one or two clinic sessions per
tice. One memorable response that I received from a student was, day with one patient per session and a few days per week, a resi-
“No, I am not. A GPR is just D5,” indicating that a GPR was an dent will be required to work a full day and five days a week, see-
extended fifth year of dental school. I began to wonder if many ing multiple patients with an array of treatment needs, thereby
fourth year students shared this sentiment. Another observation I testing an individual’s stamina and time management capabilities.
have made over many years is an absence of recent dental gradu- Another distinction is that there is a team approach and a set-up
ates at continuing education programs. I feel that I have a need to very similar to a large group practice. There will be an opportu-
enlighten potential or recent dental graduates about the benefits of nity to work with assistants and to determine the responsibilities
a GPR and lifelong learning through continuing education. which can be delegated to promote efficient patient flow.

I can understand that there is a desire to finally “get out there” and A GPR may also be an opportunity to see trauma cases. While a
do dentistry. I was once there myself. Recent graduates may have dentist may not be called upon to treat major trauma to the orofa-
a false sense of security that they have acquired all of the skills to cial region in a private dental setting, it is reasonable to expect
practice dentistry, and of course, there is an eagerness to begin some minor trauma cases. As a resident, I was fortunate to
earning money, mostly to repay student loans. The reimbursement encounter a jaw fracture which required maxillomandibular fixa-
for a resident may be considered minimal in comparison to what tion, displaced teeth from an assault which required repositioning
someone would be earning in the early years of private practice, and splinting, and numerous intra and extra-oral lacerations
however, a GPR is the rare opportunity in which a dentist can requiring suturing. The experience of intra and extra-oral trauma
have a hands-on educational experience without paying tuition or cases was beneficial in private practice on a few occasions.
fees. Presently, New York and Delaware are the only states which Additionally, there were opportunities to perform incision and
require completion of a GPR for licensure. Recent graduates drainage, which I did not experience in dental school. Of course,
should participate in a program, not because it is mandatory, but there were rotations through family practice, anesthesiology, and
because they recognize a perceived benefit. In my opinion, a GPR the emergency room, each with their own unique experiences.
should be mandatory as there are significant benefits to be gained
for the dental profession, dentists, and the dental community. There is an added bonus in completing a GPR or an AEGD, which
is 150 participation hours towards Fellowship in the Academy of
Honestly, I did not apply for a residency program during my General Dentistry. The requirement for the FAGD award is active
fourth year of dental school, but I did end up completing a one membership in the AGD, 500 hours of continuing education, and
year GPR at Peninsula Hospital Center in Arverne, NY. I was en successful completion of the Fellowship examination. Upon com-
route to making the false assumption that I had learned enough of pletion of a GPR or an AEGD, residents who are AGD members
the basics and that I was going to work with and learn from my are invited to send in a copy of their program certificates to
wife, Dr. Analia Veitz Keenan, who already had been a dentist for receive the 150 CE hours. Not to overwhelm anyone, but certain-
15 years. Fortunately, I visited NYUCD after graduation and ly to inspire everyone, beyond Fellowship in the AGD, there is an
checked my email account and read an email directed to my grad- opportunity to pursue Mastership and Lifelong Learning and
uating class from a classmate who was announcing a vacancy at Service Recognition, which I strongly recommend.
his GPR at Peninsula Hospital Center. As I reflect back, it would
have been the biggest mistake of my life if I did not take advan- If anyone wants to refer to a GPR as “D5”, that is fine by me, as
tage of the opportunity which turned out to be pivotal in my pro- long as they recognize that is the most valuable and cost-effective
fessional development. year of their dental educational experience.

www.nysagd.org | Spring 2017 | GP 9