Dr. Gallagher's Podcast by Brendan Gallagher, DDS

September 30, 2025 Oral Surgery Unfiltered: Salary Ranges, Insurance Reimbursement Chaos, Boards Exam Tips, CBSE/DAT Studying

Top 5 Topics:

- Oral Surgeon Pay & Contracts (Base vs Percentage)

- Fee-for-Service vs Insurance: What Patients Don’t See

- Oral OMFS Board Exam & Hospital Privileges (Friction vs Benefits?)

- “This Isn’t Chuck E. Cheese”—Real Talk on Surgical Safety & Boundaries in Residency vs Private Practice

- CBSE Strategy, DAT 21/22, GPA Myths, Study Hacks, Passion Over Checkbox in Undergrad, Interview Key Essentials!

Top 8 Viewers on this Episode on TikTok LIVE #78 Q&A:

1st - @mfountain75

2nd – ajc, @ajc1826

3rd – hayes, @purphaze

4th – natalia, @natalia.baba

5th – Blake, @blakedeevers

6th - @user82639362820

7th - Jfcjdbddj, @_maka_303

8th - mani, @deadbunnydonttalk

Quotes & Wisdom:

“This isn’t Chuck E. Cheese. This is surgery. If I can’t ensure safety for the patient, my team, and myself, I won’t do it.”

• “Bread-and-butter surgery—teeth, titanium, sedations, implants—this is exactly what I wanted to do: build my reputation and serve patients.”

• “Residency gave me thick skin. You still want the best for patients—even when someone treats you poorly. You learn to keep going.”

• “Don’t fall for the base salary. Look at the percentage. That’s where you actually share in the work you do.”

• “Why so much friction? If there’s no benefit to the friction, why do it? Focus effort where it truly pays off.”

• “Be a good person, a good classmate, a good teammate. Give your best effort. What you get is what you get.”

• “Don’t run away from your passions. They’re what you’ll talk about in interviews—and remember for life.”

• “Some patients are amazing. Others degrade you and then ask for a discount. You balance both and keep serving.”

• “Know your numbers: how much money comes in, how much goes out—make that a habit early.”

• “I want a good life around friends and family. Urban or rural—what matters is quality of life and the ability to serve well.”

Questions:

How is practice going? — ≈02:06

How much do new OMFS usually make? — ≈02:30

Is private practice better than residency? — ≈05:58

Why is the oral boards exam so hard to schedule, and what do you actually gain from being board-certified? — ≈08:56

How should I prepare for the CBSE (resources/courses)? — ≈19:20

Do you do your own IV sedations (and how will private-practice sedations compare to residency)? — ≈20:10

What was your DAT score? — ≈20:30

Would you choose OMFS again if you could go back? — ≈22:10

What’s the hardest thing about private practice? — ≈26:00

What GPA/habits/advice matter most for undergrads and residency applicants? — ≈28:10

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date

- 9.2025

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

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