Assisting the deficient resident in oral and maxillofacial surgery

There are innumerable pitfalls in the intense learning process of residency training that may result in a deficient resident. These pitfalls run the gamut of human experience; physical, intellectual, psychological, social, and economic. Developing problems in any of these areas will affect the resident's clinical performance and his subsequent abilities as an oral surgeon. Helping the deficient resident requires the proper diagnosis of the underlying problem and a precise method of addressing the problem before the resident has missed his professional milestones. Ensuring the continuum of the learning process is the best means of overcoming deficiencies. As in any disorder, the best cure is prevention.