I am a 19 year old college student wrapping up my first semester. I went to community college, not really too informed and pretty much left to fend for myself on this stuff. After a lot of researching and experiences I've learned a lot about college but am still not 100% there. I am seriously considering dentistry as a career and I know these questions can probably be answered from other sources but I value what most of you on this website say and I really want to hear it from you too. I was deferred from my interest in dentistry when someone recommended optometry. The info I saw on the BLS website and some other government career site seemed too good to be true, well it was. Reading a lot of threads in the optometry section has brought things to my attention that the BLS didn't. I am weary to trust most sources now and am starting to favor dentistry more. Actually, I am favoring orthodontics.
A little about me I have been to the dentist throughout my life and had braces, still go back to the ortho for my Invisalign. I have seen these professions but want a deeper perspective. I'm trying to make the choice mainly by what my daily life will be like once I'm in the profession. General dentistry sounds a little more "down and dirty" then I would like. I feel like ortho is less down and dirty and from what I see at the orthodontist, the assistants do a lot of the work, especially that "down and dirty" work (sorry I can't think of some other ways to describe it.) I didn't want to be a nurse, NP or MD because I don't like blood, needles... basically any kind of incision type thing. I do not want to perform surgery. Do orthodontists perform surgery? If so how often? If not, will you have to do it at least in a residency or something?
From what I see it is "normal" hours, no late night shifts or anything. Also, on average how many days a week do ortho's work? I feel like it's not a 5-day a week job. Is there some dark side I am not seeing?
School, is it very competitive to get in? I assume yes but is it to the point where it's nearly impossible, or just very hard? I am planning on graduating from UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) from the honors college and maintaining my 4.0 GPA. And I haven't planned out dental school yet but I will obviously try my best. I would think that gives me a good shot at getting in but you tell me, are they looking for more?
Opportunities, is there an oversupply? Or is it mostly an oversupply in cities? Fancy cars and houses are not important to me (I know everyone feels that will change, and yes I will want NICE things but not super luxurious) but what I do want in my adult life is vacations. I feel like that's harder when you own your own practice, am I wrong? What are the advantages/disadvantages to working for an orthodontist as opposed to owning a practice
Insurance, I see a lot of worries about insurance in health care industries, but I feel like dentists are less affected, am I wrong? Also the new healthcare plans and such, are there any scares like that in dentistry?
I know someone will probably recommend shadowing but I don't know anything about it. Is that something I talk to the receptionist about or is it more polite to ask my ortho directly when I see him? I am not even out of my first semester of college, is shadowing appropriate right now or is that for more serious students already partially devoted to the profession?
Sorry for such a tall order but any comments would be so appreciated. Thanks for reading
A little about me I have been to the dentist throughout my life and had braces, still go back to the ortho for my Invisalign. I have seen these professions but want a deeper perspective. I'm trying to make the choice mainly by what my daily life will be like once I'm in the profession. General dentistry sounds a little more "down and dirty" then I would like. I feel like ortho is less down and dirty and from what I see at the orthodontist, the assistants do a lot of the work, especially that "down and dirty" work (sorry I can't think of some other ways to describe it.) I didn't want to be a nurse, NP or MD because I don't like blood, needles... basically any kind of incision type thing. I do not want to perform surgery. Do orthodontists perform surgery? If so how often? If not, will you have to do it at least in a residency or something?
From what I see it is "normal" hours, no late night shifts or anything. Also, on average how many days a week do ortho's work? I feel like it's not a 5-day a week job. Is there some dark side I am not seeing?
School, is it very competitive to get in? I assume yes but is it to the point where it's nearly impossible, or just very hard? I am planning on graduating from UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) from the honors college and maintaining my 4.0 GPA. And I haven't planned out dental school yet but I will obviously try my best. I would think that gives me a good shot at getting in but you tell me, are they looking for more?
Opportunities, is there an oversupply? Or is it mostly an oversupply in cities? Fancy cars and houses are not important to me (I know everyone feels that will change, and yes I will want NICE things but not super luxurious) but what I do want in my adult life is vacations. I feel like that's harder when you own your own practice, am I wrong? What are the advantages/disadvantages to working for an orthodontist as opposed to owning a practice
Insurance, I see a lot of worries about insurance in health care industries, but I feel like dentists are less affected, am I wrong? Also the new healthcare plans and such, are there any scares like that in dentistry?
I know someone will probably recommend shadowing but I don't know anything about it. Is that something I talk to the receptionist about or is it more polite to ask my ortho directly when I see him? I am not even out of my first semester of college, is shadowing appropriate right now or is that for more serious students already partially devoted to the profession?
Sorry for such a tall order but any comments would be so appreciated. Thanks for reading