- Joined
- Nov 23, 2015
- Messages
- 15
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Hi everyone,
One of the undergrads shadowing me pointed out that she uses this website and that there appears to be a lot of "doom and gloom" about a career in dentistry.
I'd love to share my experience with you all, and hopefully lay any fears and reservations to rest.
About me:
Graduated UoP 2012. I'm from CT originally, but my wife got a temporary job contract in Cali so I went there with her for dental school.
Took a no-contract job at a corp after graduation; $500/day and minimal benefits; did this for four months while I surveyed where to practice.
Purchased my practice four months out from a retiring dentist- located in a relatively affluent part of CT (my home state- we moved back); about 100K population.
At least 50-60 other practices in my area.
Total student debt: 400K.
Total practice debt: 100K. (This practice was really not living up to its potential, so I got it for a steal)
Take-Home figures:
Year 1- Adjusting to the area, firing some of the old staff, hiring new people, etc. Made 150K.
Year 2- Took over a neighboring practice with another retiring dentist- purchased his charts and brought in 250K.
Year 3- Didn't do much different except switch from a 5 day workweek to a 4 day workweek. Income went up a bit to 270K due to more efficient scheduling and referrals.
Next/this current upcoming year, I'm on track to break 300K. I find that the most important thing is to focus on treatment presentation. So many of my classmates were introverts and couldn't explain things to people.
I focused on case acceptance in dental school and have over a 95% case acceptance rate.
I do all phases of dentistry: invisalign, CEREC, endo, OS, everything.
My current remaining debt is about 150K (for both practices) and 250K (for student loans). I'm 29 and life is GREAT. I would say everything will be paid off in four years, and then the sky is the limit. My wife is already dropping hints that she wants to become a stay-at-home mom soon. It's good that we won't have to worry about money.
ONE NOTE REGARDING DEBT: I had some classmates who were scared of the debt so they went military or NHSC. They regret it right now because I've already got my practice established and I'll have paid off my loans by the time they get started with private practice. Dentistry is still a wonderful profession and don't let anyone scare you otherwise.
That said, if you LIKE the military or NHSC, do it sure. But you can succeed on the outside.
One of the undergrads shadowing me pointed out that she uses this website and that there appears to be a lot of "doom and gloom" about a career in dentistry.
I'd love to share my experience with you all, and hopefully lay any fears and reservations to rest.
About me:
Graduated UoP 2012. I'm from CT originally, but my wife got a temporary job contract in Cali so I went there with her for dental school.
Took a no-contract job at a corp after graduation; $500/day and minimal benefits; did this for four months while I surveyed where to practice.
Purchased my practice four months out from a retiring dentist- located in a relatively affluent part of CT (my home state- we moved back); about 100K population.
At least 50-60 other practices in my area.
Total student debt: 400K.
Total practice debt: 100K. (This practice was really not living up to its potential, so I got it for a steal)
Take-Home figures:
Year 1- Adjusting to the area, firing some of the old staff, hiring new people, etc. Made 150K.
Year 2- Took over a neighboring practice with another retiring dentist- purchased his charts and brought in 250K.
Year 3- Didn't do much different except switch from a 5 day workweek to a 4 day workweek. Income went up a bit to 270K due to more efficient scheduling and referrals.
Next/this current upcoming year, I'm on track to break 300K. I find that the most important thing is to focus on treatment presentation. So many of my classmates were introverts and couldn't explain things to people.
I focused on case acceptance in dental school and have over a 95% case acceptance rate.
I do all phases of dentistry: invisalign, CEREC, endo, OS, everything.
My current remaining debt is about 150K (for both practices) and 250K (for student loans). I'm 29 and life is GREAT. I would say everything will be paid off in four years, and then the sky is the limit. My wife is already dropping hints that she wants to become a stay-at-home mom soon. It's good that we won't have to worry about money.
ONE NOTE REGARDING DEBT: I had some classmates who were scared of the debt so they went military or NHSC. They regret it right now because I've already got my practice established and I'll have paid off my loans by the time they get started with private practice. Dentistry is still a wonderful profession and don't let anyone scare you otherwise.
That said, if you LIKE the military or NHSC, do it sure. But you can succeed on the outside.
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