I'm currently an undergrad senior looking to matriculate in D1 later this fall. I've shadowed many dentists and really fell in love with the profession, but one of my dreams is to retire early to do other non-career projects. What are some tips to help me accomplish this?
Your goals are based on where and what you are doing in life.
Example.
Me as D1: Try to specialize and aim for top 10% of my class.
D2: I completely realized how snobbish my life became focusing on grades, but instead decided to enjoy more life around dental school and still do good academically. Gave up on specializing at this point.
D3: Begining of my clinic year, I really noticed that I was connecting with patients well in accepting treatments, I decided to explore idea of opening a practicing right after school. I started talking to senior dentists who own their own practices and pictured myself as them with quicker route to their success.
D4: I was already scouting for a place to open my first office. After graduation, my confidence was good enough to open a practice within 6 months.
5 years in the field, I can't believe time flew by, married, home, no kids, offices doing well, advising younger grads and students, I'm very happy to keep doing this for another 10 years, and continue to enjoy life.
I think there is a big risk on making a radical change after completing a rigorous training like dentistry, and still not reaching the full potential of the profession at a young age. The dentists I admire the most are all over 60 years of age, for their wisdom as people and professionals of the field, clinically and experience. Not to mention the financial burden. If I planned on quitting dentistry in my 30's, I would not go to school for it to begin with.
My 2'cents.