Your reasons for choosing dentistry?

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snoopy69

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Hey everybody, I am an undergrad right now and I need to start making some decisions about careers. I was just wondering why you all chose dentistry as your field of choice over other medical careers. What experiences led you to make this decision?
 
snoopy69 said:
Hey everybody, I am an undergrad right now and I need to start making some decisions about careers. I was just wondering why you all chose dentistry as your field of choice over other medical careers. What experiences led you to make this decision?
IMO, this should come from you, not from others. Don't try to fit you into something based on others' experience. You'll end up changing career as some of us here. If I were you, I'd read more about dentistry, shadow/observe some dentists to see what exactly they do. Then make decision from there.
 
I was giving an honest opinion. It was my case actually.
 
The experience of dentistry has been a postive impact on my life. In my quest to find the field that I thought I wanted to go into, dentistry was a perfect blend. It takes Compasion to be a dentist, it takes artistry to be a dentist, it takes craftsmanship to be a dentist, it takes leadership and finally knowldedge and the willingness to dispense that knowledge. The rewards of dentistry, are that you meet different people everyday, and you get to do different things as far as procedures. There is the total autonmoy of owning your own practice and business. I imagine the best selling point is the family and personal time you get as a dentist. Once you own your own practice, you decide when to open, how much to charge, what type of procedure are you comfortable in doing, etc etc .
There is also the variety of dentistry that makes it worth while to pursue as well.
You could become a professor and teach in dental school. There are a lot of rewards to teaching as well. Being the leaders of education and molding tommorrows doctors is very worth while.
As a dental scientist, on the edge of dental science, bringing the science to the practice. Lots of avenues there.
You could be an army dentist, and experience other cultures and other parts of the world
You could be a Indian health service dentist, and experience the culture of native american and have a kick ass time exploring nature or doing all the things associated with the outdoors in places like Alaska.
 
after shadowing dentistry and other fields at the same time, i realized that i was more excited about going to the dental office than any other office. at the dental office i was enthusastic about everything the dentist did, anywhere from preparing the patient to doing the procedure to finishing up. i spent quite sometime with few dentists from their first patient to their last, and i realized that things they had to go through was something i would love to do as it is not boring.

being able to apply my knowledge and helping people while working with my hands seems the most attractive choice to me. i knew that i liked to work with my hands but dentistry brought it even more now.

i also realized that when the day is over the day is over at a dental office most times where you can spend time for your family (so the life style maches mine).
 
toothcaries said:
dental hygiene chicks

😱

Need I point out, that they think for themselves, although I have seen a SEA of cute young assistants...........
 
Hey Hey Hey there testosterone party....I WILL be a smokin' hot oral surgeon one day---not only assistants or hygienists...we can be hot and the big dogs 👍 😀 😍 too!🙂
 
- The aesthetic side of dentistry: the idea of giving someone a beautiful smile, and as a result, increased confidence, fascinates me.
- I love to deal with people.
- I want to own my own business and have increased autonomy over my schedule.
- Being financially stable is a good thing.
- It is a presitgeous job.

I could go on, but I'll stop.
 
fleisch said:
Hey Hey Hey there testosterone party....I WILL be a smokin' hot oral surgeon one day---not only assistants or hygienists...we can be hot and the big dogs 👍 😀 😍 too!🙂

You can be my suga mama.
 
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busupshot83 said:
You can be my suga mama.


Hahahahaha, sounds good....You can be my first MALE assistant..hahaha...By the way, how do people post pics up under their name on this thing? I have been trying, but I cant seem to make any of my digital pics fit they size req.?
🙄
 
fleisch said:
Hahahahaha, sounds good....You can be my first MALE assistant..hahaha...By the way, how do people post pics up under their name on this thing? I have been trying, but I cant seem to make any of my digital pics fit they size req.?
🙄

Sounds like a plan 😎.

The majority of people don't use their real pics as avatars, because they want to remain anonymous. Use your Windows Paint program to crop the size to 75 x 75. 😛
 
fleisch said:
Hey Hey Hey there testosterone party....I WILL be a smokin' hot oral surgeon one day---not only assistants or hygienists...we can be hot and the big dogs 👍 😀 😍 too!🙂
Not to be a killjoy, but where are you going to dental school? 😉
 
aphistis said:
Not to be a killjoy, but where are you going to dental school? 😉
I hope that is not you in the avatar :laugh:
 
toothcaries said:
wow, you weren't kidding..
it's safe to say that you would be a "smoking hot OS" if u decided to go that route.

btw,
but, i'd also think twice about posting your personal pic on this public forum.
it's no biggie..
but you are female...and you are cute..
...and you will attract extra attention.
(a good and bad thing)

oh yeah..
(the image was sent)
🙂

You're too nice...haha...well maybe I wont post it then..🙂 I just think this forum would be so much more interesting if everyone knew what everyone else looked like..🙂 hahaha...maybe not though... 😉 😛
 
fleisch said:
You're too nice...haha...well maybe I wont post it then..🙂 I just think this forum would be so much more interesting if everyone knew what everyone else looked like..🙂 hahaha...maybe not though... 😉 😛

My pic is somewhere in the Lounge... and we all have known what APhistis and Gavin's kids looks like.
 
Hands on projects 🙂 unlike internal/general practice medicine
recurrent patient interaction unlike surgery
ability to choose what you want to practice and refer out what you don't
ability to run a business


Those were my biggest 4
 
Why Dentistry?
Since about the age when I was barely tall enough to get in the dentist's chair, I remember being thrilled to have a dentist appointment coming up. The clean smell, the incredibly nice and gentle hygienists, the constant smiling in the office, and the fact that my uncle was my pediatric dentist all made each trip so comfortable for me. My aunt and uncle (both dentists with a shared practice) have had the most positive influence on me throughout my lifetime, as they constantly share their experiences with me, and both explain how fortunate they feel to be a part of the dental profession. They are respected in the community, they live comfortably, and they are both knowledgeable and compassionate people. I have had an incredible amount of dental/orthodontic/oral surgery done as I have grown older, and each experience has led to a more confident and happier me. Dentistry is a healing art--you must be skilled at what you do...you must be able to tackle a unique problem on a daily basis...and most of all, you must be able to effectively communicate with those that you treat and heal... It is a profession unlike any other!!! 😍
 
aphistis said:
That sounds a little inappropriate.😉

Get your mind out of the gutter 😛 .
 
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Thanks for the replies so far everybody. I have another question....
When I tell people I am considering dentistry, they're all like "Why would you want to look at people's stinky mouths all day?" Is this something that ever bothered you? Where any of you initially grossed out by the prospect of working in stranger's mouths??
 
fleisch said:
You're too nice...haha...well maybe I wont post it then..🙂 I just think this forum would be so much more interesting if everyone knew what everyone else looked like..🙂 hahaha...maybe not though... 😉 😛
Trust me. You don't want to see what I look like. You don't want to see what JavadiCavity looks like, either.
 
snoopy69 said:
Thanks for the replies so far everybody. I have another question....
When I tell people I am considering dentistry, they're all like "Why would you want to look at people's stinky mouths all day?" Is this something that ever bothered you? Where any of you initially grossed out by the prospect of working in stranger's mouths??


No, I have never been grossed out at all by mouths and the thought of working in them. For those individuals that are especially set in their opinion that dentistry makes for a strange and disgusting career, I like to remind them that there are a lot of other less savory orifices, crevices, and areas of the human body to make a living in than the mouth. 🙂
 
Hahaha....no more pics of me..🙂 Thanks for the compliment though🙂...
Got my first interview tomorrow and I am sorta nervous for it!

Sprgover---I couldn't agree with you more...Proctologist vs. Dentist...hmmmm :laugh: :scared:
 
snoopy69 said:
Thanks for the replies so far everybody. I have another question....
When I tell people I am considering dentistry, they're all like "Why would you want to look at people's stinky mouths all day?" Is this something that ever bothered you? Where any of you initially grossed out by the prospect of working in stranger's mouths??
It's all a matter of perspective. If you're going to be a doctor of any sort, you'd better have resigned yourself to dealing with some of the more unsavory components of human biology, whichever aspect of medicine you practice.

As for the "perspective" I mentioned, whenever I get this question from other people I just tell them about a college buddy of mine across the street at IU Med, studying to hopefully be a gastroenterologist. Each of us has plenty of jokes about the other, but we both agree I'm getting the good end of the digestive tract. 😉
 
fleisch said:
Hahaha....no more pics of me..🙂 Thanks for the compliment though🙂...
Got my first interview tomorrow and I am sorta nervous for it!

Sprgover---I couldn't agree with you more...Proctologist vs. Dentist...hmmmm :laugh: :scared:

I agree! no more pics of you 😀 just one pic and I couldn't stop drooling, gone through a lot of napkins already 😀 I couldn't handle anymore pics of you :laugh:

Proctologist vs Dentist. It's a Loose-Loose situation 😀 I would rather be a Dentist. It's not that bad!

Good luck w. the interview 👍
 
fleisch said:
Why Dentistry?
Since about the age when I was barely tall enough to get in the dentist's chair, I remember being thrilled to have a dentist appointment coming up. The clean smell, the incredibly nice and gentle hygienists, the constant smiling in the office, and the fact that my uncle was my pediatric dentist all made each trip so comfortable for me. My aunt and uncle (both dentists with a shared practice) have had the most positive influence on me throughout my lifetime, as they constantly share their experiences with me, and both explain how fortunate they feel to be a part of the dental profession. They are respected in the community, they live comfortably, and they are both knowledgeable and compassionate people. I have had an incredible amount of dental/orthodontic/oral surgery done as I have grown older, and each experience has led to a more confident and happier me. Dentistry is a healing art--you must be skilled at what you do...you must be able to tackle a unique problem on a daily basis...and most of all, you must be able to effectively communicate with those that you treat and heal... It is a profession unlike any other!!! 😍

I agree w. u AGAIN! Wow, it is also an excellent answer for Why dentistry interview question 👍 You're not only Drop dead gorgeous but also seem very smart and thoughtful....hard to find now aday! Damn, this is just too much :laugh:

Too bad my hygienist was an old and rough lady! I didn't like cleaning very much. I've been wearing a full denture since 12 y.o :laugh:

Now that you're "all growns-up" I'll be more than happy to be your personal dentist 😉

Boy, I think I'm in love 😍 , down boy, down :laugh:
 
haha...you guys are too funny...🙂 Thanks for compliment on the interview answer...I have been thinking alot about tomorrow, and have been trying to formulate "practice" questions in my head...I am nervous I will get a question that I will just not know how to answer..🙂
But, I guess if you are passionate enough about something, the words will just come to ya..🙂
Haha, btw, you can be my personal dentist only if you like Oklahoma! Cause hopefully thats where I will be next year! (If UCLA doesnt like me...🙁).... :luck:
 
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snoopy69 said:
Thanks for the replies so far everybody. I have another question....
When I tell people I am considering dentistry, they're all like "Why would you want to look at people's stinky mouths all day?" Is this something that ever bothered you? Where any of you initially grossed out by the prospect of working in stranger's mouths??

some people even think that you're a fake doctor 😱
My young female hairstylist once asked me "why do u guys wear scrubs but the people going to doctor school don't" 😱 I didn't even know how to anwer it! They even thought dental school is like a 2yr career training school!

Emergency or mentally challenged patients are like u said "grossed out", abscess, pus, bad smell... Either they didn't take care of their teeth, never brush or their caretakers did not take care of them. It's sad! I'm taking a selective advance general dentistry class. We have to take care of mentally chalenged patients, mostly drill-fill, extraction. 9 out of 10 are in bad shape because their caretakers don't know how or neglect to take care of them. You'll never forget the smell either!
 
toothcaries said:
daaaaaaaam2.jpg

😉
Why didn't you merge her into the crowd as well? Someone got some Photoshop skills there 😉
 
Typo said:
Trust me. You don't want to see what I look like. You don't want to see what JavadiCavity looks like, either.

Well I have seen JavadiCavity in person, so Typo how bad could you really be???

😉
 
lnn2 said:
some people even think that you're a fake doctor 😱
My young female hairstylist once asked me "why do u guys wear scrubs but the people going to doctor school don't" 😱 I didn't even know how to anwer it! They even thought dental school is like a 2yr career training school!

Emergency or mentally challenged patients are like u said "grossed out", abscess, pus, bad smell... Either they didn't take care of their teeth, never brush or their caretakers did not take care of them. It's sad! I'm taking a selective advance general dentistry class. We have to take care of mentally chalenged patients, mostly drill-fill, extraction. 9 out of 10 are in bad shape because their caretakers don't know how or neglect to take care of them. You'll never forget the smell either!
Did you respond, "because we actually take care of people in school"? 😀
 
aphistis said:
Did you respond, "because we actually take care of people in school"? 😀

I just laughed it off! I didn't think that she's capable of understanding of what we have to go through to become a dentist!
 
fleisch said:
I have been thinking alot about tomorrow, and have been trying to formulate "practice" questions in my head...I am nervous I will get a question that I will just not know how to answer..🙂
But, I guess if you are passionate enough about something, the words will just come to ya..🙂

Relax, relax ! It's just an interview! It's an opportunity for the interviewer to get a general feeling about your personality, maturity, motivation, sincerity...and personal experiences about dentistry. Do u stand out from other applicants. How u interact w. the interviewer.... It's also an opportunity for u to sell yourself to them!

Most often asked questions:
1. Why dentistry, 99%
2. Tell us about yourself
3. Do u have any questions? usually at the end of the interview
4. How do u handle stress? What do u do for fun or during your spare times?
5. Why should we accept u to this school?

You can check this out http://www.studentdoctor.net/interviewdent/interview_read.asp

The bottom line is good GPA/DAT will get u in almost anywhere!

fleisch said:
Haha, btw, you can be my personal dentist only if you like Oklahoma! Cause hopefully thats where I will be next year! (If UCLA doesnt like me...🙁).... :luck:

I do now! Oh, you don't know how much I love Oklahoma! wink, wink :laugh:
My cousin did her residency in Oklahoma d school. Some of the residents from UCLA in my school think that's it's over rated! It's hard to get patients because the school is very close to the rich Beverly Hills! I'm sure that you'll fit right in either school 😉

Relax, get a good night sleep, eat a good, light breakfast.
Smile, be confident! Good handshake (or a wink if your interviewer is a male :laugh: ) Don't forget to thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity! Tell them that you hope that you'll be given the privilege of attending their school 👍 (I actually forgot to thank them in one of my interviews!) Send a short thank you note or letter, reemphasize your apprecitation for the opportunity, their time and your hope of the given privilege of attending their school.... blah blah blah blah....hey sometimes you have to be a brown noser (in a subtle kinda way :laugh: ) gotta do what u gotta do, right?!

Good luck 👍
 
Typo said:
Trust me. You don't want to see what I look like. You don't want to see what JavadiCavity looks like, either.

:laugh:
 
Why dentistry?

Like many people I started out thinking that I wanted to be a physician. This desire was sparked when I volunteered in a childrens hospital. Seeing sick children made me want to learn the healing arts. However, I questioned my career choice once I got a look at what being an MD is really like. I've worked in various aspects of healthcare as an EMT in pre-hospital care, in nursing homes, and now working on a cardiac unit as a nurse's assistant. In my experience in these areas I've seen lot's of people die. Death and terminal illnesses are a big part of medicine. Although the drama of life and death may make for good television shows (ER, CSI, etc) I decided that I didn't want that kind of drama in my every day life. I loved healthcare, but I didn't want to worry about killing someone on a daily basis. Dentistry was a great balance of helping people and lifestyle. I hope that the career will be very rewarding by allowing me to help people suffering from pain and asthetic oral problems. Then at 5:00 I can go home and enjoy my family life. And I'll have plenty of time to go skiing or boating on the weekends. Best of both worlds if you ask me.
 
Precarious_Yups said:
A leader should never ask what is; let me put it this way, my ex is a anesthesiologist and she has broken it down like this-- if she were able to handle looking into people's mouths all day, she would have been a dentist... either you can find this an acceptable answer or not, regardless it will be one of those mysteries. I thank God that not all people want to be dentists or else there would not be a market for us to pursue. Personally, I think that this is one of those $40,000,000 questions and is not a valid argument. However, if you do find the idea of working with the body repulsive, then by all means do not pursue such fields that require relative-to-moderate invasive techniques. The world needs to be balanced and Nature works in mysterious ways... (maintain your plans if you want to be a dentist). Best of luck!

Very well-put Precarious Yups!🙂 I couldn't agree more! I got that question at my interview at Oklahoma yesterday, and it is definitely the million dollar question!🙂
 
Has anyone metioned that some people actually do it for the money too. I want to be more successful then my mother and father and this seems like the way to go. Not something i'd mention at the interview but people are kidding themselves when they say that they doing it solely for the the joy it brings them. If that was the case we would be seeing free dental clinics all over the place and so far i haven't seen any.
Just my opinion.

Remember folks Cow Go Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
 
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cowsgomoo said:
Remember folks Cow Go Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!


Yes, they do.
 
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