Why not medicine?

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NDPitch

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Discuss. Haha.

I'm trying to put together notes on this question so that I don't sound like an idiot during the interview. What can you say here? Here are some of the things going through my mind, and the response I envision the interviewer coming back with.

"I like to work with my hands". So why not be a surgeon??

"I like to help people". So like I said...why not medicine?

"I like working in the smaller setting of dentistry". So why not work in a small office instead of a hospital?

"I want to have more time for my family". So, you're saying you're not willing to work as hard as a doctor?

"I want to potentially be my own boss one day and run a small business". I'm not sure what they'd say to this one...



So yeah, how do you avoid being backed into a corner here?

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Why take the harder route? lol. This is not appropriate for a interview...

But honestly - this is what most predents I know say. They don't want to work that hard or have that much responsibility. Comfort is the ultimate goal for predents. I think for most predents; they have entertained the idea of medicine but somewhere along the line decided they didn't want to work that hard, long, or have that much responsibility.

The best reason for an interview? Articulate how you felt when you shadowed/assisted/ or volunteered. You cannot argue with personal experience and how it made one feel.

If they bring up medicine or try to draw paralleled - just tell them when you looked into it that you didn't feel the same way about it. Or if you're really confident just tell that you could see your self doing many things happily but eventually we all need to plant our flag somewhere.

I could see myself happy doing medicine, dentistry, or anything that is 'practical'. I have broad interests and like to feel like what I'm doing is useful. I imagine there are alot of people like this.
 
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The main reason I chose dentistry--aside from the fact that I LOVE teeth--instead of medicine was because with dentistry, you can definitively solve almost every problem that a patient has. With medicine, there are many diseases/conditions that can't be cured and you can only treat the symptoms. I love SOLVING problems and helping people. I don't want to have to pretend I solved someone's problem when I just masked their illness.

Also, I am easily attached to people, and I wouldn't be able to handle someone dying.
 
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I really like the fact that I will be doing more fixing and a lot less diagnosing and medicating. I also do, in fact, really like the fact that I will be running my own business eventually. I am double majoring in biology as well as management with an entrepreneurship concentration for this specific reason, and am really excited to own a business. I think the thing that completely put me off from was the idea of working in a hospital with people who may be terminally ill on a regular basis. After shadowing in a hospital, I just found I didn't enjoy the environment at all and could not envision myself there at all. Being in a dentist's office has just seemed much more at home to me.
 
Easy question for me....I am interested in teeth/mouths/dentistry,and not medicine/stomachs/eyes/brains/etc...? Am I missing something?
 
Discuss. Haha.

I'm trying to put together notes on this question so that I don't sound like an idiot during the interview. What can you say here? Here are some of the things going through my mind, and the response I envision the interviewer coming back with.

"I like to work with my hands". So why not be a surgeon??

"I like to help people". So like I said...why not medicine?

"I like working in the smaller setting of dentistry". So why not work in a small office instead of a hospital?

"I want to have more time for my family". So, you're saying you're not willing to work as hard as a doctor?

"I want to potentially be my own boss one day and run a small business". I'm not sure what they'd say to this one...



So yeah, how do you avoid being backed into a corner here?
Tell them that they don't teach dentistry at medical school.
 
Why take the harder route? lol. This is not appropriate for a interview...

But honestly - this is what most predents I know say. They don't want to work that hard or have that much responsibility. Comfort is the ultimate goal for predents. I think for most predents; they have entertained the idea of medicine but somewhere along the line decided they didn't want to work that hard, long, or have that much responsibility.

The best reason for an interview? Articulate how you felt when you shadowed/assisted/ or volunteered. You cannot argue with personal experience and how it made one feel.

If they bring up medicine or try to draw paralleled - just tell them when you looked into it that you didn't feel the same way about it. Or if you're really confident just tell that you could see your self doing many things happily but eventually we all need to plant our flag somewhere.

I could see myself happy doing medicine, dentistry, or anything that is 'practical'. I have broad interests and like to feel like what I'm doing is useful. I imagine there are alot of people like this.
I think you forgot to put "in my opinion" before that.
 
I would emphasize the most unique aspect of dentistry that separates it from any medical specialty. Dentists take care of patient's oral health and craft functional and aesthetically appealing smiles that improve patients' self esteem by using a myriad of hand tools as well as a team of assistants. We cut both hard and soft tissue. Dentistry is the most personable of all the medical professions. We are face-to-face with our patient's faces all day long. We build relationships with our patients who are conditioned to visit us for at least twice a year. Usually an entire family shares one dentist. We get to know an entire family. You have to be gregarious to thrive in Dentistry. Unlike in some specialties in Medicine which do not require from you as much patient contact, in Dentistry, great communication skills are a must.
Choose Dentistry for quick results and tangible gratification. Choose Medicine for long-term results and generally less clear but more challenging answers which can be more rewarding than Dentistry. This just depends on your preference. Dentistry is more technically challenging than it is intellectually challenging than Medicine. This is true of most surgical specialties.
Dentistry is less likely to be affected by politics so you have a relatively stable and less dynamic field than Medicine. If you want the latest in technology, the intellectual challenge, and responsibilities of a Physician, then you should pursue medicine. You sacrifice more but for some people, that sacrifice adds more significance to their lives. As a dentist you should be happy with developing trusting relationships with your community and working with your hands and actually seeing clear results (beautiful smiles) by the end of the day.
There are many elective procedures in Dentistry giving it both a healthy amount of income that is unaffected by insurance and lots of room for business freedom.
In Dentistry you are the master of your own universe but that also means that within the office chain of command, you are at the top so any problem or complaint your patients have must ultimately be resolved by you. You are not tied to any continuous obligations to a hospital and you generally have more freedom in terms of work hours than compared to most medical specialties. But that is not to say that dentists do not answer to emergency calls because they actually do. Some even save lives by preventing dental abscesses from infecting the rest of your body, which is lethal.
If family is important to you, by choosing Dentistry you are automatically in a life style specialty. In medicine, you'd have to be at the near top of your class with high Step 1 scores to get into any of the few lifestyle specialties in Medicine (ROAD).

What are the stereotypes of a classic dentist?
"Dentists have a sense of duty to help others and do it with genuine kindness. They like working with their hands and fixing problems. They are precise, thoughtful, and do not mind hard work."
http://vcusod2014.wix.com/sod2014#!__about-us
 
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Well said stacker. Well said.
 
Why would they even ask "why not medicine?"? if helping others is the main incentive then why not pharmacy? why not optometry? why not PA school?...Why not medicine? because I don't want to go to medical school! Some interviewers just want to make our lives harder.
 
Discuss. Haha.

I'm trying to put together notes on this question so that I don't sound like an idiot during the interview. What can you say here? Here are some of the things going through my mind, and the response I envision the interviewer coming back with.

"I like to work with my hands". So why not be a surgeon??

"I like to help people". So like I said...why not medicine?

"I like working in the smaller setting of dentistry". So why not work in a small office instead of a hospital?

"I want to have more time for my family". So, you're saying you're not willing to work as hard as a doctor?

"I want to potentially be my own boss one day and run a small business". I'm not sure what they'd say to this one...



So yeah, how do you avoid being backed into a corner here?


Greetings,

You are not going to face with this situation so don't worry about it. DP
 
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I interviewed for medical school a few years ago, and ended up withdrawing my applications before I matriculated because I was more interested in dentistry. I have been told not to mention the medical school apps unless directly asked (as to not seem like dentistry is a consolation prize, or that I'm flaky) but it seems to me that this could be a good answer for me...That I explored the medical route, have experience in both fields, and didn't find it as appealing as dentistry?

As a side note, in my medical school interviews, I was asked why I wasn't going into dentistry. (Um....)
 
Well, I like both, which is causing me to be un-decided. But Dentist focus on one thing early and do what some would call surgery earlier than med students. That's what I love about Dentist, and I like the idea for being independent earlier. Also less schooling is a plus, but I can see the argument on why doing an allopathic route. But, if I want to specialize, I will, but always like surgery and will strengthen my hands for it.So doing surgery in a dental pretence early is a plus for me.
 
I have worked in surgery at a major hospital for 5 years as an anesthesia tech and recovery room tech. I want to be a dentist for all the typical reasons, but I chose dentistry over medicine because I want to be able to fix my patients.If you don't know much about medicine, that probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

The University of Oklahoma's College of Dentistry says it best..."One of the most distinctive aspects of a dental career is the considerable control a dentist has over the nature, scope, quality and price of tasks performed. Few health care professions afford such a high degree of independence and flexibility and the chance to balance professional and personal life."
 
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I've worked in allied health and I agree with this! It sucks to see people go and have no control over it - just last week I saw a patient through a perfect repair of their heart only to be followed by a massive PE that took their life. Medicine takes a special type of person.


I have worked in surgery at a major hospital for 5 years as an anesthesia tech and recovery room tech. I want to be a dentist for all the typical reasons, but I chose dentistry over medicine because I want to be able to fix my patients.If you don't know much about medicine, that probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

The University of Oklahoma's College of Dentistry says it best..."One of the most distinctive aspects of a dental career is the considerable control a dentist has over the nature, scope, quality and price of tasks performed. Few health care professions afford such a high degree of independence and flexibility and the chance to balance professional and personal life."
 
I would emphasize the most unique aspect of dentistry that separates it from any medical specialty. Dentists take care of patient's oral health and craft functional and aesthetically appealing smiles that improve patients' self esteem by using a myriad of hand tools as well as a team of assistants. We cut both hard and soft tissue. Dentistry is the most personable of all the medical professions. We are face-to-face with our patient's faces all day long. We build relationships with our patients who are conditioned to visit us for at least twice a year. Usually an entire family shares one dentist. We get to know an entire family. You have to be gregarious to thrive in Dentistry. Unlike in some specialties in Medicine which do not require from you as much patient contact, in Dentistry, great communication skills are a must.
Choose Dentistry for quick results and tangible gratification. Choose Medicine for long-term results and generally less clear but more challenging answers which can be more rewarding than Dentistry. This just depends on your preference. Dentistry is more technically challenging than it is intellectually challenging than Medicine. This is true of most surgical specialties.
Dentistry is less likely to be affected by politics so you have a relatively stable and less dynamic field than Medicine. If you want the latest in technology, the intellectual challenge, and responsibilities of a Physician, then you should pursue medicine. You sacrifice more but for some people, that sacrifice adds more significance to their lives. As a dentist you should be happy with developing trusting relationships with your community and working with your hands and actually seeing clear results (beautiful smiles) by the end of the day.
There are many elective procedures in Dentistry giving it both a healthy amount of income that is unaffected by insurance and lots of room for business freedom.
In Dentistry you are the master of your own universe but that also means that within the office chain of command, you are at the top so any problem or complaint your patients have must ultimately be resolved by you. You are not tied to any continuous obligations to a hospital and you generally have more freedom in terms of work hours than compared to most medical specialties. But that is not to say that dentists do not answer to emergency calls because they actually do. Some even save lives by preventing dental abscesses from infecting the rest of your body, which is lethal.
If family is important to you, by choosing Dentistry you are automatically in a life style specialty. In medicine, you'd have to be at the near top of your class with high Step 1 scores to get into any of the few lifestyle specialties in Medicine (ROAD).

What are the stereotypes of a classic dentist?
"Dentists have a sense of duty to help others and do it with genuine kindness. They like working with their hands and fixing problems. They are precise, thoughtful, and do not mind hard work."
http://vcusod2014.wix.com/sod2014#!__about-us

I don't know about that. Because the scope of practice for a dentist is so narrow, it would seem to be quite susceptible to changes in licensing laws. Imagine how things would change if laws were changed to allow hygienists practice solo, or if non-dentists were allowed to do drilling, extracting, etc. All of this is in the process of happening. I think medicine has dentistry beat hands down when it comes to job security, because the stability of dentistry is so dependent on law makers supporting favorable licensing laws.

Anyway, I basically said that I liked the idea of building long lasting relationships with patients, as you would during their biannual visits, more than seeing them less often and primarily when they are ill. That answer seemed to go over pretty well. I don't think it's too original though.
 
Having had 9 interviews last year I can tell you this question never came up. You should really be asking yourself this question as I wish I had. The second post pretty much summed up my logic for going into dentistry(wanting to be in healthcare without the insane workload/burden of responsibility of a physician). Now I may end pursuing that route anyway but with more debt and a longer wait.
Do it because you like it not because you want a good lifestyle unless that is all you need from life. :thumbup:
 
I don't know about that. Because the scope of practice for a dentist is so narrow, it would seem to be quite susceptible to changes in licensing laws. Imagine how things would change if laws were changed to allow hygienists practice solo, or if non-dentists were allowed to do drilling, extracting, etc. All of this is in the process of happening. I think medicine has dentistry beat hands down when it comes to job security, because the stability of dentistry is so dependent on law makers supporting favorable licensing laws.

Anyway, I basically said that I liked the idea of building long lasting relationships with patients, as you would during their biannual visits, more than seeing them less often and primarily when they are ill. That answer seemed to go over pretty well. I don't think it's too original though.

Dentistry is a very stable career. Even if they allowed drilling & extracting most dentists make their major $$ doing specialty procedures like implants, crowns, ect. With the economy the way it is CE courses have taken on a whole new meaning for dentists trying to increase revenues by reducing patient referrals to specialists(at the cost of specialists income) Also the ADA is militant about protecting dental interests at a much higher level than any other professional organization.
 
Yikes. You're thinking of doing medicine after dentistry? Why the change of heart? Is there not anything in dentistry (OMFS) that can fulfill you?


Having had 9 interviews last year I can tell you this question never came up. You should really be asking yourself this question as I wish I had. The second post pretty much summed up my logic for going into dentistry(wanting to be in healthcare without the insane workload/burden of responsibility of a physician). Now I may end pursuing that route anyway but with more debt and a longer wait.
Do it because you like it not because you want a good lifestyle unless that is all you need from life. :thumbup:
 
Having had 9 interviews last year I can tell you this question never came up. You should really be asking yourself this question as I wish I had. The second post pretty much summed up my logic for going into dentistry(wanting to be in healthcare without the insane workload/burden of responsibility of a physician). Now I may end pursuing that route anyway but with more debt and a longer wait.
Do it because you like it not because you want a good lifestyle unless that is all you need from life. :thumbup:

Um, it came up in my very first first interview. I said several legitimate reasons stated in some of the above posts... and then I mentioned that I felt that dentists had more freedom than doctors to devote time to their families and follow some of their other passions (because they are health care professionals, like you said, "without the insane workload/burden of responsibility of a physician").

My interviewer shook his head and flat out said, "That's not true." and I was just like.. :scared:

He was also the same interviewer who said "Come on, are you serious" (in an indian accent) when I also said that there was a misconception among the general population that all dentists tend to be very well off. Taken aback (since I was trained by SDN to know that you can't afford a mercedes benz 2-3 years into being a dentist), I explained that, yes, there was definitely a long-term financial reward with proper training and business management skills, but especially young dentists who are 5-10 years into their careers tend not to be able to live very lavishly because of the large amount of loans, interest, umbrella policies, malpractice insurance, etc... something that the general population doesn't realize. I don't think he really believed me. Terrible interview.
 
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Some rookie mistakes. Always take into account your audience when you're interviewing. Better luck next time.


Um, it came up in my very first first interview. I said several legitimate reasons stated in some of the above posts... and then I mentioned that I felt that dentists had more freedom than doctors to devote time to their families and follow some of their other passions (because they are health care professionals, like you said, "without the insane workload/burden of responsibility of a physician").

My interviewer shook his head and flat out said, "That's not true." and I was just like.. :scared:

He was also the same interviewer who said "Come on, are you serious" (in an indian accent) when I also said that there was a misconception among the general population that all dentists tend to be very well off. Taken aback (since I was trained by SDN to know that you can't afford a mercedes benz 2-3 years into being a dentist), I explained that, yes, there was definitely a long-term financial reward with proper training and business management skills, but especially young dentists who are 5-10 years into their careers tend not to be able to live very lavishly because of the large amount of loans, interest, umbrella policies, malpractice insurance, etc... something that the general population doesn't realize. I don't think he really believed me. Terrible interview.
 
I always just say that my dad was a doctor as my brother is in residency, and I want to forge my own path in a healthcare profession. But I guess that wouldn't work for everybody...
 
Um, it came up in my very first first interview. I said several legitimate reasons stated in some of the above posts... and then I mentioned that I felt that dentists had more freedom than doctors to devote time to their families and follow some of their other passions (because they are health care professionals, like you said, "without the insane workload/burden of responsibility of a physician").

My interviewer shook his head and flat out said, "That's not true." and I was just like.. :scared:

He was also the same interviewer who said "Come on, are you serious" (in an indian accent) when I also said that there was a misconception among the general population that all dentists tend to be very well off. Taken aback (since I was trained by SDN to know that you can't afford a mercedes benz 2-3 years into being a dentist), I explained that, yes, there was definitely a long-term financial reward with proper training and business management skills, but especially young dentists who are 5-10 years into their careers tend not to be able to live very lavishly because of the large amount of loans, interest, umbrella policies, malpractice insurance, etc... something that the general population doesn't realize. I don't think he really believed me. Terrible interview.

It seems like he was just having a real bad day and wanted to pick apart everything that you said. :thumbdown:
 
It seems that we should stay away from topics concerning money and free time. Haha
 
That question came up in every one of my interviews. I was honest. "I considered medicine, just like I considered law and some other professions, but then I fell in love with dentistry after (insert personal experience) and I never looked back."

Simple.
 
Looks like she/he was having a bad day. That was not proper interviewing etiquette. DP

Why is it improper interviewing etiquette? Two of the interviewers asked this after mentioning my GPA.
 
Why is it improper interviewing etiquette? Two of the interviewers asked this after mentioning my GPA.

Asking questions like what the OP posted is not proper in my view. I sometimes ask questions to determine if this is what the candidate wants but I will never ask annoying questions. Those questions are annoying to say the least and they do not do anything except leaving a bad impression on the interviewer. DP
 
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