What are the benefits of being an MD or a DDS/DMD?

I am having a difficult time deciding if I want to become a MD or a DDS. I am interested in surgery, and I realize that MD's (surgeons) and Dentists do "surgery". Which route should I take? Also, what are the benefits of being an MD, and what are the benefits of being a Dentist?

You should go shadow a couple of doctors and dentists.

Either way you are the one who has to decide.

There are benefits in both, one I see in Dentistry is that we don't have as much time in different residency programs.

Cofo said:

I am having a difficult time deciding if I want to become a MD or a DDS. I am interested in surgery, and I realize that MD's (surgeons) and Dentists do "surgery". Which route should I take? Also, what are the benefits of being an MD, and what are the benefits of being a Dentist?

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Yes, shadow! Shadow MDs and dentists, along with specialists. One attractive factor about dentistry is the lifestyle. You're rarely going to get a call at home if you're a general dentist. Also, as said above, no residency. If you're really into surgery, you can become a dental surgeon (I'm sure there's a more professional name for this), such as the specialists that pull wisdom teeth, etc. But make sure you enjoy general dentistry, because that's what you're going to come out of d-school as - a general dentist. One interesting thing about med school is that you go through several rotations - ob/gyn, psychiatry, surgery, so on - to figure out what you'd like to do. I feel like there are more options in med school in that sense, but if you know what you want to do (ie. be a dentist) then dental school seems "short" and to the point.

Sorry- my thoughts were kind of scattered!

Having been through the dilemma, along with a vast number of other dental students I would say everyone prior is dead on. Watch some M.D.'s in the fields you are interested in and get in with some dentists. Don't just go and shadow your friendly orthodontist like alot of people do! Get a feel for a gp most of anything and then go watch an O.S. or Pedo, etc. Get some real perspective. Yes, oral surgery is some raunchy stuff I would try to check it out if you can find one that will let you tag along for a day. The previous poster's warning of be sure you are ok with being a GP is 100% correct. Dental specialties are highly competitive. The deciding moment for me was working in a hospital and seeing first hand the lifestyle of doctors...that and the day my pretty much idol at the time looked me straight in the face and said "you don't want to do this." He was right! Huge benefit to dentistry = you won't get your ass sued off, malpractice is cheap, business control and you will not have to take call in most cases. The average dentist works well under 40hrs a week, go tell that to the general surgeon you shadow who makes the same cash working 70+. Countless doctors told me if they could do it again they would have gone dental.