2nd yr med student wanting to switch to dental

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I agree with the OP that the prospects for autonomy and income in medicine are getting much worse. I think its largely because of the push towards socialized medicine from the dems and because of the invasion of mexicans from the south. Trust me when I tell you that academic dentistry is already being infiltrated with socialist losers, but the majority are mostly normal people who want to provide a good service and make great money. Most students chose dentistry because of the income and the hours. There isn't this "I'm making a difference" crap that is in a lot of medical schools.

I think you'll be a great dentist since you already know what is important--family and freedom. I think your training in med school will only help you and allow you extra time to focus on the dental sciences. Don't rule out specializing, you never know what you'll wind of loving.

IMO, I would probably stick with med school while you wait for d school admission. Its more competitive than ever to get into d school and the MD is the MD.
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trixie2126 said:
it's not goofy-i actually love dentistry because it is interesting to me. I would rather get paid less and do something I love and that will not bore me rather than have a good income/lifestyle and do something I hate. I am not planning on ever having kids so lifestyle is really no issue to me at all. Furthermore, I really don't care how much I get paid as long as I have enough to support myself; I don't need a lavish lifestyle to be able to survive. Maybe it's goofy to you because you don't feel the same way and are more interested in the lifestyle/money aspect of dentistry.
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That's a noble, commendable sentiment, and I applaud you for it. There's nothing wrong with recognizing and appreciating the material and lifestyle benefits of a career in dentistry, though. Most dentists (myself included) enjoy dentistry for a number of different reasons.
 
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I have a friend who went to medical school and is now an ER physician. His wife went to dental school at the same time. He said if he had it to do over again, he would go into dentistry. His wife has sweet hours and was working in only four years, and she obviously still makes an excellent income. He said being an MD is completely overrated. Go into dentistry brother and never look back.

University of Washington School of Dentistry 2012
 
trixie2126 said:
it's not goofy-i actually love dentistry because it is interesting to me. I would rather get paid less and do something I love and that will not bore me rather than have a good income/lifestyle and do something I hate. I am not planning on ever having kids so lifestyle is really no issue to me at all. Furthermore, I really don't care how much I get paid as long as I have enough to support myself; I don't need a lavish lifestyle to be able to survive. Maybe it's goofy to you because you don't feel the same way and are more interested in the lifestyle/money aspect of dentistry.
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I'm calling BS. I refuse to believe that you love dentistry and the money means nothing. You are telling me you would rather do dentistry than any other job period and the money has nothing to do with it? I mean, you wouldn't rather be a lifeguard, ski instructor, musician, artist, writer, coach, teacher, etc. if they paid the same? You are full of it partner.
 
i will be starting dentistry next yr in canada... and i think all factors are important and can be taken into account... i like to think that i choose dentistry for both the lifestyle and b/c i would most likely (and hopefully) truely enjoy being a dentist... but saying that i really don't care how much i would make as a dentist would be farfetched and i wouldnt want to be one if dentists were making 70K$ for life which was the average in 1988... on that note, i find it a bit troubling that the dentist salaries went up by 100% in around 12 yrs... (according to that article refferenced above)... how can we be assured that the salaries would not fall drastically just like they rose... also, sorry but can someone plz tell me what 'midlevels' are?... and how they may affect dentists in canada...
 
trixie2126 said:
furthermore none of these professions appeal to me at all (lifeguard, ski instructor, musician, artist, writer, coach, teacher), I would never want these professions no matter how much I was paid for them. If one of these professions was my passion, however, then I would go for it and do what I love, rather than do something I hate.
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All I am saying is it takes a rather unusual person to enjoy dentistry more than literally any other job on the planet irrespective of pay. Personally, I would rather do a thousand other jobs but they all pay so much less that it isn't practical. I like dentistry, don't get me wrong, but to say the money means NOTHING is hard to believe. I think it would be way more fun to play poker, for example, but it wouldn't make sense.
 
I havent read the whole thread, only bits and pieces. From what I have seen so far, the only reason for switch in career is due to finances and lifestyle. That is a wrong motive to go into any profession and it could turn out to be disastrous. There could be some dentist who went in for the laid back lifestyle but hated the work or MD who found the work OK and hated the financial aspect of the profession. I think just pick what you will enjoy the most and everything else is secondary.
 
qwerty86 said:
I havent read the whole thread, only bits and pieces. From what I have seen so far, the only reason for switch in career is due to finances and lifestyle. That is a wrong motive to go into any profession and it could turn out to be disastrous. There could be some dentist who went in for the laid back lifestyle but hated the work or MD who found the work OK and hated the financial aspect of the profession. I think just pick what you will enjoy the most and everything else is secondary.
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I've heard drug dealers have a great lifestyle - and their hours aren't too bad either. Maybe it would be something to look into
 
^ i looked into it. too many occupational hazards.
 
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Eh drug dealing...not soo much... Its short cut to money and risking fatality and long term imprisonment is not something anyone would enjoy.
 
I am in a bit of a predicament and was wanting some feedback on what to do. I am a married, father of two who has an MD from a caribbean school. I struggled through medical school (the first two years) and did well my last two years and decided not to do a residency, knowing that the only option available would be Family Practice. The grind of medicine took it out of me and I decided to go into the real world (physician recruiter) and have a regular schedule in order to have more time with my family. Throughout my life, I have always had an extremely difficult time focusing when it came to studies and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. While an undergrad, I thought about going to dental school, but my grades weren't very good, so I went the caribbean MD route. I am 33 and feel that if ever I were to attempt to go to dental school, now is the time. I have to admit that my undergraduate and medical gpas suck (sub 2.5), but I do have a graduate degree (even if it is from a caribbean school). I was too stubborn in years past to get any help and wish I would have gone for it decades earlier. If I had, I may not be in this predicament. The situation is what it is.

My dentist and I have always had a very good relationship and I should have listened to his advice when I was in college when he said you would love being a dentist-why do you want to go to medical school and make yourself miserable. I feel that the profession really lends itself to someone having it all-benign work hours if you choose and making a decent living, while helping your fellow man. I have found that most medical students and residents are extremely bitter and by the time they get out of residency they have been beaten down so much that it spills into the beginning of their professional life. In order to be financially successful, a physician will have to work their tail off and even then, it doesn't always pan out. Not that the dentist does not, but I feel that if you are putting in 50 hour weeks as a dentist, you will get rewarded, while 50 hours a week as a physician is the bare minimum in order to make $135K.

My question is what can I do now to make a case for myself? I would have to do extremely well on the DAT, volunteer/work at a dentist's office, community service, etc. Is there any way to raise a GPA if I have an MD? I live in South Florida and would relish the opportunity to go to Nova or UF, but I would seriously go anywhere if I had the opportunity.

If anyone has any advice it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
pmick said:
I am in a bit of a predicament and was wanting some feedback on what to do. I am a married, father of two who has an MD from a caribbean school. I struggled through medical school (the first two years) and did well my last two years and decided not to do a residency, knowing that the only option available would be Family Practice. The grind of medicine took it out of me and I decided to go into the real world (physician recruiter) and have a regular schedule in order to have more time with my family. Throughout my life, I have always had an extremely difficult time focusing when it came to studies and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. While an undergrad, I thought about going to dental school, but my grades weren't very good, so I went the caribbean MD route. I am 33 and feel that if ever I were to attempt to go to dental school, now is the time. I have to admit that my undergraduate and medical gpas suck (sub 2.5), but I do have a graduate degree (even if it is from a caribbean school). I was too stubborn in years past to get any help and wish I would have gone for it decades earlier. If I had, I may not be in this predicament. The situation is what it is.

My dentist and I have always had a very good relationship and I should have listened to his advice when I was in college when he said you would love being a dentist-why do you want to go to medical school and make yourself miserable. I feel that the profession really lends itself to someone having it all-benign work hours if you choose and making a decent living, while helping your fellow man. I have found that most medical students and residents are extremely bitter and by the time they get out of residency they have been beaten down so much that it spills into the beginning of their professional life. In order to be financially successful, a physician will have to work their tail off and even then, it doesn't always pan out. Not that the dentist does not, but I feel that if you are putting in 50 hour weeks as a dentist, you will get rewarded, while 50 hours a week as a physician is the bare minimum in order to make $135K.

My question is what can I do now to make a case for myself? I would have to do extremely well on the DAT, volunteer/work at a dentist's office, community service, etc. Is there any way to raise a GPA if I have an MD? I live in South Florida and would relish the opportunity to go to Nova or UF, but I would seriously go anywhere if I had the opportunity.

If anyone has any advice it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
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Why don't you make an appointment to go see someone in admissions or academic affairs at Nova? To be honest, you probably don't have a great shot at UF as it is a state school and likely more competetive than Nova although I don't have the book that has stats of entering classes. I am sure someone in the admin office could give you a better idea of if you had a shot or what you would need to do than getting advice from dental students or dentists on the internet. Good luck.
 
Sideburns said:
He said being an MD is completely overrated. Go into dentistry brother and never look back.
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As a dentist who is one week from finishing his AEGD, the lifestyle issue can work in favor of either profession.

I'm finding it very onerous to be constantly bending over and trying to gain access where there is little visibility. As minor as these issues may sound, I'm nearly fed up with the physical demands of dentistry.

As of now, I'm envying the work conditions of physicians who only diagnose, check up on lab values, and prescribe meds. I know that physicians generally work longer hours but so what? Personally myself, I'd rather work 55 hrs/wk doing dx and prescribing rather than bending over and obsessing over details for 40 hours.
 
pmick said:
I am in a bit of a predicament and was wanting some feedback on what to do. I am a married, father of two who has an MD from a caribbean school. I struggled through medical school (the first two years) and did well my last two years and decided not to do a residency, knowing that the only option available would be Family Practice. The grind of medicine took it out of me and I decided to go into the real world (physician recruiter) and have a regular schedule in order to have more time with my family. Throughout my life, I have always had an extremely difficult time focusing when it came to studies and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. While an undergrad, I thought about going to dental school, but my grades weren't very good, so I went the caribbean MD route. I am 33 and feel that if ever I were to attempt to go to dental school, now is the time. I have to admit that my undergraduate and medical gpas suck (sub 2.5), but I do have a graduate degree (even if it is from a caribbean school). I was too stubborn in years past to get any help and wish I would have gone for it decades earlier. If I had, I may not be in this predicament. The situation is what it is.

My dentist and I have always had a very good relationship and I should have listened to his advice when I was in college when he said you would love being a dentist-why do you want to go to medical school and make yourself miserable. I feel that the profession really lends itself to someone having it all-benign work hours if you choose and making a decent living, while helping your fellow man. I have found that most medical students and residents are extremely bitter and by the time they get out of residency they have been beaten down so much that it spills into the beginning of their professional life. In order to be financially successful, a physician will have to work their tail off and even then, it doesn't always pan out. Not that the dentist does not, but I feel that if you are putting in 50 hour weeks as a dentist, you will get rewarded, while 50 hours a week as a physician is the bare minimum in order to make $135K.

My question is what can I do now to make a case for myself? I would have to do extremely well on the DAT, volunteer/work at a dentist's office, community service, etc. Is there any way to raise a GPA if I have an MD? I live in South Florida and would relish the opportunity to go to Nova or UF, but I would seriously go anywhere if I had the opportunity.

If anyone has any advice it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
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Your case won't be easy as the 2.5 GPA is really nothing enviable. The application is being more competitive each year and qualified people are turned away. Can you do a post-bac program with a M.D.? It may be the one ticket that shows you can still handle dental school's rigor if you excel in it. Of course talking to admission people can only help. Nothing is impossible. Good luck!
 
WhyMD said:
And I hear that lifestyle (9-5, Mon-Fri, no calls, and $200k+ income) is something many recent dental graduates can do or do better after just finishing 4yrs of school. My cousin is a dentist and after working for a year as an associate just bought a $1mil practice in Conn with a partner. Right after school he made $170k, something a neurologist or an internist make after 8yrs of grueling training working well over 60+hrs/wk.
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Most dentists right out of school do NOT make that figure. Senior dentists tend to peak out at 150-175k / yr but this doesn't compare to the salaries of most physicians at any experience level.

Look up most job ads geared towards physicians. Then compare them to ads for dentists. Jobs for physicians are heavily within the 150k - 300k/yr brackets. Dental jobs regularly fall within 100k - 140k/yr. Yes, dentists can make more by upping their production but physicians can do the same.
 
servitup said:
I'm calling BS. I refuse to believe that you love dentistry and the money means nothing. You are telling me you would rather do dentistry than any other job period and the money has nothing to do with it? I mean, you wouldn't rather be a lifeguard, ski instructor, musician, artist, writer, coach, teacher, etc. if they paid the same? You are full of it partner.
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Hmm...I didn't see anywhere that said money means NOTHING in trixie2126's post. I believe he said if he earns enough, he'll be happy. Bro, servitup, I think you need to speak for yourself. Having said that, I commend and admire trixie2126. I truly believe many doctors/dentist (and many more professionals) choose to do what they do because they have aspirations that are not money related. Take professors/teachers for example. I'm sure many of them could've chosen another job that pays much higher. But in the end they still choose teaching. So, if YOU choose dentistry because of the pay doesn't mean everyone else does the same.
Sorry to the original OP as this strays outside the topic. I just couldn't stand someone voice his OPINION as if he knows it all.
Back to the original topic. To the OP, I was on the same boat as you. Luckily I made the switch before I was in medical school. So, I think it's best if you make the switch now. I also know a couple people who did the same. It wasn't an easy decision for them, but they said it was worth it in the end. I mean starting over, more debt, more studying, etc. was hard. But when it all ended, they were happy as a dentist! I agree with you that 2 yrs is nothing, I just hope that when you do make the switch that you'll enjoy dentisty and not regret of giving up medicine. Best of luck to you!
 
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I am currently preparing for DAT which is kind of fun feeling like I am back to when I was taking the MCAT. People say DAT is easier than MCAT, but I will find out myself.

To PMICK, I would say your MD degree, regardless of grades, shows that you are capable of handling rigorous course loads despite your ADHD. Emphasize that. Then focus on DAT. If I were you, I would aim for >22 on it. Then work on writing a convincing essay.

Some have wondered if I am switching for money and lifestyle. "Lifestyle" includes time for family, for self, working environment (building, hours, people, hierarchy) , and stress level (which includes how much you enjoy your work). It's not just money. It's about how I make that money and how I can spend it. Now no one here would work for free. So we all think about money when choosing a job. And we all think about working conditions. Now there are workaholics that for whom work is life. And there are missions in which work requires life sacrifice. I am neither a workaholic nor see my career as a mission. Maybe some of you do. I work to live and support my family. My mission is in between work and outside of work: that is, how I treat and help people in and out of my work.

So, I would not choose a job that pays a million while life suffers, nor would I choose a job that pays minimums while life is easy. I see dentistry to be a fine balance of the two while suiting my talents. And it's because I am numb to this whole prestige mirage. I don't care if people ignore me as long as I and my family are well taken cared. I would be very miserable if people respect my MD degree while my family suffers.
 
WhyMD said:
I am currently preparing for DAT which is kind of fun feeling like I am back to when I was taking the MCAT. People say DAT is easier than MCAT, but I will find out myself.

To PMICK, I would say your MD degree, regardless of grades, shows that you are capable of handling rigorous course loads despite your ADHD. Emphasize that. Then focus on DAT. If I were you, I would aim for >22 on it. Then work on writing a convincing essay.

Some have wondered if I am switching for money and lifestyle. "Lifestyle" includes time for family, for self, working environment (building, hours, people, hierarchy) , and stress level (which includes how much you enjoy your work). It's not just money. It's about how I make that money and how I can spend it. Now no one here would work for free. So we all think about money when choosing a job. And we all think about working conditions. Now there are workaholics that for whom work is life. And there are missions in which work requires life sacrifice. I am neither a workaholic nor see my career as a mission. Maybe some of you do. I work to live and support my family. My mission is in between work and outside of work: that is, how I treat and help people in and out of my work.

So, I would not choose a job that pays a million while life suffers, nor would I choose a job that pays minimums while life is easy. I see dentistry to be a fine balance of the two while suiting my talents. And it's because I am numb to this whole prestige mirage. I don't care if people ignore me as long as I and my family are well taken cared. I would be very miserable if people respect my MD degree while my family suffers.
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that's the right attitude:thumbup:
 
briansle said:
To the OP:

MAKE SURE YOU WOULD ACTUALLY ENJOY PRACTICING DENTISTRY.

Waking up every morning and going to a job you love is what determines a good "lifestyle". If you're not a neat freak, control freak, and a handy-man type of guy, I wouldn't recommend this field. Medicine has more variety to find what suits your personality the best.

All you need is 2 things to be a dentist:

1) You can play nintendo Wii pretty good.
2) You don't have the interpersonal skills of a Wolverine.
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HAHAH AMEN TO THAT! sorry i'm excited i just bought a wiiii...good stuff :thumbup::D

ps i should be studying for the boards right now
 
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It's frustrating when people get upset because they feel like "lifestyle/income" are not valid reasons to choose a profession. Of course they should NOT be the only reasons, but not including them when making a decision as to what you will be doing for the rest of your life is ludicrous.

The fact is, we only get one life to live. It's a shame that we have to spend the majority of this life working, but that's the reality of the situation. The more time that you can spend with your family, your friends, or your own personal pursuits, the better. On your death bed, there is a good chance that you won't be sitting there wondering why the hell you didn't put more hours in at the office. What you WILL be thinking is that you're disappointed you missed watching your kids' baseball games, going on trips, and spending New Years with your friends/significant other. Most of us are young, and our priorities now (namely working/going to school) will not be the same priorities we have later on in life.

A co-worker of mine told me that he wants to work as little as possible and make just enough for him to get by, because his free time is vastly more important to him than any amount of time sitting at a cubicle. Although I don't want to "barely get by", I think this is an interesting perspective that often gets missed by those of us who are pursuing demanding careers. There is nothing wrong with valuing your free time.
 
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Just to get back a little bit on topic...

My dental school (McGill in Canada) is integrated with the medical school for almost 2 years. I've heard of graduate MDs enrolling in our dental school for the 3rd and 4th years, and basically earning a 2.5 year DMD.

Worth looking into.
 
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