A little feedback on my situation?

[Psychodent]

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Gretings! I've been lurking these forums for a while and have found a ton of useful info (so thanks), but I keep having qestions nagging at the back of my mind that I really want to ask, so...

First, let me tell you a bit about myself. My undergraduate major is/was psychology. Originally, I had planned on becoming the generic therapist. At the tail-end of my senior year, I decided that this line of work--as well as most else psychology careers have to offer--would make me miserable. So, stuck with four years of schooling in a subject I no longer wanted to use, I declared a second minor in biology and am now very strongly considering dentistry as a career.

Now for the problems.

First, and I admit that this is a strong driving factor in my decision, I'm very poor. My entire family income is less than 30,000. This is due in part to my mom being disabled and my dad being a worthless deadbeat, and in part to my being unable to qualify for anything but hellish minimum wage jobs (if that). I managed to pull through four years with only* fifteen thousand dolars in debt, most of it credit card. If I were to go to dental school, affording it would be a nightmare--even if I were to qualify for loans (which, given my and my family's history, is highly unlikely). How could I go about this, assuming NHSC doesn't like me and I'm too much of a wuss to join the Navy? Just applying to school could set me back a few meals.

Second, I'm not very good at the "hard" sciences. I have an overall GPA of 3.62; I don't know my science GPA, but I took one level of biology and scraped by with a B, and took math with A's all the way up to statistics, wherein I got a C (I really, really hated statistics). Next semester will be my first time taking chemistry, precalculus, and Bio II, and then once I get all that + physics out of the way, I'll be tackling the hard stuff. Am I in over my head here? I see people post about organic chemistry like it's intro to philosophy and here I can't even remember the letters on the Periodic table.

I just want a stable career wherein I know I will never have to worry about paying the bills and, yes, can maybe be happy doing. And with minimal customer service. >_> I originally looked into dental hygiene, but, well, the government doesn't take kindly to people with an Associate's degree going back for another Associate's degree. I feel like I could hande dental school, but I'm so afraid of another last-minute roadblock that I can't move from here. I have absolutely zero shadowing/volunteer experience as far as dentistry is concerned, so I know I'll have some work to do there (it'll take a couple of years to do prereqs anyway).

I guess I just need some encouragement, or a reality check--one or the other.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ktbb]

Dentistry is no doubt a good, stable and financially sound career. However, it is not something to pursue because solely on this basis and because you'll 'maybe' be happy doing it. You'll definitely need to shadow and get some background experience because you don't want to dive into this only to find out you hate it.

The career also has a *heavy* customer service aspect. You're interacting with patients and people-pleasing all day, making sure patients are comfortable, calm and happy.. Both in and out of the chair. So that is definitely something to talk into account as well.

 

[MasterDental]

I think the reasons for going into dentistry are valid, but not enough. Also in Dentistry you should expect to provide great costumer service if you want to be successful. Minimal costumer service shouldn't be in your vocabulary in any medical related field imo. You should be ok school wise. It will just be a lot of work. You should also shadow to see if you really like it. You might not like seeing dirty teeth and mouths after all. I like it and I enjoy seeing bad teeth lol. So it's a win win for me lol

 

[FancyFloss]

"You get more patients with your mouth than with your hands." In other words this field of medicine is mainly customer/patient service and you have to attune to what the patient wants and make them feel as if they are in good hands by talking with them in and out of an office setting. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a dentist just because of the job security and financial benefit, but don't dive head first into something just because you maybe might like it. You wanted to enter a career that ended up making you miserable at the thought of doing it so saying that you would maybe enjoy dentistry could be just as bad. Go find a dentist to shadow and see if you enjoy watching them operate and take notes on the doctor-patient relationship. If that is something you can see yourself doing than get on the road to dental school. If you don't like it at least you didn't waste time and money.

As for your financial situation, look into government assistance programs and see how the universities assist students that have a low financial income. Once you graduate dental school those loans can get paid off in a matter of years with ease.

 

[Sonya0810]

Shadow a dentist a look if u like it. If u do, there are plenty of dental offices who can train u to work as dental assistant. Just ask every office in your neighborhood. That way u can work part time towards a carrier, have some money and study. For chemistry if you use Chad( coursaver.com) you can make all A's. if u discover u like dentistry it is very doable!!!

 

[BabyShades]

I think you should do dentistry, and hope for the best. This should tell you more why dentistry.

 

[simplytiff16]

you have to be pretty damn certain you want to pursue dentistry before you even think about applying to dental school. why? its expensive even before you get in. to take the DATs, its about $400... not to mention study materials you are going to need to purchase. aadsas applications are going to cost you 15oo-2000 if you apply 15-20 schools. now, if dentistry is truly what you want... these are very, very, small investments and you are likely to make your money back and pay off your student loans within 10 years after you graduate dental school. however, if its not what you want and you start this process and realize its not for you..... = big bucks down the drain.
best advice? start doing some volunteer/shadowing work.

 

[yeslek88]

Shadowing is key. Perhaps the most important aspect of this is that most dentists I have followed have no qualms sharing all the positive/negative aspects of the career. Talk to the office staff and assistants, they will tell you about things you probably have not yet considered. It is also important to talk to more than one dentist. After hearing all their stories judge whether or not you think it will be worth it.

 

[Hawks15]

n

 

[DDS student]

I really feel for you. I too came from a difficult background and now applying to dental school. It was not an easy road to take, I had to overcome many obstacles, but I would do it all over again. I've done a lot of research into dentistry and found that I enjoy it. I recommend shadowing. Imagine yourself as the dentist. There are better options if your goal is to become financially stable and not work with customers. Dentistry takes a long time to become financially stable. You have the cost of undergrad, dental school, and your practice (if you decided to own one). I wish you the best in your decision.