ADA and the Real number

[NYCPROS]

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As a dental student going to practice in a major city, I wonder how true is the ADA average salary for the dentist? I think it quoted that the average salary for all general dentists is in the high 100s and the established dentist with practice is in the 200 range.

It seems like most of my classmates are expecting a lot higher than the number quoted. Is it true that ADA low balled the number and a lot of the "cash" procedure are under the table. I understand it varies a lot from location to location. Quite a few of my classmates are already getting the brand new beamers. When I talk to them, they always tell me in a couple years, they are going to hit the 300-500 mark easily when they own their practice.

 

[Cold Front]

As a dental student going to practice in a major city, I wonder how true is the ADA average salary for the dentist? I think it quoted that the average salary for all general dentists is in the high 100s and the established dentist with practice is in the 200 range.

It seems like most of my classmates are expecting a lot higher than the number quoted. Is it true that ADA low balled the number and a lot of the "cash" procedure are under the table. I understand it varies a lot from location to location. Quite a few of my classmates are already getting the brand new beamers. When I talk to them, they always tell me in a couple years, they are going to hit the 300-500 mark easily when they own their practice.

ADA salary surveys are based on a very small percentage of the almost 200,000 practicing dentists in the country. It's hard to say the ADA numbers are actual or not, since the reporting dentists can put down any number they want. ADA is only reporting the information those dentists provide to them.

Another issue is, their surveys take a very long time to publish. The most recent one was the "2007 Income from the Private Practice of Dentistry", which reported average GP owner making about $200k. The current economic situation is very much different than the one back in 2007, so those reports are not reflecting today's or future trends. Most dentists I talked to say their numbers are much lower than their pre-2008 figures.

No one who is currently in school should expect to easily open a private practice couple of years out, or dream to making close to $300-500k that soon. I have only heard 1 doctor on dentaltown accomplish this goal, but he worked very hard, lucky and uber creative.

 

[HupHolland]

Your classmates purchasing BMW's are ******ed. Yes, the earning potential for dentists is high, but to assume that you're going to make much more than $100k out of the gates and $300-500k w/in a couple years is unlikely. A small percentage will, but most won't. By judging how they are spending their money now [on BMW's], chances are they aren't the business savvy bunch that will pull in the higher numbers later.

On another note, dental economic surveys put the average surveys of dentists working in small city/rural areas higher than those practicing in major cities. Something to consider.

Hup

 

[kevin512]

Your classmates purchasing BMW's are ******ed.

amen. buying a bmw on loan money is going to create a world of hurt for them in the future and create an industry of fickle, sub-par dentistry.