advice for someone starting from scratch?

[zellantus]

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hi there everyone,

i've been having kind of a quarter-life crisis...i was in grad school studying animation but i'm currently on a sabbatical leave of absence cause i haven't been happy with what i'm studying even though i thought this was what i wanted to do. after spending a lot of time soul-searching and looking into every possible kind of career, i've landed on dentistry as something i'd like to try out. but since i'm an artist, i don't have ANY experience/education in medicine and science, i was wondering if anyone could suggest some things for someone beginning from scratch? i'm going to attend some pre-dent req courses (basic chem, physics, calculus)...and perhaps try to volunteer somewhere. it's just difficult for me to get any position because i have such a lack of experience in science and medicine.

i'm also curious about what got each of you guys into dentistry?? why not medical school, pharmacy school, etc...? my personal interest in dentistry is the aesthetics of having nice and healthy teeth, as well as being able to open up and run your own business...helping people out the way you want to. (as opposed to working for a hospital).

 

[i cant tell you]

hi there everyone,

i've been having kind of a quarter-life crisis...i was in grad school studying animation but i'm currently on a sabbatical leave of absence cause i haven't been happy with what i'm studying even though i thought this was what i wanted to do. after spending a lot of time soul-searching and looking into every possible kind of career, i've landed on dentistry as something i'd like to try out. but since i'm an artist, i don't have ANY experience/education in medicine and science, i was wondering if anyone could suggest some things for someone beginning from scratch? i'm going to attend some pre-dent req courses (basic chem, physics, calculus)...and perhaps try to volunteer somewhere. it's just difficult for me to get any position because i have such a lack of experience in science and medicine.

i'm also curious about what got each of you guys into dentistry?? why not medical school, pharmacy school, etc...? my personal interest in dentistry is the aesthetics of having nice and healthy teeth, as well as being able to open up and run your own business...helping people out the way you want to. (as opposed to working for a hospital).

Hi,
Well im not in dental school yet, but ive been on this board for over a year now (even though i dont post much), and from what ive read through my experience on this forum is:

1) Shadow a dentist, and see if you like it.
2) If you like dentistry, start doing the prereqs required to get into dental school.
3) After doing your prereq classes, take upper level bio courses: Anatomy and Physiology, Cell biology, Microbiology, Histology, etc. Anything bio course that ends in "logy". These courses not only will help you when you take similar courses in dental school, but it will also help make your application look better. I once read a post where a person said that he/she had done all the prereqs for dentistry with good gpa, good DAT scores, and he/she was rejected due to the fact he/she did not have a very good background in biology (aka: he/she didnt take many upper level bio courses).
4) You will have to take the DAT exams once your done your prereqs (most people do it one year before they are applying for dental school).

I know that it seems like a long road ahead, but if all these people on this forum can do it, if thousands of students entering dental school all over the world can do it, than why cant you? Dont be afraid that you havent taken sciences courses, because you will be starting from the beginning. If there are a few words of wisdom i can tell you, it is : 1) Study your ass off for all your classes you take. 2) Dont think that just because you havent done something before (sciences), you cant be awesome at it now if you try. Hard work will pay off.

Ok ok, enough of me being the dental gandhi...lol

Why do i wanna go into dentistry? I like everything about it. I will be helping people. I will see instant results of my work when i treat a patient. I will have own practice, and be my own boss. I will have my own work environment, and thus, i can make my workplace a happy one. I want to help others in 3rd world countries. I want to ensure a financially secure future for my family now , and my future family once i get married. As a dentist, i wont have to be on call, i can set my own hours.

Many of the perks mentioned above a doctor cannot enjoy. I dont want to be a pharmacist because I like interacting with people in a way that will make a difference. I want some hands on work with people in need of my help, and that is such a satisfying feeling to know your helping people.

That is why I have chosen to pursue dentistry.

Hope this post wasnt too boring, and i hope it helped.

 

[sumozmom]

hi there everyone,

i've been having kind of a quarter-life crisis...i was in grad school studying animation but i'm currently on a sabbatical leave of absence cause i haven't been happy with what i'm studying even though i thought this was what i wanted to do. after spending a lot of time soul-searching and looking into every possible kind of career, i've landed on dentistry as something i'd like to try out. but since i'm an artist, i don't have ANY experience/education in medicine and science, i was wondering if anyone could suggest some things for someone beginning from scratch? i'm going to attend some pre-dent req courses (basic chem, physics, calculus)...and perhaps try to volunteer somewhere. it's just difficult for me to get any position because i have such a lack of experience in science and medicine.

i'm also curious about what got each of you guys into dentistry?? why not medical school, pharmacy school, etc...? my personal interest in dentistry is the aesthetics of having nice and healthy teeth, as well as being able to open up and run your own business...helping people out the way you want to. (as opposed to working for a hospital).

Well hello-
I have an accounting BS -so just like u i'm not the sience slooth.

I will be taking pre-recs for 2 yrs.
hope to get into ds 2008 UNLV.

my daughter had a tramatic dental incident. She ran into a glass table. The dds was a magician - and a artist at the same time.
that what compelled me
also the level of detail and perceptive ability needed in the field....thats my forte

 

[AtkinDent]

I think many outstanding dentists have had some kind of background in arts, which is crucial in bringing up good hand skills to what the patients need and demand.

 

[howui3]

I suggest looking at some of the schools you would like to attend. Even though it might seem early, you can see what are the requirements, scores, pre-reqs, and extras that you will need to be a competitive applicant.

When I was applying I contacted USC and met with someone at their admissions office, she looked over my stats and suggested things that I need to improve or do to stand out and have a better chance to get in.

Then you are going to have to go back to school. There are great bost-bacc programs for pre-dent or pre-med students where you can complete all of them in about 2 years (but you can apply after the first if you are on track to graduate the year after). Some students will chose to go back as continuing students, some going to 4 year university and others to a Community college. My only warning about CC is that some dental schools, ie Tufts, will not accept pre-recs completed at a CC. For that reason, talk to the schools you want to go to and find out their quirks.

If you are serious about going into the field, start shadowing ASAP. Find a dentist you know or like and ask for a chance to observe or help out if needed (usually they are very receptive to that, some people have turned their shadowing into dental assistant jobs). This will help you reaffirm, hopefully, your interest in dentistry and it will also help for your application. Most schools require a letter of rec. from a dentist, and some need proof that you have shadowed x number of hours.

Good luck!