Advice.

[Carolinaboy]

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I'm a freshman in College. I was #2 in my class in High school, and now I'm a Chem major, biology minor. I'm really interested in Denistry. I shadowed my dentist(whos a GP), and I also shadowed my sister's orthodontist and liked what i saw. However, I also shadowed my eye doctor and also "liked what i saw". However, denistry(specifially Orthodontics) intrigued me cause of there seems to be a need for a knowledge of math, and physics. However, I worry aboout four things:

1.) The lifestyle, I'm willing to sacrifice signifigant amount of time, but I would really enjoy to see my kids(when i have them) academic, and athletic events. Is this possible as a dentist?

2.) Is there a signifigant amount of math used in Orthodontics?

3.) How close to the top of your class would you need to be to get into a good dental school?

4.) Does it stay interesting? for instance, when i shadowed the eye doctor, he gave a lot of routine exams, that were the same for every patient. However, while shadowing my dentist, i saw that some many cases were different. Does it stay this way? or after 5 years does it get boring?

Thanks in advance, and please forgive any ignorant questions on my part.

 

[DrEagleMike]

I'm a freshman in College. I was #2 in my class in High school, and now I'm a Chem major, biology minor. I'm really interested in Denistry. I shadowed my dentist(whos a GP), and I also shadowed my sister's orthodontist and liked what i saw. However, I also shadowed my eye doctor and also "liked what i saw". However, denistry(specifially Orthodontics) intrigued me cause of there seems to be a need for a knowledge of math, and physics. However, I worry aboout four things:

1.) The lifestyle, I'm willing to sacrifice signifigant amount of time, but I would really enjoy to see my kids(when i have them) academic, and athletic events. Is this possible as a dentist?

2.) Is there a signifigant amount of math used in Orthodontics?

3.) How close to the top of your class would you need to be to get into a good dental school?

4.) Does it stay interesting? for instance, when i shadowed the eye doctor, he gave a lot of routine exams, that were the same for every patient. However, while shadowing my dentist, i saw that some many cases were different. Does it stay this way? or after 5 years does it get boring?

Thanks in advance, and please forgive any ignorant questions on my part.

1) Definately in dentistry you will have the time to have a balanced life. In fact, that is one of the main reasons to why I've chosen the profession. I am married with a one-year-old son. I'll be starting DS this fall. The great thing about dentistry is that you're your own boss. This means you can adjust your schedule to fit around upcoming events.

2) I'm not to sure. I know my orthodontists, and the one I shadowed, never pulled out a calculator. Although, my orthodontist told me he didn't do well in physics at first in college but later in dental school he did better, which helped him in ortho. math is used in physics but only to the extent to actually solve homework and test problems. I think for dentistry you just need to understand the principles. So if you're a hard core math guy, then your best chance to use it is in a math major and profession. Really, I don't think any math is used day-to-day by a dentist. I loved math in HS and first year of college. Really though, I don't care that it's not used in dentistry.

3) Dental schools don't look at your ranking in college. You do need to have a solid gpa and DAT score. At least a 3.5 gpa (both cum. and sci.), and a 19 DAT should get you looked at. You'll need good extra curricular activities to separate you from the others. Start volunteer work, activities to demonstrate leadership, observing dentist (100 + hours is solid). But you can't go wrong with a high gpa and DAT score.

4) It can get routine. But really, every case is a little different. And I think in any job it can get routine. That's why you have to see if you like it. When you shadow, try to get a feel for what it would be like. A 100+ hours will give you a good hint. And if you specialize, such as in ortho, then you'll be bending wires a lot. But, each case will be somewhat different. I believe you can make it not so routine if you broaden the activities of your practice. I know of a dentist who does ortho on tuesdays and thursdays. on the other days of the week he's a general dentist, but does everything from fillings to wisdom teeth extractions and implants.

Good luck. I hope that helps.

 

[Carolinaboy]

🙂 Wow! thats super helpful! thanks a lot.

I'm really not.., what you'd call a math guy. I'm much more of a science guy, and like you said, I tend to enjoy using math to help "problem solve" sort of like it is used in physics as opposed to doing algebra 😛

I know most people talk about life-style, and that if you like something, well it shouldnt matter. I'm glad you agree with me, that if imdoing something I like 70 hours a week.., I'm still doing something 70 hours a week. I need time for my family. I'm not married, and don't have a kid. But, I plan to, and i want to have kids. So, when picking a career, its important for me to plan to have time for them. I grew up with my dad coaching all my teams, and I'm willling to sacrifice that, if i just get to watch most of them. That's one of the main things that turned me off from medical school.

Thanks 🙂 Anymore comments, or answers to the original questions are welcome 🙂