Age 42 too old for a dental school?

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treerain said:
😕 Sorry to bother you All! I'm having a tough decision to make for the rest of my life. You all had overcome so much and have achieved so much... I am seriously listening to your opinions with all my heart and ears open.
I'm 40, mom of two 3 year toddlers, renting apt. 1st year DH graduate student. Dental assisting and dental hygiene background. I enjoy complicated surgical procedures and advanced dental knowledge.My only DAT score( pre-preparation): 14/16 (PA/AA). GPA:3.27. will need 2 physics courses. Even with everything ready,I will be 42 when applying a dental school. Age 47 will be my earliest time to start practice. I have tried very hard to suppress my thought of pursuing DDS degree when I feel a realistic and a wise decision are equally important for a long run. I am eagerly want to listen your honest and candid opinions...😕. I can't find any place to turn to and trust more when I am seeking an answer in your expertise which I have been longing for. Thanks millions!!!
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I hope you are not a troll...

This is a bad idea. You can make good money in dental hygiene, you should stick to that. I don't see how you can realistically pay off the debt from dental school and still support yourself and two children at that age. You will be in your 60's or 70's by the time the debt is paid off.

This will leave you NO time to save for retirement or enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Who knows what will happen by then? You can get sick or be unable to work for a variety of reasons.
 
My dad is a dentist. I say go for it. But don't do it cause you enjoy complicated surgical procedures unless you really want to. Think about WHAT EVER it is you realistically see yourself doing (this day (if it is in the am)) and decide what the biggest concerns are then put a weight (say monetary weight) on them. Then do the math. Let that guide you. Life sucks when your hands are tied, be it due to lack of money or lack of time (the lack time can eventually rear its ugly head after you got the money)

For example an MD route for me (i'm 36) as compared to a Pharm D. route would monetarily catch up to the lesser paying (Pharm) route after about 8 or 9 years) (I'll be 45). HOWEVER the pharm route will result in a healthy salary starting in about 4 years affording plenty of time and money.

Whats important to me, since I hope to be a entrepreneur type and could use the pharm income to invest in my business(es) (perhaps in pharmacy or health related fields), is medium level (110k) income sooner. Also what is important to me is that I have more time to spend on what I like, which is with my dog, maybe a fam. someday, parents.. So the excess cash and perhaps shorter start to the pharm pay seems to make excellent sense based on my interest, academic position, and place in life.

I would say that if I do get into to MD/DO school I'd go. If I can get the navy to pay for it, I'd be racing to go. If I get into pharm school and not do school I'll do that. If I get into both, then I'll take a tour of the schools, ask some questions, look closely at the syllabus and reevaluate.. So I would say (in our age range) getting in is likely to play a part in our decision to go. (I.e. we wouldn't want to loiter around expecting for rain, in the desert would we?)

Does this help...?

Thanks
 
Cherry29 said:
My dad is a dentist. I say go for it. But don't do it cause you enjoy complicated surgical procedures unless you really want to. Think about WHAT EVER it is you realistically see yourself doing (this day (if it is in the am)) and decide what the biggest concerns are then put a weight (say monetary weight) on them. Then do the math. Let that guide you. Life sucks when your hands are tied, be it due to lack of money or lack of time (the lack time can eventually rear its ugly head after you got the money)

For example an MD route for me (i'm 36) as compared to a Pharm D. route would monetarily catch up to the lesser paying (Pharm) route after about 8 or 9 years) (I'll be 45). HOWEVER the pharm route will result in a healthy salary starting in about 4 years affording plenty of time and money.

Whats important to me, since I hope to be a entrepreneur type and could use the pharm income to invest in my business(es) (perhaps in pharmacy or health related fields), is medium level (110k) income sooner. Also what is important to me is that I have more time to spend on what I like, which is with my dog, maybe a fam. someday, parents.. So the excess cash and perhaps shorter start to the pharm pay seems to make excellent sense based on my interest, academic position, and place in life.

I would say that if I do get into to MD/DO school I'd go. If I can get the navy to pay for it, I'd be racing to go. If I get into pharm school and not do school I'll do that. If I get into both, then I'll take a tour of the schools, ask some questions, look closely at the syllabus and reevaluate.. So I would say (in our age range) getting in is likely to play a part in our decision to go. (I.e. we wouldn't want to loiter around expecting for rain, in the desert would we?)

Does this help...?

Thanks
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i'm sorry but that's horrible advice
just because you really want it doesn't mean that it's a good idea.

the OP's situation would make it extremely difficult for her to manage (age, kids, tuition and etc)

of course, it's possible but 3 yr old kids don't grow up on their own
 
When you consider the 4-5 years of lost DH income combined with $250-350K+ in debt, I just can't see the numbers working out in your favor.
 
I will be 41 before I start dental school. I can't see myself doing anything else, so I'm going for it. I am married with a supportive husband, but he works long hours and often arrives home very late. I would say that the biggest factor for you is family support. Are you married? Do you have family in the same town as your dream dental school? The only way I'm going to be able to pull off dental school is with the help of my mother-in-law. She lives 8 hours away and has agreed to move in with us when I start dental school. (I have the best mother-in-law). Managing undergrad is hard enough with two small children if you are the primary caregiver. I'm certain dental school will be much more intense and fast paced. There is no way I could pull off dental school without the help of my family. If you have family support to help with your children, go for it!
 
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Is 46 too late to start make 120,000 a year?
 
Go for it. No one here have been in your shoes, and but I would only pursue this dream if it was financially sound for you to get out and not live like a student to pay off debts and face other financial challenges (no $ for retirement, etc).

Just to give you an idea. There was a guy in his mid to late 40's that I went to school with 4-5 years ago, he is now in his late 40's to early 50's. He is now in general practice residency with his 3 kids, 1 is in middle school. Everyone in my class more or less wondered why he did it. It is never too late to do what you want, as long as you understand the small or big price you have to pay.
 
Ostracized said:
When you consider the 4-5 years of lost DH income combined with $250-350K+ in debt, I just can't see the numbers working out in your favor.
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Your debt numbers seem high to me. Unless the OP is bringing a significant debt load into the mix, she should be able to get through many dental programs for less than $250k.

In the end, life isn't a number crunching game. Be smart, but don't live through a P&L statement.
 
8 SNAKE said:
Your debt numbers seem high to me. Unless the OP is bringing a significant debt load into the mix, she should be able to get through many dental programs for less than $250k.

In the end, life isn't a number crunching game. Be smart, but don't live through a P&L statement.
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One of the things most people forget with tuition&fee is the hefty interest rates! Even if the amount is $180k, it will be far more than that after 6.8% to 8.0% rate.

Life is indeed a number crunching game when there are two other lives in your life who are more important than you.

The opportunity cost for OP is too high after factoring in lost income and dental school debt at the current interest rates. If she is the sole provider for her family and will be using student loans to provide for her family then the numbers are stacked when higher against her.
 
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It all depends how far in debt it's going to take you. It'll be 20 years before I break even from what I would have made if I stayed a RDH.

If you decide to go for it you HAVE to raise your DAT score.
 
Go for it. Its never too late or a bad idea to increase both your income and your knowledge. 20 yo kiddies have no perspective. Ok and lets say you NEVER payback your student loan debt cause you only make minimum payments, so what? But more than likely you will have no problem paying it back!
 
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It seems that financially this isn't the best decision. However, if you want to do it then apply and see if you can get in and if you are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to graduate. You'll be paying for your kids' college in your mid 50's, and at that point you will probably still be paying off your own student loans. Your decision involves more than just $$.
 
allover said:
Go for it. Its never too late or a bad idea to increase both your income and your knowledge. 20 yo kiddies have no perspective. Ok and lets say you NEVER payback your student loan debt cause you only make minimum payments, so what? But more than likely you will have no problem paying it back!
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lol so what? you're only screwed for the rest of your remaining life
 
treerain said:
Before posting, I searched almost all posts on the similar topic, but still unable to figure out an fitted answer. I want to thank EACH of you who replied to me. Thanks for taking time to read, to think and to type.... I was uncontrolled tearful when reading your posts... I read each post word by word, line by line... If you know how much I want to be a surgeon, how appreciated I am when seeing your reply, how much I have sacrificed for my twin babies and my husband's career and postponed my dream again and again.. till today almost facing completely have to give up it. There are also a few personal stories behind why I want to be a good doctor. If I am not able to do it in this life, I will try early in my life if there is one. It feels great to be able to help yourself, your family members, and other people, it's great to be able to do something you really like and with it can also make a good living and support your children and family. However, dream is not equal to reality which every one has to face. I am married and we don't have $$ for a house, but my husband has a steady work income, although not that much. I myself full time took care of my twins since they were born until two years old ( my husband sometimes helped as well), that's why I was able to take 2 organic chemistry courses when my babies are both 14 months and 19 month old. first course I got A ( top 1 in class), and B( not that well within one summer session). Private dental schools are way too pricey to be in my mind. I love my babies more than anything in this world besides my dad. My love of density is only tiny little less. The main reason I desperately seek your different opinion is that I feel my strong will or desire have more or less blocked my logic, realistic thinking. And I refuse to be a fool no matter how much I want it.
Your opinions make me look at my case again and again from different views. I gratefully appreciate your wisdom, insights, encouragement, your pin-point, your stories, and your care for my children's life and rest of mine,your understanding and... most importantly first your kindness to reply. I really want to give each of you a hug! Your candid and honest opinions are extremely important and valuable to help me direct my life. It truly is! I am not a troll by the way, thanks for your helpful cautious inquiring.
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I wouldn't listen to people who say that $250,000 is going to be your debt load. If your husband could support you while you stayed home for two years he can support you in dental school as well. A significant portion of the $250,000 is cost of living expenses. At UW the projected overall cost is $214,000 (for residents) but tuition and books only make up $133,000 of that.

Also, a plus of being a dental hygienist is that when school is out for the summer you can work and make thousands of dollars that other pre-dents can't. So take the advice of unmarried 20-somethings with a grain of salt, your situation is completely different.

p.s. I hate being a critic, but you're going to need to work on your grammar.
 
SeattleRDH said:
I wouldn't listen to people who say that $250,000 is going to be your debt load. If your husband could support you while you stayed home for two years he can support you in dental school as well. A significant portion of the $250,000 is cost of living expenses. At UW the projected overall cost is $214,000 (for residents) but tuition and books only make up $133,000 of that.

Also, a plus of being a dental hygienist is that when school is out for the summer you can work and make thousands of dollars that other pre-dents can't. So take the advice of unmarried 20-somethings with a grain of salt, your situation is completely different.

p.s. I hate being a critic, but you're going to need to work on your grammar.
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Depends on which school you go to. some don't get summers.
 
Even for someone financially well off, starting dental school in your mid 40's will be tough. Factor in not only the finances, but the lack of time you will spend with your children during some important years. Although I think that extended family is nice to have, nothing will replace mom at a pumpkin carving, story telling, or school play. You will be doing wax ups, studying for exams, and wondering how you will get up the next day. And if you do not get into that one state school which will be affordable, then what? Those twenty somethings have a lot more energy than we do, and you will be competing with them in class for grades. Not just one organic class in a semester, but 22 killer credits a semester of post grad level work, which makes organic seem like a walk in the park. And dental school is not always a nice place, just read these boards and you will see.
And how does your husband feel about all of this? Does he know what he is really signing up for? I saw more than a few marriages break up in D-school because the student could not balance family and school work. A lot to think about.
 
setdoc7 said:
Even for someone financially well off, starting dental school in your mid 40's will be tough. Factor in not only the finances, but the lack of time you will spend with your children during some important years. Although I think that extended family is nice to have, nothing will replace mom at a pumpkin carving, story telling, or school play. You will be doing wax ups, studying for exams, and wondering how you will get up the next day. And if you do not get into that one state school which will be affordable, then what? Those twenty somethings have a lot more energy than we do, and you will be competing with them in class for grades. Not just one organic class in a semester, but 22 killer credits a semester of post grad level work, which makes organic seem like a walk in the park. And dental school is not always a nice place, just read these boards and you will see.
And how does your husband feel about all of this? Does he know what he is really signing up for? I saw more than a few marriages break up in D-school because the student could not balance family and school work. A lot to think about.
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B.S.!!!!!!!

That's like saying a woman can't have a career and kids at the same time. Besides, someone who has had a long career of dental assisting and hygiene won't struggle nearly as much as a young pre-dent when it comes to clinical.
 
:luck: That's very true: In my age and this situation, it's a multi-factor involved decision making process. Many input or sacrofices can not be purely measured financially. Plus, many abilities of a person can not be achieved overnight but instead through months or years of training and preparation. With all your different opinions and my husband's, I'm finally able to see the whole thing through with no more depression, sadness or any regrets. Thank you all! I want to wish each of you a successful career, beautiful life and, most importantly, happiness and a feeling of freedom. :luck:
 
Blue Panther said:
One of the things most people forget with tuition&fee is the hefty interest rates! Even if the amount is $180k, it will be far more than that after 6.8% to 8.0% rate.

Life is indeed a number crunching game when there are two other lives in your life who are more important than you.

The opportunity cost for OP is too high after factoring in lost income and dental school debt at the current interest rates. If she is the sole provider for her family and will be using student loans to provide for her family then the numbers are stacked when higher against her.
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I'm well aware of interest rates, but that wasn't part of the post that I quoted. I assume that anyone intelligent enough to get into dental school and take out a student loan will understand that interest applies to the note, so I didn't mention it.

Clearly, you missed my point. Taking care of your family is an obvious priority. Again, I assume that the OP is responsible enough to factor that into her decision making process. Once that is taken care of, she should make the best decision for herself and her family. Income plays a factor, but only part. As I said, life isn't a number crunching game.

Why do you pretend to know whether the opportunity cost is too high for someone you don't even know, let alone a situation that you don't understand?
 
dl9006 said:
lol so what? you're only screwed for the rest of your remaining life
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How do you figure? Lets assume that the OP manages to graduate and start her career at the age of 47. She could very easily work 20-25 years at that point and do quite well for herself while paying off those student loans. Am I missing something, or were you just trying to be cute?
 
SeattleRDH said:
B.S.!!!!!!!

That's like saying a woman can't have a career and kids at the same time. Besides, someone who has had a long career of dental assisting and hygiene won't struggle nearly as much as a young pre-dent when it comes to clinical.
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You have to get past all of the preclinical didactics, and basic science my friend, something they do not teach in RD school. And although an RD has seen patients and may have communication and perio skills, they have no experience with a hi speed going 300,000 rpm or a a knife when doing surgery. There are a lot of skills that they will need to learn. I have had a few residents over the years who were RD's first. They knew a lot about taliking to the patients. Their skills were not any better than my twenty something grads who had gone straight through college and dental school.
 
SeattleRDH said:
B.S.!!!!!!!

That's like saying a woman can't have a career and kids at the same time. Besides, someone who has had a long career of dental assisting and hygiene won't struggle nearly as much as a young pre-dent when it comes to clinical.
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Nobody ever said a woman can't have a career and kids at the same time. It will make it harder, albeit. This could be a 42 year-old man that we are talking about and it would still make it a hard decision for him. (little league games, time w/ kids, etc)
 
setdoc7 said:
You have to get past all of the preclinical didactics, and basic science my friend, something they do not teach in RD school. And although an RD has seen patients and may have communication and perio skills, they have no experience with a hi speed going 300,000 rpm or a a knife when doing surgery. There are a lot of skills that they will need to learn. I have had a few residents over the years who were RD's first. They knew a lot about taliking to the patients. Their skills were not any better than my twenty something grads who had gone straight through college and dental school.
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I suppose it depends in which state the hygienist was trained. Here in Washington, we are licensed in anesthetic AND restorative. I have already completed hundreds of amalgams and composites on patients so I know how to use a highspeed just fine.

In New York, restorative is not allowed and anesthesia is a separate certification which a hygienist may or may not choose to get. In Washington, one cannot be licensed as a hygienist without passing the anesthesia and restorative boards.
 
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