Any advice?

[Zuras]

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I've been mainly considering medical school. I already have essentially everything in place that will allow me to be accepted at either of my two state schools; however, I've been having second thoughts. Dentistry seems to surpass medicine, on many levels, in regards my "wants."

I want a career that makes lots of money, but not directly due to greed. I came from a dirt poor family(of 7), and I'm hoping to provide enough support to help them out while still making an acceptable amount of money to live/retire on.

I want a career that allows me to have continued contact with those I treat/care for. In medicine, this is mostly the family practitioners/GPs/etc., those that make the least in medicine. I'd be happy with the "low" pay, really, but only if I was just having to worry about myself.

I want a career that allows me to increase or decrease my work output in accordance to my needs at the time. It seems that dentistry is much more favorable in this regard.

Those being my main wants, dentistry kind of scares me in that you "are out on your own" when you start out. It seems like it would be awesome if you had a well-off family that could finance your beginning as a dentist or even, for some of them, move into a parent's practice. For those of us not in such a favorable situation, it seems fraught with uncertainty and danger, a big neon light flashing "bankruptcy--beware."

 

[Lostinbul]

No one on SDN is going to be able to tell you what type of profession is best for you! I suggest spending some time "soul searching" and figure this one out for yourself.

P.S. Money is really not the "cure all".
P.P.S. If what you really want is money, you should consider business!

 

[syn_apse]

Have you actually spent time shadowing a dentist? You seem a little obsessed with money! If you follow dollar signs instead of your passion, you are not going to be happy in life. Cliched but true!

 

[onetoothleft]

I think it is great that you are considering dentistry. I bet most of us were in your shoes at one time. I was a pre-med until i started actually researching and shadowing and found that dentistry was better suited for me as well.

Those being my main wants, dentistry kind of scares me in that you "are out on your own" when you start out. It seems like it would be awesome if you had a well-off family that could finance your beginning as a dentist or even, for some of them, move into a parent's practice. For those of us not in such a favorable situation, it seems fraught with uncertainty and danger, a big neon light flashing "bankruptcy--beware."

When you start out, you are not entirely on your own. Most dentists who don't have a lot of family money or good connections associate with another dentist. This is ideal for the rest of us in several ways. First, it helps you to gain more confidence and practice with your clinical skills. Second, it allows you to see how a more seasoned dentist runs an office (all the stuff you dont learn in school). Third, it helps you gain additional contacts among other dentists and maybe even your own patient pool--if your boss is cool with that. And fourth, it helps you save some money to either buy out another dentist's practice or start one on your own (not to mention start paying those student loans).

Dentistry is very different than medicine. I suggest calling your dentist and asking if you can shadow him. Ask him about his practice and what it is like to be a dentist. That for me made the biggest difference in gaining confidence with my decision to go to dental school and I think it would be well worth the time.

 

[jav316]

If you are in the position to do it, dentistry is a wonderful career (and a very safe and secure career choice). You will do very well financially and you will have continued contact with your patients if you go into GP. If you are able to attend a state school, your loans will probably be sufficiently less. Starting your own practice is a little risky, but you can will probably work with an established dentist for a few years before you are able to establish yoursef. Good luck