Ask Fancy Anything(within reason)...

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dentistreason said:
Hi Fancy thanks for doing this!
1) If you don't have a parent to practice with (or any established practice for that matter), would you recommend specializing instead of going general from a financial or stability point of view?
2) What do you think the future of dentistry will look like in 5-10 yrs? One dentist told me that if Sanders won and implemented everything he wanted to, some dentists would have a net loss on certain procedures. Maybe midlevel providers may rise as well? Specializing seems to be a safer option especially with increasing prevalence of corporate dentistry. Can you talk about that a bit?
3) I have pretty good stats (4.0, 25+) but am worried about how I will perform in dental school. Sometimes I don't feel competent (classes may be easy, haven't been challenged or something). How would you recommend preparing for dental school in the future or at least shaking off this anxiety? Any helpful habits to pick up or to use in dental school?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Bernie won't win.
 
@fancymylotus , question for you on the small business/non-clinical side of things.

How do you receive health insurance? Does your parent buy it as a group plan for you and all the employees? Are you on an individual ACA plan? Do you get it from the state dental association?

Also, I've seen several owner dentists complain that now that the Affordable Care Act has gone into effect, health insurance premiums are becoming ridiculously expensive, several plans are being cancelled, etc.

For example, one dentist and his wife pay $2,400/month just for premiums, and then have a huge deductible/out of pocket limit on top of that. AND that premium keeps going up every year.

See the links below for what I'm talking about (assuming you have a dentaltown account):

Expensive health insurance costs, according to dentists #1
Expensive health insurance costs, according to dentists- a different thread

My question to you is- how are you navigating this climbing business expense?
 
Incis0r said:
@fancymylotus , question for you on the small business/non-clinical side of things.

How do you receive health insurance? Does your parent buy it as a group plan for you and all the employees? Are you on an individual ACA plan? Do you get it from the state dental association?

Also, I've seen several owner dentists complain that now that the Affordable Care Act has gone into effect, health insurance premiums are becoming ridiculously expensive, several plans are being cancelled, etc.

For example, one dentist and his wife pay $2,400/month just for premiums, and then have a huge deductible/out of pocket limit on top of that. AND that premium keeps going up every year.

See the links below for what I'm talking about (assuming you have a dentaltown account):

Expensive health insurance costs, according to dentists #1
Expensive health insurance costs, according to dentists- a different thread

My question to you is- how are you navigating this climbing business expense?
Click to expand...


I have off exchange insurance through one of the businesses. It is insanely expensive. The deductible is insanely high. The cost of my insurances are paid by the business but withheld from my salary. It's only fair, I don't expect a handout from my boss 🙂


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fancymylotus said:
I have off exchange insurance through one of the businesses. It is insanely expensive. The deductible is insanely high. The cost of my insurances are paid by the business but withheld from my salary. It's only fair, I don't expect a handout from my boss 🙂


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Click to expand...

Are you satisfied with your health coverage? You mentioned that the deductible is insanely high- is it safe to say that, in your plan, there is 0% coinsurance and no more co-pays after meeting the deductible?
 
Incis0r said:
Are you satisfied with your health coverage? You mentioned that the deductible is insanely high- is it safe to say that, in your plan, there is 0% coinsurance and no more co-pays after meeting the deductible?
Click to expand...


Yes I'm satisfied. And yes. You get what you pay for, I guess.

Although I would love some on exchange zero premium free government insurance. All the fun perks of being a functioning part of the adult (professional) society


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Military folks complain about the medical care they receive.
I only wish those who complain would read this and understand how freaking good we have it.
I pay NOTHING for medical care for my entire family, and our dental plan is ~$30 a month for my wife and kids.
This includes prescriptions as well. I'm talking OTC stuff too; motrin, mucinex, zyrtec, immodium....

But then again I wouldn't mind Fancy's fancy salary 🙂
 
schmoob said:
Military folks complain about the medical care they receive.
I only wish those who complain would read this and understand how freaking good we have it.
I pay NOTHING for medical care for my entire family, and our dental plan is ~$30 a month for my wife and kids.
This includes prescriptions as well. I'm talking OTC stuff too; motrin, mucinex, zyrtec, immodium....

But then again I wouldn't mind Fancy's fancy salary 🙂
Click to expand...



1600/month for my fiancé and I.

I have a special brand of hate for people who think that they deserve help and handouts while contributing less than zero to society while coasting their way through life. Obviously not referring to you, just ranting in general 🙂


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fancymylotus said:
1600/month for my fiancé and I.
Click to expand...

That is just premiums right?
On top of that, you need to contribute until your deductible is paid off, before the 0% co-insurance/co-pay kicks in, correct?

Oh well, at least you get a HSA for some added tax shelter (please tell me you do get this...)
 
Incis0r said:
That is just premiums right?
On top of that, you need to contribute until your deductible is paid off, before the 0% co-insurance/co-pay kicks in, correct?

Oh well, at least you get a HSA for some added tax shelter (please tell me you do get this...)
Click to expand...


Yes and yes

I need as much of a freaking shelter as I can get. Now if only shoes and bags were somehow able to be tax writeoffs...


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Rant received and agreed. There are those in the military who are nothing but a burden. It's a big organization and unfortunately we are not all saints.

But I especially can't stand the women who join the military, get pregnant RIGHT before a deployment, continue to have kids with 12 weeks of paid maternity each time and then spend the rest of their 4 years in a comfy air conditioned cake-duty. Then they get out and get all of the benefits like their GI Bill, and zero-down VA mortgages.

Disclaimer: I am not a chauvinist by any means, I am simply referring to THAT specific situation. Believe it or not, it happens more than you think. Most of the women I work with are tough, intelligent, and hard working. Oddly enough, those are the women WHO REALLY can't stand those who abuse the system because it gives them a bad name. I don't blame them.
 
schmoob said:
Rant received and agreed. There are those in the military who are nothing but a burden. It's a big organization and unfortunately we are not all saints.

But I especially can't stand the women who join the military, get pregnant RIGHT before a deployment, continue to have kids with 12 weeks of paid maternity each time and then spend the rest of their 4 years in a comfy air conditioned cake-duty. Then they get out and get all of the benefits like their GI Bill, and zero-down VA mortgages.

Disclaimer: I am not a chauvinist by any means, I am simply referring to THAT specific situation. Believe it or not, it happens more than you think. Most of the women I work with are tough, intelligent, and hard working. Oddly enough, those are the women WHO REALLY can't stand those who abuse the system because it gives them a bad name. I don't blame them.
Click to expand...


Wow, I had no idea that this was so rampant. But it makes sense..

I don't see as much of that as I see people who complain about healthcare professionals being so overpaid and making so much money with no concept of what goes into getting into and through school, and exactly how much we work vs how large our debts are vs how great our unavoidable expenses can be.

And there there are those special snowflakes that are perfectly content doing less than nothing yet freeload off of our governments stupidity...argh

I mean, I should have gotten a degree in underwater basket weaving from whatever community college would have given it to me, gone on to do nothing special, then reaped all the glorious benefits of being an American citizen. Right?

Sorry pre dents, your Fancy is a little bit of a grouch


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fancymylotus said:
Wow, I had no idea that this was so rampant. But it makes sense..

I don't see as much of that as I see people who complain about healthcare professionals being so overpaid and making so much money with no concept of what goes into getting into and through school, and exactly how much we work vs how large our debts are vs how great our unavoidable expenses can be.

And there there are those special snowflakes that are perfectly content doing less than nothing yet freeload off of our governments stupidity...argh

I mean, I should have gotten a degree in underwater basket weaving from whatever community college would have given it to me, gone on to do nothing special, then reaped all the glorious benefits of being an American citizen. Right?

Sorry pre dents, your Fancy is a little bit of a grouch


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Click to expand...

Having a rough tax season?
 
fancymylotus said:
Wow, I had no idea that this was so rampant. But it makes sense..

I don't see as much of that as I see people who complain about healthcare professionals being so overpaid and making so much money with no concept of what goes into getting into and through school, and exactly how much we work vs how large our debts are vs how great our unavoidable expenses can be.

And there there are those special snowflakes that are perfectly content doing less than nothing yet freeload off of our governments stupidity...argh

I mean, I should have gotten a degree in underwater basket weaving from whatever community college would have given it to me, gone on to do nothing special, then reaped all the glorious benefits of being an American citizen. Right?

Sorry pre dents, your Fancy is a little bit of a grouch
emoji16.png



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Click to expand...
They are just ignorant, and don't know the full story. They think that because you make so much money that you owe them something. In fact, everyone owes them something.
That's the difference between us and them. We work hard and EARN the titles, the paycheck, and the lifestyle due to sacrifice. I'll earn it one day too.
You've earned it.

Treat yourself to an Hermès bag 🙂
 
I gotta say...I love this spirit.

Remember- You are entitled, to NOTHING!

f55b58358e0659c6c9afe4ed126983eb.jpg
 
Last edited:
Which dental school did you go to? Where did you do your residency? Is it difficult to get a residency in NY or NJ?
 
Fancy I Heart YOU . . . I like your style . . . and your avatar . . ..
 
if New York City didnt exist what place would you want to live in?


would you rather pay the 70% tax rate or would you rather work for corporate dentistry at a 40% tax rate?


favorite Bollywood movie?


(I would say all of these questions are within reason 😛)
 
How'd you know what you wanted to focus on, in terms of specialty / doing gp, like did you have a clue before dental school or were you more leaning towards something after going through different rotations?
 
Last edited:
jeffk805dent said:
if New York City didnt exist what place would you want to live in?


would you rather pay the 70% tax rate or would you rather work for corporate dentistry at a 40% tax rate?


favorite Bollywood movie?


(I would say all of these questions are within reason 😛)
Click to expand...


The homeland

I'd rather pay higher taxes and stay near family

I haven't seen a Bollywood movie in forever, most of what they've been putting out in the recent years has been total crap I'll think about this one and get back to you


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is there a lot of drama in dental school? what kind of drama?
do relationships in dental school last? is there a lot of dating?
do you still keep in contact with most classmates or everyone just moves on?
 
Confused321 said:
is there a lot of drama in dental school? what kind of drama?
do relationships in dental school last? is there a lot of dating?
do you still keep in contact with most classmates or everyone just moves on?
Click to expand...


Tons of drama, worse than high school. Everyone's high on their own egos and you're all in this bubble world where somehow it's okay to act this way as 20 something year old soon to be professionals.

There were a handful of relationships that did last, but even more that didn't.

I have a handful of best friends from dental school that I keep in regular contact with- every day or every other day. But most people move on. You see them at dental meetings or events, make awkward small talk, they inevitably want to talk shop or ask about how much money you're making or some other equally crass thing, and you roll your eyes and walk away.




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Fancy,

Thank you for answering all the questions that we ALL want to know but don't know how/who to ask 🙂

I'm a D1 - shadowed and interned a ton and it's scary to think that I still don't know how much I will be making when I get out. It's a bit taboo to ask these things as you can imagine and I don't have any relatives in the field. I don't want to come off sounding like I'm in this career solely for the money (although I did choose a field that I love and that is relatively stable). I worry that with my 325k in loans will strap me down for life though and that I will have trouble paying it off...

so the point blank shoot you straight questions (the ones that are seemingly hard to find on google as well!). It seems like all I can find are established practices of those in their 40's, which is not applicable to the majority of the SDN community

for the typical NEW grad coming out of DS/residency, how much on average do they make (within a standard deviation 🙂) if they are working a 40 hour work week... how much does that change on average once they own their practice? Again all i'm asking is ballpark - obviously there are a lot of contributing variables, but based on your experiences, classmate, etc... what is the ~average

1. GP
2. Ortho
3. Pedo
4. Endo
5. OMFS
6. Prosth
7. Perio

Any insight you can provide would be great!

Also, a secondary question! How soon in your experience does a graduating dental student with no family connects able to have their own practice...

Thank you, again 🙂
 
ddsd1love said:
Fancy,

Thank you for answering all the questions that we ALL want to know but don't know how/who to ask 🙂

I'm a D1 - shadowed and interned a ton and it's scary to think that I still don't know how much I will be making when I get out. It's a bit taboo to ask these things as you can imagine and I don't have any relatives in the field. I don't want to come off sounding like I'm in this career solely for the money (although I did choose a field that I love and that is relatively stable). I worry that with my 325k in loans will strap me down for life though and that I will have trouble paying it off...

so the point blank shoot you straight questions (the ones that are seemingly hard to find on google as well!). It seems like all I can find are established practices of those in their 40's, which is not applicable to the majority of the SDN community

for the typical NEW grad coming out of DS/residency, how much on average do they make (within a standard deviation 🙂) if they are working a 40 hour work week... how much does that change on average once they own their practice? Again all i'm asking is ballpark - obviously there are a lot of contributing variables, but based on your experiences, classmate, etc... what is the ~average

1. GP
2. Ortho
3. Pedo
4. Endo
5. OMFS
6. Prosth
7. Perio

Any insight you can provide would be great!

Also, a secondary question! How soon in your experience does a graduating dental student with no family connects able to have their own practice...

Thank you, again 🙂
Click to expand...
I don't think it's wrong to ask these questions at all. You should know what you are getting yourself into. 325 is rough :/
 
how important is it to do research, extra volunteering, mission trips, or other activities during dental school
will this help me if I want to apply for a specialty? will this significantly help me to find a job as a general practice dentist?
I just want to know if dental school will be like undergrad where I have to balance school work with extracurricular activities, or is studying the only important thing?
 
fancymylotus said:
Tons of drama, worse than high school. Everyone's high on their own egos and you're all in this bubble world where somehow it's okay to act this way as 20 something year old soon to be professionals.

There were a handful of relationships that did last, but even more that didn't.

I have a handful of best friends from dental school that I keep in regular contact with- every day or every other day. But most people move on. You see them at dental meetings or events, make awkward small talk, they inevitably want to talk shop or ask about how much money you're making or some other equally crass thing, and you roll your eyes and walk away.




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Click to expand...

thank you for responding! and what do you mean by egos? like students think they're better than you cause they did well on an exam or something?
or they think they're better than you cause they're dating lol
 
Hi Fancy! Thank you so much for doing this. I was wondering if any of your classmates did the military program (HPSP) and have since transitioned back to civilian dentistry. Was it easy for them to find an associate/corporate job? Would it be reasonable for them to have a higher starting salary due to their military dental experience?
 
fancymylotus said:
I don't think they're dying so much as people are having to adapt. Group practices mean less referrals out.

If you're a high producer in a practice that gives you a lot of procedures, even as a GP it's possible to hit the numbers you mentioned


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Click to expand...
How does one become a high producer?
 
Are the back pains so unbearable that sometimes you rethink your decision of going into dentistry?
 
ddsd1love said:
Fancy,

Thank you for answering all the questions that we ALL want to know but don't know how/who to ask 🙂

I'm a D1 - shadowed and interned a ton and it's scary to think that I still don't know how much I will be making when I get out. It's a bit taboo to ask these things as you can imagine and I don't have any relatives in the field. I don't want to come off sounding like I'm in this career solely for the money (although I did choose a field that I love and that is relatively stable). I worry that with my 325k in loans will strap me down for life though and that I will have trouble paying it off...

so the point blank shoot you straight questions (the ones that are seemingly hard to find on google as well!). It seems like all I can find are established practices of those in their 40's, which is not applicable to the majority of the SDN community

for the typical NEW grad coming out of DS/residency, how much on average do they make (within a standard deviation 🙂) if they are working a 40 hour work week... how much does that change on average once they own their practice? Again all i'm asking is ballpark - obviously there are a lot of contributing variables, but based on your experiences, classmate, etc... what is the ~average

1. GP
2. Ortho
3. Pedo
4. Endo
5. OMFS
6. Prosth
7. Perio

Any insight you can provide would be great!

Also, a secondary question! How soon in your experience does a graduating dental student with no family connects able to have their own practice...

Thank you, again 🙂
Click to expand...


150-175 with no GPR straight out of school is the norm I was hearing. I'm unsure of specific numbers for specialists as some own their own practice, some work as associates for a number of practices, etc, so they would be paid on production or collection. It's possible to make double what I mentioned as a gp if you work like crazy though, especially if you're not salaried.

I would say it depends on debt load, what you're comfortable taking on, and how fast you can pay what you owe back. A good average is probably around 3-5 years


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I'm not sure if this was asked or not yet but what is your absolute favorite thing about dentistry? What keeps you going?
 
Confused321 said:
how important is it to do research, extra volunteering, mission trips, or other activities during dental school
will this help me if I want to apply for a specialty? will this significantly help me to find a job as a general practice dentist?
I just want to know if dental school will be like undergrad where I have to balance school work with extracurricular activities, or is studying the only important thing?
Click to expand...


It's important but not necessary. And yes, any activities you do can only help in your applications for programs. Especially if they're ones that you participate in throughout school.

Studying is very important. Of course. But trying to find a balance between that and doing what you're interested in, is important


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DentalLonghorn2014 said:
I'm not sure if this was asked or not yet but what is your absolute favorite thing about dentistry? What keeps you going?
Click to expand...

The corny answer is helping people talk/smile/chew/function properly again.

The professional answer is that I get to make a difference, on my own terms, in my own business.


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Obi-wan-Kenobi-zero said:
Hi Fancy! Thank you so much for doing this. I was wondering if any of your classmates did the military program (HPSP) and have since transitioned back to civilian dentistry. Was it easy for them to find an associate/corporate job? Would it be reasonable for them to have a higher starting salary due to their military dental experience?
Click to expand...


They did, but they're all still in their various military programs. I didn't graduate that long ago 🙂


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