Being tall going into dentistry

[mfoti1]

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Hey everyone,
I'm 6'3 and my parents keep telling me im too tall for dentistry, and that its too much bending over etc, i will have back problems etc...
any dental students or dentists that can comment on this?
I mean, i can understand what they're saying, but i'm very interested in dentistry

any input would be great, thanks!

 

[Demps]

Hey everyone,
I'm 6'3 and my parents keep telling me im too tall for dentistry, and that its too much bending over etc, i will have back problems etc...
any dental students or dentists that can comment on this?
I mean, i can understand what they're saying, but i'm very interested in dentistry

any input would be great, thanks!

Enough said.

 

[Sunspear]

You should really consider posting this in the Dental forum (for current dental students), and seeing what they have to say! I'd be interested in finding out, too. 🙂

 

[Saddleshoes]

Hey everyone,
I'm 6'3 and my parents keep telling me im too tall for dentistry, and that its too much bending over etc, i will have back problems etc...
any dental students or dentists that can comment on this?
I mean, i can understand what they're saying, but i'm very interested in dentistry

any input would be great, thanks!

What do your parents know about dentistry?
I am the same height as you. I have practiced dentistry for a few years in a few different setting. I have yet to find a dental chair that can not be adjusted correctly for me.

 

[Sayahhhhh]

Get loupes and seat your chair low

 

[fermez]

The GP I shadowed is easily 6'5", been in practice for 30+ years. He has no problems.

 

[Bereno]

Can't dental chairs be raised up??

 

[SupDanLOL]

My dad is 6'4'' and as a GP he thinks that if you strengthen your back muscles through workout and stretching, you shouldn't experience any problems-- even if you may have been predisposed to them initially. One of his associates had issues early on, and he blames a weak core. I myself am 6'2'' and will certainly be listening to his advice.

 

[mr24]

Im 6'5", just raise the chair higher.

 

[evanyou]

geez.. you guys are tall 😡

 

[Silencio]

It's better than being a midget.

 

[vellnueve]

One of the surgery residents at my school was no kidding at least 6'7".

I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[dantemac]

This is the technological age. There is a number of loupes, chairs, braces, posture coaches etc that will easily be able to remedy.

Just think, you could go put in the hours at the factory every day and injur your back. I'd rather be wearing the white coat and have a bad back.

 

[Just Peachy]

I'm 6 feet even and the only problem I have is that I hit my knees on something several times a week. I'm also a bit of a klutz though, so it's possible that I would have had that problem even if I was a more normal height (I'm female). None of the taller guys in my class nor the tall dentists I know seem to have any issues.

 

[armorshell]

I'm 6'4", no problems. Several of my coresidents are as or nearly-as tall also

 

[Silencio]

How do you 6'4" and 6'5" people fit into a bed? Do you have to sleep diagonal?

 

[timwatley]

How do you 6'4" and 6'5" people fit into a bed? Do you have to sleep diagonal?

Spent my high school years in a twin extra long

 

[wired202808]

We should start the DBA (Dentist Basketball Association) 😛

 

[iralex801]

How do you 6'4" and 6'5" people fit into a bed? Do you have to sleep diagonal?

hahah. I'm 6'3 and I just let my legs hang off the bed. I'm used to it and don't even notice it anymore. The only time I fit on my bed was freshman year when I lived in a dorm and they gave us extra-long twin beds. Looks like dentistry attracts tall people. The dentist I shadowed was taller than me.

 

[Bereno]

Man, I am probably the shortest guy here at 5'9" lol

 

[wired202808]

Man, I am probably the shortest guy here at 5'9" lol

2nd or 3rd string for sure lol jk 😛 Im not that much taller than you man barely hitting 6'0. Nothing in comparison to these 6'4 giants lol

 

[iralex801]

Man, I am probably the shortest guy here at 5'9" lol

2nd or 3rd string for sure lol jk 😛 Im not that much taller than you man barely hitting 6'0. Nothing in comparison to these 6'4 giants lol

Yeahhhh, you guys are definitely 3rd string 😛. Being tall has its downsides though. Sitting bit** seat in a car, riding a plane, or finding suitable clothing are all annoying. Especially clothing for tall and thin people. Get a medium and it's not long enough/sleeves too short. Get a large and its too big. #tallpplproblems lol

 

[DentalJedi]

Man, I am probably the shortest guy here at 5'9" lol

Don't worry bereno, I'm 5'7". Needless to say, I've also spent a lot of time worrying about whether or not I'm too tall for dentistry.

 

[Ullr]

My dad is 6'4'' and as a GP he thinks that if you strengthen your back muscles through workout and stretching, you shouldn't experience any problems-- even if you may have been predisposed to them initially. One of his associates had issues early on, and he blames a weak core. I myself am 6'2'' and will certainly be listening to his advice.

I know a tall dentist and he says the same thing.

I am 6' 4" and will be starting dental school next year.

 

[Bereno]

Yeahhhh, you guys are definitely 3rd string 😛. Being tall has its downsides though. Sitting bit** seat in a car, riding a plane, or finding suitable clothing are all annoying. Especially clothing for tall and thin people. Get a medium and it's not long enough/sleeves too short. Get a large and its too big. #tallpplproblems lol

3rd string my a** LOL

Don't worry bereno, I'm 5'7". Needless to say, I've also spent a lot of time worrying about whether or not I'm too tall for dentistry.

Your way too tall... 🙄 haha

 

[Cello]

So long as you exercise you should have no problems. Many professions will require you to sit, bend over, or even carry heavy weights back and forth. With proper technique and some maintenance, there is absolutely no reason that you would have problems with your back.

But, even if that was the cost of being a dentist, wouldn't you say that it's worth it? Some people sacrifice their eyes to work at a computer all day, others sacrifice limbs in combat, and some suffer life-long injuries to play the sports or instruments they love. If a bit of back pain was the price to be a dentist, it still shouldn't deter one from their passion! 🙂

PS- I'm 6'4" and plan to become a dentist.

 

[MuskieMan33]

The chairs elevate for a reason! Regardless of height, a dentist will be somewhat bent over for a good portion of the day anyway.

 

[Wakaaa]

My dad is 6'4'' and as a GP he thinks that if you strengthen your back muscles through workout and stretching, you shouldn't experience any problems-- even if you may have been predisposed to them initially. One of his associates had issues early on, and he blames a weak core. I myself am 6'2'' and will certainly be listening to his advice.

Agreed. I recently just started working out, although I'm already pretty strong from wrestling during highschool. I've heard that working on your back as a young adult prevents many back problems as you age.

 

[KristopherTruth]

I'm in my second semester of my first year of dental school and I'm cutting a class I prep on 31 without loops. I started to have a sore neck and sore back due to this. I'm 6'2 so I have some height. Do you guys know what type of workouts a guy like me should do? I do plan on getting loops.

 

[KittySquared]

I'm in my second semester of my first year of dental school and I'm cutting a class I prep on 31 without loops. I started to have a sore neck and sore back due to this. I'm 6'2 so I have some height. Do you guys know what type of workouts a guy like me should do? I do plan on getting loops.

Really just let yourself hang for a while. Relax and hang again. I do this a lot. Realigns your spine. (I'm a hygienist)