Boredom in Dentistry vs Medicine

[confused undergrad]

Hi everyone,

I am considering a career in dentistry but am afraid that the material in dental school will be boring (I mean who actually enjoys learning about teeth? xD) and dentistry might feel repetitive after practicing for a few years. But isn't this kind of true for medicine too? After a physician practices for a while, things also start to seem repetitive to them, right?

I'm just trying to convince myself that some of the "cons" of dentistry (in my opinion) are also present in medicine.

Thanks

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[PreDentGator2021]

Obviously I'm not in school yet, but I shadowed several health professionals in both dentistry and medicine, and while shadowing dentists something just clicked for me. At the very least I would say shadow several different types of doctors, one general dentist, and at least one specialist dentist, then go from there.

 

[BasicG]

Almost all jobs get repetitive and boring, that's why they're jobs. At least with dentistry, you have the flexibility of working as little or as much as you want, which let's you focus on hobbies that bring you joy (fishing, gaming, hiking, traveling, etc.)

 

[NJ_Doc]

if you're an undergrad pre-dent and already think dentistry is repetitive and boring... this isn't the career for you. Be an engineer.

 

[Laradd]

Based on my own perception, every jobs get bored when you stay there for a long time.

 

[Milkteeth12]

I mean who actually enjoys learning about teeth?

Lol well I don’t think you should be going into dentistry if you’re not interested in teeth

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Tell me a job where you become your own boss and you make six figures and you have the gall to be bored at work

 

[luisfigo]

I'd rather do surgery all day than hand out scripts, in dentistry there's loads of continuing education courses and institutes, which for a dentist means that what you learn translates into $$$$, that's a great motivator to continue learning because there's a reward. The more you know the more money you can make, and with new technology and new techniques and materials you will always continue learning in dentistry. Or you can stick with what you know from school and just go through the motions, it's up to you.

 

[axiumgod]

The physicians I shadowed did paperwork 75% of the time and saw patients 25% of the time. Dentists were the opposite.

 

[2TH MVR]

I'll try to offer a different perspective. Of course. Any repetitive job (like all jobs) will become mundane in time. If all you are is a tooth mechanic doing endless, repetitive procedures .... then yes. .... dentistry will become boring.

You need to change your emphasis from being a tooth mechanic to treating a PERSON. Improving that person's life with your expertise.

Now unfortunately some dental procedures (and medical procedures) regardless how well you perform them ...will go unnoticed by the patient. I personally and professionally like patient validation (besides getting paid). So maybe pick a dental or medical specialty where patients can directly see the outward improvements you have done for them. Cosmetic improvements. People are vain. This is one of the reasons I chose ortho. At every appointment I see positive changes to my patients. They are always excited to see their smiles getting better. It never gets boring.

 

[confused undergrad]

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all of your insights and perspectives

 

[wetvet]

Hi everyone,

I am considering a career in dentistry but am afraid that the material in dental school will be boring (I mean who actually enjoys learning about teeth? xD) and dentistry might feel repetitive after practicing for a few years. But isn't this kind of true for medicine too? After a physician practices for a while, things also start to seem repetitive to them, right?

I'm just trying to convince myself that some of the "cons" of dentistry (in my opinion) are also present in medicine.

Thanks

Unless you go into Research every medical profession can be repetitive. With reps you should get quicker, better, faster which usually means a higher income.
First year out of any medical school how many clients are you going to be able to treat in a day vs after 15 years in that profession ?
New treatments come out in every profession. So usually you need to learn these newer techniques which will not be repetitive for a period of time.
Also you can expand your scope of practice. Some Dental Clinics want to be the clients one stop shopping for every dental need.
In some hospitals administration wants to know how much money is your department making us. It maybe better financially to contract out your department. An independent ENT in my area ( he is not contracted out by any hospital) must make $327,000. per year to break even.
Repetition helps him reach that goal.
A Physician told me once that when he opened his practice 30 years ago he had a staff of 3 people, himself, a nurse, and a receptionist. He contracted out the accounting business part of his practice. Today if he was to opened the Same practice he would need a staff of 5. The other 2 people would just do insurance, Medicare forms, billing, collections, paper work. Our Government regulates, controls the medical profession more and more every year.
Not to the same degree with the Dental profession. Best of luck.

 

[Quinque]

I guarantee you some of the material in dental school is super boring to learn. Ask any student who had to read the entire textbooks of Shillingburg or Rosenstiel. Should be worth it when we done with school though

 

[confused undergrad]

I guarantee you some of the material in dental school is super boring to learn. Ask any student who had to read the entire textbooks of Shillingburg or Rosenstiel. Should be worth it when we done with school though

I sure hope so