considering dentistry

[samisab786]

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Hi you guys,
I thought I wrote a post here before, but I can't seem to find it. Go figure. Anyway, I'd appreciate some constructive responses about my decision to consider dentistry. I know that what I am writing may be a repetitive replica of what others in my position may have written in the past, but bear with me.

I've always loved biology/science and have considered a health career for the longest time. In high school, I always thought I'd be a pharmacist or a physician. Although uncertain about my career decisions, I got into a pharmacy program in my freshman year and am now a sophomore at the brink of deciding whether I should stay or not. Honestly, I haven't really found my niche in pharmacy. Sure it earns good money, but I don't want a career simply for the money. I want to make sure that my interests fall in range with what I want to do. I was considering medicine for a while, but I don't know if I find myself having the dedication for that one field. I never really considered dentistry as a possibility, but ever since I visited my orthodontist over the break, I figured that maybe it may match my interests. Here are my interests and reasons for contemplating on dentistry and I'd like some good feedback. Um, I'd appreciate you guys not be sarcastic. It's been a tough road and I've had an emotionally difficult time with the circumstances in my life and deciding what I want to do as a career, so like I said, I'd really appreciate some constructive feedback.
1. I like art, and therefore I love using my hands.
2. Human anatomy was my favorite class in college so far (I'm more of a bio person than a chem person)
3. I like learning about different diseases and would like to have some knowledge in diagnosis
4. I like being around younger patients (I know kids hate the dentist, but I noticed that my orthodontists at least, were very kid-oriented and loved their personalities)
5. Something broad enough to enable me to work in different settings maybe.
6. I have a good sense of humor. I like making people laugh. and smile. hah.
7. I am unsure of what major to choose if I drop pharmacy, but I was contemplating on a materials science/engineering and maybe work in sports/athletic that could possibly compliment a profession in dentistry (ie: finding feasible material for mouthguards,etc.)

that's it for now.
I appreciate the help 🙂

 

[New2Philly]

I could say that dentistry has great money, hours, and blah, blah, blah...

I feel you are looking for more, because pharm has a lot of the same attributes.
I feel that this questions can only be answered by you.
I personally believe that there is not a "Calling," and that a person could be successful and happy in a specific range of professions depending on their interests.
So your done with your bachelors? Are you in one of those 6 year programs where you do your doctorate and baccalaureate at the same time?

Do you have all of your prereqs?

My advice is to get your dental assistant license, and work as a dental assistant if you feel you have to work before dental school. This will give you experience and money.

I don't know how hard it is to jump from one professional school to another.

This may sound weird, but watch oral surgeries on you-tube, and see if you are grossed out or not. Some people really don't like to see people cutting gums, it freaks them out.

 

[punkin85]

I actually know a lot of students that were accepted to the pharm program at our school that are considering other fields. Yes, it's part of health care but (depending on where you work) it can be somewhat boring and there's no patient/customer interaction (such as hospital pharm). I thought about it as a back up a few years back but it's really not for those who need that feeling that they are working with patients.

My roommate is a pharm tech and says it's more business/customer service and boring. Get an Rx, fill the Rx appropriately, repeat warnings/interactions over and over and move on to the next.

Either way, it's great for some and not for others. Best of luck in your decision!

 

[subdoc]

It has been my experience you often do not know what you like until you try it. Try shadowing a dentist to see if it is a good fit for you. There is nothing wrong with changing the focus of your career. If you got into Pharm School, I am sure you prob have the academic chops to do well on the DAT and D School.