crazy but smart

[PsyDStar]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi,

I am a student in between coursework at the moment (also in between work, unfortunately). I obtained my BA in Psyc in Jan 2005 (magna c. l.), traveled and worked for a breif period (in CA, west US), returned to University in May 2006, took Chem I and II over the summer, A and A-... took O Chem I and Intro Molecular Bio (and Shakespeare, for more english) and took A- in each. I decided to take a step back prior to proceeding through O Chem II and Intro Pop bio for fear that I may be making irreverible changes to my mind/self and thought processes (which I liked very much prior). The original idea was to do medicine, possibly surgery... dentistry now attracts my attention.

Without going into the classic, 'what are my chances' bit, I do have some questions (that have likely been asked before, dont get down on me, I looked a few screens back and didnt see the info... also, the info is likely availible elsewhere... if you dont like that I am asking here, dont post or read any further!

GENERIC QUESTIONS AHEAD!!!!!

1) I realize dental school is very difficult... BIO! How competitive are various specialties within dentistry, such as maxillofacial surgery?

2) Do dentists have better hours than physicians? Vacation?

3) My volunteer/work experiences are so far psyc/surgery related, some geriatrics/peds... will applying without dental specific experience be advisable?

4) Don't dentists have high rates of suicide and drug addiction? Why are you becoming a dentist despite these considerations? What are the reasons for these problems?

Thanks for reading!

-S

 

[armorshell]

Hi,
1) I realize dental school is very difficult... BIO! How competitive are various specialties within dentistry, such as maxillofacial surgery?

2) Do dentists have better hours than physicians? Vacation?

3) My volunteer/work experiences are so far psyc/surgery related, some geriatrics/peds... will applying without dental specific experience be advisable?

4) Don't dentists have high rates of suicide and drug addiction? Why are you becoming a dentist despite these considerations? What are the reasons for these problems?

Thanks for reading!

-S

First things first, try searching next time, these questions have been answered numerous times.

Anyway:
1. As with all things, the money/lifestyle specialties are the most competitive. That means Ortho/OMFS/Endo/Pedo are going to be competitive.

2. To make a long story short, yes and yes.

3. Not only would it be unadvisable, it will be downright impossible to apply with no experience in the field.

4. These statistics are from studies that have more recently been found to be ridiculously incorrect. Besides, considering the good lifestyle/low hours, why would dentists be committing suicide? Also, you should realize that even if there were a correlation, that doesn't by any stretch means becoming a dentist would influence you to committ suicide. Correlation doesn't imply causation.

 

[lifeisgood]

Hi,

I am a student in between coursework at the moment (also in between work, unfortunately). I obtained my BA in Psyc in Jan 2005 (magna c. l.), traveled and worked for a breif period (in CA, west US), returned to University in May 2006, took Chem I and II over the summer, A and A-... took O Chem I and Intro Molecular Bio (and Shakespeare, for more english) and took A- in each. I decided to take a step back prior to proceeding through O Chem II and Intro Pop bio for fear that I may be making irreverible changes to my mind/self and thought processes (which I liked very much prior). The original idea was to do medicine, possibly surgery... dentistry now attracts my attention.

Without going into the classic, 'what are my chances' bit, I do have some questions (that have likely been asked before, dont get down on me, I looked a few screens back and didnt see the info... also, the info is likely availible elsewhere... if you dont like that I am asking here, dont post or read any further!

GENERIC QUESTIONS AHEAD!!!!!

1) I realize dental school is very difficult... BIO! How competitive are various specialties within dentistry, such as maxillofacial surgery?

2) Do dentists have better hours than physicians? Vacation?

3) My volunteer/work experiences are so far psyc/surgery related, some geriatrics/peds... will applying without dental specific experience be advisable?

4) Don't dentists have high rates of suicide and drug addiction? Why are you becoming a dentist despite these considerations? What are the reasons for these problems?

Thanks for reading!

-S

1. Depends on which specialty but OMFS & ortho are VERY competitive.

2. Yes & yes.

3. NO

4. I would call this more of a rumor or a myth as the only dentist I know live sweet lives, love their jobs and are very happy. AND even if it were true, I can't understand why that would deter you or anyone from going into dentistry. What's that age old saying? If everyone jumps off a bridge are you going to follow. I'm not sure where this belief came from but I have some ideas that I don't feel like getting into.

Anyway, best of luck in your endeavor.

 

[lifeisgood]

Damn it Armor, you are too damn fast!

 

[armorshell]

Damn it Armor, you are too damn fast!

I'm like an SDN gunslinger *holsters keyboard*

 

[lgwdnbdgr]

Hi,
GENERIC QUESTIONS AHEAD!!!!!

1) I realize dental school is very difficult... BIO! How competitive are various specialties within dentistry, such as maxillofacial surgery?

2) Do dentists have better hours than physicians? Vacation?

3) My volunteer/work experiences are so far psyc/surgery related, some geriatrics/peds... will applying without dental specific experience be advisable?

4) Don't dentists have high rates of suicide and drug addiction? Why are you becoming a dentist despite these considerations? What are the reasons for these problems?

Thanks for reading!

-S

1) All specialties are very competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 15% of all dentists are specialists. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm)

2) Depends. Most dentists are solo practitioners, so you work as much as you want. How much you work depends on how much you value your time.

3) Some schools demand at least some dental experience (usually shadowing). My state school expects a minimum of 50 hours. I think I read somewhere that the average is about 100 hours of shadowing.

4) No. N/A. N/A. PubMed is lagging on me, but you can do a search. The high suicide rate is an urban legend

 

[PChemGrad]

4) Don't dentists have high rates of suicide and drug addiction? Why are you becoming a dentist despite these considerations? What are the reasons for these problems?

I am starting to think this was started by dentist to dissuade people from entering the dental field, and only having the people who truly want to become dentist do so...
Just look at their life style, it is more comfortable, compared to most physicians.
Start a rumor saying Dentist commit suicide, and then you wont get as many people in it.
Everyone who isnt serious will all go to med school.

just a thought.🙄