I know it's a bit early for me to be thinking about all this since I am still an undergrad who has yet to get into dental school, but it's never too early to be thinking about all this. I am greatly interested in dentistry due to the artistic aspect of it and the flexibility one has. I was wondering how dentists who have a practice take vacations? Do they just close the practice the days they are vacating? How does that work? Do they just not take patients those days? And those who own a practice, how many weeks of vacation do you take on average? How long did it take you to start taking those weeks off after DS? What about as an associate? How many weeks vacation do you get then? Thanks
Dental Practice and Vacation
- Thread starter caligrl97
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321931
Way way way to early to be thinking about vacation.
To put it simply, when you are an owner and take a vacation you won’t make any money for the month. You are the boss and no one owes you PTO.
When you are an associate, you won’t get PTO ever. Very very very rare.
When you work in any other job, you will get paid time off.
So to put it simply as an associate I never took a vacation, and yes I worked day before Christmas and day after because I had no choice.
As an owner, I take three weeks off but during those months I have off I barely break even and make no money for the month. So taking vacations suck because I need money to pay off my loans. In addition to that my schedule is slammed with toothaches and holes in hygiene because no one in the office for a week.
Now when I’m done with my loans in 7-10 years then sure I will make money and go on vacations but it’s not all gravy because the next month means working hard to catch up on income.
If you want a simple 8-5 job with pto and benefits there’s better professions for that. Even though pharmacy has a questionable outlook now, 4 of my groomsmen (who are pharmacists) all get 3-4 weeks pto and travel the world every year.
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I think both models will be viable, I just think income will drop in general from corporate competition, more GP competition and more insurances.
Both viable but both having lower income as time goes on. It’s a race to the bottom of the barrel. Today a filling might be 200$. In 5 years it might be 150$. So you cut costs in lab from 100$ zirconia to 85$ zirconia and then cut composite cost from 85$ to 50$ and then you double book patients... So in general you will have to work harder for your $$$. It really is a race to the bottom.
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321931
I see it the other way. When you have student loans, practice debt... you really think you are going to invest in a laser that costs 5-50k or some technology for 70k to take X-rays when you go buy cord in bulk for 5$ and then some refurbished lamp/X-ray for 5k for the same reimbursement fee 800 crown or 25$ X-ray?
Technology works in the right hands but I’ve seen to many dentists go broke from overspending. The best deals are second hand equipment from docs who go broke. It’s better to be cheap office and go home to a Taj Mahal home rather then go to a Taj Mahal office and go home to an apartment.
The bottom line is most patients care about how much you hurt, how much it costs, and if you are a nice guy. I have a run down office from the previous seller... duct tape on the lines... cabinets from the 70s... no one cared he was a nice dude. When you have all the nice bells and whistles... they wonder about their crowns diagnosed as they start thinking who is paying for all this technology.
Just my opinion...
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Do you mind telling me in which city exactly you work?
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How long have I been saying that dentist require training in business theory and practice in order to successfully run a small business. This is not the way. Running a business requires planning. It is no different from any other small operation. Catching up indicates inadequate funds management and no accounting for obvious fixed expenses. Ask your gardener how he/she does it.
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Well I wouldn't say that I'm behind in funds. It's the principle to see 1/4 of your net revenue slashed because you take a vacation...while you are paying out PTO/benefits and noone is paying for YOU to go on vacation. So I agree if you don't plan it out well...you will be in a struggle...but even if you do plan it well...it sucks to see "no profit" coming in for a month.
Trust me, I'm nowhere near in the red at all. Very profitable practice. But still sucks to see that the overhead with practice loan and the revenue taken in...are basically equal and not making much at all just for that month.
If you aren't working, your net is going down regardless. So as a small business owner...vacations effect your bottom line. As an associate you don't get any vacation that is paid...so that effects your bottom line.
As a staff member in a different profession, vacations DO NOT effect your bottom line. That's what I'm getting at.
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When I had my private ortho practices .... taking vacations was a little easier in that a majority of my patients paid their ortho payments monthly whether I saw them or not. But when you are not in the office .... there is no new production. As an owner ... no PTO.
That said .... after 26 yrs in private practice ... I usually took 3 weeks off. One week in July. One week in Aug. One week during xmas/New Yrs.
Now as a Corporate employee ... I have PTO. Wheeeee.
That said .... after 26 yrs in private practice ... I usually took 3 weeks off. One week in July. One week in Aug. One week during xmas/New Yrs.
Now as a Corporate employee ... I have PTO. Wheeeee.
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As dentists, we often take a narrow view of how we earn a living and what expectations we have of ourselves. Private practice is great, there are lots of perks and incentives, and the ability to earn a good living is definitely there...but sadly as the owner, no PTO. Taking a salaried job often comes with benefits and PTO, as well as sick leave....we all get sick. Instead of choosing, perhaps do both. I do. Leaving for vacation on Monday. Three of my five day getaway include PTO from my salaried job (no constant direct patient care). When I took my first vacation 16 years ago after starting my first salaried position, I realized I was being paid to chill on a tropical beach. You can have the best of both worlds.
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Another perk of of working in community health - I've got 5 days Paid Sick Leave, 2 weeks PTO and 1 week CE PTO. It's always nice to get paid to not be there! Hell, I'll even get my normal pay if I have to do Jury Duty. The downside is less earning potential, but I think the fringe benefits are definitely worth it.
