Dentist lifestyle?

[Arijos0222]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm asking in a different context.

I like the thought of being a PA and doing 3 12 hour shifts and having the rest of the week off, same thing with nursing too.

I really like dentistry, and I'm really interested In it, but I'm In a flux between "lifestyle" and profession. Could I work in dentistry 3 days a week as a new grad and still make 130-170K? Or would I have to take a huge pay cut (i.e less than what a PA makes which is around 80K)

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[jnines]

seems more like u dont want to work.

 

[LiteBear2011]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm asking in a different context.

I like the thought of being a PA and doing 3 12 hour shifts and having the rest of the week off, same thing with nursing too.

I really like dentistry, and I'm really interested In it, but I'm In a flux between "lifestyle" and profession. Could I work in dentistry 3 days a week as a new grad and still make 130-170K? Or would I have to take a huge pay cut (i.e less than what a PA makes which is around 80K)

Ironic that you ask this question since the passage in your signature (Galatians 6:9) is all about working hard.

 

[Arijos0222]

Ironic that you ask this question since the passage in your signature (Galatians 6:9) is all about working hard.

Who said you can't work hard in 3 days?

I have many other things I would like to do with my life. Pretty sure a dentist who works 36 hours in a week works just as hard as a dentist who works 3 days, 12 hours each day.....

Am I missing a point?

 

[zackc19]

It seems simple to me. Do you think you could schedule patients from say 8 in the morning to 8 at night? I think you may find it difficult to schedule patients that late at night, but I don't know, I've never tried. What about your hygienists and assistants, are they willing to work this late? Probably so. If you can see the same amount of patients in those three days as you normally would in a full work week, then you will make the same amount of money.

 

[Arijos0222]

It seems simple to me. Do you think you could schedule patients from say 8 in the morning to 8 at night? I think you may find it difficult to schedule patients that late at night, but I don't know, I've never tried. What about your hygienists and assistants, are they willing to work this late? Probably so. If you can see the same amount of patients in those three days as you normally would in a full work week, then you will make the same amount of money.

What if you work in a VA hospital?

 

[rootz02]

Do what you love, and the money will follow. Try shadowing a PA and a dentist and subsequently evaluate which line of work interests you more. That seems more reasonable than seeking career advice from students on a PRE-dental forum who most likely don't have enough information to adequately answer your question.

If any ex PA's who are currently dentists, or vice versa, would like to weigh in to help answer OP's question, that would be great.

 

[Gracie2011]

I believe it is rare for a new graduate to make 130k-170k after they first graduate dental school. It also depends on if your are planning to work as an associate or open your own practice straight out of school. From what I have heard a new dental graduate will make anywhere between
$65,000-$100,000. You can make 130k-170k as a dentist but most dentists that are making incomes in that range own their own practice and have years of experience.

 

[Arijos0222]

I believe it is rare for a new graduate to make 130k-170k after they first graduate dental school. It also depends on if your are planning to work as an associate or open your own practice straight out of school. From what I have heard a new dental graduate will make anywhere between
$65,000-$100,000. You can make 130k-170k as a dentist but most dentists that are making incomes in that range own their own practice and have years of experience.

How long does it take to pay off debt if you are making that "little"?

 

[zackc19]

What if you work in a VA hospital?

I was assuming private practice. Why would you want to work in a hospital?

 

[NDPitch]

If you enter dentistry because you want to work 3 days a week and make 130-170k, you'll be disappointed. This feat, most times, is achieved 15-20 years after graduation. Working 3 days a week as a new graduate could leave you in some hairy situations financially. You will have to work long and hard to make it to the top, just like any other profession.

 

[jnines]

If you enter dentistry because you want to work 3 days a week and make 130-170k, you'll be disappointed. This feat, most times, is achieved 15-20 years after graduation. Working 3 days a week as a new graduate could leave you in some hairy situations financially. You will have to work long and hard to make it to the top, just like any other profession.

well said.

 

[nondescriptive]

This always gets me; people who count their chickens before they hatch. They plan out their lifestyle, car, hair-do, etc.

Instead of asking other people, trying shadowing some dentists and "see" how much you like or dislike it. Talk to a real dentist first hand, instead of a bunch of students who can only assume.

Your reasons are a bit misguided. Ask yourself, "why dentistry?". I know adcom will.

 

[timmytim]

i say you should go for it
working 12hrs per day 3days a week seems feasible
but you could be forced to retire with a bad back before your wife hits menopause or even before you pay off your loan

btw you sound like a 12yo who had a career day at school

 

[NDPitch]

\
btw you sound like a 12yo who had a career day at school

Yeah, I just looked through his/her post history. Arijos0222, you are all over the map. In the past couple months you've made threads about going into MD/DO, podiatry, dentistry, pharmacy, PA, specializing in OMS, etc etc. Start out with some in depth shadowing and soul searching. Spreading yourself out all over the place will only confuse you most likely. You need to figure out what you want, for you. Just be warned that nowadays financial reward is becoming less of a reason to go into any health profession because of the high student loan burden and the economy. You can still make it and be okay, but there is no "easy way".

 

[ushaseos]

Not even remotely possible unless you plan on buying a well established practice just as soon as you graduate and the chances of all that lining up are slim.

Most fresh grads will make 100-120 K if they land the right jobs. Specialists make more but income still varies. I assure you these are 5 days a week salaries.

 

[goffdent]

Who said you can't work hard in 3 days?

I have many other things I would like to do with my life. Pretty sure a dentist who works 36 hours in a week works just as hard as a dentist who works 3 days, 12 hours each day.....

Am I missing a point?

You will get burnt out working 12 hour days. I don't know if you're actually worked a 12 hour day many times.. but it is a long day. On the upside, you shouldn't have a problem filling a chair. Many people would rather schedule after work, so they don't have to take time off..

 

[KittySquared]

Ironic that you ask this question since the passage in your signature (Galatians 6:9) is all about working hard.

I was going to say the same thing.

 

[Bobby Fischer]

How ridiculous. The OP asked a question. The peanut gallery can't restrain themselves.

 

[NguyenDDS]

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either profession career-wise... but neither career will probably start you off with that high of an income as a typical new grad. Only under special certain circumstances will you make that much. Dentistry has the potential to allow you to make that much, but you have to work really hard for it and gain experience first.

 

[nondescriptive]

How ridiculous. The OP asked a question. The peanut gallery can't restrain themselves.

One ridiculous question deserves a ridiculous response from the peanut gallery. Maybe you can enlighten us with the answers which can solve all her problems.

 

[321931]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm asking in a different context.

I like the thought of being a PA and doing 3 12 hour shifts and having the rest of the week off, same thing with nursing too.

I really like dentistry, and I'm really interested In it, but I'm In a flux between "lifestyle" and profession. Could I work in dentistry 3 days a week as a new grad and still make 130-170K? Or would I have to take a huge pay cut (i.e less than what a PA makes which is around 80K)

You can do three different "shifts" at three different clinics and make minimal money. Dentistry doesn't offer those PA/Nursing/Pharmacist hours.

I suggest doing something else, you'll never make 130-170k doing 12 hour shifts 3x a week in dentistry. Never.

You could probably do it as a PA/Nurse/Pharm and prob make 80 or so k. Not sure, but I know some of my pharmacist friends do that one week stint and one week off/ 1 month on/ 1 month off. It works, but don't expect 130-170k.

Good luck with any job though. You should throw around that 130-170k figure like its nothing to admissions though, it will give them a great laugh haha. kid.

 

[autoclavemonkey]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm asking in a different context.

I like the thought of being a PA and doing 3 12 hour shifts and having the rest of the week off, same thing with nursing too.

I really like dentistry, and I'm really interested In it, but I'm In a flux between "lifestyle" and profession. Could I work in dentistry 3 days a week as a new grad and still make 130-170K? Or would I have to take a huge pay cut (i.e less than what a PA makes which is around 80K)

I have not seen dentists workinng 3, 12 hour shifts. But my close dentist mentor works 4 days a week(Mon-Thursday) from 7am to 2-3pm. Graduated from his school with ~250k loan and doing ok in terms of paying back his loans and supporting his family.

While lifestyle may be important aspect of your career choice, you should really find out if each profession is right for you. What about the fact that dentistry requires you to work with your hands all the time? So then, why would you choose dentistry over surgical PA or podiatry? You will have your private practice as a dentist vs. working in a big hospital as a PA.

With that said, what about 1.5-2yr program for PA vs. 4yr for dental (except uop). Also easier acceptances to PA programs. Yes, dentistry has higher income potential imo but is higher loan worth it for you?

In the end I have to say that you being able to work shorter amount of time to make maximum profit is not what you should focus on in terms of choosing your profession. Period. Just like 90% of the posts said, you'll be miserable if you're chasing the money in dentistry because the 300k+ loan/debt is one tough nut to crack. But if you really must know, chances are, you probably won't have that 3 days 12 hour schedule.

 

[jwdent]

I think this would be a difficult goal the first couple years out. However, I think it is definitely attainable years down the road. Many dentists take home more than this on less than a 36 hour work week. A practice collecting around $3000 a day with a reasonable overhead should obtain this. Achieving this would depend on having a practice with the right schedule of course. I think its great that you have goals.

 

[Jbrowndds]

As much as it shouldn't be about the "money" it is kind of a factor. I mean you gotta pay off those loans and be able to have something to show for going to school for almost a decade. But you also have to work hard. From the very beginning you should be preparing yourself for hard work. 6 days a week. 8 hours a day. Especially if your going to dental school oos, you may need 2 jobs lol. If your already trying to decide how you are gonna do less and earn more, you may be on the wrong forum. That's why it's soo important to shadow dentists and other professionals. Personally I think you should never as a predent what's it's like to be a dentist or their lifestyles anyways because we just don't know yet. Lol

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[alucidinterval]

The real question you have to answer here is, who would want to go to the dentist at 7 or 8 at night? That's something you would have to address when seeing if this is feasible. My feeling is that you simply wouldn't have enough people who would want to do those times, and as such you would have a lot of unbooked times or no shows.

 

[yappy]

OP: Become a physician. Better income than PA plus flexible shift schedules for EM, IM, ICU, etc. Or; if you're into a slower career development with a higher potential payoff, do a surgical, outpatient field or dentistry.

If you're female I would do PA. However, if you want a career I would do MD/DO or DDS.

 

[bkpredent]

The real question you have to answer here is, who would want to go to the dentist at 7 or 8 at night? That's something you would have to address when seeing if this is feasible. My feeling is that you simply wouldn't have enough people who would want to do those times, and as such you would have a lot of unbooked times or no shows.

i've worked several years in two different offices: one dentist worked 8-5 and the other worked from 10-7:30. The busiest times were actually first thing in the morning (8am) or as late as possible (5-7:30). We had more than enough people willing to take a 7pm appt, those appts were booked months in advance. To be fair though, I live in NYC, so maybe we're just busier than other places?

 

[Bobby Fischer]

i've worked several years in two different offices: one dentist worked 8-5 and the other worked from 10-7:30. The busiest times were actually first thing in the morning (8am) or as late as possible (5-7:30). We had more than enough people willing to take a 7pm appt, those appts were booked months in advance. To be fair though, I live in NYC, so maybe we're just busier than other places?

One dentist I am familiar with has an office open 24/7 seriously.

 

[NDPitch]

One dentist I am familiar with has an office open 24/7 seriously.

WTF???

You could not pay me to go sit in a dental chair at 2:30 in the morning.

 

[Austin Eddy]

WTF???

You could not pay me to go sit in a dental chair at 2:30 in the morning.

Unless you woke up with an excruciating toothache! Then I bet you would be glad to be there!

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[KittySquared]

Unless you woke up with an excruciating toothache! Then I bet you would be glad to be there!

Those types of patients often roll into a nearby ER. And ERs hate dental cases lol.