Dentist to MD?

[deleted721052]

Hello everyone,

i just graduated dental school and i’m about to start working. I like dentistry, but I feel like something is missing. Dentistry was my first choice and got in on my first try (undergrad gpa was 3.98/4) so it’s not like i got accepted to my second choice or anything but now that I’m practicing dentistry, i realize the field isn’t my favorite and it’s terribly hard physically in the long run (i’ve seen SO many dentists having surg.

i’m thinking about applying to medicine here in Canada and wondering if anyone has done the same? (In canada or in the USA).

i would have around 20k of debt left when starting med school if I get in next year. I would still be working as a dentist during summer to help with living cost. Money isn’t so much an issue as med school is cheap here but i would definitely loose most of my dentist salary for 4 years + residency.

However, i’m already 27yo. And i do want one 1 kid at some point. Serious boyfriend is on board with the idea of med school. I’m pretty sure I will want to be a specialist (i don’t see the point of quitting dentistry to go as a family doc. So far i like the idea of ENT... obviously, i can’t decide this right away but surgery residency is already super hard in your 20s so i can’t imagine in your 30s.) 4+5 i would be an attending at 37yo which feels suuuper old.

I know, i know i could do OMFS but that’s not something i’m really interested in.

anyway i’m mostly looking at people who might have done the same thing or at opinions. My family thinks i’m crazy to quite dentistry and maybe it is actually a bad idea!

(I’m not looking for advice on HOW to get into med school; that i know and my resume/gpa/lor are strong enough to at least have a chance)

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[jhmmd]

Read Goro's thread: advice for premeds who need reinvention. You will need a VERY clear answer for "why medicine" (as opposed to dentistry). Be prepared to talk in a candid manner about this at interviews and in secondaries/essays.

Have you taken the MCAT yet or are you still in the planning to pursue the MD/DO route stage?

 

[gollypogs]

My thoughts upon reading this are that you should do some deep digging as to what exactly is missing. What are you expecting to find in medicine that you didn't find in dentistry? The fact that you just graduated and are having these thoughts makes me think it could just be cold feet. Did you have these feelings during dental school at all?
Not saying it's the right or wrong choice for you. Just suggesting taking some time and really assessing your desires and motivations.

 

[deleted721052]

My thoughts upon reading this are that you should do some deep digging as to what exactly is missing. What are you expecting to find in medicine that you didn't find in dentistry? The fact that you just graduated and are having these thoughts makes me think it could just be cold feet. Did you have these feelings during dental school at all?
Not saying it's the right or wrong choice for you. Just suggesting taking some time and really assessing your desires and motivations.

oh yes, been having them since 2nd year... 🙁 i thought they would go away but even with working, they don't.
it's mostly the selling things to patient that bothers me; it's really hard to not provide the best options to my patients if they can't afford it (which isn't the case in medicine in canada).