Dentistry over pharmacy. Talk me into it or out of it!

[D0CTORX]

Alright.

So, I have been thinking a lot about my future choices. The pre-reqs for both are practically the same for the school I would like to go to.

I would like to get into pharmacy, I mean, I have learned a lot working as a tech, and I enjoy my job in a pharmacy. Shadowing some in hospitals, I really think I would enjoy the profession.

But... dentistry. I have heard a lot, and recently got my dental assistant license, and will work in the office I get my checkups. I have shadowed a dentist, and I also seem to enjoy that career as well. There is also MUCH MUCH more people interaction with a dentist!


I have no idea what to choose!

I would like you to talk me into or out of dentistry!

Let me know some pros and cons!

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[thyagar3]

I wouldn't recommend asking a forum to help decide which path you want to take in life, maybe its just me but I feel like this a 100% independent decision in life that you have to make. All I can say is know what you're getting yourself into before accumulating a half million dollar debt.

 

[DavesNotHere]

1. Pharm school is a lot easier than d school
2. To me corporate pharm seems beyond boring
3. Hospital pharm is kinda cool...I've worked w the pharm residents at my hosp. And they're knowledgeable and get called for some interesting consults...they also seem to get a lot of respect from the MDs...which dental doesn't often
4. Dental is more financially rewarding
5. Dental can be fun as all get out...last week I cut and drained an abscess on the roof of some meth head's mouth just in front of his tonsils in the ED
6. Dental is messier fo sho (that meth head's blood dripped on the inside of my gloves)

They're very diff...working as an assistant should give u a pretty good idea

 

[Dgeorg6]

Pro's of Dentistry...

You don't have to specialize after you get out of Dental school.
You can start off making 100k+ right out of Dental school (i don't think any pharmacists can say that)

You have a good shot of owning your own private practice in dentistry and being successful and make 200k+ easy

You can do all of this while only working 4 days a week and 30-35 hours.. so lots of family time

Get TONs of patient interaction

idk.. Just seems like the perfect profession to me

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I'll throw a con of dentistry to be objective. Dental school tuition is much higher then pharmacy unless you go to a state school. That means more debt to pay off.

 

[Illfavor]

I'm Pre-pre dental (starting pre-reqs this summer, coming from music) and I'm beyond excited about dentistry. Getting to work with your hands, opening this new world of wonder...I get a little choked up thinking about it. There are so many amazing things that dentists get to do, but most importantly there's tremendous impact on your patients' lives...You have this wonderful power to change the world, earn the respect of your community, even play with a little psychology, become a business person, it's no wonder this field is so competitive! I've been blessed to work with good dentists who cared about my health in earnest and we can be one too!

 

[D0CTORX]

See, I would enjoy working as a pharmacist in a hospital setting to keep it very interesting.

Dentists, everyone I talk to always tells me it'd be so boring working as one saying, "All you do is work with teeth", NOT TRUE right?

I mean you run a business, interact with patients, etc!


Plus, I would be able to meet all the dental hygienists and women that come in 😉.

Yea buddy!




I just don't know.


How does the job outlook for dentists look? I know that pharmacists there are more and more being "pumped" out year after year, saturating the market.

 

[timwatley]

See, I would enjoy working as a pharmacist in a hospital setting to keep it very interesting.

Dentists, everyone I talk to always tells me it'd be so boring working as one saying, "All you do is work with teeth", NOT TRUE right?

I mean you run a business, interact with patients, etc!


Plus, I would be able to meet all the dental hygienists and women that come in 😉.

Yea buddy!





I just don't know.


How does the job outlook for dentists look? I know that pharmacists there are more and more being "pumped" out year after year, saturating the market.

Versus counting pills all day? If you like pharmacy I can't imagine why you would like dentistry

 

[wired202808]

Pro's of Dentistry...

You don't have to specialize after you get out of Dental school.
You can start off making 100k+ right out of Dental school (i don't think any pharmacists can say that)

You have a good shot of owning your own private practice in dentistry and being successful and make 200k+ easy

You can do all of this while only working 4 days a week and 30-35 hours.. so lots of family time

Get TONs of patient interaction

idk.. Just seems like the perfect profession to me

That's incorrect. In big markets like LA, Chicago, NYC most entry level retail pharmacists make over 100K when you factor in benefits, paid time off, etc. Base salaries are usually in the 91 to 93K range.

Pros: Pharmacy pays pretty damn good and you can moonlight at any mom and pop pharmacy which will gladly pay you in cash (whether or not you report that cash on your tax return is a problem between you and the IRS) Additionally pharmacists can transition to many other fields such as non-profit hospitals where you can easily become a director and make over 200K or you can work at any corporation like J&J and make over 150K. You never have to deal with blood, guts, or any real medical procedure. And its a pretty damn good job for simply putting a few pills into a bottle and giving it to a patient.

Cons: The schooling is extremely long and boring. You should really love orgo otherwise you'll hate it. Patients in retail are known to be a&&holes and really bug pharmacists. Competition is pretty stiff for really high paying positions. A lot of pharmacists realize that after their rotations they should have went to med school and a few go back and redo their whole career. I personally know of about 5 individuals who did that. You'll probably never own a pharmacy because most pharmacists are risk averse individuals who can't imagine losing $$$ vs. making it. And in the long run I don't how a pharmacist can out earn a dentist.

Food for thought.

 

[D0CTORX]

I'll throw a con of dentistry to be objective. Dental school tuition is much higher then pharmacy unless you go to a state school. That means more debt to pay off.

One of my cousins friends just got out of dental school here in WA state, he said he was about $255k in debt.

I think pharmacy schools up here(including room board etc) are about $186k

So yea, its about $70k difference.

Versus counting pills all day? If you like pharmacy I can't imagine why you would like dentistry

Not in a hospital setting. You do get more patient interaction. But again, yea it is like that.

 

[D0CTORX]

That's incorrect. In big markets like LA, Chicago, NYC most entry level retail pharmacists make over 100K when you factor in benefits, paid time off, etc. Base salaries are usually in the 91 to 93K range.

Pros: Pharmacy pays pretty damn good and you can moonlight at any mom and pop pharmacy which will gladly pay you in cash (whether or not you report that cash on your tax return is a problem between you and the IRS) Additionally pharmacists can transition to many other fields such as non-profit hospitals where you can easily become a director and make over 200K or you can work at any corporation like J&J and make over 150K. You never have to deal with blood, guts, or any real medical procedure. And its a pretty damn good job for simply putting a few pills into a bottle and giving it to a patient.

Cons: The schooling is extremely long and boring. You should really love orgo otherwise you'll hate it. Patients in retail are known to be a&&holes and really bug pharmacists. Competition is pretty stiff for really high paying positions. A lot of pharmacists realize that after their rotations they should have went to med school and a few go back and redo their whole career. I personally know of about 5 individuals who did that. You'll probably never own a pharmacy because most pharmacists are risk averse individuals who can't imagine losing $$$ vs. making it. And in the long run I don't how a pharmacist can out earn a dentist.


Food for thought.

But in the big markets, aren't there a ton of pharmacists that are looking for work? i.e. a saturated market?

 

[timwatley]

But in the big markets, aren't there a ton of pharmacists that are looking for work? i.e. a saturated market?

Dentistry went through a rough spot (in the 80's I believe) and it looks like it may again with the dental therapists/economy/increase in dental schools. Just choose what you won't mind doing for a job the rest of your life.

 

[wired202808]

But in the big markets, aren't there a ton of pharmacists that are looking for work? i.e. a saturated market?

NYC has less pharmacy schools than dental schools. The demand is still higher than the supply. You can always google it to verify salaries, but pharmacists are highly compensated on the East coast.

 

[wired202808]

Dentistry went through a rough spot (in the 80's I believe) and it looks like it may again with the dental therapists/economy/increase in dental schools. Just choose what you won't mind doing for a job the rest of your life.

Besides the economy all other factors are regional. Most states have no legislation on dental therapists and most states won't get new dental schools. Use logic and pure math and stop relying on SDN gossip and paranoia. There aren't enough new dental schools opening up to make the industry tank. Based on estimates for every 3 dentists who leave the field, only 2 enter.

 

[timwatley]

Besides the economy all other factors are regional. Most states have no legislation on dental therapists and most states won't get new dental schools. Use logic and pure math and stop relying on SDN gossip and paranoia. There aren't enough new dental schools opening up to make the industry tank. Based on estimates for every 3 dentists who leave the field, only 2 enter.

Dental therapists won't stay in Minnesota if the pilot program goes well. Why wouldn't they spread rapidly? Dental schools may/may not saturate the market. There's pressure on this field just the same as any other. With astronomical tuition prices, new schools sprouting up, mid levels coming into the picture...there is a chance dentistry won't be the rosy career it has been. I hope thats not the case but its something to look at before making a career decision.

 

[wired202808]

Dental therapists won't stay in Minnesota if the pilot program goes well. Why wouldn't they spread rapidly? Dental schools may/may not saturate the market. There's pressure on this field just the same as any other. With astronomical tuition prices, new schools sprouting up, mid levels coming into the picture...there is a chance dentistry won't be the rosy career it has been. I hope thats not the case but its something to look at before making a career decision.

There are too many assumptions in your argument. if, may or may not cannot be used as valid reasons that dentistry is "declining" again please stop drinking from the SDN kool aid. Everyone will be fine and everyone will make a living. No one will go broke or live out of a trash can. Making 180K vs. 200K doesn't mean anything has declined.

When all you're if and maybes come true, I'll join you in prayer, for now lets not get ahead of ourselves. One should cross the bridge when he/she gets there, not one million miles before.

Here's another reason to appease the paranoia: http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=bai&pag=dis&ItemID=309658

 

[timwatley]

There are too many assumptions in your argument. if, may or may not cannot be used as valid reasons that dentistry is "declining" again please stop drinking from the SDN kool aid. Everyone will be fine and everyone will make a living. No one will go broke or live out of a trash can. Making 180K vs. 200K doesn't mean anything has declined.

When all you're if and maybes come true, I'll join you in prayer, for now lets not get ahead of ourselves. One should cross the bridge when he/she gets there, not one million miles before.

Here's another reason to appease the paranoia: http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=bai&pag=dis&ItemID=309658

It's not an argument lol, I'm giving a perspective on dentistry vs pharmacy.

 

[Bereno]

There are too many assumptions in your argument. if, may or may not cannot be used as valid reasons that dentistry is "declining" again please stop drinking from the SDN kool aid. Everyone will be fine and everyone will make a living. No one will go broke or live out of a trash can. Making 180K vs. 200K doesn't mean anything has declined.

When all you're if and maybes come true, I'll join you in prayer, for now lets not get ahead of ourselves. One should cross the bridge when he/she gets there, not one million miles before.

Here's another reason to appease the paranoia: http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=bai&pag=dis&ItemID=309658

Makes me feel good about my home state! lol

If still a dental fan over pharm. everything else aside, the day to day job is way better for me. Others might love it, but I would go crazy if I had to become a pharmacist. Its good for some, just not me 👍

 

[wired202808]

It's not an argument lol, I'm giving a perspective on dentistry vs pharmacy.

I guess you didnt understand the context I was using the word argument in. Here's wikipedia for you:

In philosophy and logic, an argument is an attempt to persuade someone of something, by giving reasons or evidence for accepting a particular conclusion.

You're argument is filled with assumptions, instead of real world advice.

PS Please address anything in my argument so the OP can understand the real pros/cons on the future of dentistry.

 

[timwatley]

I guess you didnt understand the context I was using the word argument in. Here's wikipedia for you:

In philosophy and logic, an argument is an attempt to persuade someone of something, by giving reasons or evidence for accepting a particular conclusion.

You're argument is filled with assumptions, instead of real world advice.

PS Please address anything in my argument so the OP can understand the real pros/cons on the future of dentistry.

Again, my statement had nothing to do with you. I was offering a perspective to the OP. OP said pharm was saturated, timwately said dentistry isn't a bullet proof alternative.

But, since you're trying to start an argument with me, start by quoting a non user edited website.

 

[wired202808]

Again, my statement had nothing to do with you. I was offering a perspective to the OP. OP said pharm was saturated, timwately said dentistry isn't a bullet proof alternative.

But, since you're trying to start an argument with me, start by quoting a non user edited website.

you totally missed out on what I was saying. I guess the point is moot.

 

[Dgeorg6]

Just because SOME pharmacist start off making almost 100k in huge markets (that have a much higher cost of living which denotes the starting salary anyways) that does not mean it's the norm..

Making 100k+ right out of Dental school IS the norm.. unless your in oversaturated areas like California

 

[wired202808]

Just because SOME pharmacist start off making almost 100k in huge markets (that have a much higher cost of living which denotes the starting salary anyways) that does not mean it's the norm..

Making 100k+ right out of Dental school IS the norm.. unless your in oversaturated areas like California

Pharmacists in Chicago and LA make the same amount. You're argument is inherently flawed because dentists in NYC, Chicago and LA will make less than 100K and deal with a lot of medicaid patients. Most people dont live in middle of nowhere america hence it doesn't really matter what a pharmacist makes in Iowa, any normal regional market they'll make close to or at 100K, therefore the point is essentially moot. Also the word SOME is flawed since MAJORITY of pharmacists make that much. Google it if you don't believe me.

In the long run Dentists will out-earn pharmacists but pharma does a lot less invasive work. They still gets paid a ton of money for an easier job, dentists will work a lot harder to earn that cash.

 

[dentalprodigy]

U posted this in a dental forum...U really expect non biased answers?

Get off the forums and shadow both a pharmacist/dentist and decide 4 yourself.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

 

[crew09]

this convo is funny because i hang out with a '10 dental graduate and a '09 pharm grad regularly and they are always jokingly making fun of each other....

Each field has potential for excellent income and lifestyle, and pre-dental pre-pharm students usually aren't aware of the diversity of the fields, for example my pharmacy buddy is looking to open a diabetes clinic, my friend whose a dentist is looking at working for a major corporation in a completely non-clinical capacity....

A degree doesn't come with a salary guarantee, both fields are financially rewarding and for the foreseeable future will continue to be...

good luck with your choice, shadowing and talking with both professions should narrow down the choices, i'd caution against choosing soley for the money however not because it's not important but because i've met extremely financially successful people in both fields.

 

[thewobblytooth]

Well, I'm not sure about elsewhere, but my sister is going to graduate from UOP Pharmacy School this May and she said that the job outlook in CA is not pretty. Yes, pay is good. Yes, there is less debt. Yes, it's a stable profession if you can find a job. However, with more pharmacy schools opening up in CA and less pharmacists overall retiring, she told me that it's very difficult to get a job in this market. Many of her friends have not been able to secure a job before graduation. Over saturated is the term she gave me. That's one thing to think about in CA. Not sure about anywhere else!

 

[DavesNotHere]

Pharmacists in Chicago and LA make the same amount. You're argument is inherently flawed because dentists in NYC, Chicago and LA will make less than 100K and deal with a lot of medicaid patients. Most people dont live in middle of nowhere america hence it doesn't really matter what a pharmacist makes in Iowa, any normal regional market they'll make close to or at 100K, therefore the point is essentially moot. Also the word SOME is flawed since MAJORITY of pharmacists make that much. Google it if you don't believe me.

In the long run Dentists will out-earn pharmacists but pharma does a lot less invasive work. They still gets paid a ton of money for an easier job, dentists will work a lot harder to earn that cash.

Where are u getting the pharm pay...I cannot find anything legitimate

 

[wired202808]

Where are u getting the pharm pay...I cannot find anything legitimate

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=pharmacist&l1=new+york,+ny
http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Pharmacist-Salary-Details-New-York-NY.aspx

Even Philly pays its pharmacists over 100K.

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=pharmacist&l1=chicago
http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Pharmacist-Salary-Details-Chicago-IL.aspx

http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Pharmacist-Salary-Details-Los-Angeles-CA.aspx
http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=pharmacist&l1=los+angeles

That's why I dont buy how the whole pharma industry is oversaturated when people are making bank. All new grads I know off make at least their 100K in NYC. A lot of them work at mom/pop on the weekends and rake in up to $50/hr in cash. 🙂 That's why I dont buy the paranoia of too many dental schools opening up and how the industry will suffer due to dental therapists.

 

[thewobblytooth]

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=pharmacist&l1=new+york,+ny
http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Pharmacist-Salary-Details-New-York-NY.aspx

Even Philly pays its pharmacists over 100K.

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=pharmacist&l1=chicago
http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Pharmacist-Salary-Details-Chicago-IL.aspx

http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Pharmacist-Salary-Details-Los-Angeles-CA.aspx
http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=pharmacist&l1=los+angeles

That's why I dont buy how the whole pharma industry is oversaturated when people are making bank. All new grads I know off make at least their 100K in NYC. A lot of them work at mom/pop on the weekends and rake in up to $50/hr in cash. 🙂 That's why I dont buy the paranoia of too many dental schools opening up and how the industry will suffer due to dental therapists.

I think the paranoia is just market outlook 5-10 yrs down the road. Also depends on where people live at as well. I think dentistry will still be a good gig compared to most other health profession fields and I don't doubt the pay of a pharmacist because my sis was offered $120K starting with safeway when she graduates. It's just that the economy is putting a limit on how many pharmacists will be employed in the near future. Seriously, how many walmarts, targets, safeways, etc will open in 10 yrs? Corporate pharmacy is where most people work. Mom/pop stores are another story.

Dental therapists are going to fail imo, so I think we'll be okay there.

 

[Dgeorg6]

So your saying the MAJORITY of pharmacist START OFF making 100k right out of school?

and in your links Dentist make more in the same cities you linked in all of the salary.com ones but not in the other..

You can't base your argument off of a few metropolitan areas, I'm talking about nation wide averages here man.

 

[wired202808]

I think the paranoia is just market outlook 5-10 yrs down the road. Also depends on where people live at as well. I think dentistry will still be a good gig compared to most other health profession fields and I don't doubt the pay of a pharmacist because my sis was offered $120K starting with safeway when she graduates. It's just that the economy is putting a limit on how many pharmacists will be employed in the near future. Seriously, how many walmarts, targets, safeways, etc will open in 10 yrs? Corporate pharmacy is where most people work. Mom/pop stores are another story.

Dental therapists are going to fail imo, so I think we'll be okay there.

There might be an issue with new grads in 10 years, but I foresee all current grads to be safe.

I also agree with you on the dental therapists. As long as the legislation doesn't get passed in the states where we want to practice we'll be fine. I can see it being an issue in Minnesota since most dentists dont want to practice in the rural areas, but the East and West coasts should be fine since there's no real lack of dentists.

 

[wired202808]

So your saying the MAJORITY of pharmacist START OFF making 100k right out of school?

and in your links Dentist make more in the same cities you linked in all of the salary.com ones but not in the other..

You can't base your argument off of a few metropolitan areas, I'm talking about nation wide averages here man.

YUP THE MAJORITY MR CAPS.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm

But if you think about it averages mean absolutely nothing. No one bases their career on averages, you base it on where you intend to work/practice. Regional salaries are the most important factor when you're picking a career based on salary.

And as Obama says YES YOU CAN! base it off the BIGGEST metro cities in america. I dont plan to live in bumbletruck USA 🙂 but that's just me... and the majority of other professionals.

 

[thewobblytooth]

YUP THE MAJORITY MR CAPS.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm

But if you think about it averages mean absolutely nothing. No one bases their career on averages, you base it on where you intend to work/practice. Regional salaries are the most important factor when you're picking a career based on salary.

And as Obama says YES YOU CAN! base it off the BIGGEST metro cities in america. I dont plan to live in bumbletruck USA 🙂 but that's just me... and the majority of other professionals.

+1. I don't think many young dentists will want to live in rural areas unless they are originally from there. This is just how things are nowadays.

 

[SHC1984]

So your saying the MAJORITY of pharmacist START OFF making 100k right out of school?

and in your links Dentist make more in the same cities you linked in all of the salary.com ones but not in the other..

You can't base your argument off of a few metropolitan areas, I'm talking about nation wide averages here man.

Pharmacist starting salary is around $55 to $65 dollars an hour that is standard for anywhere in the USA. So around 110K to 120K a year.

Dentist make more if they own their own practice, but if they were to work for someone else their salary would be about the same.

 

[SHC1984]

Alright.

So, I have been thinking a lot about my future choices. The pre-reqs for both are practically the same for the school I would like to go to.

I would like to get into pharmacy, I mean, I have learned a lot working as a tech, and I enjoy my job in a pharmacy. Shadowing some in hospitals, I really think I would enjoy the profession.

But... dentistry. I have heard a lot, and recently got my dental assistant license, and will work in the office I get my checkups. I have shadowed a dentist, and I also seem to enjoy that career as well. There is also MUCH MUCH more people interaction with a dentist!


I have no idea what to choose!

I would like you to talk me into or out of dentistry!

Let me know some pros and cons!

I was in dental school but dropped out and went into pharmacy.

Pharmacy is much cleaner and I don't have any physical contact with any patients. That's the better deal. I'll take a cleaner job anyday. 🙂

 

[UltimateHombre]

Sure Pharmacists make 110K coming right out of school however, the raises from there are not very much. You need to look at the ranges, if you look at the highest paid 10% you will see it is only 130K... so the earning potential just isn't there like it is in dentistry.

I also don't have any hard data, but i have heard that the 110K is the average for retail, the word on the street is that hospital and other settings pay significantly less.

Also, there is much much more "sky is falling" talk within pharmacy than dentistry right now. With 100+ pharm schools and more opening faster than dschools, there is a lot of talk of over saturation.

IMO, i think that from a financial and job security stand point, dentistry wins over pharmacy. However, ultimately you have to following what you find more interesting and what you can see yourself doing for 40 years. Do you like more patient interaction, working with your hands, running a business, and setting your own hours? If yes to all the above, dentistry may be for you, if not, stick with pharmacy.

 

[wired202808]

Sure Pharmacists make 110K coming right out of school however, the raises from there are not very much. You need to look at the ranges, if you look at the highest paid 10% you will see it is only 130K... so the earning potential just isn't there like it is in dentistry.

I also don't have any hard data, but i have heard that the 110K is the average for retail, the word on the street is that hospital and other settings pay significantly less.

Also, there is much much more "sky is falling" talk within pharmacy than dentistry right now. With 100+ pharm schools and more opening faster than dschools, there is a lot of talk of over saturation.

IMO, i think that from a financial and job security stand point, dentistry wins over pharmacy. However, ultimately you have to following what you find more interesting and what you can see yourself doing for 40 years. Do you like more patient interaction, working with your hands, running a business, and setting your own hours? If yes to all the above, dentistry may be for you, if not, stick with pharmacy.

I agree and with pharmacy you're capped out if you work a salaried job. As a dentist you really earn for your procedures, so you can out-earn a pharmacist pretty fast.

I like the clean aspects of pharmacy but other than that I don't find the profession as appealing.

 

[timwatley]

YUP THE MAJORITY MR CAPS.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm

But if you think about it averages mean absolutely nothing. No one bases their career on averages, you base it on where you intend to work/practice. Regional salaries are the most important factor when you're picking a career based on salary.

And as Obama says YES YOU CAN! base it off the BIGGEST metro cities in america. I dont plan to live in bumbletruck USA 🙂 but that's just me... and the majority of other professionals.

Weren't you that guy that was crying about the political thread? And now you're dropping mao-bama quotes? 👍

 

[wired202808]

Weren't you that guy that was crying about the political thread? And now you're dropping mao-bama quotes? 👍

i cry every time i see your username.

 

[D0CTORX]

U posted this in a dental forum...U really expect non biased answers?

Get off the forums and shadow both a pharmacist/dentist and decide 4 yourself.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

I have shadowed a dentist and work for a pharmacy. I obviously know what the careers entail.


I just wanted a perspective from Pre-Dental students on why they chose this over something else, like pharmacy.







Thanks for everyone's responses. I am leaning toward dentistry a little more. I guess I could always do what my dentist did; get a pharm d as well. Lol.

 

[yappy]

lol. I know you're joking - but this would be the worst. two grad programs, two grad debts, 1 career = lots of opportunity loss & delay of gradification.

Thanks for everyone's responses. I am leaning toward dentistry a little more. I guess I could always do what my dentist did; get a pharm d as well. Lol.

 

[uva09]

Alright.

So, I have been thinking a lot about my future choices. The pre-reqs for both are practically the same for the school I would like to go to.

I would like to get into pharmacy, I mean, I have learned a lot working as a tech, and I enjoy my job in a pharmacy. Shadowing some in hospitals, I really think I would enjoy the profession.

But... dentistry. I have heard a lot, and recently got my dental assistant license, and will work in the office I get my checkups. I have shadowed a dentist, and I also seem to enjoy that career as well. There is also MUCH MUCH more people interaction with a dentist!


I have no idea what to choose!

I would like you to talk me into or out of dentistry!

Let me know some pros and cons!

So - you have been thinking a lot lately, you have extensive professional experience in pharmacy as a tech and you have bolstered dental interest through the acquisition of a dental assistant license - yet you "have no idea what to choose"!? And you need some group of strangers on an online forum to help sway your interests with a list of pro's and con's??

Were you in a semi-comatose state during your experiences with each professional field? Surely, you should have progressed through enough interactions and moments of reflection to come to a fairly strong conclusion on your own by now. If not, probably neither is a good career choice for you.

The pro's and con's for any career path are a matter of personal choice and preference.

 

[wired202808]

So - you have been thinking a lot lately, you have extensive professional experience in pharmacy as a tech and you have bolstered dental interest through the acquisition of a dental assistant license - yet you "have no idea what to choose"!? And you need some group of strangers on an online forum to help sway your interests with a list of pro's and con's??

Were you in a semi-comatose state during your experiences with each professional field? Surely, you should have progressed through enough interactions and moments of reflection to come to a fairly strong conclusion on your own by now. If not, probably neither is a good career choice for you.

The pro's and con's for any career path are a matter of personal choice and preference.

actually dont knock it till you try it. In this book I read, Stumbling on Happiness, the best way to make any informed choice is by asking people what their thoughts are and how they like a certain industry. We often over/under estimate how "average" we are and usually most people have very similar feelings towards jobs, goals, and happiness. So asking people if they like a field is often a good indicator.

Yes you should still experience it on your own, but there's nothing wrong in asking others.

 

[uva09]

actually dont knock it till you try it. In this book I read, Stumbling on Happiness, the best way to make any informed choice is by asking people what their thoughts are and how they like a certain industry. We often over/under estimate how "average" we are and usually most people have very similar feelings towards jobs, goals, and happiness. So asking people if they like a field is often a good indicator.

Yes you should still experience it on your own, but there's nothing wrong in asking others.

You mis-read my post - I never devalued the importance of asking for outside input. Clearly this is an important element of career solidification. However, with the listed information, the OP should have had more than enough relevant material to make an informed decision without consulting a group of online strangers where the standard of experience and/or expertise is quite low, if present at all given the 'pre-dental' aspect of this forum. As a pharmacy tech, you would have interaction with other pharmacy techs, the head pharmacist, store managers, store owners, clients, other industry professionals, the list goes on, etc. As a dental assistant or dental observer you would have candid opportunity with other dental assistants, hygienists, dentists, specialists, practice managers, etc. Do you see where I am going with this? Generally speaking, these are all seasoned industry professionals with valued insight and expertise. If you can't get answers to the most basic questions such as "which career makes more sense for me" with that kind of background resume, you might have larger problems.

 

[wired202808]

You mis-read my post - I never devalued the importance of asking for outside input. Clearly this is an important element of career solidification. However, with the listed information, the OP should have had more than enough relevant material to make an informed decision without consulting a group of online strangers where the standard of experience and/or expertise is quite low, if present at all given the 'pre-dental' aspect of this forum. As a pharmacy tech, you would have interaction with other pharmacy techs, the head pharmacist, store managers, store owners, clients, other industry professionals, the list goes on, etc. As a dental assistant or dental observer you would have candid opportunity with other dental assistants, hygienists, dentists, specialists, practice managers, etc. Do you see where I am going with this? Generally speaking, these are all seasoned industry professionals with valued insight and expertise. If you can't get answers to the most basic questions such as "which career makes more sense for me" with that kind of background resume, you might have larger problems.

I think the OP is interested in whatever field he'll make more $$$ in. I dont really see any sense of obligation, duty or integrity 🙂

 

[SHC1984]

Sure Pharmacists make 110K coming right out of school however, the raises from there are not very much. You need to look at the ranges, if you look at the highest paid 10% you will see it is only 130K... so the earning potential just isn't there like it is in dentistry.

I also don't have any hard data, but i have heard that the 110K is the average for retail, the word on the street is that hospital and other settings pay significantly less.

Also, there is much much more "sky is falling" talk within pharmacy than dentistry right now. With 100+ pharm schools and more opening faster than dschools, there is a lot of talk of over saturation.

IMO, i think that from a financial and job security stand point, dentistry wins over pharmacy. However, ultimately you have to following what you find more interesting and what you can see yourself doing for 40 years. Do you like more patient interaction, working with your hands, running a business, and setting your own hours? If yes to all the above, dentistry may be for you, if not, stick with pharmacy.

This is true! 🙂

 

[SHC1984]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I am leaning toward dentistry a little more. I guess I could always do what my dentist did; get a pharm d as well. Lol.

Getting a PharmD and MD would be fine...but a DDS and PharmD would be dumb.

 

[doc toothache]

Getting a PharmD and MD would be fine...but a DDS and PharmD would be dumb.

From a DDS to PharmD probably; from PharmD to DDS probably no.

 

[wired202808]

Getting a PharmD and MD would be fine...but a DDS and PharmD would be dumb.

I heard of a few pharmd to md stories.

 

[DavesNotHere]

Getting a PharmD and MD would be fine...but a DDS and PharmD would be dumb.

No, only having a PharmD is dumb. I know two dds pharmD both super knowledgeable. They both have sedation license and do a lot of special needs stuff on pts w long health histories. It's not a necessity, but if you're doing a lot of hospital cases, or doing a ton of sedations it's not the worst.