Dentistry vs DO (Doctor Of Osteopahty)

[alexking44]

I'm struggling very hard between choosing between DO school and Dentistry. The cost of education for both programs is almost the same. However I have a very difficult time choosing between both paths?

I would appreciate your input in terms of future job/employment, residency for both (although Dental is not mandatory) and actual job. I do not like Surgery otherwise I would definitely go for Dentistry. I'm thinking anything other than surgery in Medicine.

So Please help me

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[trs88]

Have you done any shadowing in either profession? Which did you like more?

 

[alexking44]

I've shadowed a general dental practitioner and a family doctor and internist. What I noticed that a job of family physician or Internist is not that difficult. However the job of a dentist is pretty hard (every half n hour) = small surgery. However Im committed to the profession and ready to learn and commit as much as possible and necessary to learn it.

Im 30 yrs old by the way.

My impression of both profession:
Difficulty of Job: Dentist job is much harder on a daily basis as Internist or family physician ....
It seems like 4 years in dentistry --> become General Practitioner and residency (don't need to ) but another 3/4 years --> overall 7/8 years full specialist.
Income ? I don't know if dentists make alot more or not? but again their job is more difficult

My concern is the following:
Income after graduation for both ...
number of years ...
difficulty of the job ...

 

[DrMikeP]

I've shadowed a general dental practitioner and a family doctor and internist. What I noticed that a job of family physician or Internist is not that difficult. However the job of a dentist is pretty hard (every half n hour) = small surgery. However Im committed to the profession and ready to learn and commit as much as possible and necessary to learn it.

Im 30 yrs old by the way.

My impression of both profession:
Difficulty of Job: Dentist job is much harder on a daily basis as Internist or family physician ....
It seems like 4 years in dentistry --> become General Practitioner and residency (don't need to ) but another 3/4 years --> overall 7/8 years full specialist.
Income ? I don't know if dentists make alot more or not? but again their job is more difficult

My concern is the following:
Income after graduation for both ...
number of years ...
difficulty of the job ...

Don't underestimate the job of a family physician. What you see at the practice shadowing with a few patients can be the tip of the iceberg. You often don't see the numerous hospital visits between patients, patients who come in experiencing a medical crisis, tons of time spent on phone with ins companies, regular 3AM, 3:15AM, weekend, Christmas eve, New Year's eve, emergencies, etc. Where you practice can also make a huge difference. Some of the docs I know in low income neighborhoods may see 40+ patients in a day and all of them have serious and chronic health issues and they don't follow recommendations. Just some things to consider.

 

[Promethean]

DO will give you the most options. If you decided that what you really wanted after all was to go back to working in the mouth, DOs can be oral/maxillofacial surgeons.

If you stick to not wanting to do surgery/procedures, then DOs have a laundry list of possible fields that might interest you.

Dentists do not get to do very much other than intraoral hands on work. I am really confused about how you got an acceptance before realizing that you don't want to do that kind of work. That alone is a reason I recommend you not go that route. It seems like you need a lot more exposure to clinical practice before you really know what it is that you want to do. DO is the route that can give you that flexibility.

 

[alexking44]

Yes, I'm more inclined towards DO , however the so-called money and lower number of years of training intrigues me. I appreciate if you could comment about those as well.

 

[alexking44]

DO will give you the most options. If you decided that what you really wanted after all was to go back to working in the mouth, DOs can be oral/maxillofacial surgeons.

If you stick to not wanting to do surgery/procedures, then DOs have a laundry list of possible fields that might interest you.

Dentists do not get to do very much other than intraoral hands on work. I am really confused about how you got an acceptance before realizing that you don't want to do that kind of work. That alone is a reason I recommend you not go that route. It seems like you need a lot more exposure to clinical practice before you really know what it is that you want to do. DO is the route that can give you that flexibility.

Yes, I'm more inclined towards DO , however the so-called money and lower number of years of training intrigues me. I appreciate if you could comment about those as well.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

This should not be a question...at all. By asking this question you are showing that you really don't have your heart set in medicine which is what patients deserve in a doctor. You are asking pre-med students on an osteopathic medical forum to help you distinguish the pros and cons between both professions. First of all, this should be YOUR decision or else you won't be happy in the end. Secondly, do you want to practice MEDICINE or DENTISTRY? They may both be medically related, but are far different in their respective fields. Residency is not required for medical school, so if that is what is getting at you then go ahead and forget that requirement. I think you should go into dentistry so one of the other applicants who would die to be in your position can have that spot.

 

[trs88]

If money is your sole reason for the professions, I'd recommend another profession. Each school will leave you with a different amount of debt at the end. I know practically nothing about dentistry, so you'll have to head to their forum and read a few threads there. But I believe that they have the same amount of debt post education and have a far lower salary than MDs&DOs. If you look at DO for the money, it can take around 10 years after residency to pay it all off; plus the workload to salary ratio might not be worth it.

If you still want to enter the medical field with money as a priority, you can look into becoming a PA or NP. Depending on what they do, their hours can be less harsh and they make very good money.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Perhaps you should try asking the dentistry forum as well for some different perspective.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

DMD or DDS?

I heard DMDs aren't as good as DDS dentists.

10/10 I see what you did there 👍

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Dentistry still has the private practice model going for it... so that $$$ is still there.

The way things are looking, private practice will be dead for medicine and we will all we employees for hospitals as reimbursements are go down.

Every profession has its pros and cons.

Then again, you are 30 sooo... You better figure out something soon cause you aren't getting any younger (no offense) and will most likely retire later.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

No, seriously, my dad said that DMDs are basically just chiropractors for your mouth.

IF that...

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

My concern is the following:
Income after graduation for both ...
number of years ...
difficulty of the job ...

Those are all legitimate concerns, but which one is more interesting to you? You are going to be hosed with debt either way. It has to be a lifestyle choice.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

I've shadowed a general dental practitioner and a family doctor and internist. What I noticed that a job of family physician or Internist is not that difficult. However the job of a dentist is pretty hard (every half n hour) = small surgery. However Im committed to the profession and ready to learn and commit as much as possible and necessary to learn it.

Im 30 yrs old by the way.

My impression of both profession:
Difficulty of Job: Dentist job is much harder on a daily basis as Internist or family physician ....
It seems like 4 years in dentistry --> become General Practitioner and residency (don't need to ) but another 3/4 years --> overall 7/8 years full specialist.
Income ? I don't know if dentists make alot more or not? but again their job is more difficult

My concern is the following:
Income after graduation for both ...
number of years ...
difficulty of the job ...

You must be kidding. Don't take this the wrong way, but have you ever shadowed a physician efficiently and with enough hours to get a full grasp on their job responsibilities? You should step back and take a look at both professions with more depth. What schools were you accepted in to?

 

[burritowithgreensauce]

you're an idiot. do neither. go be an rn.

 

[allantois]

DO will give you the most options. If you decided that what you really wanted after all was to go back to working in the mouth, DOs can be oral/maxillofacial surgeons.

If you stick to not wanting to do surgery/procedures, then DOs have a laundry list of possible fields that might interest you.

Dentists do not get to do very much other than intraoral hands on work. I am really confused about how you got an acceptance before realizing that you don't want to do that kind of work. That alone is a reason I recommend you not go that route. It seems like you need a lot more exposure to clinical practice before you really know what it is that you want to do. DO is the route that can give you that flexibility.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the surgical arm of dentistry and an exclusively dental specialty, which does not require a medical degree. However, the residencies that do award the medical degree, are all MD programs. ENT would be the closest thing to OMFS, but they have very different bread and butter procedures.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the surgical arm of dentistry and an exclusively dental specialty, which does not require a medical degree. However, the residencies that do award the medical degree, are all MD programs. ENT would be the closest thing to OMFS, but they have very different bread and butter procedures.

If I did not read this right, then please correct me.
Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is not exclusive for dental specialties in dentistry; DDS, DMD, MBBS (European Medical Degree), and MD degrees are all recognized as able to specialize in this area of medicine. Also, Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons can do fellowships in areas such as this and do just fine. The programs you are saying are only available to MD programs, which said differently you are just saying they are only ACGME accredited residencies, well, by 2020 the AOA and ACGME will be fully merged into just ACGME so this doesn't matter anymore. ENT doctors are not even close to MF surgeons aside from the fact that they deal with the same area of work.

 

[allantois]

If I did not read this right, then please correct me.
Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is not exclusive for dental specialties in dentistry; DDS, DMD, MBBS (European Medical Degree), and MD degrees are all recognized as able to specialize in this area of medicine. Also, Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons can do fellowships in areas such as this and do just fine. The programs you are saying are only available to MD programs, which said differently you are just saying they are only ACGME accredited residencies, well, by 2020 the AOA and ACGME will be fully merged into just ACGME so this doesn't matter anymore. ENT doctors are not even close to MF surgeons aside from the fact that they deal with the same area of work.

Training for oral surgeons varies across countries: in some, you need to obtain both dental and medical degrees (UK), while in others you only need a dental degree (Canada); a dental degree is however the first degree that is obtained in either case. Oral Surgery is not an ACGME specialty, and is instead accredited by CODA of ADA. The only way for a DO or MD to get into oral surgery, is to go back to dental school (which is not something that is ever pursued). There are two types of oral surgery residencies in the US: independent 4 year programs and integrated 6 year programs, which are still 4 year OMFS residencies combined with 2nd and 3rd years of medical school, upon completion of which a medical degree is granted (all integrated residencies just happen to be associated with an MD school). Oral Surgeons can in fact pursue certain fellowships, such as craniofacial surgery (which is primarily available to plastic surgeons). That is, however, rarely pursued as most OMFS don't want anything to do with in-hospital medicine. So a plastic surgeon who did a craniofacial fellowship will not have the same scope of practice as an OMFS, while an OMFS who did a craniofacial fellowship will have the same scope of practice as a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon. The reason I said why ENT is most similar, is because during residency facial trauma is usually split between the two specialties.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Training for oral surgeons varies across countries: in some, you need to obtain both dental and medical degrees (UK), while in others you only need a dental degree (Canada); a dental degree is however the first degree that is obtained in either case. Oral Surgery is not an ACGME specialty, and is instead accredited by CODA of ADA. The only way for a DO or MD to get into oral surgery, is to go back to dental school (which is not something that is ever pursued). There are two types of oral surgery residencies in the US: independent 4 year programs and integrated 6 year programs, which is still a 4 year OMFS residency combined with 2nd and 3rd years of medical school, upon completion of which a medical degree is granted (all integrated residencies just happen to be associated with an MD school). Oral Surgeons can in fact pursue certain fellowships, such as craniofacial surgery (which is primarily available to plastic surgeons). That is, however, rarely pursued as most OMFS don't want anything to do with in-hospital medicine. So a plastic surgeon who did a craniofacial fellowship will not have the same scope of practice as an OMFS, while an OMFS who did a craniofacial fellowship will have the same scope of practice as a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon. The reason I said why ENT is most similar, is because during residency facial trauma is usually split between the two specialties.

I wasn't trying to imply that oral surgery is an ACGME residency, I was only meaning to clarify that no matter what the residency it doesn't matter who accredits it now since they are merging by 2020, that was the extent of that sentence. As for the dual degree, it is most common for students to go to DMD or DDS programs first, but there ARE programs that offer the 4 and 6 year residency programs where you obtain that degree post-medical school. I, however, do not see the purpose in doing so since you can spend the same amount of time and do a fellowship in P&R surgery which pays top dollar, has more benefits and options, and allows one to acquire a much better foundation of knowledge.

As for this whole topic, I think this is one of the silliest questions I have ever encountered. Why would someone ask "DO or Dentistry?" Every person I have known to pursue medicine would have given an arm an a leg to get into medical school, that is how much they have their heart set on becoming physicians. But the OP is throwing around pros and cons pertaining to money, difficulty of schooling, and length of stay for residency programs. Listen, I hope medical school breaks you down and makes you send up a little prayer for help because it is so hard. I don't say that out of spite, I say that out of worry and hope. I want every physician that earns their medical degree to know what it feels like to lay it all on the line and do what it takes to soak up the knowledge required to ADEQUATELY treat another human being. You see, there is a lesson that some people don't learn until they actually reach the real world, and that lesson is that you aren't learning for yourself...everything you learn is going to be applied to help SOMEONE ELSE..so you better do your due diligence and make sure you know your P's and Q's, because some day someone is going to rely on you to have that knowledge at your disposal to treat or maybe even SAVE their life. That is the sole reason I feel uncomfortable that this question is being asked. If your heart isn't in medical school and your passion isn't medicine, then please...go to dentistry school where there is a little less significance placed on actual patient's lives and a little more geared towards cosmetics.

 

[allantois]

I wasn't trying to imply that oral surgery is an ACGME residency, I was only meaning to clarify that no matter what the residency it doesn't matter who accredits it now since they are merging by 2020, that was the extent of that sentence. As for the dual degree, it is most common for students to go to DMD or DDS programs first, but there ARE programs that offer the 4 and 6 year residency programs where you obtain that degree post-medical school. I, however, do not see the purpose in doing so since you can spend the same amount of time and do a fellowship in P&R surgery which pays top dollar, has more benefits and options, and allows one to acquire a much better foundation of knowledge.

Oral surgery residencies are not merging with anyone and are not available to medical graduates (MD or DO) unless they have a dental degree. And while it is irrelevant, OMFS salaries are higher than plastic surgery ones. Bringing oral surgery into the merger conversation is as absurd as bringing in orthodontics and periodontics into the same conversation (which are by the way also specialties that are not available to medical graduates). I hope you get the point.

Also, looking at this thread, I would very much NOT want someone without a dental degree to be placing my dental implants.

As for saving lives part, every OMFS is licensed (by the dental board) to provide general anesthesia 😉

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Oral surgery residencies are not merging with anyone and are not available to medical graduates (MD or DO) unless they have a dental degree. And while it is irrelevant, OMFS salaries are higher than plastic surgery ones.

Also, looking at this thread, I would very much NOT want someone without a dental degree to be placing my dental implants.

Are you not reading anything I wrote? I specifically said that my residency stint had NOTHING to do with oral surgery. The only thing I was pointing out with residencies and the ACGME is that by 2020 the AOA and ACGME will be merging 100%, therefore it doesn't matter if a residency is only ACGME.. OMFS and Plastic Surgeon pays are so irrelevant that it is not even a topic up for discussion. Plastic Surgeons can make millions if they are good enough and work in the right areas. While the base pay MAY be higher for OMFS, they do not do enough procedures on a gross scale to outperform the plastic and reconstructive surgeon's income. Plastic Surgeons work on elective cases, as well as almost any case that involved trauma. OMFS strictly works on the Maxillary and Facial Regions, which are regions plastic surgeons can work as well (do not confuse this with plastic surgeons doing the same type of work in these areas.) While you are on the topic, I have never heard of anyone going to a plastic surgeon for dental implants, let alone have I ever heard of a plastic surgeon agreeing to do such a procedure...

 

[allantois]

Are you not reading anything I wrote? I specifically said that my residency stint had NOTHING to do with oral surgery. The only thing I was pointing out with residencies and the ACGME is that by 2020 the AOA and ACGME will be merging 100%, therefore it doesn't matter if a residency is only ACGME.. OMFS and Plastic Surgeon pays are so irrelevant that it is not even a topic up for discussion. Plastic Surgeons can make millions if they are good enough and work in the right areas. While the base pay MAY be higher for OMFS, they do not do enough procedures on a gross scale to outperform the plastic and reconstructive surgeon's income. Plastic Surgeons work on elective cases, as well as almost any case that involved trauma. OMFS strictly works on the Maxillary and Facial Regions, which are regions plastic surgeons can work as well (do not confuse this with plastic surgeons doing the same type of work in these areas.) While you are on the topic, I have never heard of anyone going to a plastic surgeon for dental implants, let alone have I ever heard of a plastic surgeon agreeing to do such a procedure...

You might want to read this thread if you hope to make millions in plastic surgery:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/how-much-do-plastic-surgeons-make-actually-make.1111725/

Just FYI, oral surgeons can complete a cosmetic fellowship and do all of those facial cosmetic surgeries that plastic surgeons do (and btw if you read that thread MANY specialties can do cosmetic surgery, that is why you won't be making millions in it). But once again, it is rarely pursued as bread and butter procedures in oral surgery have better pay. The reason why plastic surgeons are doing trauma cases and oral surgeons are not (while they are both trained in it) is precisely because oral surgeons do not need a hospital to do their bread and butter cases, nor do they need an anesthesia provider and therefore hospitals cannot force them to take their trauma call.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

You might want to read this thread if you hope to make millions in plastic surgery:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/how-much-do-plastic-surgeons-make-actually-make.1111725/

Just FYI, oral surgeons can complete a cosmetic fellowship and do all of those facial cosmetic surgeries that plastic surgeons do. Once again, it is rarely pursued as bread and butter procedures in oral surgery have better pay.

I have no desire to make millions, I actually wish to have a life outside of medical school, nor do I ever care to pursue Plastic Surgery.
Also, I really have no ambition to learn anything else to do with dentistry, since I will never occupy my time with this information aside from my visits to me wonderful dentist. You are a per-dentistry student? I would be careful citing other articles from SDN. You are better off putting in some more time and effort and finding some statistics with a bit more backbone and legitimacy.

 

[allantois]

I have no desire to make millions, I actually wish to have a life outside of medical school, nor do I ever care to pursue Plastic Surgery.
Also, I really have no ambition to learn anything else to do with dentistry, since I will never occupy my time with this information aside from my visits to me wonderful dentist. You are a per-dentistry student? I would be careful citing other articles from SDN. You are better off putting in some more time and effort and finding some statistics with a bit more backbone and legitimacy.

Well, for one thing dentists are known to have a life outside of their work (refer to the hours worked in the first link 😀), unlike some grumpy medical students who have no understanding of what they are arguing about.

There is some statistics for you:
http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science and Research/HPI/Files/10_oms.ashx
http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2015/plastic-surgery#page=2

I am a former pre-med student who was swayed into dentistry by an OMFS mentor of mine.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Well, for one thing dentists are known to have a life outside of their work; unlike some grumpy medical students who have no understanding of what they are arguing about.

There is some statistics for you:
http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science and Research/HPI/Files/10_oms.ashx
http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2015/plastic-surgery#page=2

I am a former pre-med student who was swayed into dentistry by an OMFS mentor of mine.

Good golly you are a prime example of someone who picks and chooses words I say and twists them into something I never said or meant. Your agenda has been clarified, I understand your motives and I will leave it at that. Good night, I stayed up way too late for this nonsense.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Just TMJs all day, I heard. Also my mom said that DMDs dont make as much money and there is tons of stigma!

No, seriously, my dad said that DMDs are basically just chiropractors for your mouth.

 

[alexking44]

Thanks for all the inputs folks, since both professions creates a $400k debt at least, and since this thread is under pre-Do could you please advise of the followings:

1) As a DO , statistically I will make it to primary care residency - My preference is a branch in Internal such as GI or Cardiology which is 3 years + 3 years in fellowship + 4 years of standard medical school = 10 years. So I need your input how much money I would make after fellowship? What are my options? Who will hire me and can I make a private practice or not?

2) If I choose to go to family residency - where I can work and what are my incomes after graduation?

3) Can I only write COMLEX and apply to MD residency or I need to write USMELI 100% to be able to apply to MD residencies?

Thanks

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Good golly you are a prime example of someone who picks and chooses words I say and twists them into something I never said or meant. Your agenda has been clarified, I understand your motives and I will leave it at that. Good night, I stayed up way too late for this nonsense.

Ok so I have now read this whole thread and I can honestly say I don't think you know what you are talking about and are getting worked up over absolutely nothing. The other poster was specifically talking about OMFS dental residencies and you went off on some shpeal about the AOA and ACGME. Also don't be so self-righteous, people can be doctors for a multitude of reasons and "wanting to give an arm and a leg to be in medical school" does not have to be one of them. Who cares if the OP is asking between DO and DDS? It's his life and he is asking some valid questions about the lifestyle of each. Your posts have been getting touchier and touchier the last few weeks. Stop trying to be some internet warrior, it's showing a lack of knowledge about how things actually work.

 

[allantois]

Thanks for all the inputs folks, since both professions creates a $400k debt at least, and since this thread is under pre-Do could you please advise of the followings:

1) As a DO , statistically I will make it to primary care residency - My preference is a branch in Internal such as GI or Cardiology which is 3 years + 3 years in fellowship + 4 years of standard medical school = 10 years. So I need your input how much money I would make after fellowship? What are my options? Who will hire me and can I make a private practice or not?

2) If I choose to go to family residency - where I can work and what are my incomes after graduation?

3) Can I only write COMLEX and apply to MD residency or I need to write USMELI 100% to be able to apply to MD residencies?

Thanks

Why you applied to dental schools when you don't see yourself working with your hands is beyond me. Any salary data for cards and GI that is available today may or may not hold true 10 years down the road. I would expect PCP salaries to stay around 200k mark. I think your mindset of "having a guaranteed income" is better suited for medicine. Overall, medicine will guarantee incomes higher than dentistry, but you should also forget about being in private practice.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Well, for one thing dentists are known to have a life outside of their work (refer to the hours worked in the first link 😀), unlike some grumpy medical students who have no understanding of what they are arguing about.

There is some statistics for you:
http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science and Research/HPI/Files/10_oms.ashx
http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2015/plastic-surgery#page=2

I am a former pre-med student who was swayed into dentistry by an OMFS mentor of mine.

He is still a pre-med... He just has been accepted and apparently has decided to right some egregarious wrong he has perceived here

 

[alexking44]

Why you applied to dental schools when you don't see yourself working with your hands is beyond me. Any salary data for cards and GI that is available today may or may not hold true 10 years down the road. I would expect PCP salaries to stay around 200k mark. I think your mindset of "having a guaranteed income" is better suited for medicine. Overall, medicine will guarantee incomes higher than dentistry, but you should also forget about being in private practice.

Can you please elaborate on the internist job? You have to be employed as hospitalist? What is PCP? Also I'm sure if Im trained with my hands I can do the job but thinking maybe the job of internist is much easier. That's all

 

[alexking44]

Ok so I have now read this whole thread and I can honestly say I don't think you know what you are talking about and are getting worked up over absolutely nothing. The other poster was specifically talking about OMFS dental residencies and you went off on some shpeal about the AOA and ACGME. Also don't be so self-righteous, people can be doctors for a multitude of reasons and "wanting to give an arm and a leg to be in medical school" does not have to be one of them. Who cares if the OP is asking between DO and DDS? It's his life and he is asking some valid questions about the lifestyle of each. Your posts have been getting touchier and touchier the last few weeks. Stop trying to be some internet warrior, it's showing a lack of knowledge about how things actually work.

Thanks for understanding me - Its a hard decision

 

[AlteredScale]

Please keep your posts professional and respectful.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Can you please elaborate on the internist job? You have to be employed as hospitalist? What is PCP? Also I'm sure if Im trained with my hands I can do the job but thinking maybe the job of internist is much easier. That's all

I do agree with the above poster that I doesn't seem that you have researched this yourself. You need to shadow some more and talk to more physicians. An internist=hospitalist a majority of the time. And no job in medicine is easy. It may appear so but that is because you don't see all the mental thought processes that have to happen. Mentally medicine can be very challenging, like a puzzle. Personally I think your everyday bread and butter dentistry is far easier than that of an internist, but that's strictly my own opinion.

 

[allantois]

Can you please elaborate on the internist job? You have to be employed as hospitalist? What is PCP? Also I'm sure if Im trained with my hands I can do the job but thinking maybe the job of internist is much easier. That's all

PCP = primary care (internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics). Someone who trained as an internist can either work as a hospitalist (their shifts are something like 7 days on, 7 off; so you are working 12 hour shifts on your days on) or work in an outpatient PCP clinic. I think the job of a dentist puts more strain on your body and back in particular, but I would personally find talking to 20 people a day more exhausting (and you need to go and shadow a doc for the whole day to know that) than working with my hands, but that may not be the case for you. Maybe you could shadow in a dental lab (and actually ask them to let you do some of the lab work) or take a dental assistant course to see whether you would actually like doing dental work (that was certainly something that solidified my decision, as I was also unsure whether I had the hand skills for it). I would also like to know what the cost of attendance is at the dental school that you got into. If it is 400k and you like both professions equally, then medicine is by far a better financial decision.

 

[alexking44]

PCP = primary care (internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics). Someone who trained as an internist can either work as a hospitalist (their shifts are something like 7 days on, 7 off; so you are working 12 hour shifts on your days on) or work in an outpatient PCP clinic. I think the job of a dentist puts more strain on your body and back in particular, but I would personally find talking to 20 people a day more exhausting (and you need to go and shadow a doc for the whole day to know that) than working with my hands, but that may not be the case for you. Maybe you could shadow in a dental lab (and actually ask them to let you do some of the lab work) or take a dental assistant course to see whether you would actually like doing dental work (that was certainly something that solidified my decision, as I was also unsure whether I had the hand skills for it). I would also like to know what the cost of attendance is at the dental school that you got into. If it is 400k and you like both professions equally, then medicine is by far a better financial decision.

Thanks alot Allantois, can I contact you directly on the email or phone if you can allow me. I'm really puzzled and need your advice as you have gone this path. Thanks again

 

[Dharma]

No one calls it osteopathy anymore (besides the hardcore OMM folks, those making a passive-aggressive shot against DOs, or the uninformed).

 

[Rekt]

You're 30. Go to dental school. At least three less years. It's easier. Get business savy, join/open private practice --> $$$.

 

[alexking44]

It seems like 3 years less, but what about earlier retirement? this is hands / eyes job - what If I won't be able to do the job when I get old

 

[Rekt]

It seems like 3 years less, but what about earlier retirement? this is hands / eyes job - what If I won't be able to do the job when I get old

. . . You also need those things as a physician. Retirement would depend on what you do after graduation and how you manage your money, regardless of dental or medical school.

You'll need to be smarter about your moves as a dentist. You can graduate and work general for a corporate office and make next to nothing while paying off your loans or live like a dentist and be paying off the debt for a very long time. Similar to a physician, but your starting salary would be higher. Probably 150k-175k for a dentist, 200-275k for FP/IM. If you make the right moves with dentistry, you could easily make much more, but I can't speak anymore to how that's done, only from experience from my dental school friends. It's not to say that physician's can't play it smart, but dentists can easily have a higher ceiling. In regards to retirement, it'll come down to your money management and "extra-curricular finances" i.e. investments, etc.

 

[alexking44]

That's is true, I was more focused on physical retirement not financial, like after a certain age, you can't do the 100% concentration physical work, every half n hour on the patients, but DO's job is mostly diagnosis and consulation

 

[Bones 2020]

My mom has worked for two dentists for about 25 years now. The majority of what they do is drill cavities and do root canals. Do you want to work in a mouth and nothing else for the rest of your life?

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Ok so I have now read this whole thread and I can honestly say I don't think you know what you are talking about and are getting worked up over absolutely nothing. The other poster was specifically talking about OMFS dental residencies and you went off on some shpeal about the AOA and ACGME. Also don't be so self-righteous, people can be doctors for a multitude of reasons and "wanting to give an arm and a leg to be in medical school" does not have to be one of them. Who cares if the OP is asking between DO and DDS? It's his life and he is asking some valid questions about the lifestyle of each. Your posts have been getting touchier and touchier the last few weeks. Stop trying to be some internet warrior, it's showing a lack of knowledge about how things actually work.

I honestly could care less how you feel about my posts. I am glad you have sifted through my 5 years of posting on this site in the little 3 months you have been here. I understand it is easy to wrongly decipher someones message over the internet when you can't account for the tone, but I will say that you have come to an incorrect conclusion with what you thought I was trying to convey, because still..you have not reached the correct conclusion. You can move on from this, now, since no one was directly talking to you or about you, or you can shoot me a PM if you feel this needs to be drawn out even further.

 

[bing12]

. . . You also need those things as a physician. Retirement would depend on what you do after graduation and how you manage your money, regardless of dental or medical school.

You'll need to be smarter about your moves as a dentist. You can graduate and work general for a corporate office and make next to nothing while paying off your loans or live like a dentist and be paying off the debt for a very long time. Similar to a physician, but your starting salary would be higher. Probably 150k-175k for a dentist, 200-275k for FP/IM. If you make the right moves with dentistry, you could easily make much more, but I can't speak anymore to how that's done, only from experience from my dental school friends. It's not to say that physician's can't play it smart, but dentists can easily have a higher ceiling. In regards to retirement, it'll come down to your money management and "extra-curricular finances" i.e. investments, etc.

This may be true, but if you give a dentist a 3 year head start with a lower starting salary, you should/can be able to approach 200-300k by your 3rd/4th year of practice-around the same time a physician would enter the workforce.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

This may be true, but if you give a dentist a 3 year head start with a lower starting salary, you should/can be able to approach 200-300k by your 3rd/4th year of practice-around the same time a physician would enter the workforce.

My dentist says that nowadays it is harder for a dentist to succeed in his own practice and it is almost not worth it. But, he said if you are looking for the real money in dentistry, then you need to be a partner or own your own practice. Now, you obviously know more than I do, but do you agree with any of this? He is an amazing dentists who has been in practice for over 25 years.

 

[Dharma]

You're 30. Go to dental school. At least three less years. It's easier. Get business savy, join/open private practice --> $$$.

Meh. I started med school at 34. I'm 'younger' (i.e. better shape) than most of these kids 10 years my junior.

Don't let age be a deciding factor here.

@alexking44 ... trust your gut. Do not base your decision on current market trends, for the status quo is likely to change. You will make enough in either field to yield a comfortable life. The question is really which one is your path? You know... or will soon find out. Hint: the answer is not coming from SDN.

 

[bing12]

My dentist says that nowadays it is harder for a dentist to succeed in his own practice and it is almost not worth it. But, he said if you are looking for the real money in dentistry, then you need to be a partner or own your own practice. Now, you obviously know more than I do, but do you agree with any of this? He is an amazing dentists who has been in practice for over 25 years.

It is more difficult. I am a new grad so I am not the most experienced. BUT, it is more difficult to succeed in your own solo practice in typically saturated areas where most want to go ( NY/L.A), if you were to go to less saturated areas it is bad. Also, the shift is to more group practices/corporate. He is right, the real money is in private practice/partnership. I can only give what I have experienced and seen from my friends/classmates. Those I know who are in private practice as an associate in certain areas that are 2-3 years out of school are making 300k+, but they are working much more than the avg associate: prob 50hrs/week. avg is about 35-40 and they seem fairly happy(which is the most important thing).

Plus, everyone in their field thinks the grass is always greener on the other side. There will be disadvantages to any field.

 

[Rekt]

It is more difficult. I am a new grad so I am not the most experienced. BUT, it is more difficult to succeed in your own solo practice in typically saturated areas where most want to go ( NY/L.A), if you were to go to less saturated areas it is bad. Also, the shift is to more group practices/corporate. He is right, the real money is in private practice/partnership. I can only give what I have experienced and seen from my friends/classmates. Those I know who are in private practice as an associate in certain areas that are 2-3 years out of school are making 300k+, but they are working much more than the avg associate: prob 50hrs/week. avg is about 35-40 and they seem fairly happy(which is the most important thing).

Plus, everyone in their field thinks the grass is always greener on the other side. There will be disadvantages to any field.

Good post. As an aside, this is happening with medicine as well. Especially with anesthesiology, emergency medicine, and hospitalist groups as hospitals pick national contract management groups over private contracts. Finding partnership tracts will be extremely difficult in the near-future.

 

[67552931811]

I've shadowed a general dental practitioner and a family doctor and internist. What I noticed that a job of family physician or Internist is not that difficult. However the job of a dentist is pretty hard (every half n hour) = small surgery. However Im committed to the profession and ready to learn and commit as much as possible and necessary to learn it.

Im 30 yrs old by the way.

My impression of both profession:
Difficulty of Job: Dentist job is much harder on a daily basis as Internist or family physician ....
It seems like 4 years in dentistry --> become General Practitioner and residency (don't need to ) but another 3/4 years --> overall 7/8 years full specialist.
Income ? I don't know if dentists make alot more or not? but again their job is more difficult

My concern is the following:
Income after graduation for both ...
number of years ...
difficulty of the job ...

yeahhhh, ugh, not even close