dentistry vs pharmacy

[786783]

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Just how like some people are short sighted and say pharmacy is just pill pushers....they are the same people that say dentistry is about helping people and doing different things everyday.

Newsflash. For every one patient that truly appreciates you, you will have 100 that say " I hate going to the dentist, my filling hurts, I hate needles, it's to expensive and don't want to come in ever." Helping people? I honestly believe medicine helps more people. I can only count on one hand how many people that have truly appreciated my work over 2 years.

Doing different things? Bread and butter is almost the same as pill pushing. Same thig everyday and carries a lot more liability and bitching from patients then just "pushing pills"... In addition when you go home you may worry about that ext that didn't stop bleeding and hope they don't end up in the icu. Pharmacy you just check out and you are done.


Let's not start with the myriad of headaches that come with ownership.

shadow and see what you truly like. Shadow a new grad 1-5 years out not an old dentist. Those days are long over. I enjoy how dentistry gives me the freedom to do whatever whether it's own my own business or temping for a while. For reference I finished loans early 200k and just chilling now.

200k in loans in 2 years?!

 

[321931]

D

200k in loans in 2 years?!

Dumped everything into loans, had a fiancé that was debt free making good money as an engineer that supported me. Parents also supported me.

Burned out and bumming out now.

But it feels good. I do think if I invested time into my own practice I would have better returns on my money but the emotional relief of being able to do whatever I want,(aka go travel and not do dentistry for few months) for me, is priceless.

 

[dentalcpa90]

Pharmacy seems to be a good deal if you could go to school for cheap and get a job in California.

If you ignore saturation, California seems to have it pretty good for pharmacists. High salary (120-160k), unionized, mandatory lunch breaks, 401k, health benefits, hospital jobs pay as much as retail jobs, and less physically demanding work than dentistry. That seems to be much better than being a 400k debt dentist who is working at multiple associate jobs in California just to make 100-120k. You won't be getting any retirement plan, health benefits, or malpractice insurance covered from those part-time gigs either.

 

[321931]

Pharmacy seems to be a good deal if you could go to school for cheap and get a job in California.

If you ignore saturation, California seems to have it pretty good for pharmacists. High salary (120-160k), unionized, mandatory lunch breaks, 401k, health benefits, hospital jobs pay as much as retail jobs, and less physically demanding work than dentistry. That seems to be much better than being a 400k debt dentist who is working at multiple associate jobs in California just to make 100-120k. You won't be getting any retirement plan, health benefits, or malpractice insurance covered from those part-time gigs either.

I do have a multiple people working in California as a pharmacist. One made 215k last year, another 200k, 2 others in the 180 range with full benefits and paid time off so their package is higher. Granted they all work hospital pharmacy and are in good gigs.

The downside is bad locations.

The ones in the city have a tough time floating around and not getting enough hours.

Dentistry makes sense from a business owner perspective, but then again the Ada states that average business owner is 180? I don't remember. But I've know owners that made way more like 500k+. Take it for what it is, but don't downplay pharmacy.

Bottom line. Do what you like

 

[Flemish]

Pharmacy can get you into mad debt too.

.

Even corporate dentistry where I am will pay you (on average) 120K, 150K, and 180K in years 1 to 3.

Almost makes corporate dentistry sound like a good thing.

 

[Likkriue]

LOL seriously... who's the one being materialistic?

also to add, most people outside of healthcare field have NO clue how high tuition is. I told my friend who is an accountant the cost of my dental school (250k) and he was like WTF....

Undergrad tuition at Dartmouth/Upenn etc is 250k for 4 years. The issue with tuition is not limited to dentistry but the higher education system as a whole. Your accountant friend is not in tune with reality if he thought that number was high.
My girlfriends dad is a board member at on of the biggest accounting firms and he didn't bat an eye when I told him my tuition. Why? Because he did his research and actually knows what the reality is like for private universities as a whole.
You should visit the pharmacy section of SDN and see what it's truly like compared to dentistry. The equivalent of easily making 100k in pharmacy is the same thing as saying easily making 200k in dentistry, neither will happen. Pharmacy grads are already starting to Barely find full time work and in 4 years it's only going to get worst. Sure his tuition right now is 120k, after tuition hikes and interest that number is closer to 170k.

 

[Likkriue]

I'm speaking from experience. Gf is a pharmD who's been working at a pharmaceutical industry (4 years), her dad is a dentist. I asked her if I had 200k debt if that would change anything. She said "possibly". It's not about being materialistic. It's called being realistic. All her friends asked her why the hell you are dating this guy when he's a student? little do they know I have all my tuition paid for(by navy) and guaranteed job that pays 100k+ starting.

Holy crap have you not seen how much debt undergrad is at some universities? Private undergrads are about 40-50 in tuition alone. Add in room and board that skyrockets it to 60k, making it 240k easy before interest and tuition hikes. what is this? 1975? 200k debt to be a dentist is a bargain in the year 2017.

I agree with you that 400k is too much but you've been saying " thank god I got my hpsp and I don't need to pay my tuition!!" "If I didn't have hpsp I would be 250k down the hole, no way I could pay that back and my girlfriend would dump me!". Now that is another form of delusional crap you are making up. If You can't pay back 250k comfortably making 120k a year over 10 years you have another issue on your hands. My parents raised 6 kids living on a combined 50k income when they moved to the US. Like Jesus Christ this generation has created some entitled folks.
The average income for a US family is 55k before taxes and yet we have some folks who are terrified of making 45k a year after taxes+tuition reimbursement ALONE. Now add in spousal income and your median family income rockets to the top 25% of the US. After 10 years when you pay everything back, you practically jump into the 10% in family income. But that's not enough right? Because unless you are making 200k a year you can't afford to live right?

 

[LFA20]

Holy crap have you not seen how much debt undergrad is at some universities? Private undergrads are about 40-50 in tuition alone. Add in room and board that skyrockets it to 60k, making it 240k easy before interest and tuition hikes. what is this? 1975? 200k debt to be a dentist is a bargain in the year 2017.

I agree with you that 400k is too much but you've been saying " thank god I got my hpsp and I don't need to pay my tuition!!" "If I didn't have hpsp I would be 250k down the hole, no way I could pay that back and my girlfriend would dump me!". Now that is another form of delusional crap you are making up. If You can't pay back 250k comfortably making 120k a year over 10 years you have another issue on your hands. My parents raised 6 kids living on a combined 50k income when they moved to the US. Like Jesus Christ this generation has created some entitled folks.
The average income for a US family is 55k before taxes and yet we have some folks who are terrified of making 45k a year after taxes+tuition reimbursement ALONE. Now add in spousal income and your median family income rockets to the top 25% of the US. After 10 years when you pay everything back, you practically jump into the 10% in family income. But that's not enough right? Because unless you are making 200k a year you can't afford to live right?

👍

 

[Faefly]

Choose what you prefer most!

 

[Faefly]

if you think it's easy to find a spouse when you are 300-400k in the hole then you've got to think again...

I'm speaking from experience. Gf is a pharmD who's been working at a pharmaceutical industry (4 years), her dad is a dentist. I asked her if I had 200k debt if that would change anything. She said "possibly". It's not about being materialistic. It's called being realistic. All her friends asked her why the hell you are dating this guy when he's a student? little do they know I have all my tuition paid for(by navy) and guaranteed job that pays 100k+ starting.

It's not about finding any spouse!
It is about finding the right spouse!
The one who will not cheat on you or leave you because you are busy or have too much debts!

So, yeah I choose dentistry over a spouse that cares how much debts I own to the government. My dog and my cat will be more than enough and
Debts will get paid, but my life with the wrong spouse won't.

 

[BTR1208]

Every time I go into my pharmacy the pharmacist is on the phone, look exhausted and seems like they want to kill themselves.

Idk how the career is appealing to anybody tbh.

 

[Accepted1232]

I consider pharmacists as professional cashiers at my local CVS.

 

[8_man]

Every time I go into my pharmacy the pharmacist is on the phone, look exhausted and seems like they want to kill themselves.

Idk how the career is appealing to anybody tbh.

6 figs

 

[BTR1208]

6 figs

I do not believe the average pharmacist TAKES HOME 6 figs.

Gross maybe, net i doubt it.

 

[Accepted1232]

I do not believe the average pharmacist TAKES HOME 6 figs.

Gross maybe, net i doubt it.

6 figs for being a professional cashier? sign me up, broski!

On a serious note, the actual income taken home is significantly lower--even during its heyday.

 

[nowaysurvey]

Every time I go into my pharmacy the pharmacist is on the phone, look exhausted and seems like they want to kill themselves.

Idk how the career is appealing to anybody tbh.

Looking into people's mouths all day isn't exactly appealing either...and you ought to consider the possibility of ruining your back and getting CTS (or some other related problem).

To each his/her own.

 

[dentalcpa90]

Every time I go into my pharmacy the pharmacist is on the phone, look exhausted and seems like they want to kill themselves.

Idk how the career is appealing to anybody tbh.

Honestly, they don't have much to complain about. There are CPA's, lawyers, consultants, and investment bankers out there working 80+ hrs a week for much less money. Pharmacists complain about metrics, but these professions face the same thing with utilization rates, billable hours, and budgets. If you don't make the cut, you're out.

 

[Queen Beach]

In terms of flow, I wouldnt worry because it's what you make of it for either dentistry or pharmacy.
Focus on what your duties will as a pharmacist or dentist. Dentistry is more personal/ one on one... A person walks in a room with you, talks for a little bit, then he/she pretty much puts their head on your lap and opens their mouth. On the other hand, in pharmacy you take care of a lot of customers within a shorter period of time and you dont meet all of them.

this discussion has been made before, but I have a unique situation and would like some advice (I plan on posting this on the pharm forums too)

After college, I decided to do a 1 year science masters because I didn't know what I wanted to do, and I thought boosting my GPA would be beneficial. In my masters, they have a dental and pharm school affiliated with them and I would like to stay in this location (due to SO, family, money etc.)

now that being said the pharmacy and dental schools tuition in my location is insanely different. I'm talking about borrowing 87k a year vs 30k. Just looking at tuition for dental school in my area is insane. I don't have family that can pay etc, so I'm on my own here.

Do you guys have any advice for me? if you were in my shoes what would you do?

 

[Ollivander]

I too looked into pharmacy due to the cost of education of dentistry related to my specific situation (I'm most likely not getting into my in-state dental school), but at the rate pharmacy is going there are very dark days ahead. That profession is not only going to hit uncontrollable saturation, but the cost of education related to it is not a good thing at all. Also pharmacy is in all likelihood going to be the first healthcare profession hit when automation starts taking away jobs. Pharmacists salaries are going to be slashed, and there's nothing they'll be able to do about it because the overwhelming majority of pharmacists work for one of the big box stores, not in a self-owned independent. There's no chance in hell I'd spend that kind of money to go to school for another four years with that kind of outlook in the profession. It's not a question of if their salaries are going to be slashed at this point, it's when.

 

[osker246]

I too looked into pharmacy due to the cost of education of dentistry related to my specific situation (I'm most likely not getting into my in-state dental school), but at the rate pharmacy is going there are very dark days ahead. That profession is not only going to hit uncontrollable saturation, but the cost of education related to it is not a good thing at all. Also pharmacy is in all likelihood going to be the first healthcare profession hit when automation starts taking away jobs. Pharmacists salaries are going to be slashed, and there's nothing they'll be able to do about it because the overwhelming majority of pharmacists work for one of the big box stores, not in a self-owned independent. There's no chance in hell I'd spend that kind of money to go to school for another four years with that kind of outlook in the profession. It's not a question of if their salaries are going to be slashed at this point, it's when.

I don't know much about pharmacy but I would imagine automation having more of an impact on pharmacy techs. Pharmacist will have to be staffed regardless of automation.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[insaiyanpredent]

After college, I decided to do a 1 year science masters because I didn't know what I wanted to do, and I thought boosting my GPA would be beneficial. In my masters, they have a dental and pharm school affiliated with them and I would like to stay in this location (due to SO, family, money etc.)

now that being said the pharmacy and dental schools tuition in my location is insanely different. I'm talking about borrowing 87k a year vs 30k. Just looking at tuition for dental school in my area is insane. I don't have family that can pay etc, so I'm on my own here.

Do you guys have any advice for me? if you were in my shoes what would you do?[/QUOTE]

I'm kind of in the same situation. I looked at it this way. There are Pharmacy schools that require you to be in school for a another 4-6 years depending on the school. Most of them being accelerated programs for High school graduates. Some schools are hard to bargain with taking away the pre req years (Years 1-2) which include the basic pre reqs like Orgo, gen chem, gen bio etc. For instance the admissions rep at St. Johns University told me that the most the program took away was a year and that person had a Masters in Chemistry. So I looked at it this way, I'm already in school and getting a bachelors degree in Biochem this should put me in more value compared to what the Pharamcy schools offer. Why go through 4 years of school/loans plus 4-6 years of pharmacy for the more loans that many Pharmacists go to school for only 6 years? Why not go into dental/MD. Depending on GPA and everything. Since I was looking into Pharmacy for a while I wasn't trying to be a super MD candidate, so I didn't get perfect scores in all my classes but they were above average. MD schools are much more competitive so I didn't look into that and apparently MD is a calling (everything is "to each his/her own'). Dental school is really expensive but has better upsides compared to pharmacy. So I would heavily consider overseas schools (haven't looked into overseas schools much, don't know if its credible coming from overseas with a DDS or DMD. But you do take the same test to be qualified.)

 

[Craig_Sherwood234]

I too looked into pharmacy due to the cost of education of dentistry related to my specific situation (I'm most likely not getting into my in-state dental school), but at the rate pharmacy is going there are very dark days ahead. That profession is not only going to hit uncontrollable saturation, but the cost of education related to it is not a good thing at all. Also pharmacy is in all likelihood going to be the first healthcare profession hit when automation starts taking away jobs. Pharmacists salaries are going to be slashed, and there's nothing they'll be able to do about it because the overwhelming majority of pharmacists work for one of the big box stores, not in a self-owned independent. There's no chance in hell I'd spend that kind of money to go to school for another four years with that kind of outlook in the profession. It's not a question of if their salaries are going to be slashed at this point, it's when.

Good post.

 

[upcomingDentist]

By reading some of these posts I have decided my husband is going to be a fancy plastic surgeon lol

Hey Ive been following your posts. It's been a year now. I would like to know what you have chosen as a profession? Where are you at now?

 

[FanOfCostco]

Do you want to push pills in a CVS for the rest of your life?

do you want to play a full season??