Dentists in Utah

[Beestieboy]

Being a pre-dent student in Utah sure is a unique experience. We have one of the highest per capita # of applicants in the nation and we don't even have a dental school. Of course, life style, being able to support a large family (if you've got one or want one), having time to spend with your family, etc. are all big things that are important to the Utah culture. Dentistry does seem like a very family friendly profession. Hence why Utah seems to have a serious glut of them.

My question is, are there any practicing dentists from Utah out here on SDN? Do you personally know one or two? I've heard that it's very hard to start a practice here and the competition is out of control. From the number of ads I'm seeing from dentists I can sense that must be true. The competition must be there if so many dentists feel they need to spend large amounts of money on advertising. Wherever I drive I see dental offices around. I've heard the stories but I want to hear it from people who really know or are living it. I think maybe if you are going to buy an established pracice you'd be ok, but this is just what I'm hearing. I'm also hearing that the average salary of dentists in Utah is much lower than the nationwide average. Any truth to that?

I'm asking mostly becuase my wife really wants to end up living in Utah. I'm not so dead set on living here at all. I know Utah doesn't really have any underserved areas. If the above is true I hope she'll consider living elsewhere. I'm sure after living out of state a couple years at dental school will open her eyes. Any feedback is much appreciated.

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[eapleitez]

I was in Salt Lake City recently on a road trip, and it looks like L.A. down there are far as the number of dental offices around. My wife and myself have pretty much decided that we will not be staying in California, due to the ridiculous rising cost of living and crowdedness. We're considering Washington, it's really nice up there. Sorry I don't have any real advice for you, just kind of felt like chiming in. All I can say is that hopefully you're wife will realize that there are many more great places to live than just in Utah. My wife had sort of the mentality before our road trip (7 states over 15 days, 4000 miles), and the trip clearly broadened her horizons. So maybe 4 years somewhere else would work similarly on your wife.

By the way, southern Utah is absolutely GORGEOUS, we loved it.

 

[Beestieboy]

Ah, I totally agree! Southern Utah is so beautiful with that red-rock country. I like to go jeeping so down there it's perfect. You could call Moab Utah the jeepers Mecca. It's so amazingly cool.

Are all parts of CA pretty crowded dentist wise or just around LA? I would love to live in either Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, or Colorado possibly.

 

[Jaws]

Ah, I totally agree! Southern Utah is so beautiful with that red-rock country. I like to go jeeping so down there it's perfect. You could call Moab Utah the jeepers Mecca. It's so amazingly cool.

Are all parts of CA pretty crowded dentist wise or just around LA? I would love to live in either Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, or Colorado possibly.

You should take a look at New Mexico. Same general vacinity, and there is a severe shortage of dentists in the state.

 

[Beestieboy]

Hmm, I will look into that. It's probably the same type of climate as Arizona. I just don't know a whole lot about it down there. I'll have to dig up what living there is actually like from people.

 

[esclavo]

Being a pre-dent student in Utah sure is a unique experience. We have one of the highest per capita # of applicants in the nation and we don't even have a dental school. Of course, life style, being able to support a large family (if you've got one or want one), having time to spend with your family, etc. are all big things that are important to the Utah culture. Dentistry does seem like a very family friendly profession. Hence why Utah seems to have a serious glut of them.

My question is, are there any practicing dentists from Utah out here on SDN? Do you personally know one or two? I've heard that it's very hard to start a practice here and the competition is out of control. From the number of ads I'm seeing from dentists I can sense that must be true. The competition must be there if so many dentists feel they need to spend large amounts of money on advertising. Wherever I drive I see dental offices around. I've heard the stories but I want to hear it from people who really know or are living it. I think maybe if you are going to buy an established pracice you'd be ok, but this is just what I'm hearing. I'm also hearing that the average salary of dentists in Utah is much lower than the nationwide average. Any truth to that?

I'm asking mostly becuase my wife really wants to end up living in Utah. I'm not so dead set on living here at all. I know Utah doesn't really have any underserved areas. If the above is true I hope she'll consider living elsewhere. I'm sure after living out of state a couple years at dental school will open her eyes. Any feedback is much appreciated.

I am an Arizona native, married a Utah girl, and lived in Utah for 4 years while going to undergrad. We have since lived in two other states. I went to dental school in Minnesota and in dental school we always heard how bad the need for dentists all over the country. We were told we could essentially write our own ticket and that never was time better to be going into the profession. When I graduated, I went to Utah to work for a month while waiting for my residency to start (let my wife spend time with her family etc). Utah is one of the easiest states to get a license in and that made it seem like a good choice at the time. They take all regional boards and they are probably on the verge of taking the Tijuana dental examination also. When I went there I couldn't believe what a tough market it was. I have no doubt that after a considerable sacrifice, dentists do well (this is my perception, though knowing Utah like I do, they could probably be on the verge of bankruptcy for all I could tell from the outside-after California, Utah is the only state I've been where image of wealth is very deceptive). Many Utah dentist after 10 years of living well below expectation or what fellow graduates in other parts of the country, were starting to do better. My revised opinion of demand for dentistry is very regional, market by market. If you have low expectations and your wife is bent on going back and tough enough to scrap/fight/claw, you'll not be disappointed. If you go to school in areas where demand is awesome and your while your buddies are kicking tail when they get out, you might want to stick your head in the sand for a few years and fight it out in Utah. In the end, your expectations will probably be forced to come to terms with reality. As one good buddy who went back to Utah says to me, "I do just fine as long as I don't look over the fence or talk to others in other parts of the country."

I was on the admissions committee at my dental school and from my rough calculations, Between BYU, Utah, Utah State, Weber State there were over 225 qualified applicants each year from these Utah schools! That could fill 2-3 dental schools! The entire state of Minnesota with far larger universities couldn't fill its one school of around 90 positions!

Dentistry is attractive. It is family friendly. It has many positives. But it is subject to the laws of economics. Supply and Demand DO determine how attractive and how friendly it is.

My wife has also finally had the glaze from her eyes fall and now she knows that there are tons of awesome places around the country. She now sees like I do the cost/benefit equation of our future decision (where we will set up). She doesn't have tunnel vision which sometimes is too much of a liability to go with the great asset of being a dentist! 👍

 

[reLAXgirl]

I would disagree that there are no underserved areas in Utah. If you are willing to escape the "Valley"--from Logan to about Provo or Payson, and skip over St George, there are many areas where access to health care is a problem. Then again, that may defeat many of the social reasons for living in Utah because these places feel much less "Happy Valley-ish" if you catch my drift. On the other hand, you can be closer to family.

There are many many beautiful and family oriented places around the country. I would imagine if you choose wisely that you and your wife will find a place you are comfortable with many of the same things Utah has to offer. Sometimes it is just hard and scary to leave home and family.

Good luck!

 

[jpollei]

My question is, are there any practicing dentists from Utah out here on SDN? Do you personally know one or two? I've heard that it's very hard to start a practice here and the competition is out of control. From the number of ads I'm seeing from dentists I can sense that must be true. The competition must be there if so many dentists feel they need to spend large amounts of money on advertising. Wherever I drive I see dental offices around. I've heard the stories but I want to hear it from people who really know or are living it. I think maybe if you are going to buy an established pracice you'd be ok, but this is just what I'm hearing. I'm also hearing that the average salary of dentists in Utah is much lower than the nationwide average. Any truth to that?

I'm asking mostly becuase my wife really wants to end up living in Utah. I'm not so dead set on living here at all. I know Utah doesn't really have any underserved areas. If the above is true I hope she'll consider living elsewhere. I'm sure after living out of state a couple years at dental school will open her eyes. Any feedback is much appreciated.

So, my wife thought the same thing when we moved out to UNC... and now she realizes there are other great places to live, although nothing beats Utah skiing--period! Translation: we have no plans to return to Utah to practice (though I'm also planning to do ortho, which is arguably even more competetive in Utah than general dentistry).

Being a dentist in Utah is no different from anywhere else in that if you are good at what you do and can run a successful business, you will do just fine. My mum works for a dentist in SLC, been out 4-5 years, started up his own practice from scratch about 3 yrs ago and is doing fine. Even owns a second office and hires asssociates to staff it. That said, it was a lot of work, and some stressful times financially (as is usually the case) for him during the first couple of years. But heck, most dentists I know (which is by no means a comprehensive reflection of the whole Wasatch front) take home $150-500k/yr, depending on time in practice, location, etc.

Oh and for the record, I had a conversation with Gordon Christensen last June in Chicago about the dental program they are looking to start at the U of U...sounds like a pretty good chance of happening in the next year or two (especially as he's the odds-on favorite to be the Dean), so no telling exactly how that will impace the number of dentists in Utah.

 

[jpollei]

I was on the admissions committee at my dental school and from my rough calculations, Between BYU, Utah, Utah State, Weber State there were over 225 qualified applicants each year from these Utah schools! That could fill 2-3 dental schools! The entire state of Minnesota with far larger universities couldn't fill its one school of around 90 positions!

Actually, there were ~225 dental school applicants from BYU alone this summer, dozens from UVSC, etc, etc... overall for the state of Utah it's probably closer to 350 applicants. And like 80-90% of them get in.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I would disagree that there are no underserved areas in Utah. If you are willing to escape the "Valley"--from Logan to about Provo or Payson, and skip over St George, there are many areas where access to health care is a problem.

I fully agree. There are underserved areas in need of dentists (where dentists can make a killing financially as well) in every state of the country.

 

[USUaggie]

I fully agree. There are underserved areas in need of dentists (where dentists can make a killing financially as well) in every state of the country.

How would it be to set up a practice just off the shore of Powell, eh? eh? Probably not very lucrative.
I'm wide open as far as where I'll eventually settle down.

 

[eapleitez]

To the question about all of California being crowded: no, there are many areas where dentists could be needed. I think northern california in particular looks like a good place to set up shop. Other areas, you might give up certain things that make California attractive. Bakersfield County, for example, is a place I don't think I could live in because it is so far from the ocean, it is very dry, and it is very hot alot of the time (though Sequioa National Forest is pretty nice when you get up in the mountains), but I competition in dentistry should be more relaxed there. LA, however, does have more dental offices than donut shops. However, it seems like practices do fine in the face of all that competition.

The main reason that we want to leave California is that houses (I'm talking regular houses, no less) are really expensive in most of the state, especially in the big cities. San Francisco, in particular, is really $$$$. Even in areas that were pretty rural when I was a kid (Red Bluff) are booming and houses are going up and up. It seems like the rise in home value has no end in sight. So, we're going somewhere where we can get more bang for our buck.

 

[RaiderNation]

My parents house value has gone up about 230k in the last two years and they live in what used to be known as an inexpensive part of CA.

 

[esclavo]

So, my wife thought the same thing when we moved out to UNC... and now she realizes there are other great places to live, although nothing beats Utah skiing--period! Translation: we have no plans to return to Utah to practice (though I'm also planning to do ortho, which is arguably even more competetive in Utah than general dentistry).

Being a dentist in Utah is no different from anywhere else in that if you are good at what you do and can run a successful business, you will do just fine. My mum works for a dentist in SLC, been out 4-5 years, started up his own practice from scratch about 3 yrs ago and is doing fine. Even owns a second office and hires asssociates to staff it. That said, it was a lot of work, and some stressful times financially (as is usually the case) for him during the first couple of years. But heck, most dentists I know (which is by no means a comprehensive reflection of the whole Wasatch front) take home $150-500k/yr, depending on time in practice, location, etc.

Oh and for the record, I had a conversation with Gordon Christensen last June in Chicago about the dental program they are looking to start at the U of U...sounds like a pretty good chance of happening in the next year or two (especially as he's the odds-on favorite to be the Dean), so no telling exactly how that will impace the number of dentists in Utah.

When I was there, I personally met with over 90 dentists-face to face and I worked with about 30. From Centerville/Ogden to Payson. My sample size (n number) is much higher than 4 or 5. I have 7 personal friends and a few aquaintences. My father in law manages properties which have 10 dentists as tennants. I trust my information. Bottom line, you will have a difference in practice quality and struggle to reach that practice quality compared to places with true need and excellent opportunity. You can only give away so many free exams, xrays, and teeth bleaching to get people into your practice. The entrenched individuals have the upperhand. They can ask what they want for their practice and they have a "well beaten path" which makes it challenging for new comers. I worked at three practices that were doing crowns for only 200 dolllars more than I was in dental school in Minnesota!!! I saw sooo much super amalgam-patch dentistry. Do I think someone can make it, yes. Is the transition as pretty or as good as other parts of the country for the average dentist- absolutley NOT. You have to be sharp, aggressive, assertive to get the same result as others who just hang the shingle somewhere else. Many have sugar daddy's with practices and that isn't comparing apples and apples. The thought that right after you start 200 guys are coming the very next year, year after year, after year, after year-get my drift? Find out for yourself. Do your homework. Talk to more than 4-5 dentists and your eyes will be open. Don't talk to the dentists in the huge new buildings, talk to the many in the strip mall next to the tanning salon. Look in the nooks and crannies and get the whole story.

Utah needs a dental school. It is a huge investment for the state. It is the most expensive professional education. The university of Minnesota is the largest US graduate institution with 169 doctoral programs and every other professional opportunity known to man or animal. The Chancellor told the Health Science Dean that it takes more school/state dollars to educate a dentist than anything else at the University. That doesn't include the initial investment of getting a school up and going (University of Minnesota rebuilt its dental school in the early 1970's- cost $258 million! What would it be today?). Could Utah stand up and cough up the dough when they don't have a real need. Other states are flipping the bill for Utah by subsidizing their dental school education which have many Utah bound dentists. You can cut some corners and put in a school like my home state of Arizona, but it won't compare to established schools in states where they have a bonna fide school. I would call Arizona's school a niche dental school with a focus on public health/underserved areas. But the quality of the school won't make a difference. If it is in Utah, it will be stuffed with super qualified people who want to be by Mom and Dad. Christensen would be an excellent dean and has been a consultant for many states who have started dental schools. We'll wait and see. I like many found that when we left Utah, the education, opportunity, culture, and environment was most of the time superior in all three categories if not equal. Family is the only draw. But with modern technology called airlines we find we spend more time with family when we move than when we lived there. We calculated hours and sure enough, more time when we left than when we were in the beehive state.

 

[ElDienteLoco]

Esclavo,

Have you ever been to the dental school in Arizona? You should stop by sometime - I'll give you a tour because it is a little more "bona fide" than you imply. Best of luck wherever you are.

 

[jawicobike]

How would it be to set up a practice just off the shore of Powell, eh? eh? Probably not very lucrative.
I'm wide open as far as where I'll eventually settle down.

The key is to start a second practice in Page, AZ where you work 1-2 weeks out of the month and then you can write-off your houseboat as a secondary residence required by your occupation. 😀

 

[esclavo]

Esclavo,

Have you ever been to the dental school in Arizona? You should stop by sometime - I'll give you a tour because it is a little more "bona fide" than you imply. Best of luck wherever you are.

Been there 4 times. Toured it. It is on Baseline if my memory serves me well. I'm sure it is fine. At the time I didn't think it compare to a Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Oklahoma or others schools I had been to. I haven't been there for 2 years though. It was just a little wee place back then. When I talked to faculty there they said that it was an attempt to help the underserved/public health aspect of dental need in the state. Arizona has alot of dentists who come from other places, so they like Utah don't necessarily need a dental school to get more dentists. Plenty want to go there. They just need dentists to go to the key areas... If you know Arizona like I know Arizona you know which areas those are. Arizona has the population base to have a nice school. I thought they kind of undershot themselves, but like I said $$$$ is the limiting factor.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Utah needs a dental school. It is a huge investment for the state. It is the most expensive professional education. The university of Minnesota is the largest US graduate institution with 169 doctoral programs and every other professional opportunity known to man or animal. The Chancellor told the Health Science Dean that it takes more school/state dollars to educate a dentist than anything else at the University.

Your post doesn't make sense. You say Utah needs a dental school, and then go on to give an excellent argument as to why it doesn't need one.

In my opinion, it doesn't need one. It's a huge financial burden, and MANY dentists still return to Utah to practice. Pre-dents from Utah aren't having any trouble attending school out of state.

 

[aphistis]

Your post doesn't make sense. You say Utah needs a dental school, and then go on to give an excellent argument as to why it doesn't need one.

In my opinion, it doesn't need one. It's a huge financial burden, and MANY dentists still return to Utah to practice. Pre-dents from Utah aren't having any trouble attending school out of state.

Of course, there's always the argument the Utah ought to provide its own facility, rather than depending on those of other states, particularly considering the forecasted shortage of dentists on the horizon.

 

[jpollei]

Talk to more than 4-5 dentists and your eyes will be open. Don't talk to the dentists in the huge new buildings, talk to the many in the strip mall next to the tanning salon. Look in the nooks and crannies and get the whole story.

Maybe you should correctly read what I posted...4-5 years, not 4-5 dentists. I've also taken opportunity to speak with probably a hundred dentists in Utah, SL, Davis, Weber, Wasatch, Washington, Iron, and Cache counties. Perhaps we have different samples to pull from. Props to you and the number of dentists you know--probably more than the vast majority of students/recent grads. Maybe just try to be a little less condescending in your comments. Your OPINION is valued as just that, an opinion. Same as mine or anyone elses on here. I apologize if this sounds curt...not my intent. Just trying to clarify (and perhaps give substance to) my previous statement.

 

[12YearOldKid]

particularly considering the forecasted shortage of dentists on the horizon.

I know we all have high hopes for this...

but there's not going to be any shortage of dentists. The public health people cook this stuff up to 1. justify their own existence and 2. promote their own self-interests. Many people make a living by creating and managing "crises" like these.

I know that sounds harsh. But flip through any dental magazine. There are endless ads and articles on how to attract new patients. As it is dentists can't get butts in their chairs. Do you think people would be paying a couple grand a year to 1-800-Dentist if they had enough patients? If things go as predicted maybe the odds will finally turn in favor of the dentists. When was the last time you say a family practice physician with a big neon sign in front of his office that says "DOCTOR". ummm.... never.


And it doesn't matter how much you flood the market with dentists, you are still not going to force people to go practice in Podunk, AZ if that is not where they want to be. The solution is to provide incentive for working in those places, not flood the market with dentists and hope some of them have no choice but to go and practice in "underserved" areas.

I know I am probably in the minority on this one, but I still haven't had anyone be able to convince me otherwise.

 

[jpollei]

I know we all have high hopes for this...

but there's not going to be any shortage of dentists. The public health people cook this stuff up to 1. justify their own existence and 2. promote their own self-interests. Many people make a living by creating and managing "crises" like these.

I know that sounds harsh. But flip through any dental magazine. There are endless ads and articles on how to attract new patients. As it is dentists can't get butts in their chairs. Do you think people would be paying a couple grand a year to 1-800-Dentist if they had enough patients? If things go as predicted maybe the odds will finally turn in favor of the dentists. When was the last time you say a family practice physician with a big neon sign in front of his office that says "DOCTOR". ummm.... never.


And it doesn't matter how much you flood the market with dentists, you are still not going to force people to go practice in Podunk, AZ if that is not where they want to be. The solution is to provide incentive for working in those places, not flood the market with dentists and hope some of them have no choice but to go and practice in "underserved" areas.

I know I am probably in the minority on this one, but I still haven't had anyone be able to convince me otherwise.

Well said. It's not a shortage of dentists, but a maldistribution of dentists that is generally to blame for the "access to care" issues that you hear politicians, public health advocates, etc. trump. Until you do something similar in dentistry (or other professions and services) to where they subsidize people to live in Alaska, there will always tend to be a greater concentration of us in more urban/suburban areas, and less in rural areas. Sure there are always individuals who are exceptions to this, but maldistribution is a general rule. No number of new dental schools, increased class sizes, etc. will placate the "access to care" advocates. Because there's not a real shortage, and people will live where they want to.

 

[ItsGavinC]

As it is dentists can't get butts in their chairs.

Man, I don't know what market you are in, but the dentists around here have wait times of 2-10 months. By and large I'd completely disagree with your statement.

My son missed his appointment with a general dentist on August because it conflicted with a school activity he had. The next date he was rescheduled for was in February.

Is that the case for everybody? No, and of course it takes new grads some time to build up a strong patient base, but not getting rears in chairs is quite the overstatement in my eyes.

 

[esclavo]

Your post doesn't make sense. You say Utah needs a dental school, and then go on to give an excellent argument as to why it doesn't need one.

In my opinion, it doesn't need one. It's a huge financial burden, and MANY dentists still return to Utah to practice. Pre-dents from Utah aren't having any trouble attending school out of state.

It needs one to share in the overall burden of educating the professional community. Example...We were told that the cost of educating a dentist (Minnesota) was approximately 70,000 (in the year 2000-2001) dollars a year. Four major sources covered that expense. #1 State Funding (tax money from the state! This is how some smaller states can have "spots" at regional schools-their state picks up these expenditures for a certain number of positions) #2 Governement/Private Grants (mostly research money-much of it being federal tax again NIH etc) #3 Clinic Revenue (you and I working our little dental student fingers) #4 Your and my tuition (which has grown tremendously in the past 6 years). Why would a state invest a huge amount of money to educate people who will not come back into the state and provide a need and pay taxes. Thus tuition has gone up and up and up and up. Professional education is starting to be seen as a private benefit more than for public good. Why else would the difference between out of state and in state tuition be so high. Why is it getting virtually impossible to get in-state status at many schools even if you buy property (pay property taxes), work (pay income taxes)? You will leave. Thus expect debt to be $200,000 plus many times for four years of out of state expenses/tuition. Even at such a high price you still don't cover the state's loss in educating you.

Have you ever had someone bum off you to the extent that it just got old after a while? It wasn't that they could care for themselves, they just persisted in taking advantage of the circumstances? That is why Utah needs to have a dental school. Why they won't is they are fine without one (highest dentist per capita); too expensive of an investment. See the paradox/irony/dihlema. I didn't mean to contradict myself, I just presented both sides of the equation to acknowledge the dual arguements.

Thus enter the type of school where you sign a contract/get a deal if you will serve in certain areas of the state or to certain demographics. You can make it small 40 positions, give preference to people from disadvantaged backgrounds and do everything else to #1 Keep these people close (in state as much time in specific areas, repaying their education debt over a life time by your income taxes) #2 take care of people who don't get taken care of (the underserved/disadvantaged-increasing public good)

 

[DrJeff]

If I ever practiced in Utah (and I spend a week every March in the time share I own in Park City), I'd really have a tough time choosing between setting up a practice in either Park City or all the way up Little Cottonwood Canyon in Alta. It be "only" an average of 350" of powder a year in Park City, but alot bigger population base, or 500" of powder(almost 700" last year!) in Alta and a much, much, much lower popluation base. Plus I'd definately have to have a message on my answering machine saying that all office hours are cancelled if its a powder day! 😀

In all seriousness though, with the strong influence of the Mormom population there and there 1 true "vice" of the sugary snacks/drinks the popluation of Strep Mutans is kept very, very busy 👍 😀

 

[AZ2thDOC]

Man, I don't know what market you are in, but the dentists around here have wait times of 2-10 months. By and large I'd completely disagree with your statement.

My son missed his appointment with a general dentist on August because it conflicted with a school activity he had. The next date he was rescheduled for was in February.

Is that the case for everybody? No, and of course it takes new grads some time to build up a strong patient base, but not getting rears in chairs is quite the overstatement in my eyes.

2-10 months!!! Good grief! As an Arizona GP, usually I am scheduled out 3-6 business days, and in many cases if there is a true emergency, I see a patient of record (and many not of record) the same day.

I think your statement is somewhat misleading about the situation here in Arizona. Thankfully, I'm usually able to keep my daily schedule full. I'm a Utah native, and unfortunately know way too much about the horror stories of Utah dentistry.

Who really suffers in situations when there are too many dentists? Not only the young dentist, but also the PATIENTS who receive less than optimal care because the dentist is on roller skates and/or inferior labs are used to make protheses because of the reduced cost.

 

[elderjam]

if i had to live in utah i'd settle in one of those small towns in central utah.
perfect setting w/ more than a few underserved population. (Fountain Green?)

in not ut try NV. we are dying for more dentists. I saw that a dentist that i had gone to as a kid that lost his license for abuse was practicing again. there must be some need still. (exculding vegas)

 

[esclavo]

If I ever practiced in Utah (and I spend a week every March in the time share I own in Park City), I'd really have a tough time choosing between setting up a practice in either Park City or all the way up Little Cottonwood Canyon in Alta. It be "only" an average of 350" of powder a year in Park City, but alot bigger population base, or 500" of powder(almost 700" last year!) in Alta and a much, much, much lower popluation base. Plus I'd definately have to have a message on my answering machine saying that all office hours are cancelled if its a powder day! 😀

In all seriousness though, with the strong influence of the Mormom population there and there 1 true "vice" of the sugary snacks/drinks the popluation of Strep Mutans is kept very, very busy 👍 😀

I think you're missing the ice cream and jello influence and also the lack of fluoridation! Too cheap for fluoridation (though some say it is a government conspiracy theory to poison the people); I am just glad they spend the money to vaccinate the children. "Greatest Snow on Earth" - at least mother nature is kind to them. 🙄

 

[aphistis]

Too cheap for fluoridation (though some say it is a government conspiracy theory to poison the people)

But don't forget, most of these people are the same ones raising hell that the government doesn't pay for EVERY SINGLE EXPENSE they incur, especially health care. 👎

 

[QCkid]

I fully agree. There are underserved areas in need of dentists (where dentists can make a killing financially as well) in every state of the country.

In my apinion we need to stop opening up dental schools and increasing class sizes with the excuse of needing to serve "underserved" areas. You see, it doesn't matter how many students we graduate, these underserved areas will always exist. It simply economics. I've hear of lots of people putting something about helping out underserved communities in their applications but most of them will end up setting up shop in a large community. The reason that their are dentists on everycorner in cities like L.A., Salt lake City, and Phoenix is that when we graduate we will have a lot of debt, more than that we all want to make a good living otherwise we would have chosen social worker as a profession if we just wanted to help people (of course helping people is an important part of dentistry too). What this all means is that we will generally go where we can make enough to service our debts and provide a good living and that will take most of us to places that have high paying jobs.... like big cities. In short, the excuses that D-schools are giving for expansion are not valid and it will not aleviate the shortage of dentists in underserved areas.

 

[Beestieboy]

So does the big fish in a little pond or the little fish in a big pond make more money?

Now, leaving money aside, where is a good place to set up a practice? Right in the city, on the outskirts where the city starts to turn residential, or someplace else?

I'm still not totally clear on how the dentist situation is in Utah besides the horror stories. I'll try and chase down a couple here and grill them. Sounds the situation may not be much more different than any other city really.

 

[lnn2]

So does the big fish in a little pond or the little fish in a big pond make more money?.

How does a fish make money?! what would a fish currency look like?! If a fish dropped a coin, how does it sound? fishy?! Well, if I was fish then I would want to be a little fish in a big pond more than a big fish in a little pond for obvious reason. Plus I'd get more chance to see other female fishes in a big pond!

Now, leaving money aside, where is a good place to set up a practice? Right in the city, on the outskirts where the city starts to turn residential, or someplace else?

It depends on the type of your practice; either mainly medicaid or cash/insurance, drill a hole and put fillings in or "cosmetic dentistry" type of practice. How many dental offices are already opened in that particular city, average income per family, location...etc...

 

[USUaggie]

How does a fish make money?!

Some of the fishes work in the fish mint where they make fish money.

Personally, I'd rather be a big fish in a medium-sized river.