Do any of you regret going into dental school/dentistry?

[dentalvibe8881]

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I don't mean to be pessimistic nor disrespectfull. I have had the fortune of knowing a dentist who loves what he does for a living. Therefore, I have only been presented with the positive side of the profession.

Therefore, I want to ask if any of you have second thoughts about dentistry? I have heard many physicians say that they wouldn't go back to medical school if they could do it all over again. That got me thinking. I wonder how many dentists and dental students would not do it if given the choice to start over?

If this is the case, why is dentistry not for you? I know dentistry is not everyone. And just because it's not for some people, it doesn't mean it's a bad profession. However, I would like to get a balanced perspective on the profession.

I would especially like to hear from those who are financially propering in dentistry, yet still don't find satisfaction from the profession. If you are someone who is sweating away at some HMO in CA, I can understand why you wouldn't like it. But what about those who are financially succeeding in this career?

 

[mcataz]

I know of a person in dentistry who would have went to medical school instead. The reasons why he didn't like dentistry were

1. Hated dealing with the negativity and pessamism of arriving patients. He said patients are in the pissiest of moods prior to arriving at the dentist office. You don't see people wanting to see the dentist. I suppose this could be different if you are an orthodontist since they are arriving for elective procedues aka braces.

2. Working with women all day and not being able to move around. I'm not bashing women. And this dentist is a liberal guy raised in CA. However, he said when you are the only guy who works around women all day, it can drive you nuts. You feel alone and you don't have a hospital or other dentists to really converse with like physicians are prone to.

3. He worked in California and he hated it. He said nearly everyone is associated with managed care so he essentially worked more for less money than his friends working in states like Texas for example.

 

[organic]

your friend can surely get a male assistant, find a clinic where there is man only... or buid his own " man only clinic" if that is what he prefers...

even most medical clinics have female assistants, female front desk personnels ....your friend picks the wrong career if this is such an important factor....

 

[sjdent]

I have to admit that sometimes when I am deep into finals week...seriously sleep-deprived...have said no to a social life for several weeks...I look at my dental-hygiene counterparts with envy and yearning for their (easier) life. 😡

HOWEVER.......

That being said, dentistry is an awesome profession. It's worth every bit of hardship to get to that end goal. It's not for everyone, but I am completely excited about finishing school in 3 yrs and getting out there.

 

[DrJeff]

Originally posted by sjdent
I have to admit that sometimes when I am deep into finals week...seriously sleep-deprived...have said no to a social life for several weeks...I look at my dental-hygiene counterparts with envy and yearning for their (easier) life. 😡

Just remember though, your dental hygiene counterparts will hit the salary glass ceiling ALOT sooner than you will. They'll be looking forward to $1 per hour or so raises per year peaking out at a max salary of between $50,000 to $75,000 per year, while you'll see yearly gains in your income of $10,000+ per year (if not more in the first few year) and a max earning potential of well over $250,000 😀

And yes, while life may suck occasionally during dental school (it's really, really, really hard to find someone who looks back at dental school without atleast a small amount of animosity), when you get out in the real world and get rolling in a practice, you start to forget alot of those bad days in dental school. You'll likely though still remember those one or 2 "evil" professors though😡 😱 😀

 

[Yah-E]

Although I have not yet regret about choosing dentistry as my career, but my current motivation to pursue a specialty in OMFS after my 4 years of pre-doctoral education has been under frequent "evaluation"!

For those of you that have known me through SDN, you should know that OMFS is what I wanted to do long before I started dental school this past year. But with one exam right after the other one for 4 months straight and when you start to get "C"s or 70s/100, there are times when I just feel that maybe I just can't do it!

Those of you that are current dental students, or past dental students, you know what I'm talking about! It is truly challenging to maintain "A"s in dental school and trying to be top ten of your class! (fundamental selection factors in specialties, GPA & Class Rank)

Sometime, I'm just like, ****, I should just aim to do "general". It would be so nice to not worry about getting all "A"s and study as much. As long as I get all "C"s, I'll get my degree!

Don't get me wrong, I'm just simply sharing my thoughts. I'm still aiming and hoping to specialize in OMFS (don't ask me 4 or 6 years yet, I have to do more research about both routes). I firmly believe that after I receive my NBDE Part I scores this July, my road to OMFS will be much more clearer.

Speaking of OMFS, during my spring break next week, I'll be at Univeristy of Minnesota School of Dentistry OMFS Department for two days to shadow and assist. Remember y'all, it's never too late to show your interests for a particular specialty early if that's what you wanted to do.

(sigh)......better get back to studying....got a Immunology exam this Thursday that I must get above a 90/100 on. If you want to specialize, then you must get good grades. See, if I didn't want to specialize, then I probably wouldn't be studying tonight!

I probably would have save all the studies for the night before!!

 

[zazzookode]

Those who applied to dental school as a fall back to medical school hate dentistry. These students are so concerned about how they are perceived next to doctors. They try so hard to specialize and separate themselves from just regular "ordinary" general dentists. That's why some of them want to pursue OMFS because they can acquire an MD to their name as well. If they fail and end up being GP's, they are miserable.

Don't go into dentistry if being a GP would make you miserable. The chances are that you could end up being a GP. I aspire to be an orthodontist but if becoming a GP is my fate, I'm okay with that. It's still dentistry and it includes a lot of interesting work. Don't go into dentistry if you expect to specialize and do nothing else.

I know one guy whose entire family is full of doctors. He wants to specialize just to prove to his family and friends that he is worthy. And I wouldn't be suprised if a lot of others on this site have the same intentions. It's these people who are miserable. If this is you, I would reapply to medical school. Like I said, you will probably end up becoming a GP since dental specialities are so rare and difficult to acquire. You will just be miserable.

 

[millmm]

Yah-E,

I am in the same boat you were in prior to d-school. Is OMS a pipe dream or can it be achieved w/ hard work. People have told me the hard work will pay off. But other people scare me. Also you should know that my friend is a 2nd Lt. HPSP and he said that the millitary OMS programs take the top 20%.

 

[TuftsDental03]

Even now as a fourth year with all the hassle of trying to clear my records and finish up my requirements I sometimes wonder why. But it is the answer that keeps me going. One I love the field of dentistry, it is tough getting thru school but nothing in life is easy and two like Yah-E, I want to specialize in OMFS and this upcoming July will be changing my short coat for a long coat as a OMFS intern. Basically what I am saying is that going thru dental school will be tough, just hang in there, the field of dentistry is an excellent profession to be a part of.

 

[gas-x]

Originally posted by mcataz
I know of a person in dentistry who would have went to medical school instead. The reasons why he didn't like dentistry were

1. Hated dealing with the negativity and pessamism of arriving patients. He said patients are in the pissiest of moods prior to arriving at the dentist office. You don't see people wanting to see the dentist. I suppose this could be different if you are an orthodontist since they are arriving for elective procedues aka braces.

2. Working with women all day and not being able to move around. I'm not bashing women. And this dentist is a liberal guy raised in CA. However, he said when you are the only guy who works around women all day, it can drive you nuts. You feel alone and you don't have a hospital or other dentists to really converse with like physicians are prone to.

3. He worked in California and he hated it. He said nearly everyone is associated with managed care so he essentially worked more for less money than his friends working in states like Texas for example.

How are these reasons any different from medicine? Dentists should consider themselves very lucky. You don't have to do a residency just to practice. You save yourself a MINIMUM of 3 additional years to earn a living!

Confined to the oral cavity? My ass...sure beats sticking your finger up someone's ass to check for blood. Beats dealing with butt puss for people with poor hygiene.

 

[DeltronZ]

Originally posted by gas-x


Confined to the oral cavity? My ass...sure beats sticking your finger up someone's ass to check for blood. Beats dealing with butt puss for people with poor hygiene.

AMEN, plus the hygenists deal with the worst of it. By the time you see them theyve rinsed and spitted. PLUS you never have to tell anyone they are going to die and you cannot do anything for them.

 

[Stanford Fencer]

Yah-E that is ridiculous 🙂

I thought we were going to eventually meet up at an OMFS conference.

With your drive and passion, you will get in. Ranking really is just a part of the entire package. There is no reason to let that score in July help you clear up that picture. With the passion that you have exhibited since day 1, you *will* do extremely well in July. I have no doubts.

 

[Yah-E]

Stanford: Nice to see you on SDN again. We're not meeting at no OMFS conference? We'll meet at OMFS residency interviews first! Actually, I have something cool to share with you about OMFS. So email me and also let me know how things are going for you on your side of the dental education.

This July I will be on "fire"! I have two months to study for that Part I thing. If I do acheive a 90 or higher in the standardized score, dude, I'll be golden like McDs chicken McNuggets!

 

[Soma13]

I thought that it is getting much easier to land an OMS spot. While it used to be the most competitive speciality, due to the long and harsh residency applications are way down despite it being a "higher" paying speciality.

 

[Blackstars]

Yah-E, it is good to know you're not giving up hope. you're truly a living testament to overcoming adversity. Good luck man

 

[ItsGavinC]

In three months, when I start my first year of classes, I hope that I can find the motivation within me that has allowed me to make it this far. It's the same motivation that makes those of you who are current students eager to succeed. Props to all of you.

 

[C2H5OH]

I got moved from med-school to a dental school ...

I must admit that there's much more to dentistry than I used to think before ... and I do not regret a bit 🙂

C2H5OH,
Class of 2005

 

[toofache32]

I just graduated from dental school and am currently doing med school as part of my OMFS residency. After reading this I have to say that dental school was WAY more difficult and stressful than med school. The med students don't take near as many courses and the material is much more spoon-fed. Of course, I can only speak for the dental and medical schools I am/have attended. I haven't had this much free time since college. And this includes the fact that I am taking the 2nd year and part of the 1st year at the same time right now. I even had time to work as a TA for the med student gross anatomy course on the side. I've developed a champion beer-gut because I have time to drink most nights. I gotta work on that. Dental school was way more stressful for me because the patients are so unpredictable. If a patient doesn't show up in dental school people cry. In med school you cry if a patient DOES show up because then you can't go home early.

As for the person who said they had some bad grades (C's), I was one of only 4 people who flunked the first histology exam my first year. And I still graduated in the top 10% and got into OMFS. So don't let a few bad grades get you down. I know they got me down.

I think the main reason for all this is because in dental school you take the same core science courses as the med students, but then you have your dental courses on top of it. It's basiclally like doing your residency at the same time. That's why you can be done after 4 years of dental school and have alot of skills. Med students have to do residency because they're not competent to do anything but an H&P and track down x-rays.

I still think dentistry is the way to go, I'm very glad I did it. When I finish my MD degree, I will still say "I'm a dentist" when people ask me what I do. This is because I had to work much harder for my dental degree and I'm therefore more proud of it. I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

[lotanna]

Originally posted by toofache32
I just graduated from dental school and am currently doing med school as part of my OMFS residency. After reading this I have to say that dental school was WAY more difficult and stressful than med school. The med students don't take near as many courses and the material is much more spoon-fed. Of course, I can only speak for the dental and medical schools I am/have attended. I haven't had this much free time since college. And this includes the fact that I am taking the 2nd year and part of the 1st year at the same time right now. I even had time to work as a TA for the med student gross anatomy course on the side. I've developed a champion beer-gut because I have time to drink most nights. I gotta work on that. Dental school was way more stressful for me because the patients are so unpredictable. If a patient doesn't show up in dental school people cry. In med school you cry if a patient DOES show up because then you can't go home early.

As for the person who said they had some bad grades (C's), I was one of only 4 people who flunked the first histology exam my first year. And I still graduated in the top 10% and got into OMFS. So don't let a few bad grades get you down. I know they got me down.

I think the main reason for all this is because in dental school you take the same core science courses as the med students, but then you have your dental courses on top of it. It's basiclally like doing your residency at the same time. That's why you can be done after 4 years of dental school and have alot of skills. Med students have to do residency because they're not competent to do anything but an H&P and track down x-rays.

I still think dentistry is the way to go, I'm very glad I did it. When I finish my MD degree, I will still say "I'm a dentist" when people ask me what I do. This is because I had to work much harder for my dental degree and I'm therefore more proud of it. I'll get off my soapbox now.

Could be due to age, maturity and experience too
Your med schl was after 4yrs of tedious dental schl, not like u were straight out of undergrad. 🙄

 

[signet77]

As the end of my first year comes into sight, I can say I do not regret going into dentistry one bit, but I surely am sick of UConn dental. Now it's not because I can't hack it...I've passed every single test (UConn is Pass/Fail), but the ridiculuosness of having to go through all the medical crap is so frustrating. Oh...and the dental classes suck so bad...I mean...the clinical relevance factor is approaching zero. I have nightmares about Cariology.

I am expected to learn the majority of the medical info on my own a la University of Phoenix correpondence course.

I never thought I'd say it, but I am beginning to think that being "guaranteed" to get above a 90 on NBDE I is just simply NOT worth the pain that is UConn.

I'm not currently in dental school, but instead am in between getting my PhD and MD.

From what I hear, I have nothing to look forward to in 2nd year, except that is for more pain, anguish and general absurdity as things somehow manage to get harder and less relevant. Someday I'll study dentistry, but for now I'll be at UConn Medical/PhD/correspondence course school.

I hope that I can look back on all this at some point and think it was all worth it....but I highly doubt that. The obvious "bright side" however, is that if you ever need someone to analyze someone's knee MRI or CT'd brain lesion, I am your man.

 

[Valinor]

maybe it seemed easy for you since you had already gone through a profesional school.

 

[quantumhead]

Do I regret? Uh.... HELL NO!!

However, I am glad that I didn't know some things prior to going or I would have not gone. (read that sentence a few time and you will understand it) I will not tell you what those are. You can find them out for yourself.

The hardest part: STUPID *&$#^$^ BASIC SCIENCE AGAIN.

DDS= Double Dose of Same Stuff. ( I know two S's vs one S)

The best part: Cutting the perfect Class II prep, getting a hug from a patient after an anterior class V and Class III cleans up their smile. Putting a patient at ease who is DEATHLY AFRAID of the Dentist. Teaching little kids how to brush and floss. Talking to my neighbors who can't wait to come and see me in the clinic.

The worst part: Studying your butt off for a Histology final and then blanking durring the practical and watching you grade fall to a C. (Ya I am really upset right now).

I can't wait to have a practice and spend all my time around WOMEN (YAAAAA!) and upset patients! It dosen't matter how they come in, it is how they leave that matters (oh and how they pay .... CASH!)

 

[nhasi]

signet77,


How can you make a giant leap from DDS program to an MD/Ph.D program in the same school? I find it's very interesting.


Best regards,

 

[signet77]

It was an exaggeration...since we are taking all the med school classes in excruciating detail, it often seems that way.

 

[StarGirl]

Originally posted by Stanford Fencer
Yah-E that is ridiculous 🙂

I thought we were going to eventually meet up at an OMFS conference.

With your drive and passion, you will get in. Ranking really is just a part of the entire package. There is no reason to let that score in July help you clear up that picture. With the passion that you have exhibited since day 1, you *will* do extremely well in July. I have no doubts.

😍 Stan, remember that you said this 🙂

 

[Ride_or_Die]

Dental school is really hard. Period. I was wondering if any other schools have the DS1 class take pharm in the first year? What do y'all say?

 

[flatsheep]

Dental school is a FULL TIME JOB! I have to say, D1 has been emotionally, physically, and mentally draining. Once you start day 1, the work/stress is not going to stop until summer vacation rolls around.

Dental school is painful, with a capital P.

However, I don't regret one bit. But, even with that confidence, I hated dental school so much near the end of D1 that I didn't want to come back for D2. I thought, if THIS is what dental school is like, then gosh darn it, it's not worth it. However, now that summer is here, I've had time to think things over and realize that what bothered me and what went WRONG for me was this.

What makes it painful is not the "profession" of dentistry but the way it is taught -- very poorly. Dental students have to work their ass off compared to med students, because they have med courses plus dental courses. We suffer more emotionally because of the heavier work load plus we do not get the "healthy" dose of "respect" and care from the faculty that med students get.

To be a happy and successful dental student, you have to mature real quick! You have to know what makes you tick and what makes you sick. Bottom line, you gotta know yourself, do your work (if you want to do well), stay friendly with your classmates(but don't feel obligated), and take care of your health.

My advice: don't let this poor educational system/style you down and here's how. Don't expect any high quality teaching (especially from the dental faculty) and you will not be disappointed. Expect classes to be disorganized, unfair in grading, students to be secretive, and VERY COMPETITIVE. Expect to learn on your own. 80% of the learning is going to come from you, your notes, and the syllabus/textbook. Expect the worst and you will not be disappointed.

I expected good quality teaching, but didn't get it. Then I felt totally upset because the faculty complicates things instead of simplifying them; I felt that much could be learned so much faster and easier IF THE TEACHER WAS SMART ENOUGH to teach it EFFECTIVELY! Then, once I started not to care, but just concentrate on my work, I felt much better. This is the system. Sure, it's stupid and silly, but you HAVE to deal, so deal.

Remember, the history of dental medicine is young compared to medicine. Hence, dental education is still in transition, hence, our generation must be the change that we want to see (after paying off loans... unfortunately, hee hee hee).

Good luck to all!

 

[FMLizard]

Somebody is at UCONN... 😱

 

[DentalDude]

Well,

To add to the list of disgruntled dental students and to give you my personal perspective of dental school, I can shed some light on what prospective dental students can expect. First of all, I'm rounding out the end of my 2nd year at a top dental school and in my two years in dental school so far, there has just been a ton of cr@p I've had to deal with. Except for the fact that I've got great classmates for the most part, a supportive atmosphere among my peers, pretty cool and chill administrators who are helpful and caring, the majority of the faculty and the dean are in my opinion a bunch of idiots. And again except for a few of the faculty members who actually are great teachers and do care about their students, I'd have to say about 90% don't give a rats @ss about you nor do they care about the education they are supposed to be providing you. I really have no clue what these people are doing in the academic sector...they should be in private practice in no where near a dental teaching facility. But instead, for God knows what reasons they may have, they end up in dental school as our instructors doing the worst job imagineable. Their lectures are disengaging, completely unorganized, and confusing and their overall personality toward the students is one of "I don't care...all I want to do is get out of here and play golf." I can sit here and tell you story after story after story of unbelieveable neglect and apathy these professors have toward students, but to spare you the gritty details, all I have to say on a universal statement is that like some of the above posters said, when you get to dental school, don't expect professors to provide good instruction, don't expect the professors to care about you, don't expect the professors to provide productive office hours in which they will try to really help you understand the concepts, don't expect much of anything except for the fact that you are ON YOUR OWN as far as learning goes. The overall impression I've got from dental school among the professors and the dean is that they only care about themselves and how they can do the very least amount of work possible, still get paid, and get out to the golf course as quickly as possible. No one cares about you in dental school except for your classmates. Dental school is a wild ride into the depths of cr@p and the only thing that is keeping me going frankly is that out of all the many, many practicing dentists I have spoken with, it appears that dentistry is truly an amazing, rewarding, and enriching profession. I'd truly have to say with no exaggeration that at least 95% of the dentists I have spoken with really enjoy their jobs and love going to work everyday. This is something that not many professions can say. Overall, even though my experience with dental school has been hellish, I have to say that what I've personally learned about dentistry is that outside of the educational process, it is really a great profession. I have an immense amount of respect and appreciation for the profession and I feel very honored to be a part of it. What I'm really looking forward to though is getting out of school and being able to practice and be a part of society in which I am contributing services that will directly increase the overall health of an individual.

To conclude, for prospective dental students, I personally feel dentistry is a great profession despite my complaints about the educational process. But just get ready to eat it for about 4 years, swallow your pride, and basically just be willing to get through those 4 years of grueling dental school because once out, you're going to be in for what I can see is a very nice, rewarding and enriching life.

DentalDude

 

[Yah-E]

Remember, every school is different! From everything I've read in the previous couple of posts, that does not sound like the faculty and deans we have here at Nova at all! I've also found that faculties are just like you and I, they get along with some students, but some they do not. A professor can like you, but he doesn't care so much for me.

When I read some of your experiences with faculty, I'm just glad that I'm at Nova! Best to you all!

😎

 

[DentalDude]

Yah-E,

I'm sure Nova is a great school, however, I'd be very interested to see what you have to say after you finish your 2nd year of dental school. It really wasn't until I was in the system for about two years that I starting making my above mentioned conclusions.

Best of luck to you,
Dentaldude

 

[Yah-E]

Ture, true...we'll do....at the same time be sure to keep your spirits high!

You'll be officially half done after 7-14-03!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by Ride_or_Die
Dental school is really hard. Period. I was wondering if any other schools have the DS1 class take pharm in the first year? What do y'all say?

At Arizona, we take a course a pharm course our first semester.