Do Dentists Seriously Have a Hard Time Finding Work After residency?

[surgeon_hopeful]

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Hi, I'm actually a junior in high school, and recently, my parents have become enraged at me because I think that I want to persue dentistry over "regular" medicine. I think dentistry suites me better because the hours are less stressful than "regular" docs for the most part, they still make plenty of money, there are less malpractice liabilities (ie a GP in dents has less liabilties than a Internist), and above all, I like it better. But my mom also told me that it is nearly impossible to break into the field because:

1. Not as many people need a dentist
2. There are fewer residency spots
3. In short, nobody cares as much for an Endodontist that a cardiologist.

Is any of this true? I'd imagine that there are plenty of people who need dentists and are willing to hire them, so is my mom or I right?

Also, are there rankings for top dental schools like there are for medical schools, because I cant seem to find them anywhere.

 

[apaul]

you are right and your mom is wrong, be sure to tell her that often and that people on the internet wholeheartedly agree

 

[aphistis]

Hi, I'm actually a junior in high school, and recently, my parents have become enraged at me because I think that I want to persue dentistry over "regular" medicine. I think dentistry suites me better because the hours are less stressful than "regular" docs for the most part, they still make plenty of money, there are less malpractice liabilities (ie a GP in dents has less liabilties than a Internist), and above all, I like it better. But my mom also told me that it is nearly impossible to break into the field because:

1. Not as many people need a dentist
2. There are fewer residency spots
3. In short, nobody cares as much for an Endodontist that a cardiologist.

Is any of this true? I'd imagine that there are plenty of people who need dentists and are willing to hire them, so is my mom or I right?

Also, are there rankings for top dental schools like there are for medical schools, because I cant seem to find them anywhere.

1) Do you have teeth? You need a dentist. No teeth? You *still* need a dentist! I think that covers pretty much everyone.

2) Because you don't *need* to do residency to be a dentist. Residencies are for specialists and people wanting to obtain further training after graduating from dental school; tons of excellent dentists have never done a residency.

3) Your mom has clearly never had a toothache. 🙂 Further, her inferiority complex isn't your problem.

The reasons behind your interest in dentistry are very common, and I think you'll find they're shared by many pre-dents, dental students, and practicing dentists. Do some more investigating, spend some time checking out dentistry & medicine both to make sure you know which one's for you, and then take the plunge!

You're the one who'll be spending 40 years in the career you choose, so it's your decision to make. Your mom already had the chance to pick her own career; she doesn't get to pick yours. 👍

 

[12YearOldKid]

My advice:

You are what? 16? You have a long time until you actually have to apply to dental school. Go ahead and let your mom think you are going to be a doctor. It isn't worth the fight right now.

Your college plans will not be altered by choosing dentistry over medicine. Just humor her for now and then when you are out of her house, you can do as you like. It makes life easier if you know when to pick your battles. This is ultimately your decision, but go ahead and let her think she is in charge right now. 😉

 

[dat_student]

...
1. Not as many people need a dentist

true, that's why we have 50 dental schools and 140-150 medical schools.

2. There are fewer residency spots

and fewer dental students

3. In short, nobody cares as much for an Endodontist that a cardiologist.
...

wrong comparison

compare endo (6 yrs) with family/internal medicine (8 yrs)
compare oral surgeons (DDS & MD) with cardiologists (MD)
etc etc etc

 

[BuckeyeDDS]

1) Do you have teeth? You need a dentist. No teeth? You *still* need a dentist! I think that covers pretty much everyone.

2) Because you don't *need* to do residency to be a dentist. Residencies are for specialists and people wanting to obtain further training after graduating from dental school; tons of excellent dentists have never done a residency.

3) Your mom has clearly never had a toothache. 🙂 Further, her inferiority complex isn't your problem.

The reasons behind your interest in dentistry are very common, and I think you'll find they're shared by many pre-dents, dental students, and practicing dentists. Do some more investigating, spend some time checking out dentistry & medicine both to make sure you know which one's for you, and then take the plunge!

You're the one who'll be spending 40 years in the career you choose, so it's your decision to make. Your mom already had the chance to pick her own career; she doesn't get to pick yours. 👍

This advice is right on the money.👍

 

[drPheta]

Ask your mom to explain HMOs and PPOs. Then, ask your mom why your dentist is most likely happier than your family doctor. KEY THINGS here are general dentistry compared to general medicine.

You could also listen to Bill's great advice, and I doubt your mom would be able to do what I said. Medicine and Dentistry have the same undergraduate track record... that is unless you want to enter an accelerated dental program (3 years undergrad + 4 years of dental school = 7 years total education to becoming a DMD/DDS). If you think you have a shot at getting into an accelerated dental program, you might want to convince your parents now. Most 7 year BS/DMD or BS/DDS programs require admission either straight from high school or after your 1st year in undergrad.

Other than that, you're on the right track to a great life.

PS.
You could also note to your parents that their reasoning for pursuing medicine are completely off base. What if you wanted to be a something other than health care? She going to say not everyone needs a financial analyst? Electrical engineer? What's wrong with you being happy and doing what you want? If you really want to solidify your choice, go and shadow your dentist AND physician and really prove to your parents that you've put a lot of thought into your decision. However, make sure the physician your shadow is the one that everyone is expected to be... your general practice/family doc. Because if they expect you to be a cardiologist, they better realize that you have a slim chance of getting into that field.

PPS.
No dental school rankings like Med schools. There are too many factors that make one program different/better than another. Also, each program has strengths and weaknesses specific to their cirriculum.

 

[groundhog]

Hi, I'm actually a junior in high school, and recently, my parents have become enraged at me because I think that I want to persue dentistry over "regular" medicine. But my mom also told me that it is nearly impossible to break into the field because:

1. Not as many people need a dentist
2. There are fewer residency spots
3. In short, nobody cares as much for an Endodontist that a cardiologist.

Is any of this true? I'd imagine that there are plenty of people who need dentists and are willing to hire them, so is my mom or I right?

Hope you find this helpful. My kid recently finished a GPR (a 1 year residency after dental school). Took a month off for a much deserved vacation and then tested the market. Got immediate numerous offers. Acccepted an associate gig for at least $12,000/month guaranteed plus benefits working 4 days per week.

As far as availability of dental residencies go, plenty of 1 year GPR/AEGD slots go begging each year (at this moment in time anyway).

 

[JamieMac]

Your mom already had the chance to pick her own career; she doesn't get to pick yours. 👍

Great post...very well said, and I love the last line!

 

[zbruinz]

hmm...if a dentist doesn't puruse a residency right away out of dental school. Would it be possible for a dentist say, five years after graduation from dental school to get into a dental residency?

 

[itsall3324453!]

Hi, I'm actually a junior in high school, and recently, my parents have become enraged at me because I think that I want to persue dentistry over "regular" medicine. I think dentistry suites me better because the hours are less stressful than "regular" docs for the most part, they still make plenty of money, there are less malpractice liabilities (ie a GP in dents has less liabilties than a Internist), and above all, I like it better. But my mom also told me that it is nearly impossible to break into the field because:

1. Not as many people need a dentist
2. There are fewer residency spots
3. In short, nobody cares as much for an Endodontist that a cardiologist.

Is any of this true? I'd imagine that there are plenty of people who need dentists and are willing to hire them, so is my mom or I right?

Also, are there rankings for top dental schools like there are for medical schools, because I cant seem to find them anywhere.

I am not a dental student yet but here is my opinion. It seems you are more likely to have to need a root canal than have a heart attack. ( let us hope ) the best advice so far is to humor your parents because the pre reqs in college are the same for both. tell them you really thought about it and you think they are right and you appreciate how much they care about your future. when you are 23 or so The conversation will be moot and you may find it easier to convince them then maybe they will pay for dental school too 😉 fo course you can tell them you are gay and let them freak out then say just kidding i really want to be a dentist. maybe that will help. 😉

 

[bu_dentist]

get a life kid and worry about all that once you get good SAT scores and your balls drop.

 

[LAZYGUY]

get a life kid and worry about all that once you get good SAT scores and your balls drop.

geez I thought I would never fall into such parallel agreement with a dentite.👍

 

[LAZYGUY]

I am not a dental student yet but here is my opinion. It seems you are more likely to have to need a root canal than have a heart attack

CAD (coronary artery disease) is the most common cause of death in the USA, we don't need opinions about this, this is fact.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

 

[LAZYGUY]

wrong comparison

compare endo (6 yrs) with family/internal medicine (8 yrs)

family med & internal med are both 3 year residencies

MD= 4 yrs
Residency = 3 yrs
Total--> 7 yrs

 

[aphistis]

CAD (coronary artery disease) is the most common cause of death in the USA, we don't need opinions about this, this is fact.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

But that's not what the poster said, and I wish you luck demonstrating credibly that anywhere *near* half of all adults have had a heart attack by age 50.

Source: http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=531164

 

[LAZYGUY]

1. the article "estimates", however there is no statistical data to provide evidence for this. Again the article states later,"No matter what your age, you may need a root canal and as our research shows, smoking increases your risk,"

Smoking too, is a risk factor for CAD, and equally I can state the same that all smokers are at an increased risk for CAD & may need preventive measures. Furthermore, tobacco, hypertension & diabetes mellitus as well as men > 45 years old & all women >55 years old, including those c family hx of CAD or stroke or those c LDL > 160 or HDL < 35, which increases your risk of CAD and "may" need treatment

2. Nobody was talking about any age

But that's not what the poster said, and I wish you luck demonstrating credibly that anywhere *near* half of all adults have had a heart attack by age 50.

Source: http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=531164

 

[aphistis]

1. the article "estimates", however there is no statistical data to provide evidence for this. Again the article states later,"No matter what your age, you may need a root canal and as our research shows, smoking increases your risk,"

Smoking too, is a risk factor for CAD, and equally I can state the same that all smokers are at an increased risk for CAD & may need preventive measures. Furthermore, tobacco, hypertension & diabetes mellitus as well as men > 45 years old & all women >55 years old, including those c family hx of CAD or stroke or those c LDL > 160 or HDL < 35, which increases your risk of CAD and "may" need treatment

2. Nobody was talking about any age

Even though we're just dentists, I think everyone here already knows that smoking is a risk factor for CAD. 😉

You've already gone far afield of the original question, and I'm not going to chase you.

 

[scalpel2008]

1. the article "estimates", however there is no statistical data to provide evidence for this. Again the article states later,"No matter what your age, you may need a root canal and as our research shows, smoking increases your risk,"

Smoking too, is a risk factor for CAD, and equally I can state the same that all smokers are at an increased risk for CAD & may need preventive measures. Furthermore, tobacco, hypertension & diabetes mellitus as well as men > 45 years old & all women >55 years old, including those c family hx of CAD or stroke or those c LDL > 160 or HDL < 35, which increases your risk of CAD and "may" need treatment

2. Nobody was talking about any age

i don't understand your point. nobody's arguing the fact that one would rather have a root canal than a CABG.

 

[LAZYGUY]

Oh and I was never trying to answer the original question...and I'm sure you know all there is to CAD and all things medical.
👍

Even though we're just dentists, I think everyone here already knows that smoking is a risk factor for CAD. 😉

You've already gone far afield of the original question, and I'm not going to chase you.