I am really considering becoming a dentist but by the time I would be done with dental schools, 2021, will there be plenty of well paying jobs available and will the future be bright? Will many people still come to dentists or specialists like orthos? Do I have any reason to worry that I may not get a job or make good money, like over 200,000?
Does dentistry have a bright future?
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This has the potential to turn into another 100+ post thread debating this topic, haha.
From my point of view - there's no way of knowing. We can look at trends and make predictions about what will happen to dentistry over the next 20 or 30+ years, but there's no one here that can accurately predict the future.
My personal opinion is that yes, people will still see dentists and we'll all be reasonably employed (many factors play into this, I'm not going to list them all off). This requires hard work, having a good head on your shoulders, and living within your means.
The more pressing issue, in my opinion, is the cost of the education. You can come out of school and get a great job, but if you're buried in unbelievable amounts of student loan debt, that could make things interesting.
I'll also add, do not go into it for the money. This has been posted time and time again. You pretty much have to own a practice, be in the middle of your career, and have your debts payed off to make a 200+ salary. If this concerns you, then I'm not sure what to tell you. Dentistry does not equal instant money.
From my point of view - there's no way of knowing. We can look at trends and make predictions about what will happen to dentistry over the next 20 or 30+ years, but there's no one here that can accurately predict the future.
My personal opinion is that yes, people will still see dentists and we'll all be reasonably employed (many factors play into this, I'm not going to list them all off). This requires hard work, having a good head on your shoulders, and living within your means.
The more pressing issue, in my opinion, is the cost of the education. You can come out of school and get a great job, but if you're buried in unbelievable amounts of student loan debt, that could make things interesting.
I'll also add, do not go into it for the money. This has been posted time and time again. You pretty much have to own a practice, be in the middle of your career, and have your debts payed off to make a 200+ salary. If this concerns you, then I'm not sure what to tell you. Dentistry does not equal instant money.
One good thing going for me is that my parents will pay for the full cost of dental school. What would you say is the average starting salary for most dentists?
google it...
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I told you not to go into it for the money. Remember when I said dentistry does not equal instant money? Do your research and make the right choice for you. You seem to have dollar signs in your eyes, and most people here are going to flame you for it. There's better careers for you if all you want to do is make a ton of money. You've been warned.
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Dentistry is fine.
The opinion seems to be:
If you:
1. Have your school paid for by parents
or
2. Have a practice than can walk into (parents or something)
Then dentistry is still very lucrative..
If you have to take out loans you have a big debt to pay back and it's not quite as lucrative, but still lucrative IMO. Of course, there will be people that suck at dentistry/managing money/working/whatever... and will get on here saying how dentistry is crap now. However, I think you will note, the majority of dentists live in large houses and drive nice cars....Not cardboard boxes under bridges and bikes, as some people on here try to make you think.
Starting salary will depend on what you do...I'm no expert, I've never looked it up....But I would say 100k+ is a safe number to say.
Edit: Watch out for just Googling numbers, often they will exclude people in private practices, which is obviously where the money is.
Also, sounds like you are only in it for the money, I think you ought to take a serious step back and think about it.
The opinion seems to be:
If you:
1. Have your school paid for by parents
or
2. Have a practice than can walk into (parents or something)
Then dentistry is still very lucrative..
If you have to take out loans you have a big debt to pay back and it's not quite as lucrative, but still lucrative IMO. Of course, there will be people that suck at dentistry/managing money/working/whatever... and will get on here saying how dentistry is crap now. However, I think you will note, the majority of dentists live in large houses and drive nice cars....Not cardboard boxes under bridges and bikes, as some people on here try to make you think.
Starting salary will depend on what you do...I'm no expert, I've never looked it up....But I would say 100k+ is a safe number to say.
Edit: Watch out for just Googling numbers, often they will exclude people in private practices, which is obviously where the money is.
Also, sounds like you are only in it for the money, I think you ought to take a serious step back and think about it.
Honestly, no matter what career I go into, it will be for the money. I have no interest in any career whatsoever but it just seems like dentistry or perhaps med would be the easiest ways to go. what other better careers would you say are out there if all I want is to make a ton of money?I told you not to go into it for the money. Remember when I said dentistry does not equal instant money? Do your research and make the right choice for you. You seem to have dollar signs in your eyes, and most people here are going to flame you for it. There's better careers for you if all you want to do is make a ton of money. You've been warned.
Finance sector...(eg. day trader).
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I was looking through your old posts. It looks like you're a senior in high school? You are way ahead of yourself here. Before seeing how to go about getting dermatology residencies, making 200k+ as a dentist, seeing what you need to get into med school, or even getting into a professional program at all, you really need to start with college. You also need to perform well in college before these professional degrees become an option.
And as for other options, investment banking is a big money maker. But I'll tell you, money is nice and everything, but don't make your life goal to make tons of money. Loving what you do is so much more valuable. Loving what you do, and making good money, is the combo that most people would love to have. You don't even know if you like dentistry or medicine yet most likely. Go find your passion first. That's step 1.
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For now, don't worry about money and go explore the world and the different professions that it has to offer. I believe that college is very important at developing an understanding of what goes on around us, especially in the sciences. If you want to go into dentistry, first know if you like science. If you don't like science, and somehow find yourself in D1 dental school, you're SOL.
Chemical or Petroleum Engineering
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Actuary.
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No, in fact, they are not working on a pill, you take once a day and you should be 99% carries free (no need to brush & floss anymore).
They are also working on another pill that will naturally modify the position of your teeth (good bye orthodontists).
Its currently in the trials phase...
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Chemical and petroleum engineering seem to be high paying. My friend started at $120,000 at an oil company in Tulsa, OK right out of college (He's petroleum). He is on the high end though...
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OP if you want to make big $$, go to or do well at the college you got into and transfer to a school where firms recruit a lot and then get into investment banking. You'll work long hours, but you will be making bank. One of my good friends did this.
Also agree with the rest of NDPitch's post.
You have no interest in any career whatsoever? So does that mean your ideal life would be sitting in a chair, moving as little as possible?
Surely there is something out there that interests you. If not.... well that is truly saddening. A waste of a good life, I think.
If you really have no interest in Dentistry you shouldn't do it, since it isn't the easiest path to money (physicians make good money without having to own their own practice or work as a 1099 employee. But med school is just as tough of a path, if not more so.) However, as a dentist you have a very good chance of making enough money to support a family and fund your own reasonable hobbies.
I really do appreciate all the feedback. And it's not like I don't want to do anything, maybe it's just that I haven't explored enough to see what I would love. But I just feel like if I were to do anything that actually made good money it would have to be something along the lines of med or dental because business isn't my thing or is other stuff like finance.
