Does money change the way you think?

[ruskyline]

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Hello everyone, so i guess this is how you open up a new thread.

just curious, right now i'm studding biology for my undergrad and want to continue my education in dental school, i always wanted to help people with their teeth but my only concern is, will money change the way i am?

of course your respond will be like it depends, but if everyone could share their some of their own personal info like if they help any charity, if they volunteer, if they fix peoples teeth even if they have no money or insurance, or if they help their relatives the one who is poor or how about helping your parents? do you do that?? . i'm just throwing some stuff out of head and i would love to get some answeres thank you everyone!!

 

[DrReo]

I guess when you realize that the number patients you can get through in one day is proportionate to the amount of money you make. You'll have the option of going through more patients with less quality or going through fewer patients with better quality. But, generally, as doctors become more experienced, they can do the same amount of work with good quality in less time.

I'd say the time and cost of your procedure, not the amount of patients you see.

 

[Phongaroo]

Everyone going into dentistry is in some way motivated by the money. Simply put, if they weren't attracted by the six digit salary, they would be a vet. But it's such an icky thing to be solely motivated by the money.

For my part, my family, my extended family and my family-in-law is receiving free dental care. If I have my own dental clinic, I will set aside one day per month to volunteer my time and resources to help as many patients as I can fit into that schedule. Though I'm not a religious person, I believe that religious establishments do help people in need, and I hope to assist different ecclesiastical organizations, too. In accordance to the virtues instilled in me by various individuals in my life who have so freely given of themselves to support me, I will also support those who I employ-- if I have the means, why not help a dental assistant become a dental hygienist? Or pay those who go above and beyond for me an above and beyond salary?

I have never been rich, and I absolutely abhor the idea of having too much money... but if I do become wealthy from my labor, I'd rather help a young person find their way to dental school than buy a new boat.

 

[whateveryoulike]

The term 'free work' usually needs to be defined. If you have a family member sit down in your chair and you don't charge them, it doesn't make it free. If they aren't paying, then you are. There are costs for a dental assistant if one is on staff, the power to keep the lights on, the materials costs, etc. If my family wants "free work" then they will have to settle for times on my schedule that are unusually dead, which may mean last minute scheduling. They will also have to cover the materials costs. Since the dental assistant is paid to be there regardless of whether patients are there, I won't have to charge them for that portion. Similar reasoning for not charging electricity or other similar overhead costs.

I would like to have a similar service for people that need work but cannot economically afford to get it. You obviously cannot advertise this kind of work since you'll get cheapskates left and right trying to get a deal. It is however, quite obvious when someone comes into a dental office because of extreme pain or some other dilemma and has no intention of actually fixing their problems (only duct taping them) due to financial concerns. When I see these patients, I would like to offer to fix their problems in exchange for them covering the materials costs, referring 2 people for simple cleaning/exam visits, and accepting a time when my schedule has a cancellation or is unexpectantly void for some other reason. Most people don't mind last minute visits if it saves them dollars in the 3-4 digit range and most people also have family that would be fine with getting a checkup (that they are probably behind on anyway) done so their loved one can get discounted dental care. Then, everyone wins. Their referrals get the checkups they probably needed anyway. They get the care they cant afford, and I get new patient referrals that might turn into procedures down the road. I'll just have to be careful to make sure I get the 2 referrals completed before their work gets done, to make sure they dont flake out.

 

[sabdul]

There's nothing wrong with trying to earn lots of money. However, if you keep all your earnings for yourself, then in my opinion its wrong. I hope to have a six figure income some day but I pray that I won't get consumed by greed and just spend it on nice cars, etc. Take those millionaires who buy Ferarris, etc. Instead of buying that Ferarri, why not buy a car for like $100,000 and donate the rest to the needy?

 

[whateveryoulike]

I'd rather help a young person find their way to dental school than buy a new boat.

I agree with this statement. Who wants a boat anyway? Cars are way more fun. 😀

 

[whateveryoulike]

There's nothing wrong with trying to earn lots of money. However, if you keep all your earnings for yourself, then in my opinion its wrong. I hope to have a six figure income some day but I pray that I won't get consumed by greed and just spend it on nice cars, etc. Take those millionaires who buy Ferarris, etc. Instead of buying that Ferarri, why not buy a car for like $100,000 and donate the rest to the needy?

I've met a couple rich people with Ferraris (or other 160k+ cars) and all of them worked up to it. From what I've come to notice, most of them don't donate money due to frustration. Most charities have a pathetic turnover rate of money donated when compared to money used to actually help someone. The rest goes to administration fees to cover offices and salaries of employees that work for the charities, etc. While I don't speak for all charities since many do good work, I think a large portion of them help the economy by creating jobs moreso than by feeding the poor. Unfortunately, the Ferrari owners I've met share this feeling and are not concerned with generating pointless jobs

 

[whateveryoulike]

edit: oops, double posted

 

[ruskyline]

The term 'free work' usually needs to be defined. If you have a family member sit down in your chair and you don't charge them, it doesn't make it free. If they aren't paying, then you are. There are costs for a dental assistant if one is on staff, the power to keep the lights on, the materials costs, etc. If my family wants "free work" then they will have to settle for times on my schedule that are unusually dead, which may mean last minute scheduling. They will also have to cover the materials costs. Since the dental assistant is paid to be there regardless of whether patients are there, I won't have to charge them for that portion. Similar reasoning for not charging electricity or other similar overhead costs.

I would like to have a similar service for people that need work but cannot economically afford to get it. You obviously cannot advertise this kind of work since you'll get cheapskates left and right trying to get a deal. It is however, quite obvious when someone comes into a dental office because of extreme pain or some other dilemma and has no intention of actually fixing their problems (only duct taping them) due to financial concerns. When I see these patients, I would like to offer to fix their problems in exchange for them covering the materials costs, referring 2 people for simple cleaning/exam visits, and accepting a time when my schedule has a cancellation or is unexpectantly void for some other reason. Most people don't mind last minute visits if it saves them dollars in the 3-4 digit range and most people also have family that would be fine with getting a checkup (that they are probably behind on anyway) done so their loved one can get discounted dental care. Then, everyone wins. Their referrals get the checkups they probably needed anyway. They get the care they cant afford, and I get new patient referrals that might turn into procedures down the road. I'll just have to be careful to make sure I get the 2 referrals completed before their work gets done, to make sure they dont flake out.

you have mentioned a very critical point which is "If you have a family member sit down in your chair and you don't charge them, it doesn't make it free" I agree with your opinion, and i also agree that if you be "too much nice guy" people will start taking advantage of you. there has to be a line where you will not cross. i think that's the key to be successful.

 

[doc3232]

Would any of you actually make your parents pay for "materials" cost?

 

[enfuego]

Of course I'll treat my family for free. Why wouldn't I? Most of my family members are doctors, and they help out everyone in the family by either providing treatment themselves or making sure they get treatment from a colleague. Our close family friends do this as well - they'll let you come in any time rather than waiting for an opening, and they often insist that you don't pay them. Doctors that my father has treated pay him back by offering our family either free or discounted treatment. I've found that the medical community loves to help each other out. I would love to pay back all my family members and family friends who treated me for free and generally supported me all these years.

There's nothing wrong with trying to earn lots of money. However, if you keep all your earnings for yourself, then in my opinion its wrong. I hope to have a six figure income some day but I pray that I won't get consumed by greed and just spend it on nice cars, etc. Take those millionaires who buy Ferarris, etc. Instead of buying that Ferarri, why not buy a car for like $100,000 and donate the rest to the needy?

It's wrong to keep the money that you yourself earned by giving up your time and putting forth effort and hard work? You must be kidding. If you earn the money, you have the right to spend it in any way you like. If America ever gets to the point where other people are deciding what I can and cannot do with the rewards I've earned for my hard work, I'll leave the country. I've got tolerance for such interference in private life and violation of rights.

Let's just think about what would happen if all the rich people stopped buying Ferraris. First, all the engineers and mechanics who build and assemble the Ferraris would become unemployed. The designers who work to improve the look of Ferraris would become unemployed. The companies that manfacture all the various parts that go into making Ferraris would take a hit. The industries that provide the raw materials to make those parts would take a hit. Many people would be impacted negatively if those filthy rich people suddenly stopped buying Ferraris.

I know people who are upper-middle class or upper class, and many of them used to give lots of money. However, they stopped because of the attitudes that many Americans hold (the same Americans that benefit from the charity of these rich people) that portray rich people as being greedy, selfish, disgusting people for having so much money. So instead of giving their hard-earned money to people who didn't appreciate it, they stopped giving except for a select few organizations.

If Americans want people to donate more to charity, maybe they shouldn't demonize the very people who are in the best positions to give away their money.

 

[ruskyline]

Would any of you actually make your parents pay for "materials" cost?

i can never allow my parents pay anything!! but i'm pretty sure that i will ask most of my relatives which i see like twice a year and all my friends to pay something.

 

[Lindbergjb]

Of course I'll treat my family for free. Why wouldn't I? Most of my family members are doctors, and they help out everyone in the family by either providing treatment themselves or making sure they get treatment from a colleague. Our close family friends do this as well - they'll let you come in any time rather than waiting for an opening, and they often insist that you don't pay them. Doctors that my father has treated pay him back by offering our family either free or discounted treatment. I've found that the medical community loves to help each other out. I would love to pay back all my family members and family friends who treated me for free and generally supported me all these years.



It's wrong to keep the money that you yourself earned by giving up your time and putting forth effort and hard work? You must be kidding. If you earn the money, you have the right to spend it in any way you like. If America ever gets to the point where other people are deciding what I can and cannot do with the rewards I've earned for my hard work, I'll leave the country. I've got tolerance for such interference in private life and violation of rights.

Let's just think about what would happen if all the rich people stopped buying Ferraris. First, all the engineers and mechanics who build and assemble the Ferraris would become unemployed. The designers who work to improve the look of Ferraris would become unemployed. The companies that manfacture all the various parts that go into making Ferraris would take a hit. The industries that provide the raw materials to make those parts would take a hit. Many people would be impacted negatively if those filthy rich people suddenly stopped buying Ferraris.

I know people who are upper-middle class or upper class, and many of them used to give lots of money. However, they stopped because of the attitudes that many Americans hold (the same Americans that benefit from the charity of these rich people) that portray rich people as being greedy, selfish, disgusting people for having so much money. So instead of giving their hard-earned money to people who didn't appreciate it, they stopped giving except for a select few organizations.

If Americans want people to donate more to charity, maybe they shouldn't demonize the very people who are in the best positions to give away their money.

This i so true!

 

[malpractician]

i've received a paycheck every 2 weeks for nearly the last 4 years (military)

I got to the point about a year ago where i just stopped buying stuff. I was tired of being a consumer *****. I'm certain even if I had $1M in my bank tomorrow, I'd maybe buy a new car.

There are people who earn dentist incomes and they are BROKE as hell, because they spend every nickle.

 

[DrReo]

i've received a paycheck every 2 weeks for nearly the last 4 years (military)

I got to the point about a year ago where i just stopped buying stuff. I was tired of being a consumer *****. I'm certain even if I had $1M in my bank tomorrow, I'd maybe buy a new car.

There are people who earn dentist incomes and they are BROKE as hell, because they spend every nickle.

What about all of the athletes, movie stars, etc. a lot of them go broke with multi million dollar salaries.

 

[NuckingFutz]

Would any of you actually make your parents pay for "materials" cost?

With the amount of $$$ my parents spent on my upbringing these past couple decades, I think it may be a bit cheap of me to charge them for my services 😀

 

[ruskyline]

With the amount of $$$ my parents spent on my upbringing these past couple decades, I think it may be a bit cheap of me to charge them for my services 😀

they probably gonna laugh at you and throw you bunch of nickles and dimes if they hear that you want to charge them

 

[bluemanchews]

DIdn't Mike Tyson squander 400 Mil.. What a raging idiot!

 

[30isthenew20]

my dad has supported me numerous bad career choices, needing a new roof on my house, car repair, insisting to pay for dinner when i take him out for father's day...
there is NO way i would ever let him pay for anything i could possibly do for him.

 

[ruskyline]

my dad has supported me numerous bad career choices, needing a new roof on my house, car repair, insisting to pay for dinner when i take him out for father's day...
there is NO way i would ever let him pay for anything i could possibly do for him.

that is very nice of you, he must be proud to have a son like you because not all the children appreciate their parents hard work you know?😍

 

[UCLAzy]

that is very nice of you, he must be proud to have a son like you because not all the children appreciate their parents hard work you know?😍

Lol. Good assumption on the poster being male. I can see why u are so confused about life

 

[ruskyline]

Lol. Good assumption on the poster being male. I can see why u are so confused about life

didn't want to offend females here, but the original quote said, "my dad" so i had to just go with that..

 

[Contach]

I don't understand how this helps your case... lol

 

[bigstix808]

do parents that are physicians charge their kids when they are ill? NO
should you charge your PARENTS for your dental care? NO!
should you charge your friends for your dental care? that's a personal pref. i personally have a good friend that is a CPA and we will simply exchange services when i get out of school. i know dentists now that do the same sorta thing - "you scratch my back, i'll scratch yours"