Doubt

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wannabedr

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How did everyone handle the possible doubt in their minds that dentistry might not be their true calling????

I keep wondering if taking on all this school debt and debt to buy a practice is really worth it. I mean if I take that money and use it towards a business venture, the payoff *might* be greater.

How do i get around this fear/doubt in my mind that dentistry isn't for me? Did anyone else struggle with two different paths?

I mean I LOVE what dentistry can offer me but I'm not sure if i will be elated to go to work on Monday morning (i'm still pre-dent so I just might)

HELP!!! 😕 :scared: 😕 :scared:
 
Cold Front said:
Shadow with a dentist... see if the field is for you.
Click to expand...


I've done a little shadowing. I know what a dentist does. I'm talking mostly about the opportunity costs of going to dental school/start-up costs verse another business route.

I can honestly say I'm doing it *mainly* for the income potential and hours so should i just incur the debt or try and make 6 figures else where???
 
wannabedr said:
I've done a little shadowing. I know what a dentist does. I'm talking mostly about the opportunity costs of going to dental school/start-up costs verse another business route.

I can honestly say I'm doing it *mainly* for the income potential and hours so should i just incur the debt or try and make 6 figures else where???
Click to expand...

if you're doing it for the money, then do as your name, "wannabedr" says, BED a doctor. marry one, and sit at home. that way you wont have any debt, amazing hours, and you can enjoy all the benefits of a six figure income!! 👍
 
I think if you truley want to be a dentist, there will be no doubt at all.

There are many many ways to make six figure incomes and have good hours. You're going to need better reasons for wanting to go into dentistry than that. If you really are interested in dentistry, you need to spend way more time shadowing so you can come up with some better reasoning and really make sure this job will fulfill you in everyway, not just financially or timewise. Being a doctor of any type is serious business. You really need to be sure before you make such a huge time and financial comittment. Being a dentist takes A LOT more than just a desire to make good money and have good hours.
 
"I think if you truley want to be a dentist, there will be no doubt at all. " 👎 👎


Yeah, because life choices are always that easy!!!!!!!!
 
wannabedr said:
"I think if you truley want to be a dentist, there will be no doubt at all. " 👎 👎


Yeah, because life choices are always that easy!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...


This is how I thought about it. I am a economics major. I have always been interested in both a career in economics/analyst and dentistry. I have shadowed a dentist and have been with my cousin (an analyst) to work.

I like dentistry because i found the dentist had a more hold on his day. He relaxed part of the day and wasnt in a rush to finish things. He could slow down his pace or speed up. He also enjoyed listening to other people's lifestyles. That appealed to me.

Analyst working at a finance research firm was alot more hectic. He had deadlines and did a fair share of grunt work. His pay was bad and you have to work your way up the corporate ladder to make the good money. Its just like investment banking. Many people think you can just walk into a thats career. The fact is, its harder to land a job and survive than to get into dental school and survive (in my opinion). Because for every 1000 predents there are there are 15000 business major who all want to be invest bankers. Anyways, analyst hours suck. I "shadowed" my cousin on a saturday, he had to finish his project. He says he works 8-6or7. Thats alot, but he also only has a bachelors. He told me that he wished he studied harder in college and took an easier route.

Sure, i also know a investment banker in NY who make 300k and are 26 years old. But they work 70 hours a week, have grey hair, and only gets to drive his bentley 20 minutes a day on commute. He graduated from stanford. he did well for himself. But he must have worked hard.

So for me, I knew business is pretty cutthroat. So in dental school. But I try to enjoy d school and living off the govt, until i graduate. Also, I dont have connections in the business world(which means alot). Also, I am graduating from a southern university with no credit with the business world. And lets face it, NY firms usually hire recognized or ivy business schools. All the good finance jobs are in NY.


I figured I can work hard, and make as much money or work the least. Plus, the whole small business thing apeals to me. And even though I may ot make 300k when I graduate I might by 28 or so. Also, with the extra 30 or so hours I have saved by not doing investment banking, I can open a restuarant or go fishing every night.


Just my opinion,
 
I don't agree.

I shadowed extensively, and thought I might like it. But watching a dentist versus actually having a handpiece in your hand and doing a root canal, crown, or restoration in a live person's mouth are two totally different things. Now that I'm treating patients, I know that I like dentistry, but up till then, I really didn't know for sure.


lgreen_aci said:
I think if you truley want to be a dentist, there will be no doubt at all.
Click to expand...
 
gator1210 said:
This is how I thought about it. I am a economics major. I have always been interested in both a career in economics/analyst and dentistry. I have shadowed a dentist and have been with my cousin (an analyst) to work.

I like dentistry because i found the dentist had a more hold on his day. He relaxed part of the day and wasnt in a rush to finish things. He could slow down his pace or speed up. He also enjoyed listening to other people's lifestyles. That appealed to me.

Analyst working at a finance research firm was alot more hectic. He had deadlines and did a fair share of grunt work. His pay was bad and you have to work your way up the corporate ladder to make the good money. Its just like investment banking. Many people think you can just walk into a thats career. The fact is, its harder to land a job and survive than to get into dental school and survive (in my opinion). Because for every 1000 predents there are there are 15000 business major who all want to be invest bankers. Anyways, analyst hours suck. I "shadowed" my cousin on a saturday, he had to finish his project. He says he works 8-6or7. Thats alot, but he also only has a bachelors. He told me that he wished he studied harder in college and took an easier route.

Sure, i also know a investment banker in NY who make 300k and are 26 years old. But they work 70 hours a week, have grey hair, and only gets to drive his bentley 20 minutes a day on commute. He graduated from stanford. he did well for himself. But he must have worked hard.

So for me, I knew business is pretty cutthroat. So in dental school. But I try to enjoy d school and living off the govt, until i graduate. Also, I dont have connections in the business world(which means alot). Also, I am graduating from a southern university with no credit with the business world. And lets face it, NY firms usually hire recognized or ivy business schools. All the good finance jobs are in NY.


I figured I can work hard, and make as much money or work the least. Plus, the whole small business thing apeals to me. And even though I may ot make 300k when I graduate I might by 28 or so. Also, with the extra 30 or so hours I have saved by not doing investment banking, I can open a restuarant or go fishing every night.


Just my opinion,
Click to expand...


THANKS! good viewpoint
 
I think you need to know what you want in life. Honestly speaking, dentists don't make all that much money compared to investors. If money is very important to you, then you should think twice about dentistry. You will be paying your student loan for a very long time, and it will remind you every month. Or you can work hard in business and still make a good living. Business and Dentistry are completely different things, so I am not sure why it is so hard to decide between the 2 fields. The only reason I want to go to d school is so I can become a dentist, a doctor that helps people, and be my own boss and have a comfortable living.

hope that helps
 
I had a few doubts at some point, but shadowing cleared them up for me.

The only thing that I worry about is if I'll have the hand skills to be a good dentist. I have no reason to worry about it, but I do anyway.
 
Here's my story about why I want to be a dentist...hope it helps you some...
My dentist is the one who convinced me to go into the field. I'd been talking to him during my senior year's visits about college and how I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. He said that I should come shadow him sometime to see if I like what I see. Benefits that he mentioned included autonomy, great financial gains, getting to see the results of your work right then so you know you've made a difference, and can't beat the workweek hours. So I thought about what he said and thought "why not?" The more I looked into it, the more it grew on me. I'm a fairly family oriented person with a relaxed, optimistic personality. Being in a cut-throat occupation just wouldn't fit my views on life so dentistry definitely appealed to me in that sense. I like the whole concept of having a small family friendly environment. As a general dentist like I want to be, you can watch your patients as they grow up or have families (granted this goes two ways...they watch you too!) and can develop some good relationships and connections. During college I managed to shadow when my schedule would allow. The summer after I graduated college played the most important part in helping me to know that dentistry is my true path. I had the opportunity to intern for the summer at a dental clinic. I got some experience at chairside during which my dentist would take the time to explain what he was doing, etc., got to experience the coolness that is digital x-rays, do some charting & scheduling, and then some. I loved working there, and it most certainly made me feel that I would enjoy spending the next 30 or so years of my life doing this work. If you're a pre-dent I would advise just going through the phone book and calling up dentists and seeing if anyone could use a volunteer/intern and explain that you're wanting some experience. I'll admit that shadowing is kinda boring since you don't exactly do much...but interning is awesome and very rewarding!!! My interviewers also were impressed by my internship so it can't hurt you in that regard either hehe... Basically just look at your likes and dislikes in regard to life...What would you not be willing to do in life? Me? I would abhor being stuck behind a desk all day. I need action, the ability to use my hands and mind, and knowing that what I'm doing is making a difference in this world. Sorry this post is so long, but I hope it gives you more perspective in your decision. After all, only you can decide if it's right for you or not. Good luck no matter what! 😀
 
leia05 said:
Here's my story about why I want to be a dentist...hope it helps you some...
My dentist is the one who convinced me to go into the field. I'd been talking to him during my senior year's visits about college and how I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. He said that I should come shadow him sometime to see if I like what I see. Benefits that he mentioned included autonomy, great financial gains, getting to see the results of your work right then so you know you've made a difference, and can't beat the workweek hours. So I thought about what he said and thought "why not?" The more I looked into it, the more it grew on me. I'm a fairly family oriented person with a relaxed, optimistic personality. Being in a cut-throat occupation just wouldn't fit my views on life so dentistry definitely appealed to me in that sense. I like the whole concept of having a small family friendly environment. As a general dentist like I want to be, you can watch your patients as they grow up or have families (granted this goes two ways...they watch you too!) and can develop some good relationships and connections. During college I managed to shadow when my schedule would allow. The summer after I graduated college played the most important part in helping me to know that dentistry is my true path. I had the opportunity to intern for the summer at a dental clinic. I got some experience at chairside during which my dentist would take the time to explain what he was doing, etc., got to experience the coolness that is digital x-rays, do some charting & scheduling, and then some. I loved working there, and it most certainly made me feel that I would enjoy spending the next 30 or so years of my life doing this work. If you're a pre-dent I would advise just going through the phone book and calling up dentists and seeing if anyone could use a volunteer/intern and explain that you're wanting some experience. I'll admit that shadowing is kinda boring since you don't exactly do much...but interning is awesome and very rewarding!!! My interviewers also were impressed by my internship so it can't hurt you in that regard either hehe... Basically just look at your likes and dislikes in regard to life...What would you not be willing to do in life? Me? I would abhor being stuck behind a desk all day. I need action, the ability to use my hands and mind, and knowing that what I'm doing is making a difference in this world. Sorry this post is so long, but I hope it gives you more perspective in your decision. After all, only you can decide if it's right for you or not. Good luck no matter what! 😀
Click to expand...

Great Idea...I love dentistry, working with people and be able to see the instant result. As other people also posted..shadowing is much different than the actual work as a dentist..it doest not always look as we imagine..I love the field but my doubt is whether I would be a good dentist..working great with my hands or not...I am a very dedicated person and I will always shoot for the best but I was wondering for the dentists out there..how one has to try to become a better dentists...
 
mahya said:
Great Idea...I love dentistry, working with people and be able to see the instant result. As other people also posted..shadowing is much different than the actual work as a dentist..it doest not always look as we imagine..I love the field but my doubt is whether I would be a good dentist..working great with my hands or not...I am a very dedicated person and I will always shoot for the best but I was wondering for the dentists out there..how one has to try to become a better dentists...
Click to expand...

thanks...though i'm not yet in school my experiences at my job now (research assistant) and also during that internship show that the more familiar you are with a process the easier it will become and the more your skills will grow in it until it is almost second nature. like with the experiments i run presently-when i first started it took forever and i was nervous about messing something up. now, i know exactly how long a project will take and just coast through it. i'm hoping my background in music, art and tennis will help me when i do start school and beyond. above all though, have faith in yourself. others have done it so why shouldn't you be able to as well? (this thought helped me get through a few tough undergrad courses)
 
ursinus00 said:
I think you need to know what you want in life. Honestly speaking, dentists don't make all that much money compared to investors. If money is very important to you, then you should think twice about dentistry. You will be paying your student loan for a very long time, and it will remind you every month. Or you can work hard in business and still make a good living. Business and Dentistry are completely different things, so I am not sure why it is so hard to decide between the 2 fields. The only reason I want to go to d school is so I can become a dentist, a doctor that helps people, and be my own boss and have a comfortable living.

hope that helps
Click to expand...

If you have been a dentist in private practice you realize that buisness and dentistry are not so much different.
Does anyone know any dentists that would continue to work if they won 100,000,000?????? Work is Work pick somthing you dont hate.
 
If you want to have your own business, being a dentist is a huge advantage over trying to start a business in some other field. If you are a dentist, you are guaranteed the ability to have a successful business.
 
jabeck74 said:
If you want to have your own business, being a dentist is a huge advantage over trying to start a business in some other field. If you are a dentist, you are guaranteed the ability to have a successful business.
Click to expand...

not entirely true....you need to have a good personality and good management skills (money, staff, etc) without those your boat is sunk regardless of how good the engine is
 
leia05 said:
not entirely true....you need to have a good personality and good management skills (money, staff, etc) without those your boat is sunk regardless of how good the engine is
Click to expand...



Would a bank rather loan money out to a doctor with many previous educational loans or an immigrant with absolutely no money(with an associates degree)?

Well, lets just say its easier than someone who opens motels and 7-11s like my parents did.

Take from me, (my parents worked hard).

hahaha
Can you guess what ethnicity I am? I will give you a high five. 😀
 
leia05 said:
not entirely true....you need to have a good personality and good management skills (money, staff, etc) without those your boat is sunk regardless of how good the engine is
Click to expand...

"you are guaranteed the ability to have a successful business"

You're going to have to some personality and managment skills to do well in most businesses. I think what he/she meant was that dentistry is more of a sure thing vs. starting a business from scratch with a new idea which can be very risky.
 
lgreen_aci said:
"you are guaranteed the ability to have a successful business"

You're going to have to some personality and managment skills to do well in most businesses. I think what he/she meant was that dentistry is more of a sure thing vs. starting a business from scratch with a new idea which can be very risky.
Click to expand...

that i can agree with but to just say "oh well i'm going to be a dentist" and then just assume that the degree will make you successful is a misconception. as gator pointed out, his parents made it happen but they had to work very hard to do so. dentistry has been around for a while so lenders know what to expect of such a business...a made from scratch operation doesn't have such luck. at any rate, my point was merely that success is what you make of it. i simply feel that by working hard and utilizing your God-given assets you can hopefully reach a level of success that will fulfill your needs. oh yeah...gator...i'm hesitant to say what i think your heritage is just in case i'm wrong...but based on the people i've known in my life (a few friends now in med schools) i'd have to say either of indian or arabic descent. kudos to your parents for making things happen!
 
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