Dreaming of Becoming an Orthodontist

[goldenpumpkin]

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Since graduating high school, my goal was to become an orthodontist. I love school, so the amount of time spent learning was not a problem for me, I knew this was what I wanted to do. This was in 2014. Since then, I have switched majors after being exposed to different industries, then circled back to sticking with pre-dental. My heart is completely set on it, but the things that scare me are the debt that I will take on, the fact that I am already 23 years old but still have 1.5 years left to finish undergrad, and I just want to make sure that by the time I am able to finally work, that the work/life balance will be satisfactory, as I do dream of traveling the world and taking my family with me. I've always done great in school, my GPA is 3.68 at the moment. I want to know if anyone else has this "irrational fear"? My dream is to be that young woman that all the patients are excited to see because they're ecstatic to see how their brand new smile is coming along! I know that I can do it, with the proper hard work and dedication, I'm honestly just scared sh**less and it's driving me insane! Maybe less thinking and more action?

 

[2TH MVR]

Well. Follow your dreams. Orthodontics was the ONLY profession in dentistry that I was interested in. Keep your debt low by getting exceptional grades which opens the doors to the inexpensive DS and residencies. Student loan debt control is important.

Realize that the economics of practicing orthodontics has changed in the last 15-20 years. Consider practicing in rural areas rather than the urban, saturated cities. This will give you the best opportunity to open or buy a traditional ortho practice. If you are looking more PT ... then there are plenty of available Corp positions available in the urban areas.

There is also a serious shortage of qualified ortho academicians in the residency programs if that is your interest.

I've been practicing for the past 26 years. I enjoy the interaction with the patients and seeing the almost immediate changes with their smile. I've never regretted my decision to be an orthodontist. Although not a huge fan of how braces and aligners are becoming commoditized rather than being a medical treatment.

Work hard and follow your dreams. Nothing worse in life than regret. Age is not an issue. You can practice orthodontics for as long as you want. Everyone in the dental profession knows that ortho is the least stressful profession and the easiest on the body.

 

[956139]

Already 23? You're still super young. Go for it and don't look back.

 

[predent2151]

You’re still really young. Only you can hold yourself back. Follow your dreams

 

[princeafrica]

Follow your dreams. Work hard on your application and you will get scholarships