Finally Decided on Dent

[Discovery01]

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I have been wavering between medicine and dent for a long time. I even wavered after being accepted to two great dent schools and wait listed on another. I decided basically because I felt like I could go on forever and ever abotu comparing the two and that one fo my main reasons for wantin to do medicine was the prestige (I do think that medicine is more prestigious overal than dentistry). However, deep down I know that prestige is the wrong reason to persue a field... it may mean that I have to develop/grow mroe as a person but soemhow I have to get the prestige thing out of my system cuz it just can't give long-lasting happiness (at least in my eyes).

The only thing about dentistry that really does excite me is the idea of interacting with my future patients. The maneul dexterity part doesn't thrill me... I would not become a surgeon if I were in medical school for instance... I would prbably chose a field like internal medicine or family practice or something more general. I don't really like the idea of being a super super sub specialist in something. However I know that general medicine these days has low reimbursements and that I could spend 7 years of my life and 160K in debt to be working 60+ hours making 120-160 a year as a generalist. I have no idea how much dentists make... I just think (based on job postings I've seen) taht htey make more than 70K. I dno't know how much one makes in hi/sher practice ... hopefully more than 100K given the huge debt load of about 200K I'll have after medical school.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has had these sincere issues of chosing between dentistry and medicine. If you were to do medciine, what speciality or general field would you ahve chosen? this is NOT a dentistry vs. medicine post as I"m sure there have been NUMEROUS NUMEROUS post on that issue. This is just coming from someone who is scared about super-specializing, not having a prestigous career, and being restricted to ONLY the mouth (I know the mouth is important but that is waht we will deal with).

 

[dentin4years]

I have been wavering between medicine and dent for a long time. I even wavered after being accepted to two great dent schools and wait listed on another.

😱😱

that one fo my main reasons for wantin to do medicine was the prestige (I do think that medicine is more prestigious overal than dentistry).

😱😱😱

The only thing about dentistry that really does excite me is the idea of interacting with my future patients. The maneul dexterity part doesn't thrill me...

Are you serious?

I would not become a surgeon if I were in medical school for instance... I would prbably chose a field like internal medicine or family practice or something more general. I don't really like the idea of being a super super sub specialist in something. However I know that general medicine these days has low reimbursements and that I could spend 7 years of my life and 160K in debt to be working 60+ hours making 120-160 a year as a generalist. I have no idea how much dentists make... I just think (based on job postings I've seen) taht htey make more than 70K. I dno't know how much one makes in hi/sher practice ... hopefully more than 100K given the huge debt load of about 200K I'll have after medical school.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has had these sincere issues of chosing between dentistry and medicine. If you were to do medciine, what speciality or general field would you ahve chosen? this is NOT a dentistry vs. medicine post as I"m sure there have been NUMEROUS NUMEROUS post on that issue. This is just coming from someone who is scared about super-specializing, not having a prestigous career, and being restricted to ONLY the mouth (I know the mouth is important but that is waht we will deal with).

It sounds to me like you applied to medical school a few times and could not get in. It also sounds to me like you want a job that makes money and prestige and dentistry in your opinion is the next best thing. FYI dental school is MORE expensive than medical school and you will be working with your hands all the time. Sorry to burst your bubble.

 

[armorshell]

Who are people trying to impress with all this prestige nonsense? Your family? Loved ones? Or people who don't even know you?

If you seriously need people you don't even know to be awed with you, just lie to them. It's not like they're going to know the difference, and you'll probably never see them again anyway.

 

[litldime]

I have been wavering between medicine and dent for a long time. I even wavered after being accepted to two great dent schools and wait listed on another. I decided basically because I felt like I could go on forever and ever abotu comparing the two and that one fo my main reasons for wantin to do medicine was the prestige (I do think that medicine is more prestigious overal than dentistry). However, deep down I know that prestige is the wrong reason to persue a field... it may mean that I have to develop/grow mroe as a person but soemhow I have to get the prestige thing out of my system cuz it just can't give long-lasting happiness (at least in my eyes).

The only thing about dentistry that really does excite me is the idea of interacting with my future patients. The maneul dexterity part doesn't thrill me... I would not become a surgeon if I were in medical school for instance... I would prbably chose a field like internal medicine or family practice or something more general. I don't really like the idea of being a super super sub specialist in something. However I know that general medicine these days has low reimbursements and that I could spend 7 years of my life and 160K in debt to be working 60+ hours making 120-160 a year as a generalist. I have no idea how much dentists make... I just think (based on job postings I've seen) taht htey make more than 70K. I dno't know how much one makes in hi/sher practice ... hopefully more than 100K given the huge debt load of about 200K I'll have after medical school.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has had these sincere issues of chosing between dentistry and medicine. If you were to do medciine, what speciality or general field would you ahve chosen? this is NOT a dentistry vs. medicine post as I"m sure there have been NUMEROUS NUMEROUS post on that issue. This is just coming from someone who is scared about super-specializing, not having a prestigous career, and being restricted to ONLY the mouth (I know the mouth is important but that is waht we will deal with).

have you done any shadowing? i think you should... manual dexterity--- you can't get away from it!
i commend you on your honesty. but from reading your post, it seems like you're not passionate about dentistry but concerned about future earnings and what other people think...
to pursue something of this magnitude, i think your heart has to be in it

i had to come to a place in my heart where i couldn't see myself doing anything else..

good luck but whatever you choose... make sure you are completely happy and not doing it for acalades (not sure of spelling)
-ld

 

[shamrock2006]

Yeah man...I think it's time to do some serious soul searching. Both careers...medicine and dentistry...are major committments. You better be sure what you're getting yourself into or it could cause some major issues. As the above posters have stated...dont do it for prestige, or the fact that you think it'll make you rich...think of those as an added bonuses on top of pursuing your passion. Personally..if you're looking for people to be impressed by what you're doing w/ your life...go w/ Muay Thai fighter....that should get you some play

 

[darius99]

Personally..if you're looking for people to be impressed by what you're doing w/ your life...go w/ Muay Thai fighter....that should get you some play

yea unless you are out with a girl and some guy decides to start with you, and then you end up gettin beat down

 

[Nowhat14]

It's good that you have choice to dentistry and like the interaction with the patients. It's bad that you are not that motivated or don't even believe in your dexterity. Personally, I'd choose any dental school over any med schools, but that's just me. I'd like to see you all motivated and excited to go to Dental school on your next post, because there are people who are way qualified to getinto dental school but didn't get in for some reason. Last post like your just doesn't help anyone. So if you REALLY chose Dental, say holla again here, and you are welcomed for sure. If not, I think you best disappear from here.

 

[doctordent]

Well, I will say that I was in a similar boat...I absolutely love medicine, but you can't always foloow your passion---you must use your head when making a decision as well. My husband is a physician ans he has spent the past 14 years of his life getting an education (4 undergrad, 4 med school, 5 residency, and 1 fellowship). He was not passionate about medicine, but he made the choice to choose a career that he would like, and would be good enough to save for retirement, childrens' education funds, and to live a financially stable life. He enjoys what he does, but his career does not define him..it is his job, and his enjoyment in life is from family etc..not work. Just about every professional I know who has been in the field enjoys their job, but cannot wait to get home and get away from work (medical and dental professionals that I know). The passion subsides after years of doing the work. I am passionate about medicine--but I have decided on dentistry instead. I do not want the lifestyle of a physician, nor do I want the liability that a physician has. Prestige and money are not enough to make me give up my duties to and time with my family. At first, I was a bit hesistant about dentistry. After shadowing, and learning about the field, I realized that it IS medicine---just of the mouth. My lack of knowledge about the field is what turned me off initially, but now, I know that I was made to be a dentist. I also struggled with going into public health or not. I am passionate about that as well as medical anthropology. Instead of choosing, I realized that I can do them all..I can be a dentist who focuses on public health (which can also involve med anthro). But to answer your question a bit more specifically, the issue about superspecializing---it is the same thing if you go into medicine pretty much---most physicians end up specializing, whether it be ob/gyn, nephrology, dermatology..you deal with a certain part of the body. I wouldn't recommend being a GP--we have several friends who are GPs and they are miserable--reimbursements, hours etc..and about prestige--amongst MDs, GPs and psych are the least prestigous as the not so successful med students or foreign med students who cant get into any other residency program go into it...Most importantly, get some experience in dentistry, and be open-minded with it. Do not constantly compare it to "med school" medicine or you are approaching it in an already biased way that will be sure to have you not like it as much.

 

[shamrock2006]

yea unless you are out with a girl and some guy decides to start with you, and then you end up gettin beat down

Well if all else fails...kick him in the stones and run like hell 😀

 

[jeezy]

i'm interested in doing dent, but i agree that medicine sounds sexier than dentistry. How many kids say that they want to grow up and become a dentist? but you grow up, look into different avenues and make a decision.. different strokes for different folks

new dents seem to make about 70k + commission

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

I have been wavering between medicine and dent for a long time. I even wavered after being accepted to two great dent schools and wait listed on another. I decided basically because I felt like I could go on forever and ever abotu comparing the two and that one fo my main reasons for wantin to do medicine was the prestige (I do think that medicine is more prestigious overal than dentistry). However, deep down I know that prestige is the wrong reason to persue a field... it may mean that I have to develop/grow mroe as a person but soemhow I have to get the prestige thing out of my system cuz it just can't give long-lasting happiness (at least in my eyes).

The only thing about dentistry that really does excite me is the idea of interacting with my future patients. The maneul dexterity part doesn't thrill me... I would not become a surgeon if I were in medical school for instance... I would prbably chose a field like internal medicine or family practice or something more general. I don't really like the idea of being a super super sub specialist in something. However I know that general medicine these days has low reimbursements and that I could spend 7 years of my life and 160K in debt to be working 60+ hours making 120-160 a year as a generalist. I have no idea how much dentists make... I just think (based on job postings I've seen) taht htey make more than 70K. I dno't know how much one makes in hi/sher practice ... hopefully more than 100K given the huge debt load of about 200K I'll have after medical school.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has had these sincere issues of chosing between dentistry and medicine. If you were to do medciine, what speciality or general field would you ahve chosen? this is NOT a dentistry vs. medicine post as I"m sure there have been NUMEROUS NUMEROUS post on that issue. This is just coming from someone who is scared about super-specializing, not having a prestigous career, and being restricted to ONLY the mouth (I know the mouth is important but that is waht we will deal with).

I think that if you choose dentistry, you will have the "inferiority complex" hanging around your shoulder for the rest of your life from reading your post. It seems that dentistry offers attractive career but you seem to be hung up on the "prestige" thing. Do it this way, apply to US medical schools and if you can't get in, go to offshore medical schools. You WILL get in and then get your license in the US. Nowadays, getting a slot like FP in US is very easy. That way, you will be the "doctor" and have all the prestige you want. DP

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

I have been wavering between medicine and dent for a long time. I even wavered after being accepted to two great dent schools and wait listed on another. I decided basically because I felt like I could go on forever and ever abotu comparing the two and that one fo my main reasons for wantin to do medicine was the prestige (I do think that medicine is more prestigious overal than dentistry). However, deep down I know that prestige is the wrong reason to persue a field... it may mean that I have to develop/grow mroe as a person but soemhow I have to get the prestige thing out of my system cuz it just can't give long-lasting happiness (at least in my eyes).

The only thing about dentistry that really does excite me is the idea of interacting with my future patients. The maneul dexterity part doesn't thrill me... I would not become a surgeon if I were in medical school for instance... I would prbably chose a field like internal medicine or family practice or something more general. I don't really like the idea of being a super super sub specialist in something. However I know that general medicine these days has low reimbursements and that I could spend 7 years of my life and 160K in debt to be working 60+ hours making 120-160 a year as a generalist. I have no idea how much dentists make... I just think (based on job postings I've seen) taht htey make more than 70K. I dno't know how much one makes in hi/sher practice ... hopefully more than 100K given the huge debt load of about 200K I'll have after medical school.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has had these sincere issues of chosing between dentistry and medicine. If you were to do medciine, what speciality or general field would you ahve chosen? this is NOT a dentistry vs. medicine post as I"m sure there have been NUMEROUS NUMEROUS post on that issue. This is just coming from someone who is scared about super-specializing, not having a prestigous career, and being restricted to ONLY the mouth (I know the mouth is important but that is waht we will deal with).

Do not go into dentitry and give that coveted spot to someone else who deserves it. You will be so unhappy in dental school thinking that you are not the real doctor and wish you are in medical school. There was a guy in my dental class that he kept wearing the stethescope around his neck when ever we were in oral diagnosis clinic, even in class!!!. It looked rediculous! Obviously this guy wanted medicine, not dentistry and I was right. Later I learned that he applied to medical schools on numerous times but could not get in. After one semester he dropped out and I learned later that he finally got in med school. So don't do dentistry if your heart isn't in it. Today dentistry is a gold mine career that people start to take notice. DP

 

[Discovery01]

Dear fellow pre-dents,
I appreciate all of your posts. However, I think that some of you may have misconstrued what I said. First of all, I was just trying to be as honest as possible. The prestige issue is something that I did feel, but am currently re-examinging it because regardless of how I feel now, I will not chose a career based on prestige. I truly believe deep dwon (regardless of how I may feel now) that I cannot chose on prestige because at the end fo the day, I must live my own life and be my own person. What other people think of me will change on a day to day basis.

Also, I have never applied to med school, nor have I even taken the MCAT. Therefore, I don't know hwy people think I didn't get into med school and chose dentistry instead. My reason for chosing dentistry is that, when deciding, I was under teh impression taht it is "lifestyle" friendly and that I could be my own boss. First and foremost though, I really do want to have the on-one-one provider-patient contact... that I know I can get from both professions.

My main problem now is the whole "super-specialization" thing and also my itnerest in public health. I'm scared of getting pigeonholded in only oral health because I don't see many dentists now dealing with issues that are not oral health related. Now, I know taht oral health is related to overal haelth, but I would like to explore issues like AIDS (have done research in teh past), obesity, community health education, etc. These are real interests for me. However, first and foremost, I want to be a health care provider.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Dear fellow pre-dents,
I appreciate all of your posts. However, I think that some of you may have misconstrued what I said. First of all, I was just trying to be as honest as possible. The prestige issue is something that I did feel, but am currently re-examinging it because regardless of how I feel now, I will not chose a career based on prestige. I truly believe deep dwon (regardless of how I may feel now) that I cannot chose on prestige because at the end fo the day, I must live my own life and be my own person. What other people think of me will change on a day to day basis.

Also, I have never applied to med school, nor have I even taken the MCAT. Therefore, I don't know hwy people think I didn't get into med school and chose dentistry instead. My reason for chosing dentistry is that, when deciding, I was under teh impression taht it is "lifestyle" friendly and that I could be my own boss. First and foremost though, I really do want to have the on-one-one provider-patient contact... that I know I can get from both professions.

My main problem now is the whole "super-specialization" thing and also my itnerest in public health. I'm scared of getting pigeonholded in only oral health because I don't see many dentists now dealing with issues that are not oral health related. Now, I know taht oral health is related to overal haelth, but I would like to explore issues like AIDS (have done research in teh past), obesity, community health education, etc. These are real interests for me. However, first and foremost, I want to be a health care provider.

I suggest you shadow medicine, dentistry,optometry, chiropractic and see what you like. I really think you are not sure of what you want right now. DP

 

[TexDDS]

Have you considered Public Health as a career? Check it out at www.whatispublichealth.org.

 

[uvaGirL07]

As long as you work hard, you'll be okay in whatever you do. 😀

oh and to actually address your question...

i too had to decide between medicine and dentistry. and i totally understand what you mean by medicine seems more prestigious. it's sort of hard NOT to think that way since it's a common stereotype that a lot of us have grown up with. doctors are regarded as these great figures of society while you don't hear much about dentists... except that people hate going to the dentist blah blah

but i'm happy with my decision to pursue dentistry instead of medicine.

my ultimate goal is to make what is unpleasant looking... pleasant. if that makes sense. trying to use euphemisms here haha.... let's just say i just really really dislike ugly teeth and think that no one should have ugly teeth because if your teeth are ugly, your smile is not as beautiful. and a smile is something that should be beautiful, right? or at least i think so... so i want to make people's teeth pretty. haha... which is why i want to get involved in cosmetic dentistry. when i was premed, i wanted to be a plastic surgeon. i hope people don't assume things about me.... i AM pursuing a career in dentistry because i want to help people.. not just because i'm obsessed with pretty teeth. haha

but anyway, the lifestyle of a dentist is what really attracted me to the field. i'm a girl... and i want to be a professional, but at the same time i want a large family. so... most the dentists i've seen seemed to work only 32 hours a week! how insane is that. o____O and they're not on call... plus they make good money. soooo.... just for me, as a family-oriented person, dentistry seems so much more flexible.

 

[Nasem]

hmm...

There is something ROYALLY wrong with people who think dentistry is not a "real medical field" like MD is.

I have shadowed both, our family doctor and my sister (dentist), I love both of thier jobs, but I see my sister having more of a personal / family life than the MD.... As far as the personall feeling about helping others, you get this feeling in both professions, so its all about how much of a family / personal life you want to have...

One more thing, you made it sound like 70k per year is little money, do you now how much you can do with 70k per year ????

 

[KOM]

One more thing, you made it sound like 70k per year is little money, do you now how much you can do with 70k per year ????

Another fine example of people taking things way out context. Where did you get this idea? And to answer your question...more than what you could do with 69k, but less than what you could do with 71k.

Discovery: Seems like more and more people on here think they have all the answers and try to sound all self-righteous. Pay them no mind.

I liked uvagirl's post...pretty simple actually. I can kind of relate to your situation (not with medical school), but with other careers. I was very indecisive because, I think more than anything, I was a bit nervous about traveling down one specific career path when there are so many great things out there. It's no easy decision.

For me, I realized it was time to just jump in and get started on something that will give me the financial stability I want, the indepedence, and the ability to provide a critical service. I got tired of being so indecisive and just made the decision. I've seen the type of lifestyle a dentist has (being the son of a dentist) and it's pretty damn nice. The lifestyle of a dentist in my mind (as opposed to being in medicine) allows you more time for any other hobbies you might like. Doing the same thing day in and day out, regardless of what profession you're in is going to become fairly monotonous at times. Dentistry allows you the flexibility to switch things up and in the end, you make the rules.

By the way, my wife chose medicine...but she has better grades than me. HAHA. I'll ask her why she never thought about dentistry and get back to you.

 

[mikedoc]

oh my gosh
discovery, I was so surprised when I read your post
because I am EXACTLY in the same boat as you are
and not 100% decided yet

I am at one of Ivy League colleges and
there are tons of premeds and who do make to medical school
while there are very very very few predents; practically you can't find one, you really have to search for one.
And when I look at data from my college health career office, it seems like everyone who applied to dental school got in pretty much every dental school he/she applied to, while it is not like that for medical school.
And this makes me wonder as well.

I am just like that with you.
I wanna be health care provider, a good caring and kind one
but I also want family life and preferably don't wanna deal with life-death situation.
so dentistry seems a good fit, but dentistry seems to lack prestige.
no one is going to be 'wow you got in dental school. you must be really smart', while if you get in med school, people will think that you are smart.
I will be honest. Although this prestige is not everything, it might be something that I want on the side. I would definitely don't wanna hear that 'why are you in dental school?' 'you should have went to med' or have people assume that I go to dental because I did not get in med

I am not still 100% decided.
There are some fields in med that I might have interest in
one of them is radiologist.
Radiologists work somewhat a lot, but it seems intellectually stimulating
but, then, radiology is one of the harder residency to get in and also I am not quite sure as radiology does deal with life-death situaion.
On the other hand,
dentistry really offers the kind of work and lifestyle I want.
I would be happy to help people in their oral health and helping them how to maintain good oral health.
But dentistry really does seem to lack the prestige that medicine has.

As of now, I am still undecided and hopefully this grueling process of making a decision will end.

If anyone wants to comment on what I wrote, please do so.
I would like to get every input I can get.

 

[doctordent]

my husband is a radiologist. yes, tough residency to get into. he put in 5 yrs of residency and one year of fellowship--which you definitely should do if you dont want to get your butt sued the first year you are out....liability is VERY high...radiologists are one of the top sued in medicine (even though you don't hear that often), but they are also one of the best paid in medicine and have the best lifestyle. Unfortunately, their jobs are the most stressful though. You miss one tiny little dot on a MR or something and if develops into cancer 10 yrs from now---expect to lose your house! Medicine=work your butt of for 10+ yrs, get out, start to get paid just as much as a dentist if you are lucky, and then have more liability and stress...If you want a family, and if you want to come home and not worry about getting sued everyday for the rest of your life and losing everything that you worked so hard for, and if you want to actually start enjoying life after only 4-5 yrs of professional school studies (for most)--then I would say forget medicine and keep going for dentistry! I was pre-med and decided against it recently because I realized that I will not be happy spending the next 10 years of my life studying and being married to my job. Dentistry is the perfect fit for me---I get to practice medicine (and public health), be my own boss, be financially stable, and have a life. To me, it's a no brainer...

 

[YupGypsy]

my husband is a radiologist. yes, tough residency to get into. he put in 5 yrs of residency and one year of fellowship--which you definitely should do if you dont want to get your butt sued the first year you are out....liability is VERY high...radiologists are one of the top sued in medicine (even though you don't hear that often), but they are also one of the best paid in medicine and have the best lifestyle. Unfortunately, their jobs are the most stressful though. You miss one tiny little dot on a MR or something and if develops into cancer 10 yrs from now---expect to lose your house! Medicine=work your butt of for 10+ yrs, get out, start to get paid just as much as a dentist if you are lucky, and then have more liability and stress...If you want a family, and if you want to come home and not worry about getting sued everyday for the rest of your life and losing everything that you worked so hard for, and if you want to actually start enjoying life after only 4-5 yrs of professional school studies (for most)--then I would say forget medicine and keep going for dentistry! I was pre-med and decided against it recently because I realized that I will not be happy spending the next 10 years of my life studying and being married to my job. Dentistry is the perfect fit for me---I get to practice medicine (and public health), be my own boss, be financially stable, and have a life. To me, it's a no brainer...

which fellowship did your husband do? How much is he making now?

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

It seems to me that dentistry is a very attractive career for many people but due to its lack of "prestige" many of you shy away from it. What a pity... DP

 

[INFNITE]

i'm sick of this "prestige" bullcrap. Yeah, so you become a big shot surgeon...so what? you'll be on call at 3AM in the morning after going through however many number of years of residency that's required. Take that prestige and shove it. No wonder there are so many arrogant med students.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

oh my gosh
discovery, I was so surprised when I read your post
because I am EXACTLY in the same boat as you are
and not 100% decided yet

I am at one of Ivy League colleges and
there are tons of premeds and who do make to medical school
while there are very very very few predents; practically you can't find one, you really have to search for one.
And when I look at data from my college health career office, it seems like everyone who applied to dental school got in pretty much every dental school he/she applied to, while it is not like that for medical school.
And this makes me wonder as well.

I am just like that with you.
I wanna be health care provider, a good caring and kind one
but I also want family life and preferably don't wanna deal with life-death situation.
so dentistry seems a good fit, but dentistry seems to lack prestige.
no one is going to be 'wow you got in dental school. you must be really smart', while if you get in med school, people will think that you are smart.
I will be honest. Although this prestige is not everything, it might be something that I want on the side. I would definitely don't wanna hear that 'why are you in dental school?' 'you should have went to med' or have people assume that I go to dental because I did not get in med

I am not still 100% decided.
There are some fields in med that I might have interest in
one of them is radiologist.
Radiologists work somewhat a lot, but it seems intellectually stimulating
but, then, radiology is one of the harder residency to get in and also I am not quite sure as radiology does deal with life-death situaion.
On the other hand,
dentistry really offers the kind of work and lifestyle I want.
I would be happy to help people in their oral health and helping them how to maintain good oral health.
But dentistry really does seem to lack the prestige that medicine has.

As of now, I am still undecided and hopefully this grueling process of making a decision will end.

If anyone wants to comment on what I wrote, please do so.
I would like to get every input I can get.

Please do NOT go into dentistry as you will NEVER get rid of the inferiority complex issue. I can tell with many young predents is that they really have problem of the prestige thing. If you want prestige, dentistry is NOT a place to look for. If you can't get into US MD/DO schools, go offshore. DP

 

[INFNITE]

if you want to go to dental school, you should be passionate about the profession....not because it's easier to get in than med school, and the fact that you can use it as a stepping stone to OMS so you can get your MD degree. If you're not passionate about what dentists do for a living, please don't apply and waste seats at dental schools while those deserving of the spot at dental school are robbed of their chances.

end rant.

 

[drpduck]

i'm sick of this "prestige" bullcrap. Yeah, so you become a big shot surgeon...so what? you'll be on call at 3AM in the morning after going through however many number of years of residency that's required. Take that prestige and shove it. No wonder there are so many arrogant med students.

Agreed. There are so many medical shows out there that make pre-health students think being a MD is the best thing in the whole world. It may sound great to be some super MD now, but what about when you are 40, with young kids and a significant other and working 50+ hours a week, not to mention on call and a heck of a lot of stress? Does that prestige really make all that worth while?

Personally they can have it. I'll stick to the dental 35 hr work week with a comfortable salary, and still be respected. Personally I've never met a patient that looked down on their dentist for being a dentist, and not a "real doctor". Most are extremely happy to be out of pain and thankful.

Bottom line, do what you like, but picking a profession for superficial reasons such as prestige is a very poor reason IMO.

 

[shamrock2006]

this is all assuming that "med school is harder to get into than d-school". I know all pre-meds think so, and i'll bet a nice amount of pre-dents think so. I, however, do not. All pre-meds, and many pre-dents will say the MCAT is harder...I've seen practice MCAT exams..the DAT doesnt have physics, but the rest of material is of equal difficutly. the verbal on the mcat is hard..but so is the PAT. There are many med students who think dentists "arent real doctors". This comes from the ignorant mouths of people I have had the unfortunate opportunity to meet. Never really bothered me...I just laughed and walked away, knowing that they are the types that need to try and belittle others to make themselves feel better. Bottom line...respectable MD's/DDS,DMDs will never say anything bad about the others profession...it's the ones with massive inferiority complexes that will. This, too, ends my rant for the day

 

[STIG]

Hey,

Good luck to you with whatever you choose to do.

Truth to be told, you can't really go wrong with either one.

 

[t man]

Bottom line...respectable MD's/DDS,DMDs will never say anything bad about the others profession...it's the ones with massive inferiority complexes that will. This, too, ends my rant for the day

👍

OP, dentistry is just as noble as any other health profession. and i doubt you would think it's less prestigious after you spend four years and graduate. same thing with pharmacy. same with osteopathy. etc. any informed person recognizes that fact, and i question the ethics of any doctor who views his sector as somehow more elite or prestigious than another. i think what it comes down to is that you (and the many like you) just have a lack of knowledge as to what dentistry is, and so i agree you should do some shadowing or somthing esle that can correct that. i'm not trying to be offensive, sorry if i come off that way.

if you don't like working with your hands, reevaluate whether or not dentistry is the profession for you. a DO degree can land you any job an MD degree can, and you would certainly be able to land an internal medicine residency somewhere. you would be able to have all the benefits of dentistry you mentioned if you open a private practice, but you would be doing something you enjoy.

 

[t man]

I am at one of Ivy League colleges

troll.