five more years...ughhhh

[pleasehurryup]

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How did/are you guys dealing with all these years to become a dentist? I know it doesn't compare to becoming a doctor (even if you're specializing), but oh my god this is taking forever. I really enjoyed shadowing and volunteering, but there's only so much I can do. I'm a rising senior and just want to be a dentist already

 

[caffeine jitters]

It’s long - sure, but it isn’t as if your life is put on hold until you graduate dental school.

School is a part of life. For medical professionals, it’s a pretty big part. Nonetheless, you will make great memories and lifelong friendships on this journey. Soak it all in. Appreciate these moments, fam.

 

[setdoc7]

Your not in yet. It could end sooner than you think. Keep focused on college, poor grades senior year are not a good thing. Dentistry is not a sprint, it's a marathon, which includes life long learning. It never ends. Remember, even when you graduate dental school, it is really just the beginning.

 

[ncide]

A dental education isn't really that much shorter than a medical education if you include a residency. Maybe a year or two shorter, sometimes longer than some medical residencies (OMFS). Just keep your head down and the time will pass.

 

[ChillCops!]

I know it doesn't compare to becoming a doctor (even if you're specializing)

TIL dentists aren’t doctors

 

[ncide]

TIL dentists aren’t doctors

Yeah, OP may want to get that straightened out before applying to dental school.

 

[2TH MVR]

Take it one year at a time. The 1st 4 years weren't bad. For myself the next 3 years sucked. The anticipation of making real money.

 

[Incis0r]

If it’s any consolation, time flies by really fast in dental school. You’re so busy. I can’t believe I’m almost done with D1.

One more year and I’ll be in clinic and treating patients.

 

[DentalNucleicAcid]

Try to enjoy your senior year of college rather than trying to fastforward through it. In my brief experience being in the workforce, I can tell you it is not as fun as being in college. For one, you're constantly faced with responsibilities on the job, and hard consequences if those responsibilities aren't fulfilled. It wasn't really like that in college. You also don't get to mingle with the same variety and abundance of people as you did in college. I'm sure being a dentist is incredibly rewarding, but as a dentist you're also going to be an adult and have to deal with adult things.

To make your last year a bit less tedious so you have more time to enjoy it, ease up on the shadowing and volunteering a bit. Especially shadowing- imo, schools don't really care to see consistency in shadowing hours, if you've already completed 100-200 hours, you can stop now. As for volunteering, don't cut it off because that should be fairly consistent, but just do a few hours or so a week so you're still consistent and also have time to enjoy yourself.

 

[TheDentalDude]

Do anything to take your mind off of it. It’s like class. When you are busy time speeds up. When you sit staring at the clock time slows down. Quit staring at your future job in dentistry and it’ll be here for you faster than you know it.

 

[ChewyDrop]

Your not in yet. It could end sooner than you think. Keep focused on college, poor grades senior year are not a good thing. Dentistry is not a sprint, it's a marathon, which includes life long learning. It never ends. Remember, even when you graduate dental school, it is really just the beginning.

Take notes peeps, this is P.S. material.

 

[Lane138]

Dental school goes by super quickly, esp if you're having fun! I still remember doing gross anatomy dissections and seeing my very first patient in 3rd year. Enjoy the time because you're never going to have 4 hours to do an exam and cleaning for a patient ever again.

 

[Boise State Bronco]

It will be worth it!