for dentist : either general or specialty

Started by albany11
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albany11

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How many hours and days per week do you work?

Dentistry is hard, hard work, it takes a lot of energy out of you.
Dentistry can wear you down easily.
That's why many seasoned dentist only work 3.5 to 4.5 per week (28hr-36hrs).
How many hours do you work or know of other dentist's hours?
 
my uncle's a prostodontist and he works 7-5 or so Monday through Thursday, then 7-1 on Fridays. So that's like 50 hours a week 😱
 
I work for a dentist who just opened up her own practice 2 years ago and she works 45-50 hours a week... and more if you count the time she spends doing paperwork...

I really don't think a young dentist has a very relaxing life. Once you're established you can cut back.
 
Monday 8-7
Tuesday 9-7
Wednesday 8-5
Thursday 8-5
Friday - Large cases only or sedations (~once a month)
 
DrJeff said:
Almost 7 years out of my residency, and I work 29 hrs/week 👍
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that's pretty chill man, what do you do? i'm guessing ortho..
 
vaio said:
that's pretty chill man, what do you do? i'm guessing ortho..
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Close! His wife is an ortho. He just got lucky!!! 😀 I'm looking for an ortho or endo wife (I'm not too picky!) myself! So far, no luck!
 
La Miraflorina said:
I work for a dentist who just opened up her own practice 2 years ago and she works 45-50 hours a week... and more if you count the time she spends doing paperwork...

I really don't think a young dentist has a very relaxing life. Once you're established you can cut back.
Click to expand...

That's because she opened her own practice. Plenty of young dentists have fairly relaxing lives, and I'm sure plenty have stressful lives. The key is that the doc you work for CHOSE her own path. We each get to choose, and she can't blame anybody else for her decision.

And on the flip side, maybe she enjoys putting in those hours. Maybe she thrives on building her practice.
 
bump. Are there any more discussion about being a general or specialty?
I've been debating that same question these days, since it is the summer after my first year, and I actually have the time to ponder about these kind of things.

The whole culture at UCLA is about specializing - as if one don't specialize then one is a loser. I see that culture, that bias, and I'm reminding myself to re-examine the intentions behind specializing or not.

Schooling: I don't mind going through more school, that doesn't bother me.

Earning: I think as a dentist (assuming earning on average 150K), we are already at the 95 percentile ranking. What more money would I need? But if I can double my salary, then that means I can work less.

Interest: Don't know enought about each specialty to know where my interests are.

Lifestyle: I don't mind being busy, but I do mind the physical toll that generatl dentistry takes. After a whole day in the lab, I feel so physically dull. My posture is off, and that whole tired, icky feeling. I like a lifestyle that doesn't have to go through that physical toil.

Success: I don't think I would do a very good job brown-nosing GP's. Ass kissing is way too much for me, and I don't want to do it. GP will take some business savvy, so hopefully that'lll come with time.

I do know that whatever it is that I do, GP or specialty, I want to do a good job at it. As a student, dedicated to learning, there is nothing worse than not knowing my material. I want to be competent in whatever it is I do. Period. GP or SP (specialist) for that matter.

Your response is appreciated.
 
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