Good time to think

[LaughingGas]

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For all the predentals. This would be a good time to consider if you still want to become a dentist or a health care provider for that matter in a time like this. Most states recommended closing offices for at least two weeks except for emergencies. There is going to cause financial loss, possibility of unemployments, risk of being center of transmission, etc. This whole situation would be a good opportunity to think from different prospective if you really want to become a dentist. Stay safe everyone.

 

[chanel_coco0]

Um... what?

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

Don’t listen to this troll he’s probably on a bunch of waitlists

 

[LaughingGas]

I am actually a practicing dentist. I am not trying to deter anyone going into health field but with this pandemic, there's so many unknowns that we don't take time to consider. Just wanted to give perspective to what it currently is like for someone that's working in the field and offer a different point of view for something new we're all dealing with.

 

[frentist]

I am actually a practicing dentist. I am not trying to deter anyone going into health field but with this pandemic, there's so many unknowns that we don't take time to consider. Just wanted to give perspective to what it currently is like for someone that's working in the field and offer a different point of view for something new we're all dealing with.

as a practicing dentist have you saved up separately for a crisis like this?

 

[LaughingGas]

as a practicing dentist have you saved up separately for a crisis like this?

Unfortunately, no. I am an associate, two year out of school. I was in a very saturated metropolitan city last year and couldn't save much. I moved to a rural area and was ready for a fresh start and this happened. And I had a lot of unforeseen expenses, such as car radiator breaking down, etc.

 

[cluelessdr]

Unfortunately, no. I am an associate, two year out of school. I was in a very saturated metropolitan city last year and couldn't save much. I moved to a rural area and was ready for a fresh start and this happened. And I had a lot of unforeseen expenses, such as car radiator breaking down, etc.

whats it like practicing rural

 

[frentist]

Unfortunately, no. I am an associate, two year out of school. I was in a very saturated metropolitan city last year and couldn't save much. I moved to a rural area and was ready for a fresh start and this happened. And I had a lot of unforeseen expenses, such as car radiator breaking down, etc.

sorry to hear, better days are ahead!

since you are a recent grad, is your plan to solely tackling your student loan debt or are you doing that and at the same time saving what you can for your retirement? Also with your move to a rural area, what are the opportunities like as a associate when compared to metropolitan area?

 

[FutureDent020]

For all the predentals. This would be a good time to consider if you still want to become a dentist or a health care provider for that matter in a time like this. Most states recommended closing offices for at least two weeks except for emergencies. There is going to cause financial loss, possibility of unemployments, risk of being center of transmission, etc. This whole situation would be a good opportunity to think from different prospective if you really want to become a dentist. Stay safe everyone.

Key word is “recommend”. In states that haven’t put forward mandates most dentists have chosen to continue to work. Some only “emergencies”. But they are using that term loosely. Gotta do whatever you can to stay above water. We can be idealists all we want. Do our part to keep this from spreading and hurting those that are vulnerable. But after a certain period of time is sacrificing your own family’s financial security; your kid’s college funds; your future retirement worth it? I think the narrative on this crisis will change very soon. It’s going to go from do whatever you can to protect those vulnerable, to screw this, they can quarantine themselves if they are vulnerable. There is a very small percentage of people that are truly in danger in regards to this outbreak and the majority are making huge sacrifices to protect them. That will only last so long.

This opinion is not based on shutting things down for 2-3 weeks, but if this goes longer.

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

Unfortunately, no. I am an associate, two year out of school. I was in a very saturated metropolitan city last year and couldn't save much. I moved to a rural area and was ready for a fresh start and this happened. And I had a lot of unforeseen expenses, such as car radiator breaking down, etc.

Sorry for accusing you of being a troll, I should have looked at your history before posting what I did. I hope you and your family are able to weather this storm. Silver lining is that in a few months there will be a lot of inexpensive dental offices you could buy.

 

[LaughingGas]

Sorry for accusing you of being a troll, I should have looked at your history before posting what I did. I hope you and your family are able to weather this storm. Silver lining is that in a few months there will be a lot of inexpensive dental offices you could buy.

It's all good. The tone of my first post wasn't very positive. I just wanted predental students to be aware of this situation. I shadowed/worked in dental field prior for almost two years before getting in, but this whole situation was very unexpective to all the dentists.

 

[ThirdMolarz]

Key word is “recommend”. In states that haven’t put forward mandates most dentists have chosen to continue to work. Some only “emergencies”. But they are using that term loosely. Gotta do whatever you can to stay above water. We can be idealists all we want. Do our part to keep this from spreading and hurting those that are vulnerable. But after a certain period of time is sacrificing your own family’s financial security; your kid’s college funds; your future retirement worth it? I think the narrative on this crisis will change very soon. It’s going to go from do whatever you can to protect those vulnerable, to screw this, they can quarantine themselves if they are vulnerable. There is a very small percentage of people that are truly in danger in regards to this outbreak and the majority are making huge sacrifices to protect them. That will only last so long.

This opinion is not based on shutting things down for 2-3 weeks, but if this goes longer.

It perplexes me when I drive outside to the grocery store, and the majority of people I see outside are the frail and elderly

 

[LaughingGas]

Key word is “recommend”. In states that haven’t put forward mandates most dentists have chosen to continue to work. Some only “emergencies”. But they are using that term loosely. Gotta do whatever you can to stay above water. We can be idealists all we want. Do our part to keep this from spreading and hurting those that are vulnerable. But after a certain period of time is sacrificing your own family’s financial security; your kid’s college funds; your future retirement worth it? I think the narrative on this crisis will change very soon. It’s going to go from do whatever you can to protect those vulnerable, to screw this, they can quarantine themselves if they are vulnerable. There is a very small percentage of people that are truly in danger in regards to this outbreak and the majority are making huge sacrifices to protect them. That will only last so long.

This opinion is not based on shutting things down for 2-3 weeks, but if this goes longer.

I agree. A lot of us that are voluntarily closing the offices are taking a lot of financial hit. We can do this for so long. But this wasn't intent of my first post rather I want predental students to consider this situation and truly think what it's like to be a health care provider.

 

[LaughingGas]

whats it like practicing rural

Please take with a grain of salt. This is just my own experience and I can't really vouch how other new grad dentists's experiences were. Long story short: I love it. I can utilize specialists around whenever I have a procedure I don't feel comfortable doing or I don't want to ( e.g. Max Molar root canals) and still able to make decent living. I was at the verge of losing my morality as a dentist when I was working in metropolitan area, since if I don't produce , less opportunity to grow financially.I haven' done any unethical procedures but I was getting very tempted. Now I can do treatment plans without any peer pressure and I feel I can practice dentistry ethically. I am a homebody, don't like to go out, and the area needs to be quiet to sleep. And I am saving a lot on rent. My office is almost FFS ( we only accept one insurance). Having said that, if you do accept something like HMOs or medical insurances for dental by comparing procedure to procedure, you would be making less money. It's hard for me to give you a set answer to your question. It depends on the demographics, socioeconomic status of your patients,etc. Some people think rural = more $$ , but unfortunately, that's not always the case.

sorry to hear, better days are ahead!

since you are a recent grad, is your plan to solely tackling your student loan debt or are you doing that and at the same time saving what you can for your retirement? Also with your move to a rural area, what are the opportunities like as a associate when compared to metropolitan area?

I am married, so the first option is no go for me at the moment. I know classmates that can pay student loans and save at the time. I can't at the moment. I am doing minimum payment on my student loans and trying to lower other loans ( car, credit cards) as of now. Everyone has different financial situations. I will soon write a new post regarding my experience so far as new grad dentist. In regards to opportunities... I would say it's all about luck. If I really looked, I probably could have found an opportunity similar to current one, except COL would be much higher.

 

[batman12345]

Unfortunately, no. I am an associate, two year out of school. I was in a very saturated metropolitan city last year and couldn't save much. I moved to a rural area and was ready for a fresh start and this happened. And I had a lot of unforeseen expenses, such as car radiator breaking down, etc.

Do you mind sharing the average salary outlook for a dentist today first year out and a couple years out?

Edit: and I guess in a ‘saturated city’ as well

 

[chanel_coco0]

Imo, just stay positive bc no matter what field we all go into there’s going to be highs and lows.

Life is hard for everyone, but things can be different depending on your outlook on life.

 

[LaughingGas]

Do you mind sharing the average salary outlook for a dentist today first year out and a couple years out?

Edit: and I guess in a ‘saturated city’ as well

I think it's very wide range. 120k-200k gross income. It doesn't matter how many years you are out of school. If I have to really compare, I am making more money than someone that I worked with in the previous job that was an associate for eight years. Key is really location and luck.

 

[frentist]

Please take with a grain of salt. This is just my own experience and I can't really vouch how other new grad dentists's experiences were. Long story short: I love it. I can utilize specialists around whenever I have a procedure I don't feel comfortable doing or I don't want to ( e.g. Max Molar root canals) and still able to make decent living. I was at the verge of losing my morality as a dentist when I was working in metropolitan area, since if I don't produce , less opportunity to grow financially.I haven' done any unethical procedures but I was getting very tempted. Now I can do treatment plans without any peer pressure and I feel I can practice dentistry ethically. I am a homebody, don't like to go out, and the area needs to be quiet to sleep. And I am saving a lot on rent. My office is almost FFS ( we only accept one insurance). Having said that, if you do accept something like HMOs or medical insurances for dental by comparing procedure to procedure, you would be making less money. It's hard for me to give you a set answer to your question. It depends on the demographics, socioeconomic status of your patients,etc. Some people think rural = more $$ , but unfortunately, that's not always the case.



I am married, so the first option is no go for me at the moment. I know classmates that can pay student loans and save at the time. I can't at the moment. I am doing minimum payment on my student loans and trying to lower other loans ( car, credit cards) as of now. Everyone has different financial situations. I will soon write a new post regarding my experience so far as new grad dentist. In regards to opportunities... I would say it's all about luck. If I really looked, I probably could have found an opportunity similar to current one, except COL would be much higher.

thank you for your response, it has open my eyes to what means to be a healthcare provider in public health crisis like this! I will matriculating into Indiana this upcoming summer to start dental school

 

[LaughingGas]

thank you for your response, it has open my eyes to what means to be a healthcare provider in public health crisis like this! I will matriculating into Indiana this upcoming summer to start dental school

I wish you the very best.

 

[batman12345]

I think it's very wide range. 120k-200k gross income. It doesn't matter how many years you are out of school. If I have to really compare, I am making more money than someone that I worked with in the previous job that was an associate for eight years. Key is really location and luck.

Thank you! And I’m assuming typically on average working 5 day 40 hour week? How common is it for dentists to say work an extra day or two on the weekend and boost their income?

 

[LaughingGas]

It is very common to work weekend. I used to work at metropolitan area six days a week. Now I work four. I didn't want to burn myself out when I know I am going to be working for the next 20-30 years.

 

[deleted936472]

For all the predentals. This would be a good time to consider if you still want to become a dentist or a health care provider for that matter in a time like this. Most states recommended closing offices for at least two weeks except for emergencies. There is going to cause financial loss, possibility of unemployments, risk of being center of transmission, etc. This whole situation would be a good opportunity to think from different prospective if you really want to become a dentist. Stay safe everyone.

This is happening in pretty much every field right now not just dentistry. So many businesses are closed right now and so many people are out of work for who knows how long. No one was prepared for something like this, hopefully we’ll learn and be better prepared in the future.

 

[dbarrett2]

This sounds like a great opportunity for medical device companies to develop barriers that allow non-essential procedures to continue during times like these.

 

[AONLINE]

This is happening in pretty much every field right now not just dentistry. So many businesses are closed right now and so many people are out of work for who knows how long. No one was prepared for something like this, hopefully we’ll learn and be better prepared in the future.

A lot of people are losing their jobs or being let go right now and even more will be during the peak of the upcoming recession. But dentists will always have jobs, you may have to work more and get paid much less but people will always have teeth so you will not be out of job and starve. Do you know any dentists that were unemployed during the last recession? Think about it and realize how fortunate dentists are.

 

[Blueshirts]

A lot of people are losing their jobs or being let go right now and even more will be during the peak of the upcoming recession. But dentists will always have jobs, you may have to work more and get paid much less but people will always have teeth so you will not be out of job and starve. Do you know any dentists that were unemployed during the last recession? Think about it and realize how fortunate dentists are.

This is one of the big reasons that I transitioned from accounting to dentistry. Nothing is worst than seeing someone late in their career getting laid off and unable to join the work force at the same level as their previous job, or facing hiring difficulty because your age/experience would demand a higher pay than a company is willing to give. The freedom of being a business owner is a wonderful gift, and with dentistry, the prejudices are the opposite, many people would prefer a matured professional with many years of experience.

 

[cluelessdr]

A lot of people are losing their jobs or being let go right now and even more will be during the peak of the upcoming recession. But dentists will always have jobs, you may have to work more and get paid much less but people will always have teeth so you will not be out of job and starve. Do you know any dentists that were unemployed during the last recession? Think about it and realize how fortunate dentists are.

some actually filed bankruptcy, some had to fire all employees, some sold there business for a loss. it actually hit dentist pretty hard. this one is going to hit just as hard if not harder for dentist.

 

[Blueshirts]

some actually filed bankruptcy, some had to fire all employees, some sold there business for a loss. it actually hit dentist pretty hard. this one is going to hit just as hard if not harder for dentist.

For anyone reading, this is the reason why cashflow is king. You can't rely on credit to bail you out. When you own a dental practice, make it a priority to try to maintain a 6 month reserve in CASH bank account, if possible, the same goes for personal expenses. Things happen, such as sickness, family issues, etc, no one can bank on life always running smoothly until the end of your days.

 

[AONLINE]

some actually filed bankruptcy, some had to fire all employees, some sold there business for a loss. it actually hit dentist pretty hard. this one is going to hit just as hard if not harder for dentist.

True, but even after closing their business a dentist can easily get a new job working for someone else or for a corp. What other industry can guarantee that?

 

[2TH MVR]

True, but even after closing their business a dentist can easily get a new job working for someone else or for a corp. What other industry can guarantee that?

I'm not sure "easily" is the exact term. During a recession .... EVERYONE is hurting. Corps. Privates. Doesn't matter. The existing employee dentists are worried about keeping their jobs during the possible DSO downsizing. Private offices are looking to save money during the downturn. They are not actually looking to hire. A common practice during downturns is not to replace exiting staff. During the last recession I went from a staff of 6 to 4. Thankfully some of the staff decided to move to other states and I essentially did not replace those staff to save costs. Most private or small business realize that they can operate more efficiently with fewer staff. I can attest that I had FEWER staff headaches with a smaller staff. As the economy improved .... I maintained the smaller staff.

On the positive side. With the constant changeover of GPs in the DSOs ..... yes .... there are jobs available.

 

[A_Mdent]

I am a general dentist 1 year out, before the pandemic i was already starting to doubt my career choice. If i could go back i'd definitely choose something different. Dentistry is just like any other job that has its pros and cons, I think the pros have/will continue to decrease and the cons increase. The future doesn't look to promising imho. If you think i am writing this to "lessen the competition" you are wrong, there are already way too many dentist to make a difference anyways, instead I'm being sincere in saying if your pursing this career for the common reasons of money, prestige, lifestyle, etc there is a high likelihood you will be disappointed. Although if you really have a passion for teeth, i'm sure you'll do great lol. For me its just a job, a means to an end, Yes I enjoy helping people and the money can be good relative to other professions, but man i wouldn't hesitate a second to go back in time and change my course.

 

[cluelessdr]

I am a general dentist 1 year out, before the pandemic i was already starting to doubt my career choice. If i could go back i'd definitely choose something different. Dentistry is just like any other job that has its pros and cons, I think the pros have/will continue to decrease and the cons increase. The future doesn't look to promising imho. If you think i am writing this to "lessen the competition" you are wrong, there are already way too many dentist to make a difference anyways, instead I'm being sincere in saying if your pursing this career for the common reasons of money, prestige, lifestyle, etc there is a high likelihood you will be disappointed. Although if you really have a passion for teeth, i'm sure you'll do great lol. For me its just a job, a means to an end, Yes I enjoy helping people and the money can be good relative to other professions, but man i wouldn't hesitate a second to go back in time and change my course.

who really has a passion for teeth lol

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

who really has a passion for teeth lol

Everyone applying to dental school and they’ll mention it in their personal statement. 😉

Big Hoss