Has anyone ever dealt with this? How would you handle it?

[hoku2189]

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I was just wondering if any of you guys ever felt like you had to defend your choice to go into dentistry? Sometimes, it feels like people just flat out criticize my decision and it seems like they just can't understand why I would want to go into this field at all. It's just so frustrating because it feels like I'm always trying to defend my decision...I get things like:

"You like working with your hands? So why don't you just cut hair?"

"You really want to look into peoples' mouths all day?"

"I don't know why it's a big deal. There are things besides being a dentist that can make you more money"

"Why do you want to do that? I heard they have the highest suicide rate"

I know I could just be taking them the wrong way, but it seems sometimes they're just trying to be critical of me (keep in mind these people are actually close to me)...Could I just be overreacting or have any of you guys ever felt the same way? If so, how have you guys handled it?

**SIGH** sorry for the rant and I apologize for posting something so negative here... You guys are just so helpful here and I thought I could get some advice on this...And I guess I just needed someplace to vent... 🙁

 

[mmmsteakdinners]

I was just wondering if any of you guys ever felt like you had to defend your choice to go into dentistry? Sometimes, it feels like people just flat out criticize my decision and it seems like they just can't understand why I would want to go into this field at all. It's just so frustrating because it feels like I'm always trying to defend my decision...I get things like:

"You like working with your hands? So why don't you just cut hair?"

"You really want to look into peoples' mouths all day?"

"I don't know why it's a big deal. There are things besides being a dentist that can make you more money"

"Why do you want to do that? I heard they have the highest suicide rate"

I know I could just be taking them the wrong way, but it seems sometimes they're just trying to be critical of me (keep in mind these people are actually close to me)...Could I just be overreacting or have any of you guys ever felt the same way? If so, how have you guys handled it?

**SIGH** sorry for the rant and I apologize for posting something so negative here... You guys are just so helpful here and I thought I could get some advice on this...And I guess I just needed someplace to vent... 🙁

From people who are highly educated (high end college degrees or have graduate degrees) I get very positive feedback regarding my decision to become a dentist. It is when it is brought up with lesser intelligent individuals that I get....

"Why do you want to be a dentist?" (In a negative tone)

"No way dentists make that much money" (When we talk salary)

"You didn't want to just go all the way and become a doctor?"

I am polite because not everyone can be aware of what goes into achieving a DDS. I am not becoming a dentist to get approval from others anyway.

I'll have my revenge when these people are my patients and I am taking all their money. 🙂

 

[Msmouth]

I'm a dental hygienist and some of my own patients ask me how I could look in mouths all day and I just say I couldn't look at a computer all day, or be on the phone all day. The suicide rate thing is an urban legend, though I worked a day with a dentist that I heard later actually did.

 

[Seahawk]

Alright, there are never any threads like this...And there have been about 5 in the last 3 days. There is some troll making repeat accounts or something.


Can a mod do an IP check?

 

[Sanedor]

When people ask me why I would want to spend my days looking into mouths, I tell them its because I'd much prefer not to be a proctologist or a gynecologist...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using SDN Mobile

 

[sparky450r]

I get this crap all the time. Clearly none of these people know anything about healthcare.

 

[NDPitch]

I get this reaction from at least 50% of the people I talk to about dentistry. I tell them I want to go into it because I enjoy it, it can offer a good quality of life, it can pay well, I can be self employed, all of which I don't think can be achieved as a physician.

That usually shuts them up.

 

[UCSFx2017]

There have been so many troll threads in recent days.

 

[jmh018]

ha "Why don' t you just cut hair?" What a dumb statement. People have asked me why I wanted to look into mouths all day but no one really pushed it. I would explain what appealed to me about dentistry and that was the end of it.

 

[Ferneezy]

Neat

 

[zackc19]

There have been so many troll threads in recent days.

This

 

[Glimmer1991]

People, we are becoming "just dentists." Not "doctors." We must remember this! We are too quick to inflate our title.

The haters will understand my choice when they see me pull up to the club on Thusday night in my Aston Martin. And I can totally party Thursday. Since I won't be a doctor, I don't need to work Fridays.

DMD 4 LYFE
(I hear DDS is the equivalent of DO... They're a stain on the dental community, bringin' us down 'n stuff.)

 

[mid]

The haters will understand my choice when they see me pull up to the club on Thusday night in my Aston Martin.

just yes.

 

[RHarrow]

By when do you see yourself driving an Aston Martin (or any other car selling ~$200K), assuming you make average/above average dentist's salary? 5, 10 years out? 20? 30? near retirement? Not trying to be a dick, just actually curious what you guys think.

 

[mid]

By when do you see yourself driving an Aston Martin (or any other car selling ~$200K), assuming you make average/above average dentist's salary? 5, 10 years out? 20? 30? near retirement? Not trying to be a dick, just actually curious what you guys think.

A few years out for a used one in good nick. 10-15 years for a new one.

 

[Shazzam]

By when do you see yourself driving an Aston Martin (or any other car selling ~$200K), assuming you make average/above average dentist's salary? 5, 10 years out? 20? 30? near retirement? Not trying to be a dick, just actually curious what you guys think.

There are aston martin's below the 80k range if you're willing to buy a used car. Anyone that thinks they'll have $200,000 dollars to blow on a car as a dentist is delusional.

 

[Glimmer1991]

LOL never, really. I want a Prius. 🙂. I'd much rather spend my money on a house! If I'm a dentist and my husband is a lawyer, though, I don't think it would be completely outrageous for us to be able to buy one when we're 60ish.

 

[zackc19]

I have never really had to defend my choice of going into dentistry. I don't really worry about it.

The way I see it, good decisions are proven in time. Everyone in college thinks they are making an amazing career choice. Everyone thinks they are special and the exception (theater students are a perfect example of this, they all think they are going to Hollywood and Broadway and such). I don't consider myself anything special, that is why I worked really really hard to get into a profession with very low unemployment and a high median income.

My point is, even though people may think you are making a dumb decision now, in 10, 20, or maybe 30 years, it will be clear whether you made a good decision or not.

It is kind of like the *****s in high school that "live life to the fullest" or "yolo" and have a really good time in high school. Then not too many years later it is clear that they made horrible decisions. Though during high school many of these people are seen as really "cool" and they appear to be really enjoying life. I am not saying enjoying high school and being a success are mutually exclusive, just that some people take it too far and totally neglect their grades in high school.

 

[RHarrow]

LOL never, really. I want a Prius. 🙂. I'd much rather spend my money on a house! If I'm a dentist and my husband is a lawyer, though, I don't think it would be completely outrageous for us to be able to buy one when we're 60ish.

Lol, definitely a house first! Kudos to you and your husband if you're still hittin the clubs on Thursday nights when you're 60ish 😉

 

[Seahawk]

There are aston martin's below the 80k range if you're willing to buy a used car. Anyone that thinks they'll have $200,000 dollars to blow on a car as a dentist is delusional.

In all honesty though, it really depends on your situation.

Single? Family? Any debt? Private practice? Specialist? Idiot?

I'm a huge car guy...and I can promise you that I have seen plenty of dentists tootling about in very expensive cars.

200k is too much to pay for a car though. You are right on with the used price...Will be a base model though (not a DBS or something).

 

[UCSFx2017]

I have never really had to defend my choice of going into dentistry. I don't really worry about it.

The way I see it, good decisions are proven in time. Everyone in college thinks they are making an amazing career choice. Everyone thinks they are special and the exception (theater students are a perfect example of this, they all think they are going to Hollywood and Broadway and such). I don't consider myself anything special, that is why I worked really really hard to get into a profession with very low unemployment and a high median income.

My point is, even though people may think you are making a dumb decision now, in 10, 20, or maybe 30 years, it will be clear whether you made a good decision or not.

It is kind of like the *****s in high school that "live life to the fullest" or "yolo" and have a really good time in high school. Then not too many years later it is clear that they made horrible decisions. Though during high school many of these people are seen as really "cool" and they appear to be really enjoying life. I am not saying enjoying high school and being a success are mutually exclusive, just that some people take it too far and totally neglect their grades in high school.

This is why our generation sucks. We're so spoiled with instant gratification from the internet that we're not accustomed to delaying short-term pleasures for long-term gain.

 

[Menthol]

From people who are highly educated (high end college degrees or have graduate degrees) I get very positive feedback regarding my decision to become a dentist.

I agree with this

 

[Shazzam]

In all honesty though, it really depends on your situation.

Single? Family? Any debt? Private practice? Specialist? Idiot?

I'm a huge car guy...and I can promise you that I have seen plenty of dentists tootling about in very expensive cars.

200k is too much to pay for a car though. You are right on with the used price...Will be a base model though (not a DBS or something).

I <3 cars too (BMW i9 /droooooooooooool) but to reasonably afford a 200,000 dollar car means you're making well above the average income which isn't something anyone should expect to accomplish. We're talking about what? 3.5k a month just on the loan w/o including insurance / maintenance? That's like 65k+ / year depending on the kind of car over a 5 year loan.

 

[zackc19]

This is why our generation sucks. We're so spoiled with instant gratification from the internet that we're not accustomed to delaying short-term pleasures for long-term gain.

Exactly.

 

[Seahawk]

I <3 cars too (BMW i9 /droooooooooooool) but to reasonably afford a 200,000 dollar car means you're making well above the average income which isn't something anyone should expect to accomplish. We're talking about what? 3.5k a month just on the loan w/o including insurance / maintenance? That's like 65k+ / year depending on the kind of car over a 5 year loan.

If you have to take out a crazy loan and barely scrape buy, you don't have enough/don't make enough/shouldn't be buying the car.

Also there are many reasons why people can expect to make above the average.

 

[dentalWorks]

I was just wondering if any of you guys ever felt like you had to defend your choice to go into dentistry? Sometimes, it feels like people just flat out criticize my decision and it seems like they just can't understand why I would want to go into this field at all. It's just so frustrating because it feels like I'm always trying to defend my decision...I get things like:

"You like working with your hands? So why don't you just cut hair?"

"You really want to look into peoples' mouths all day?"

"I don't know why it's a big deal. There are things besides being a dentist that can make you more money"

"Why do you want to do that? I heard they have the highest suicide rate"

I know I could just be taking them the wrong way, but it seems sometimes they're just trying to be critical of me (keep in mind these people are actually close to me)...Could I just be overreacting or have any of you guys ever felt the same way? If so, how have you guys handled it?

**SIGH** sorry for the rant and I apologize for posting something so negative here... You guys are just so helpful here and I thought I could get some advice on this...And I guess I just needed someplace to vent... 🙁

I've never had anyone (educated vs un-educated individual ask me anything this obsequy before... its a very condensing tone, and if it happened from a non-patient, I would put an end to it, I wouldn't even justify these remarks/questions with an answer)

The most "awkward" type question I often get from non-educated people (family, friends, cousins, etc) is "so why didn't you just go and become a real doctor". I tell them the truth (dentistry is easier, both educationally and as a life style and I can still make a heleva good living)

 

[hoku2189]

So it seems like no one else has really noticed this?... Well then maybe it could just be me or the way I come off...hmm

I'm making no money right now and probably won't be for a loooong while (unfortunately). I believe there aren't any guarantees in life and I guess that's why it upsets me so much. I guess sometimes I'd just like those who I thought were close to me to give me the kind of support I need to help me pursue my career..

I was wondering though, do any of you guys have friends or family (not necessarily close) who are struggling financially (to the point where it's caused some tension)? If so, have you noticed them at all having this kind of attitude towards you? How have you or how would you deal with it?

I'm really sorry again for bringing up such a negative thread! Thanks for all the input and have a great weekend guys. I'm going to just try and forget about all this cr*p! lol

P.S. Good luck to every single one of you guys out there in whatever you decide to pursue! 😀

 

[Glimmer1991]

So it seems like no one else has really noticed this?... Well then maybe it could just be me or the way I come off...hmm

I'm making no money right now and probably won't be for a loooong while (unfortunately). I believe there aren't any guarantees in life and I guess that's why it upsets me so much. I guess sometimes I'd just like those who I thought were close to me to give me the kind of support I need to help me pursue my career..

I was wondering though, do any of you guys have friends or family (not necessarily close) who are struggling financially (to the point where it's caused some tension)? If so, have you noticed them at all having this kind of attitude towards you? How have you or how would you deal with it?

I'm really sorry again for bringing up such a negative thread! Thanks for all the input and have a great weekend guys. I'm going to just try and forget about all this cr*p! lol

P.S. Good luck to every single one of you guys out there in whatever you decide to pursue! 😀

Okay, in all seriousness: YES, I do have to deal with people being condescending about my choice to pursue dentistry. And I've read threads in the past on SDN that talk about this, so it's not unusual.

For example, when I was about 2 months into studying for my DAT, my grandmother kindly told me, "You know, you might as well just go to medical school. You're smart enough." I've even had people tell me on this site that since I did well on the DAT, I should take the MCAT and go into medicine instead in order to "make bank." Others tell me that I will be "incredibly bored" with dentistry because it is so "monotonous."

They just don't know. I am not going into dentistry because I don't think I could get into medical school. I also do NOT think it is boring!! Interestingly enough, just about every MD I've ever talked to thinks I am making an outstanding decision. Just two nights ago, I was talking to a general practitioner who remarked, "You know, it used to be that whoever couldn't get into med school went the dental route. The tables have completely turned now." And, really, dentistry just isn't boring to me. The time flies when I shadow, and I'm not even doing the procedures--I can't imagine how great it will be once I can! 😀 I genuinely like this career choice. I think my GPA could open up my options to many careers, but this is the one I'm choosing. I am happy with my decision and think it will afford me what I need in order to be fulfilled in life.

Oh, and as far as not having any money right now and knowing I'll be poor for another 5 years: IT SUCKS. I want some autonomy, even though my parents are awesome and I'm so appreciative of all they do for me. For one, my boyfriend and I have been together for 3 and a half years and it just stinks that we'll have to wait at least another four to have the money to get married. He's going to be starting law school the same year I start dental school. So, yeah, we're both broke. And we will be for what seems like forever. Other people make it through, though, and it works out! There's a light at the end of the tunnel. Our career choices are guaranteeing us a (hopefully) stable and fulfilling future, and because of that, the waiting is certainly worth it.

 

[shootingstar7]

I've never had to defend my decision to pursue dentistry, especially not to my physician father. He did once tease me about wanting to stick my hands in other people's mouths all day, but then I reminded him about all the colonoscopies he does...

Dentsitry is a great career choice. Like others have said..there is very little unemployment for dentists, opportunities for private practice, good income, helping people etc.

 

[yappy]

I got it from time to time. For a while my parents nearly disowned me (didn't call me for 1-2 months) then when they contacted me it was my Father who told me I owe him an "explanation".

The biggest problem for them was that I would be going to grad school on top of UG. They thought UG was not as good as working in a menial job - going to grad school was the worst sin. I feel like this is common in many poor/working class families that value work above everything else.

 

[Dgeorg6]

I've honestly never had someone tell me not to dentistry or make fun of my decision or think it was a bad idea. Every single person I have told has said they think it was a great idea. ****, every MD I have talked to has told me it was a better idea to do that then medicine. If people have negative things to say they are just being dicks and ignore them. At the end of the day you will most likely be making more money than them, working less hours than them, and be happier than them. Let them bitch. Just be successful and worry about what you want to be, not what others want you to be.


the only questions I have ever gotten were about the schooling after undergrad and stuff. Most people don't realize it is a 4 year school right after undergrad and is very similar to medical school in some ways.

 

[Seahawk]

I really can't relate to this...I have never had anyone say anything even close to any of this to me.

Everyone that I have told or knows that I am going to be a dentist has had nothing but positive feedback.

I got it from time to time. For a while my parents nearly disowned me (didn't call me for 1-2 months) then when they contacted me it was my Father who told me I owe him an "explanation".

The biggest problem for them was that I would be going to grad school on top of UG. They thought UG was not as good as working in a menial job - going to grad school was the worst sin. I feel like this is common in many poor/working class families that value work above everything else.

Dang man that is so weird, it's not as if you aren't working in school/going to work... Do they want you to go swing a hammer and 'be a man' or something?

 

[kcakezzz]

My biggest pet peeve is when I get asked what I wanna do with a biology degree and I say go to dental school and be a dentist. And they respond oh so you wanna be a hygienist? Uh did I say that? Nope, didn't think so.

 

[Dgeorg6]

lol i've had people look at me and be like "you have to know stuff about biology to be a dentist..? that doesn't make sense"..

 

[Msmouth]

I got it from time to time. For a while my parents nearly disowned me (didn't call me for 1-2 months) then when they contacted me it was my Father who told me I owe him an "explanation".

The biggest problem for them was that I would be going to grad school on top of UG. They thought UG was not as good as working in a menial job - going to grad school was the worst sin. I feel like this is common in many poor/working class families that value work above everything else.

Good for you for breaking the mold. I'm sure one day they'll be proud or at least appreciate the free dentistry.

 

[angiep123]

Dentistry gives you more flexibility, in my opinion, than most professions. It really depends on who you speak with about it how they react to it. Dentistry is always changing and evolving with new technologies and techniques. It's a great profession to be in if you like to learn. Also, you have to remember people are ignorant a lot of times and don't always consider oral health to reflect upon overall health.

 

[kmon]

I've been working in a dental office for the last 4 years and from my experience, I've seen a lot of attitude from people as they come into the office. I usually ask how the patients are doing and their response is often, "We'll, I'm here." You are going to get a negative attitude from people the rest of your life. I just spoke to a dentist from Washington that crowned 20 teeth on a patient and had to redo it 2 times cuz the patient kept complaining. At the end of the day he had to refund all her money. If you aren't willing to put up with people like this then you have some horrible days ahead as a dentist. Learn to deal with people's criticism with optimism. When someone asks you why you want to look into a mouth all day tell them it is better than a proctologist staring at the other end.