How Can I Decide if I Want to be a Doctor or Dentist forever?!

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JmacJax

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Hi,
I have read every post on this I can find. Many were from 10+ years ago. However I decided I would like to make my own, due to my own dilemma.

I originally wanted to go to Med school due to a desire to work in fitness related fields, I.E. ORTHO or PMR. However, after all was said and done I was exposed to dentistry, OMFS and other medical fields.

I recently got my MCAT score back, and am pleased. Along with a great GPA, I feel that I could get into either Dental or Med school. I have spent the last month of my life shadowing and researching to make sure I make the correct, logical decision.

I have the DAT materials as well, just haven't started studying due to my indecisiveness.

I have ADHD, and always have, so I need a career where I work with my hands, interact with people and that can be intellectually stimulating. I believe all of the above can be said about dental and med.

However, I also am afraid of the direction medicine is going, the dissatisfaction many physicians have, including many I know, and the burnout effect I would most likely feel after residency and with 60+ hour work weeks.

Any advice would be helpful, as constructive as you all can manage, especially from any recent graduates that are now working.
 
My simple crude decision matrix:

health care -> yes -> humans -> med school
-> animals -> vet school
-> mouth stuff -> dental school
-> feet stuff -> podiatry school

As far as being a dentist, you'd get better answers on the dentist forum
 
eteshoe said:
My simple crude decision matrix:

health care -> yes -> humans -> med school
-> animals -> vet school
-> mouth stuff -> dental school
-> feet stuff -> podiatry school

As far as being a dentist, you'd get better answers on the dentist forum
Click to expand...

Will I be a good doctor even though I really, really enjoy mouth and foot stuff?
 
I understand those aspects already. i wish I understood more!
 
I mean I did say as constructive as you can Manage, so it's partially my fault.
 
If you're not sure, and it's possible you'd be happy doing both, consider both from a financial standpoint. Think about the years and time you have to put into both, and decide what other goals you in have life (family, kids, etc...).


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I would love to enjoy my life and have time to enjoy it, and not be frustrated with the system and have that outweigh my happiness.

In dentistry this seems like it would come from hours worked. I don't have enough knowledge from the real world about how this would present in medicine.
 
Well coming from veterinary medicine, they work us really hard. And we can go get a job after classes and clinics (4yrs). We don't have to specialize like you would in human medicine, but we can. Seeing how overworked our interns and residents are at school, my guess would be you won't have much 'you' time for a long time. And depending on what you want to specialize in, that could be 4 years or it could be twice that much lol it's a long time to give up if you're not sure!


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littlelynne said:
If you like fitness, what about becoming a DPT?


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Click to expand...

Actually that was my initial reason for leaving the fitness world. However, after performing well in science and learning more about it, I wanted to try for a more advanced degree. Which led me to coursework in premed with hopes of working as physician for Wounded Warrior or the Paralympics.
 
JmacJax said:
Hi,
I have read every post on this I can find. Many were from 10+ years ago. However I decided I would like to make my own, due to my own dilemma.

I originally wanted to go to Med school due to a desire to work in fitness related fields, I.E. ORTHO or PMR. However, after all was said and done I was exposed to dentistry, OMFS and other medical fields.

I recently got my MCAT score back, and am pleased. Along with a great GPA, I feel that I could get into either Dental or Med school. I have spent the last month of my life shadowing and researching to make sure I make the correct, logical decision.

I have the DAT materials as well, just haven't started studying due to my indecisiveness.

I have ADHD, and always have, so I need a career where I work with my hands, interact with people and that can be intellectually stimulating. I believe all of the above can be said about dental and med.

However, I also am afraid of the direction medicine is going, the dissatisfaction many physicians have, including many I know, and the burnout effect I would most likely feel after residency and with 60+ hour work weeks.

Any advice would be helpful, as constructive as you all can manage, especially from any recent graduates that are now working.
Click to expand...

Everyone is going to tell you to do your research and shadow both fields - and that is a great idea. But whatever you end up choosing, you are going to have to take a leap of faith. It's very difficult to give yourself a really strong idea about how exactly your school and career experience is going to be, whether it's dentistry or medicine. You probably have an idea of what it's like to be a dental student or even to be a dentist from what you've seen or heard, but really when you actually get there it might be much different than you imagined. The best you can do is consider the personal pros and cons for yourself, it's hard for anyone else to give you a decision that you're going to be happy with.
 
You seem to have very niche goals, and to be honest they don't really coalesce the general BROAD spectrum of medicine. Are interested in disease? Do you like caring for and being around sick people? or just injured athletes? There is no guarantee you're getting into ortho, surgery (OMFS or any other kind).
 
ProspectiveKidd said:
You seem to have very niche goals, and to be honest they don't really coalesce the general BROAD spectrum of medicine. Do you like caring for and being around sick people? or just injured athletes? There is no guarantee you're getting into ortho, surgery (OMFS or any other kind).
Click to expand...

I would definitely be aiming for a surgical specialty rather than a GP. I love working with my hands and have good bedside manner, so my goal was targeted towards specialties that encompass that aspect.

I am set to shadow ophtalmolgists, a dermatologist and a PMR Doctor next week.
Those are more of my goals with specialties besides ortho
 
Other than dentistry being hands on, what made you interested? Also, when would you be applying considering you said you recently got your mcat score back?
 
chibaddie said:
Other than dentistry being hands on, what made you interested? Also, when would you be applying considering you said you recently got your mcat score back?
Click to expand...

I would be applying by the end of this month. Just waiting on letter writers. I got my score back June 20, and wanted to see what it was prior to applying.

I like the gratification that comes with helping someone on the spot, as well as having a degree in Business and currently owning my own business, I would love to eventually own my own business in the medical field. The autonomy plus the potential lifestyle bodes well with me.
 
Meeehai said:
Everyone is going to tell you to do your research and shadow both fields - and that is a great idea. But whatever you end up choosing, you are going to have to take a leap of faith. It's very difficult to give yourself a really strong idea about how exactly your school and career experience is going to be, whether it's dentistry or medicine. You probably have an idea of what it's like to be a dental student or even to be a dentist from what you've seen or heard, but really when you actually get there it might be much different than you imagined. The best you can do is consider the personal pros and cons for yourself, it's hard for anyone else to give you a decision that you're going to be happy with.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the good advice. I need to be entirely sure before I commit to something this monumental and it seems difficult.
 
JmacJax said:
I would definitely be aiming for a surgical specialty rather than a GP. I love working with my hands and have good bedside manner, so my goal was targeted towards specialties that encompass that aspect.

I am set to shadow ophtalmolgists, a dermatologist and a PMR Doctor next week.
Those are more of my goals with specialties besides ortho
Click to expand...
Physical therapy honestly sounds like a perfect career for you. Have you ever thought about it or shadowed one? Physical therapy is very hands on and physical therapists usually do more hands on therapy than a pmr doc. Physical therapy is a growing field and we are gaining more autonomy every year and it is also a great field to open up your own business if you wanted!
 
PTlife2015 said:
Physical therapy honestly sounds like a perfect career for you. Have you ever thought about it or shadowed one? Physical therapy is very hands on and physical therapists usually do more hands on therapy than a pmr doc. Physical therapy is a growing field and we are gaining more autonomy every year and it is also a great field to open up your own business if you wanted!
Click to expand...

I actually decided after 5 years of personal training that after shadowing a PT that I had been doing a lot of PT in my own business for the past five years. That made me want to expand up into the next tier, PMR or Ortho Surgery. However since then I've been opened up to more opportunities such as dentistry, ophthalmology, ENT, OMFS, etc.
 
JmacJax said:
I actually decided after 5 years of personal training that after shadowing a PT that I had been doing a lot of PT in my own business for the past five years. That made me want to expand up into the next tier, PMR or Ortho Surgery. However since then I've been opened up to more opportunities such as dentistry, ophthalmology, ENT, OMFS, etc.
Click to expand...
I see. I would not go into medicine if you only see yourself in one of those specialities. That's how people become unhappy in medicine. People go in wanting to be an orthodod but then their step scores only allow them to do family med and they hate their lives. All of the specialties you have listed are extremely competitive. I would suggest pursuing dentistry unless you are okay with possibly not getting into a competitive residency and you are fine with being a primary care doc
 
PTlife2015 said:
I see. I would not go into medicine if you only see yourself in one of those specialities. That's how people become unhappy in medicine. People go in wanting to be an orthodod but then their step scores only allow them to do family med and they hate their lives. All of the specialties you have listed are extremely competitive. I would suggest pursuing dentistry unless you are okay with possibly not getting into a competitive residency and you are fine with being a primary care doc
Click to expand...

I understand that logic for sure. I definitely would not go into medicine if I was limited to Family Medicine. But I also feel like that logic is not a positive view to have, albeit a realistic view.

Any input on this?
 
JmacJax said:
I understand that logic for sure. I definitely would not go into medicine if I was limited to Family Medicine. But I also feel like that logic is not a positive view to have, albeit a realistic view.

Any input on this?
Click to expand...
No one is guaranteed a particular specialty. If you would not be happy if you should become a candidate for "only" a non-surgical specialty, do not go into medicine.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
gyngyn said:
No one is guaranteed a particular specialty. If you would not be happy if you were to become a candidate for "only" a non-surgical specialty, do not go into medicine.
Click to expand...

I definitely understand that and have considered it for sure, which is why I broadened my views toward other fields as well.

I just don't necessarily like that attitude, even though it is mine as well.

It's really that unrealistic to get into one?
 
JmacJax said:
I definitely understand that and have considered it for sure, which is why I broadened my views toward other fields as well.

I just don't necessarily like that attitude, even though it is mine as well.

It's really that unrealistic to get into one?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say it is unrealistic by any means to get into one of those specialties, but there is a very good chance it could not happen. Each of the specialties you listed are very competitive and you will have to have high score on your boards. You also should go into school with an open mind. With they way you sound it seems like you already hate primary care, which is the easiest to match into. Have you shadowed any primary care docs? Or if there a certain aspect of primary care you don't like?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
PTlife2015 said:
I wouldn't say it is unrealistic by any means to get into one of those specialties, but there is a very good chance it could not happen. Each of the specialties you listed are very competitive and you will have to have high score on your boards. You also should go into school with an open mind. With they way you sound it seems like you already hate primary care, which is the easiest to match into. Have you shadowed any primary care docs? Or if there a certain aspect of primary care you don't like?
Click to expand...

I do have an open mind I believe, and I have a client who's been in IM/GP for her whole life so I know a lot about how it works. But I am trying to shadow more and more specialties it is just difficult to get in sometimes, which is frustrating. Hopefully this week I'll shadow more. People have just told me they could see me being very happy working with my hands and very unhappy just diagnosing in FM.

I enjoy the intellectual challenge, but also am just paying attention to my own personal skills, which are using my hands.
 
JmacJax said:
I do have an open mind I believe, and I have a client who's been in IM/GP for her whole life so I know a lot about how it works. But I am trying to shadow more and more specialties it is just difficult to get in sometimes, which is frustrating. Hopefully this week I'll shadow more. People have just told me they could see me being very happy working with my hands and very unhappy just diagnosing in FM.

I enjoy the intellectual challenge, but also am just paying attention to my own personal skills, which are using my hands.
Click to expand...
Become a carpenter. Lol kidding but I Worked with one for one summer and it was the most hands on work I have ever done.
 
JmacJax said:
I see that. Some very highly competitive scores. I suppose that's the case with most of medicine however. And how is your view of medicine, or dentistry as a field?
Click to expand...
Look at the median scores in some of the other specialties. No one can say today if you will be what any specialty is looking for. The number of positions and need is much greater in the non-surgical ones, however.

Dentists are more entrepreneurial and better businessmen, as a group.
 
This is why I love veterinary medicine. You get to do a little bit of everything, and you can cater your clientele to what you want to do. You don't have to be a specialist to do surgery, you just need to be competent and do CE. It's nice because if you decide you hate the path you started on, you can choose something else. It's gotta be tough to decide this early on what you might want to do! I have changed my mind about what I love just in 3 years of school. I thought I would like surgery but I have become very medicine focused. Which is awesome because as a GP I can focus more on medicine, or I can continue on with my education and become a specialist. The possibilities are endless! I definitely understand why this is a tough choice for you, I wish I could help you more


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gyngyn said:
Look at the median scores in some of the other specialties. No one can say today if you will be what any specialty is looking for. The number of positions and need is much greater in the non-surgical ones, however.

Dentists are more entrepreneurial and better businessmen, as a group.
Click to expand...

I saw most of their averages are above the national average, except for PMR.

I have a degree in business actually.

Very true that I might not match my desired specialty.

And as a physician how do you feel the outlook of medicine will be?
 
JmacJax said:
And as a physician how do you feel the outlook of medicine will be?
Click to expand...
For those with a strong commitment to service, altruism and the ability to accomodate human foibles, it will always be good.
Look at the non-surgical specialties. That is where most folks match and where there is the greatest need..
 
Which field do you have more passion and experience prepared for? Both obviously deal with patients and interaction. It would be easier to own your own clinic as a Dentist (or have you thought about specializing in Orthodontics or Endodontics, etc.?) The income pay for dentistry can be lower (but you could make up for it for the most part by having a successful clinic). It really depends on your interests and passion, then about lifestyle. Do you want to be more of a solo practitioner or work in a group? If you went into dental, you would be doing dental surgery as a general practitioner and that's certain. The med school route isn't certain that you'll be doing surgery. The outlook on both fields also depends on where you want to live.
 
HopefulDoc94 said:
Which field do you have more passion and experience prepared for? Both obviously deal with patients and interaction. It would be easier to own your own clinic as a Dentist (or have you thought about specializing in Orthodontics or Endodontics, etc.?) The income pay for dentistry can be lower (but you could make up for it for the most part by having a successful clinic). It really depends on your interests and passion, then about lifestyle. Do you want to be more of a solo practitioner or work in a group? If you went into dental, you would be doing dental surgery as a general practitioner and that's certain. The med school route isn't certain that you'll be doing surgery. The outlook on both fields also depends on where you want to live.
Click to expand...

I feel like I have more passion for the physical aspect of medicine and healing. I have shadowed every dental specialty and they seem rewarding as well. I haven't had the opportunity to shadow all of the medical fields im interested in due to their schedules.

I envision myself wanting to do both at some point. Perhaps perfecting my skills in a group and eventually going solo. But I enjoy the idea of having other doctors/dentists around.

You're right that surgery isn't guaranteed. That's what held me back in the first place. Obviously if I get in I'm capable of success, but it's unsure.

I would love to experience rounds and figure out what I enjoy.

But what matters to me desperately is not being worked to the bone until I despise medicine or dentistry and am burnt out.
 
If you're really worried about getting burnt out, then I would suggest dental. You could be doing general practice (4 yrs school), then apply after a few years into a residency program (2-3 yrs I believe) if you wanted to. It's more flexible that way.
 
HopefulDoc94 said:
If you're really worried about getting burnt out, then I would suggest dental. You could be doing general practice (4 yrs school), then apply after a few years into a residency program (2-3 yrs I believe) if you wanted to. It's more flexible that way.
Click to expand...

That is one of the major perks of dental school. Although I know how hard it can be to go back to school once you're in the real world. Life doesn't slow down.
 
JmacJax said:
That is one of the major perks of dental school. Although I know how hard it can be to go back to school once you're in the real world. Life doesn't slow down.
Click to expand...

I mean you could apply right after dental school. I'm not sure how that works if you take out loans though because residency salary is pretty low. I know some dentists that didn't specialize right away (paid off loans, had children, etc.) The plus side of dental is that you could be done after 4 years. You could own a practice with a partner, then leave for residency, then come back to the practice after? Either way, both are demanding and are likely to experience some type of burnout. It's just with dentistry that is more flexible. It is harder as a physician (from my observations) to manage a business along with practicing surgery. You don't see many solo surgery practices I must say. The outcome for solo practice for physicians isn't as good.
 
If you're torn, go dent. Most people would agree it's a more pleasant field to be in.
 
HopefulDoc94 said:
I mean you could apply right after dental school. I'm not sure how that works if you take out loans though because residency salary is pretty low. I know some dentists that didn't specialize right away (paid off loans, had children, etc.) The plus side of dental is that you could be done after 4 years. You could own a practice with a partner, then leave for residency, then come back to the practice after? Either way, both are demanding and are likely to experience some type of burnout. It's just with dentistry that is more flexible. It is harder as a physician (from my observations) to manage a business along with practicing surgery. You don't see many solo surgery practices I must say. The outcome for solo practice for physicians isn't as good.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. I've considered that. I'm a nontrad student who knows burnout is real.

This is all good advice though. Thank you.

I would love some input from more physicians as well!
 
JmacJax said:
Hi,
I have read every post on this I can find. Many were from 10+ years ago. However I decided I would like to make my own, due to my own dilemma.

I originally wanted to go to Med school due to a desire to work in fitness related fields, I.E. ORTHO or PMR. However, after all was said and done I was exposed to dentistry, OMFS and other medical fields.

I recently got my MCAT score back, and am pleased. Along with a great GPA, I feel that I could get into either Dental or Med school. I have spent the last month of my life shadowing and researching to make sure I make the correct, logical decision.

I have the DAT materials as well, just haven't started studying due to my indecisiveness.

I have ADHD, and always have, so I need a career where I work with my hands, interact with people and that can be intellectually stimulating. I believe all of the above can be said about dental and med.

However, I also am afraid of the direction medicine is going, the dissatisfaction many physicians have, including many I know, and the burnout effect I would most likely feel after residency and with 60+ hour work weeks.

Any advice would be helpful, as constructive as you all can manage, especially from any recent graduates that are now working.
Click to expand...
I would go the medical route. I am biased as I went the medical route. I was in your shoes at one time and the reason why I chose medicine over dentistry was simply because I found medical doctors to be far more willing to help-me out than any dentist was. most dentists I met could care less about aspiring dentists. it was very hard for me just to find one to shadow. every MD I ever reached-out to did everything they could to help me out. Plus, I found the MD's to be far more educated and intellectually superior to their dental counterparts. I remember asking a simple medchem question about a CII pain Rx to a dentist and the guy didn't have a clue as to how any of the drugs he Rx'd, actually worked.

That being said, if you like working with your hands, dentistry is a lot more hands-on and yes, owning and operating a dental practice is a lot easier than a medical practice.
 
dreese said:
I would go the medical route. I am biased as I went the medical route. I was in your shoes at one time and the reason why I chose medicine over dentistry was simply because I found medical doctors to be far more willing to help-me out than any dentist was. most dentists I met could care less about aspiring dentists. it was very hard for me just to find one to shadow. every MD I ever reached-out to did everything they could to help me out. Plus, I found the MD's to be far more educated and intellectually superior to their dental counterparts. I remember asking a simple medchem question about a CII pain Rx to a dentist and the guy didn't have a clue as to how any of the drugs he Rx'd, actually worked.

That being said, if you like working with your hands, dentistry is a lot more hands-on and yes, owning and operating a dental practice is a lot easier than a medical practice.
Click to expand...

That's great advice. Thank you
 
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