Hi, the reason I'm asking this question is because I'm at a dilemma of sorts right now. One of the fellow pre-dents at my university, a year ahead of me, (very devoted and intelligent girl, always has her **** together and always ahead, and most importantly, it seemed like there was never a doubt in her mind that she wanted to do dentistry) just turned down her Dental School acceptances over the break and has decided to pursue Medicine instead. I asked her if there were any major deciding factors that elicited this decision. Well, what she told me shook me pretty hard because it sounded just like me lol. First, she said that she had shadowed before and hated it and was extremely bored. I feel the same way towards shadowing however I always assumed it was just not having anything other to do than watch. I mean the first time you see a procedure it's always interesting of course, you're wondering what is this and what is that. After you see the same procedure over and over, just watching it gets kind of boring, at least to me. Can anyone else relate to this? Second, she said that although medicine and dentistry had both always interested her, having to take the MCAT was a strong deterrent. I guess what I'm trying to ask is how the hell does anyone ever know??? We're all people with many differing characteristics and many differing interests, how does one choose just one interest to pursue for the rest of his/her life? Just off the top of my head I can tell you right now that Dentistry is only one of my interests. I think that I could be happy with a number of different careers. If I stay in Dentistry I know I won't end up hating it or anything, but how the hell can I know if there's something out there that has a stronger pull on me? I wish that somehow we could try out a different profession every week or something just to see what feels best. Thoughts??
How did you know that dentistry is what you wanted to do?
- Thread starter TexasOMFS
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I remember the moment I knew it was for me - I had gotten a position as an assistant at a local dental clinic, and it was the first day and there was a 13 year old kid needing a root canal. And I just remember sitting there thinking that this was just so awesome, haha. That was the tipping point for me. It's different for everyone though, and it's good to be skeptical, keep an open mind, and see all of your options.
This might sound oversimplified...but for me, I know dentistry is the right choice because I can see myself doing it. Many people who know me well have told me that they think medicine would suit me better, but I just can't see myself as a doctor...at least not in the same way I can visualize dentistry.
^The problem is I can see myself doing dentistry, I can see myself doing medicine, I can see myself as a statistician...I'm interested in all these things. Consequently, I chose dentistry because I love science, I love feeling that I make a difference in people's lives, I love working with my hands, and also because I just thought dentistry would be a better lifestyle than medicine (ie: nice pay, being your own boss, not having to work 50 hours a week and be stressed out).
Lately, I've felt a strong pull towards emergency medicine (another aspect I've always had a strong interest in) but at the same time I'm aware of, and repelled by, the stressful hours, the tragedy that can occur right in front of you, the lifestyle and shifts EM docs work. Of course, I know it's up to me ultimately to decide what I want. I guess this brings me to the unanswerable question which I tried but failed, to enunciate above. I've read threads on here where people said MDs told them to go into Dentistry because it's a better lifestyle etc. But assuming that I did like EM more than dentistry where is the balance between the two extremes: choosing based on having a comfortable lifestyle and doing something that you like and choosing something because your heart tugs you towards it but it's not exactly the best lifestyle?
Lately, I've felt a strong pull towards emergency medicine (another aspect I've always had a strong interest in) but at the same time I'm aware of, and repelled by, the stressful hours, the tragedy that can occur right in front of you, the lifestyle and shifts EM docs work. Of course, I know it's up to me ultimately to decide what I want. I guess this brings me to the unanswerable question which I tried but failed, to enunciate above. I've read threads on here where people said MDs told them to go into Dentistry because it's a better lifestyle etc. But assuming that I did like EM more than dentistry where is the balance between the two extremes: choosing based on having a comfortable lifestyle and doing something that you like and choosing something because your heart tugs you towards it but it's not exactly the best lifestyle?
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My dream job would be doing some sort of animal behavior research (sharks or reptiles) and to travel all over the world. However, I also want a family, a comfortable salary, and other benefits, which dentistry has to offer. Dentistry is something I believe I will truly enjoy, but I chose to pursue it because my other considered paths included sacrifices I was unwilling to make. Try to prioritize what you want in life. It's not easy, but just go with your gut.
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+1. There are other jobs that I would probably love more than dentistry, but my life outside of my career would suffer. I have actually always wanted to be an event planner, but I'm not about to give up everything I have worked for to make ~$30,000-40,000/year.
The most important thing for me in life is to travel and experience different cultures and environments. I love being outdoors (hiking, camping, etc etc) and dentistry affords a lifestyle that will allow me to travel much more than many other professions.
I think everyone gets cold feet from time to time (I hope!
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I wanted to be a ninja, but I couldn't find a good major for that so I chose dentistry...👍
OP, if you don't see yourself as a dentist then why pursue it?
OP, if you don't see yourself as a dentist then why pursue it?
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Absolutely👍 It's almost weird how similar our mindsets are.
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Kinda the same position as the OP. I like surgery and have always been drawn to medicine, but I also like my free-time and have interests outside work. I'd like to work with my hands, be my own boss, have reasonable hours (not over 50, and even that's pushing it), and a decent six-figure salary that will support myself and future family in LA (pricey place!). I'm sure some surgical subspecialty would satisfy most of those needs, but I'm not quite sure I'm willing to sacrifice 5-8 years of my mid-late 20's/early 30's (when I'd like to get married and have kids) working 80 hrs/week for peanuts in some dungeon of a hospital. Dentistry, at this point, is looking like an alternative that can satisfy most, if not all, my desires without giving up my life for them.
I am having the same issues your are, I recently decided to become pre-dent instead of pre-med. I think it would be a lot more interesting to be a dermatologist, which is what i wanted to do originally, but since residency is longer and it's very competitive I decided that it's just not really worth it. I'm willing to have a less interesting job and have a life, i guess it's like everyone else said, it's what you're willing to sacrifice. also if you get bored you can always go on and specialize in something.
that being said it doesn't mean that there aren't jobs out there that will also be right for you, you just have to make a decision and go with it.
that being said it doesn't mean that there aren't jobs out there that will also be right for you, you just have to make a decision and go with it.
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You can have a very nice life as a dermatologist. Especially one that does cosmetic work. It's just whether or not you actually make it into derm that's the problem.
Try looking for a job as an assistant. Shadowing and sitting chair-side are two different things. I have been a dental assistant for 5 yrs and I am 100% positive that dentistry is the field I truly love. I never thought that as a patient. but assisting def put things in perspective...The job does not pay well, but it is very rewarding in other ways.
I CAN see myself as a dentist, the dilemma is I wish there were a multitude of other things I could also do.
Anyways the advice you guys have given has helped a lot. I can't thank you enough.
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I got some great "hands on" experiences volunteering at a free dental clinic, at which point I just knew this is what I wanted to do.
I loved the patient interaction, high demand of the work paired with a high control, working with hands, and tons of other things.
I loved the patient interaction, high demand of the work paired with a high control, working with hands, and tons of other things.
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I've been thinking of a switch from premed to predent but the only thing stopping me from becoming a full-on predent is that I find medicine much more interesting than dentistry. Quite honestly, I find dentistry boring.
I've shadowed several people in both professions and even though I feel like I would enjoy being a physician and understanding the human body at that level, dentistry has less stress compared and a better lifestyle.
The two conflicting quotes in my mind now are:
- "Do what you love and you won't work a day in your life."
- "A job is just that.....a job. Get in, get paid, and go play some golf."
whatever...it'll probably come down to a flip of the coin before I schedule my MCAT or DAT.
I've shadowed several people in both professions and even though I feel like I would enjoy being a physician and understanding the human body at that level, dentistry has less stress compared and a better lifestyle.
The two conflicting quotes in my mind now are:
- "Do what you love and you won't work a day in your life."
- "A job is just that.....a job. Get in, get paid, and go play some golf."
whatever...it'll probably come down to a flip of the coin before I schedule my MCAT or DAT.
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Your friend might be in for a shock, but only one branch of medicine isn't static, and that's plastic surgery. Other branches of medicine are completely the same thing over and over. Whatmore, the majority of the fields are fatiguing. They totally tire the hell outta you. Let's wait and see how many 80 hr weeks you can handle in school. When you're out in practice, it's clinic 9-5, just to go home and update charts.
Some one summed it up pretty clear for me.. Dentists are doers and physicians are diagnosticians (there are exceptions of course; surgery in medicine but that residency takes a total commitment to medicine for one to be happy) the majority will be more based on diagnosing versus hands on treatment of your patients.
- many (I believe >90% of dentists own there own practice) so I hope your up for working with employees in a leadership role, while focusing on the patient outcome, marketing , bottom line, location location location etc. all the headaches and rewards that come with owning your own business. Where as many physician practices are being absorbed by larger umbrella corporations; this was a big one for me as I would like treatment decision autonomy between me and my patients with minimal interference.
- some that have been involved in dentistry have complained about the physical challenges of dentistry but my grandfather practiced for 50 years problem free. I will just have to wait 30 years to give you more feedback on this.
- Hours are shorter in dentistry (average is 36/ week compared to ~ 60/week for physicians. (this is a field wide average, diff. specialties vary)
- not sure about income differences but from what I here you won't starve in either field.
- these were some of the criteria I used in my decision. I hope it helps and good luck.
- many (I believe >90% of dentists own there own practice) so I hope your up for working with employees in a leadership role, while focusing on the patient outcome, marketing , bottom line, location location location etc. all the headaches and rewards that come with owning your own business. Where as many physician practices are being absorbed by larger umbrella corporations; this was a big one for me as I would like treatment decision autonomy between me and my patients with minimal interference.
- some that have been involved in dentistry have complained about the physical challenges of dentistry but my grandfather practiced for 50 years problem free. I will just have to wait 30 years to give you more feedback on this.
- Hours are shorter in dentistry (average is 36/ week compared to ~ 60/week for physicians. (this is a field wide average, diff. specialties vary)
- not sure about income differences but from what I here you won't starve in either field.
- these were some of the criteria I used in my decision. I hope it helps and good luck.
Oh I'm sorry, I wasn't very clear when I initially started this thread. But she had meant that she found shadowing dentistry (not medicine) to be very boring, something that I totally understand, having been bored shadowing dentistry over long periods of time myself and seeing the same things over and over again.
Edit: ^Good points MXDenty, those help a lot also.
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Shadowing is boring because you are just standing around and you may have no idea what is really going on. Even if you do you are still standing around. When you are actually the one doing the procedures, it will be different.
You can pick any other activity that you enjoy doing.
Would you rather play a video game or watch someone else play it?
Would you rather eat or watch someone else eat?
anyway you get my point..🙂
You can pick any other activity that you enjoy doing.
Would you rather play a video game or watch someone else play it?
Would you rather eat or watch someone else eat?
anyway you get my point..🙂
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I knew dentistry was for me when I saw Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Hermie the elf is awesome. I'm awesome. Hermie is a dentist. Therefore I shall be a dentist. 
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Hermie is the man 🙂I knew dentistry was for me when I saw Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Hermie the elf is awesome. I'm awesome. Hermie is a dentist. Therefore I shall be a dentist.
The answer to this is: you don't. Nothing against any of the responses. They're all great. But everyone who tells you when they "knew" it's what they wanted is really telling you when you they thought they knew. There's no possible way for you to be sure until you actually do it. You go with what you think is right, what fits the lifestyle you envision yourself living later in life. Like others said, everyone didn't wake up wanting to stare into mouths all day. If nutritionists got paid 250k a year, I might be creating new diets right now. But I think I will love dentistry, and it fits the life I want to live, and that's why I'm doing it. FWIW, I didn't "know" until the middle of my junior year in college.
