CCSS,
From another post, one sdn'er was asking wether to go to UCLA or Harvard, but they really wanted to practice in CA. I did bring up the Networking subject because it would be another thing to not worry about if he/she went to UCLA. But being a specialist pretty much means you can practice anywhere and not worry about the networking because of high demand.(depending in the specialty)
Here is what I know. Dentists are pretty much a sort of business/salesmen. Once you graduate, you will need to be a member of the local Dental Society apart from the ADA, or CDA. That is a good resource for networking. Being a D.D.S. you will need to work as an associate for a number of years and then maybe start off your own office while maybe bringing some of the patient pool you served. Rapport with other dentists is important because of sick leave, vacations, maternity leave. Who is going to see your patients during your absence? In CA, there is L.A. or S.F. which are more saturated regions and other rural areas who have few dentists. Going to these more densely populated areas with specialists/ and dentists are more difficult, but manageable if you are a specialist. You can start your own specialty off the bat, but you can go into a partnership with a currrent specialist and buy into their practice. Endo, Pedo are the main high demand areas I know of in Monterey County. In santa Clara, San Francisco areas, Ventura County, you can straight off start your business, but it will probably be slower. So the more dentists/specialists you know, the better.
Which schools are you applying to? What part of CA do you want to practice in? If you have questions regarding Endo or Pedo? PM me I can refer you to a few people to personally ask.
