I am still not 100% about this career

[graezym]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It sounds very unconvnving that I am not 100% about dentistry, with around 7 years ahead of me in uni, but I think its because I still only know a little bit about the career, nevermind the technical details. (I am just about to start a Biomed degree)...

1. Does every dentist work alongside a hygeniest/assistant? Or like GPs, are they ever with the patient 1 on 1? Maybe there is a specialist area for 1 on 1?

2. Can dentists work, say at 11pm? Or are they always working during usual working hours, ie 8am-6pm?

Any feedback would be very very useful.

 

[jmt1984]

It varies just like any medical profession. I would suggest contacting a dentist in your area and shadowing him/her and asking questions. They would be able to show you how they run their practice, and also tell you about other professionals they know, that might be the best way to answer your questions/concerns

 

[Svart Aske]

1. Dentists usually work alongside assistants. You can go without a hygienist.
2. Dentists make their own work hours. The dentist I shadowed goes to work at 11 and finishes at 6-7 on Wednesdays to accommodate patients who can't get off work, and starts at 7 and finishes at 3 on Thursdays. She takes Fridays off.

 

[graezym]

Thanks guys.

I agree, that slightly varying the hours, does make sense, as most people work 9-5.

Are the assistants highly paid, or is there profession not considered that highly?

 

[jmt1984]

I think it varies by the region, the amount of training, competition for qualified people...basically the same things that affect the pay of all other jobs

 

[sfrice80]

Thanks guys.

I agree, that slightly varying the hours, does make sense, as most people work 9-5.

Are the assistants highly paid, or is there profession not considered that highly?

Depends on what your idea of "highly paid" is but by almost every American's standard, they are NOT highly paid.

 

[DrYoda]

2. Can dentists work, say at 11pm? Or are they always working during usual working hours, ie 8am-6pm?

Most non-emergency type healthcare won't go on at that time simply because there aren't enough people who want to come in at 11pm for a basic teeth cleaning. Maybe there's somewhere (NYC???) you could pull that off, but in general that is a low yield time for work.

That said my dentist has one day a week where he take appointments until 9pm. He's catering to people who don't want to/can't take time off work.

 

[graezym]

Thanks again guys.

I prefer working alone, with a patient, is this impossible for a dentist?

 

[ReallyCuteGirl]

Thanks again guys.

I prefer working alone, with a patient, is this impossible for a dentist?

lol dude. If you're the practicing doctor that owns the damn place, you could do whatever you want. You could even answer your own phone calls and book your own appointments if you want. You'll really save on overhead.

 

[graezym]

lol dude. If you're the practicing doctor that owns the damn place, you could do whatever you want. You could even answer your own phone calls and book your own appointments if you want. You'll really save on overhead.

😀.

Probably, but it maybe wouldnt be right?

I mean, are assistants needed all the time for every dentist?

Maybe there are even specialist areas where it is simply just the patient and dentist.

 

[CarebearJo]

Dentistry is a great career, I am currently applying to dental school hoping to enter 8/2010. I have worked as a dental assistant for 7 years. Dentist's make their own hours, the office that I work at, the dentist works mon-thurs 9-5. She has friday, sat and sun off, in the years of myself being there, she was called in on the weekend for an emergency less than a handful, also malpractice insurance is much less than a physician. Dentist's do work chairside with an assistant, trust me you need at least four hands to do dentistry. The only downside would be neck/back or hand pain due to repetitive positions.

 

[Near]

1. Dentists usually work alongside assistants. You can go without a hygienist.
2. Dentists make their own work hours. The dentist I shadowed goes to work at 11 and finishes at 6-7 on Wednesdays to accommodate patients who can't get off work, and starts at 7 and finishes at 3 on Thursdays. She takes Fridays off.

Those are my type of hours. 😀

Anyway, as other posters have said you can do whatever you want...if you own your own private practice.

 

[youknowthedrill]

Its best never to be alone at the office with a patient. Our society is too litigious, and when you work with the public you will encounter some crazy people. If you're male, you would probably never have any problems treating a male patient, but never treat a female or child without anyone else present. If someone falsely accuses you of inappropriate behavior, it could ruin your career.

 

[Ryltar]

Besides, why would you want to work alone as a dentist? Assistants are there to help you work more efficiently and to make your life easier. Good secretaries take care of all the menial management chores for you. You get to focus on the procedures at hand, and your staff takes care of almost everything else for you.

Do you want to work alone because you're not much of a people person or team player? Dentistry is a profession that I would say requires good people skills and teamwork.

 

[Ryltar]

The money output that you gain from working more efficiently with a full staff is usually greater than the cost of having a full staff.

 

[Ryltar]

Furthermore, there aren't enough dentists in most rural and suburban areas of the U.S., so logically you would want to increase production with more staff to greater fulfill the dental needs of the local population.