I think I might want to be a Dentist...help

[SWIMnPOLO]

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I don't think there's many people out there who go to bed every night dreaming of teeth, but I think I fall into the category of "Dentistry fits my personality".

I'm 2 years into college, and about the only thing career path that interest me so far is dentistry. I enjoy problem solving, I'm an avid wood-worker and enjoy working with my hands - but at the same time, running my own business and working for myself very much appeals to me.

I'm going to meet with a friend of our families who is a Dentist in the next few days to find out more information, but I've also heard it can be close to $500,000 in loans to pay for Dental School + Buying a practice... pretty steep, yikes!

Anyway, if there's anything you guys think I should consider before heading down this path, it would be much appreciated... any advice, words of wisdom, cautionary tales, etc.

Thanks.

 

[cookand]

First off, you're doing the right thing by talking to a dentist. Next thing would be shadowing and see if you like it. Lastly, there are many people who go to bed dreaming of 'teeth'. I, for example, have wanted to be a dentist since elementary school.

 

[SWIMnPOLO]

First off, you're doing the right thing by talking to a dentist. Next thing would be shadowing and see if you like it. Lastly, there are many people who go to bed dreaming of 'teeth'. I, for example, have wanted to be a dentist since elementary school.

Hey my sister went to Auburn! War Eagle!

Hmm, interesting, I mean I can understand wanting to be a Dentist from a young age, it's a respected profession and most are well-known and popular in their communities... but, I guess I don't dream about Teeth just yet, haha

 

[choiorg]

You should definitely begin early in your shadowing. Try checking to see if your school has a pre-dental club or better yet start one if you are really down for it.

I wish I started way earlier in my club and I wish I participated earlier to build network and resume.

 

[winkipink]

start by shadowing, but eventually get up to volunteering as a dental assistant whether it be thru your pre-dent club or at a free clinic somewhere. shadowing and volunteering are vastly different experiences. if you can survive the assisting part, you've passed the first stage. as far as the school debt goes, you can always get government grants that will pay for all 4 years plus give you about $2k of spending money/ month while in school, you'd just have to serve the army or wahtever for like, 3 years depending how long they pay for ur schooling. so dont let debt scare you, because even if you go medicine you will have the same type of debt. there will definitely be more need for dentists in the future, since more are retiring than there are graduating, so thats good news for us, and dentists are not under control of the insurance companies. i currently work for a medical doctor and i learned the insurance companies do not often reimburse or pay the doctors what is rightfully theirs.

if you decide to go pre-dental, try and go on mission trips for a weekend, those will definitely give you full insight on what dental life is like, and show you the right reasons to be a dentist. if not, start a part time job sterilizing instruments at a local dental office to at least get your foot in the door. sorry to ramble, hope this helps 🙂 good luck!

 

[Enso]

Lastly, there are many people who go to bed dreaming of 'teeth'. I, for example, have wanted to be a dentist since elementary school.

Haha you have a teeth fetish bro? I better make sure my Aunt Ruth's dentures are locked up just to be sure.

 

[dds4yrs]

Once you get into a couple different offices to shadow you will know whether or not this career is right for you. I have always been told to not let the cost of dental school decide whether or not you go. You will make the money back. A partnership upon graduating school is always an option, or even being an associate in a well established practice. Then you can learn the ins and outs of insurance and the different aspects of owning and running your own practice. Then down the line you can always buy a practice. Good Luck!