I was wondering, are there any medical professions out there that combine science with artistry?

[AlexChe123]

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Hi,

Right before you start reading this sorry if it seems really lengthy 🙁 I just really feel that time is money right now and I don't want to waste anymore of it while in college (I'm spending enough already as it is). I'm really serious about my situation right now and want to know if anyone might be able to help me out.

I'm currently a Sophmore/Junior in college who is now currently undecided career-wise.

Upon entering college, I got really interested in the medical field and went into the pre-med for my major as I really enjoy the sciences and just the idea of helping people get better and live happy lives. However, I’m currently stuck in what I should do with my current major as far as it comes to the career I’d like to pursue in the future. What I’m actually hoping to find though is a career in the medical field that has exactly that-- a combination of science & art.

So far from what I have been told from my advisor and family members is that I should pursue a career that not only interest me, but one that I see myself doing in the long run that I would enjoy doing and can ultimately use my strengths in. So far I have a 3.7 GPA and have relatively done well in my science and math courses. Besides being interested in sciences though, I’ve always been keen about art as I’ve always painted and drawn ever since I can remember.

Just recently I happened to stumble across the news of how two doctors called as maxillofacial prosthodontist were able to use science and artistry to reconstruct a woman’s face and create an almost realistic version of what her face looked like before. It just really blew me away since it displays pretty much what I’m looking for. I've actually considered majoring in pre-dentistry since this profession is a form of subdentistry, but my school doesn't offer it. What should I do as far as my major?
By any chance, what other medical professions might you know utilize some form of artistry and science together?

I was thinking this would be a perfect place to ask that question.
I'd really appreciate the help!
Alex

 

[Screwtape]

Out of all the dental specialties, I have the most respect for maxillofacial prosthodontists. They are gods among men. Major in anything you would like, just make sure you take the standard pre-requisites which are pretty much the same for dental and medical (bio, chem, physics, orgo, etc.). Most of dentistry offers a combination of science and dentistry, but prosthodontists reign supreme comparatively in my opinion. The training to become a maxillofacial prosthodontist is long and grueling, and is not the biggest money maker in dentistry. But from the few prosth's i've met, they could not see themselves doing anything else in the world. Cosmetic general dentists also use a heavy dose of artitistry and science in their practices. As do plastic surgeons.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Greetings,

I enjoy my field tremendously because I have the ability to make such a difference in a person's quality of life. Last month I fabricated an obturator to cover a large defect in the hard palate as well as a nose so the person can talk, eat, drink and go out in public without feeling self conscious. And the nature of the work is highly challenging as there are no oral - facial defects that are the same. That is why I must constantly use what I have learned, taught and try to come up with different solutions all the time. This field is where I can combine science, dentistry and art all into one. MP field requires one to do a four year training that is long and grueling as your fellowship year will be in a major head and neck cancer facility. It has the longest training duration in post graduate dentistry along with OMFS (4 years) but the reward really makes it worthwhile. DP

 

[jeffity]

Just a student, but I've always heard people mention art with dentistry and I sort of thought it was far-fetched. Maybe not the best word to use; I saw the correlation but didn't really understand it as a big factor in dentistry and people's decision to pursue dentistry. Now that I'm in school, I get it. I'm no artist, but I see it in others around me. And you see unique passions in faculty, lately it's the ceramics. I've had a couple of lectures that seemed like an hour of just drooling over the beauty in the work (lots of pictures). Even with CADCAM stuff, I was surprised to see brushes and a palette of stains and glazes. The art is there. Prosth, specifically, is what came to mind. And the science, is obviously there. It sounds like you're on the right path. Dig in and shadow. As mentioned, major in whatever. Just do well in sciences especially. You don't need a pre-dent sort of degree.