If you don't like dentistry - now what?

[sjdent]

Now that I am staring graduation in the face as a senior, it has slowly come to my attention that I pretty much don't enjoy practicing dentistry. Well, yes, that's no one's problem but my own. I have minimal loans to pay off, and obviously want to make money in the coming years so I can go shopping and other such essential pastimes Anyway, can anyone think of something else I could do w/in the dental profession besides 1) practicing dentistry or 2) teaching at a dental school....that would still allow me to make a decent income? At this point, it is horrific to think about starting over into another career. No way. I'd just like to hear about some career alternatives that I may not be aware of. Any thoughts? Anyone else feel this way?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[dinesh]

Do ortho and just start wiring up folks.

 

[superchris147]

Do ortho and just start wiring up folks.

get your Ph.D. and do research, the only deadlines you have to worry about are writing grants, otherwise its not too stressful

 

[Stanford Fencer]

grant writing is tedious, and after years of work, not being funded is highly stressful. in fact, still a rather high rate of folks in the academia going to private practice due to the frustration involved with the academic process.

plus, the phd process is at least 4 years of difficult work with little tangible reward during the immediate process.

in my opinion, very stressful.

 

[sjdent]

Problem with the residency idea......bad grades! Also, hate research. But good ideas!

 

[superchris147]

plus, the phd process is at least 4 years of difficult work with little tangible reward during the immediate process.

in my opinion, very stressful.

Have you worked in a lab doing experiments? It is nowhere near as hard/stressful as dental school. In dental school you have like 8 classes as well as all your lab work that you have to do. In graduate school you have like 3 or 4 classes and your lab work. Yeah its frustrating when your experiments don't work and you ended up wasting 4 months, but I wouldn't call that stressful.

Anyways, I wasn't trying to start a debate, however, I worked in a lab for 3 years in academia and the graduate students would usually show up at 9 or 10 and stay until anywhere from 3 to 5. Yeah we had later days where we had journal club, but there is no homework and you leave school at school. If you can get through dental school then getting your phd will be an absolute breeze.

in terms of funding, that i have no experience with and i know can be frustrating, but you're going to have your dds as well as your phd which will give you additional opportunities for funding. and if you don't want to deal with funding, then go into industry and work a 9-5.

to the OP, its not a bad option in my opinion, i just ended up getting bored with it because everything takes so long to accomplish and lab can be boring. however, it is a very nice lifestyle and can pay well

 

[Dr. Pedo]

sorry to hear your situation--

Couple of things:
MBA: Go into corporate----ins. etc
Pharm. sales: they would love drs. and you would have great leverage
Law degree
Financial planning: Especially for DDS
Consultant
Dental sales

There are hundreds of things you could do----with minimal debt which means lots of scholarships (unlikely with your self confirmed bad grades) or lots of help! Either way, you have many open possibilities just depends on your drive. Sounds like you have some resources and perhaps a year of travel and working some odd jobs to make ends meet ----ski bum, beach bum etc... would give you time to relax and re-eval. you desires

Dr. B

 

[Stanford Fencer]

In reponse to Superchris

2 full years of research full-time after college. did research during dental school. left dental school after 2nd year to do research full-time at the NIH as a Howard Hughes Research Scholar. Planning to start my PhD in a few months. Yes, I have worked in labs doing research experiments.

Wasting 4 months is stressful. I can do a lot for my dental patients in 4 months. They are happy, and I feel great. One only has a set number of years to complete the PhD, so Yes, I would say, that losing 4 months troubleshooting an experiment is stressful.

Agree with you regarding industry. However, the DDS does not add significantly to getting funding from the government. It's the other way around, if you are a DDS wanting to do research, you want to get the PhD. This information comes straight from both the Dean of Research in my institution, plus the Director of the NIDCR.

 

[Geezer99]

Now that I am staring graduation in the face as a senior, it has slowly come to my attention that I pretty much don't enjoy practicing dentistry.

You've come this far, so take your boards and get your license. One month of employment will pay all this off. Get a job anywhere....lie when they ask you your intentions. You owe it to yourself to at least see what it's like out in the real world. Few alternatives suggested will pay as much as a DDS, especially just starting out.

 

[sjdent]

I do agree about just trying out practicing first. I'll give it a try for at least a year before making any big decisions. However, I seriously doubt that in a year I'll *magically* love dentistry.

I am loving the consulting/sales/fin. planning ideas - thank you, Dr. 2b. It's more up my alley. I just need to know how to get into these professions.....anyone know people who've done this?

I suppose that I could also remedy this problem by working only 2 days a week.....

 

[Demeter]

Just marry someone from dental/medical school.
you could do public health and spend your days talking about fluoride.

 

[UConn_SDM]

Teach dentistry - a lot of the instructors seemed like they not only hated dentistry, but people in general. If you simply hated dentistry but liked people you would be a much better teacher than 90% of my dental school faculty!

Seriously, there are jobs outside of dentistry doing consulting work etc.

 

[sjdent]

Just marry someone from dental/medical school.QUOTE]

Hee hee......as a matter of fact, I am marrying a pedodontist next year!

P.S. I'd love to consult. How do you get into it?

 

[StL_to_Boston]

TEACH. There is a real shortage of dental school instructors right now... they talk about it at my school all the time...

 

[rocknightmare]

what actually interests you? if you go back and look at what got you interested in dental school.. maybe we can help from there..

 

[drhobie7]

you could be one of those practice management/sales consultants.

 

[sjdent]

I know there is a teaching shortage...evidenced by the "super seniors" that are now teaching on our clinic floor.

No teaching. I have absolutely no desire. Besides, if I haven't practiced, what good would I be to dental students??

How do you get into consulting?

 

[USAF_Dentman]

Just own a few dental clinics and hire other dentists to do the work for you. You could simply just run the business side of things and have another person do the drilling..

 

[sjdent]

rocknightmare - forgot to answer your question. What interested me? Flexible hours, money, personal satisfaction, medical profession. I also had a *tiny* bit of family pressure......Now I'm just not loving the idea of being in such a technical profession. I mean, I don't have any major problems with actually performing dentistry, thank god. It also might be that I don't feel very confident in my abilities yet. The thought of practicing outside a dental school is so incredibly scary to me. I don't feel ready in any way. I think if I felt extremely confident about me and dentistry - it would probably be different. I hate doing anything I'm not automatically good at.

 

[sinned]

rocknightmare - forgot to answer your question. What interested me? Flexible hours, money, personal satisfaction, medical profession. I also had a *tiny* bit of family pressure......Now I'm just not loving the idea of being in such a technical profession. I mean, I don't have any major problems with actually performing dentistry, thank god. It also might be that I don't feel very confident in my abilities yet. The thought of practicing outside a dental school is so incredibly scary to me. I don't feel ready in any way. I think if I felt extremely confident about me and dentistry - it would probably be different. I hate doing anything I'm not automatically good at.

Which dental school are you or did you attend?

 

[molarama]

Which dental school are you or did you attend?

Do a GPR or AEGD before you decide to switch. This is especially important for someone like yourself who is having some confidence issues. I'll give you a personal example, it took doing 2 sets of complete dentures in an AEGD program, and all of a sudden I started lovin it.

 

[Dr. Pedo]

Getting into consulting: Most consultants are those who were successful practice owners first and now lend some leadership. However, there are some firms out there that would love to have a DDS on staff and will train you themselves. Some firms have consultants in several areas: communication, marketing, management, some overall practice dynamics. If you're personable and engaging then this maybe a wonderful career choice. Public speaking fear is a bad thing. You may have to do some research to find a job and most likely be near or in a large city.

Google some dental consulting firms and inquire.

Dr. B

 

[simpledoc]

i would try to get into marketing (if you have the entraupeuner skillls) and you dont even need an MBA (yeah if you have one, you can probably become a CEO of some implant company some day!) i heard that when you start off as a rep, you can make a pretty decent living (nothing compared to what a dentist makes though!)
another option you have (if you can arrange for the capital) is to own a couple of dental practices , hire specialists and and just manage and administer them....thats more like a 9-5 job with office and suit and tie etc etc

 

[12YearOldKid]

I'm only a third year, but I have talked to many young dentists who say they felt just like you at graduation but a few years later were pretty happy in private practice.

Dental school sucks the life out of all of us; somedays I feel like I am hooked up to that torture machine in The Princess Bride.
"I've just sucked six years of your life away. How do you feel?"

Occasionally some dirtball professor will come in and crank up "the machine" and I can hear the six-fingered man in the background screaming "NO, not to fifty!!!"

It is easy to confuse dentistry with the slow and deliberate evisceration that is dental school. At least finish up and give it a year or two if you don't have anything else that really attracts you. You might find it's at least tolerable.

 

[jpollei]

Getting into consulting: Most consultants are those who were successful practice owners first and now lend some leadership. However, there are some firms out there that would love to have a DDS on staff and will train you themselves. Some firms have consultants in several areas: communication, marketing, management, some overall practice dynamics. If you're personable and engaging then this maybe a wonderful career choice. Public speaking fear is a bad thing. You may have to do some research to find a job and most likely be near or in a large city.

Google some dental consulting firms and inquire.

Dr. B

Or just be like Dr. Levin or some of the others that have a regular JADA article. That alone guarantees you success (he's not bad, but even if he was who cares cause everyone knows you and thinks you know what you're talking about). You gain the "guru" status, jet about the country staying at posh places, and charge a boat-load to give your "rah, rah, go-get-'em, make the office a super team" speech.

 

[S Files]

Or just be like Dr. Levin or some of the others that have a regular JADA article. That alone guarantees you success (he's not bad, but even if he was who cares cause everyone knows you and thinks you know what you're talking about). You gain the "guru" status, jet about the country staying at posh places, and charge a boat-load to give your "rah, rah, go-get-'em, make the office a super team" speech.

dental insurance companies prefer experienced dentists. "quality" dental consulting is very difficult to find. not many of those jobs, and many are part-time. marketing/consulting and that stuff if you decide to do that, prepare for a serious pay cut.

 

[jpollei]

dental insurance companies prefer experienced dentists. "quality" dental consulting is very difficult to find. not many of those jobs, and many are part-time. marketing/consulting and that stuff if you decide to do that, prepare for a serious pay cut.

Agreed about the difficulty to find good ones. That said, I've not met a good one yet (including the aforementioned Dr. Levin, which is why I used him as an example) who is hurting financially.

 

[esclavo]

Just marry someone from dental/medical school.QUOTE]

Hee hee......as a matter of fact, I am marrying a pedodontist next year!

P.S. I'd love to consult. How do you get into it?

If you live in Cali and are going to marry a pedodontist... go into real estate and the mortgage business. Minimal education, sales oriented, tons of that stuff in California. I've got a few friends who are semi-retired in their lower 30's having done some of this. They've made cash that is mind boggling in investment real estate in California and other places across the country. Or you could do hygeine, prophy's, and fluoride tx's in your future spouses practice.

The difference between dentistry and dental school dentistry is light years. I finished dental school early and practiced in a private practice type clinic for underserved area and it was a kick in the pants. I hardly recognized what I was doing because it didn't remind me much of dental school. I think you'd be surprised when you actually get out and realize that you aren't as bad as the dental school instructors make you feel. I would definately take boards and keep this option open.

Another thought is to do anesthesia. Work with your new spouse's practice putting kids to sleep. This is a sweet skill but it will involve another 2 years. I love putting kids to sleep. Fast pace, quick on your toes, trouble shooting, more medicine oriented than dental. Good income- unlike my hygenist idea.

 

[TKD]

If you live in Cali and are going to marry a pedodontist... go into real estate and the mortgage business. Minimal education, sales oriented, tons of that stuff in California. I've got a few friends who are semi-retired in their lower 30's having done some of this. They've made cash that is mind boggling in investment real estate in California and other places across the country. Or you could do hygeine, prophy's, and fluoride tx's in your future spouses practice.

The difference between dentistry and dental school dentistry is light years. I finished dental school early and practiced in a private practice type clinic for underserved area and it was a kick in the pants. I hardly recognized what I was doing because it didn't remind me much of dental school. I think you'd be surprised when you actually get out and realize that you aren't as bad as the dental school instructors make you feel. I would definately take boards and keep this option open.

Another thought is to do anesthesia. Work with your new spouse's practice putting kids to sleep. This is a sweet skill but it will involve another 2 years. I love putting kids to sleep. Fast pace, quick on your toes, trouble shooting, more medicine oriented than dental. Good income- unlike my hygenist idea.

sorry but this is really getting to me. Why does NO one know how to spell the word definitely. Seriously look thru the posts....misspell any word, just not definitely....thanks.....

 

[esclavo]

sorry but this is really getting to me. Why does NO one know how to spell the word definitely. Seriously look thru the posts....misspell any word, just not definitely....thanks.....

Sorry... I know a few psychiatrists who could help you out with this thing that is really GETTING to you. Must be a nice life if this is as bad as it gets for you... left my english dictionary in my low-rider on the dash under the curtains next to the virgin guadalupe...

 

[Audio]

sorry but this is really getting to me. Why does NO one know how to spell the word definitely. Seriously look thru the posts....misspell any word, just not definitely....thanks.....

Stop being an ass. You wrote "thru" and not through. That pisses me off. OMG, I'm so angry right now. Why does everyone do that. I'm so furious. OMG OMG OMG

You get the idea, don't be an ass

 

[dentalman]

It also might be that I don't feel very confident in my abilities yet. The thought of practicing outside a dental school is so incredibly scary to me. I don't feel ready in any way.

What fourth years don't feel like that? I've heard from recent graduates that they learn a whole lot their first year out.

 

[Rocky5]

Sorry to hear about your situation..I dont have any new suggestions other than the ones that you were given already, but I hope everything works out for you.

 

[drhobie7]

There's also Orofacial Pain.

 

[jr8047]

It also might be that I don't feel very confident in my abilities yet. The thought of practicing outside a dental school is so incredibly scary to me. I don't feel ready in any way. I think if I felt extremely confident about me and dentistry - it would probably be different. I hate doing anything I'm not automatically good at.

Ok, One thing that is very clear to me after reading this is that you must purge forward and face your fear-that is practice dentistry. If you don't, you will always know that the reason why you didn't march forward even though others may not. This will stay with you forever and negatively impact your future indeavors. It is never wise to base a decision on fear alone. Be careful not to confuse your feelings of fear to practice (performance anxiety) as distaste for the profession-these are two distinct issues. Maybe you will not truly know how you feel about practicing dentistry until you face your fear. Good for you that you are talking about your fear with others for this is one way to work through it. Best of luck to you.

 

[esclavo]

Ok, One thing that is very clear to me after reading this is that you must purge forward and face your fear-that is practice dentistry. If you don't, you will always know that the reason why you didn't march forward even though others may not. This will stay with you forever and negatively impact your future indeavors. It is never wise to base a decision on fear alone. Be careful not to confuse your feelings of fear to practice (performance anxiety) as distaste for the profession-these are two distinct issues. Maybe you will not truly know how you feel about practicing dentistry until you face your fear. Good for you that you are talking about your fear with others for this is one way to work through it. Best of luck to you.

What a nice way of telling someone to toughen up and whip the "bully at the bus stop". Don't back down, fight like a wild banshee. I can't imagine dedicating years of my life to something and not coming out on top. Maybe a weekend but not 4+ frickin years. Nothing worth while will happen easily without a little fear factor involved.... What you need is to do is watch a weekend of nothing but John Wayne movies....that always gives me a chip on the shoulder and some grit in my teeth....

 

[DrRob]

Im 3 years out and I don't like dentistry that much - I just view it as a job and hopefully once my loans are paid off I can start to transitition into something else. But for now I just go to work and deal with it.

 

[dds2010]

I know there is a teaching shortage...evidenced by the "super seniors" that are now teaching on our clinic floor.

No teaching. I have absolutely no desire. Besides, if I haven't practiced, what good would I be to dental students??

How do you get into consulting?

HAHAHA!!! let me guess...."super seniors" from the hygiene department at SC?

 

[sjdent]

Wow! I left for a couple of days and I have gotten such a great response! Thanks to everyone who left constructive words of wisdom. I have gotten some fabulous ideas by now.

(And no.....the "super seniors" at my school are the um, leftover idiots who graduated last May but still haven't passed state boards, or taken them at all yet. They are now teaching at our school! How kind of my school to "hire" them! It is a great source of anger for me...... .......and actually it's sort of funny, too. Sigh. What can you do about it? Like complaining to faculty will help.......But I digress.......)

I agree with what someone said about me just not feeling confident enough. It's a problem for me. I do think I need to buckle down, practice, get some experience before I make any rash decisions. And as someone else said, how many people in this world really, truly love their profession and can't wait to go to work in the morning? OK, maybe that's pessimistic of me. But still.....it IS good money. And yes, I've heard that practicing dentistry in the real world vs. dental school dentistry is vastly different.

I mainly started this post to find out from some probably older dentists or other knowledgeable people about other careers in dentistry. I've emailed a couple of dental consultants about how they broke into their business, but haven't heard anything back. I certainly don't have aspirations to be a founder of a Levin Group-type company. And the thought of making half as much money in a so-so consulting firm is a little depressing. But these are ALL good options for me and food for thought. Much appreciation to those who contributed...and keep it coming!

 

[drhobie7]

There was some guy who graduated NYU and went to work for a loan consolidation company. Never practiced at all I believe. I think he's living pretty well now. Can't recall the name of the company. I think it's in FL.

 

[burton117]

Definititely if you're good with computers or find them interesting at all, look into Dental Software / Dental IT Management Consulting...

It could be interesting if you're IT saavy at all...

 

[burton117]

or how about "dental engineering."

There are a ton of medical devices, instruments, and materials in dentistry..

If you got a good idea.. give it a try!!