I'm at a real impasse!!!

[mpatel24]

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Hi, I love and enjoy the medical field and cannot see myself doing anything. I love medicine and dentistry both equally, however, I think that medicine might be a little bit more interesting than dentistry. On the other hand, private dentistry is also the perfect mixture between business and medicine, which i am really fond of.

My father is a very successful dentist and keeps on urging me to become a dentist so I can join him on expanding his practice. He also says, even though medicine may be more interesting, any job regardless of it being medicine or dentistry will seem boring after 10 years into your career.

What are your thoughts? I know I cannot go wrong with both careers, but is it foolish of me to give up such a great opportunity of being a dentist? I am very grateful and know it is very tough to start out as a dentist (i.e. investing large amounts of money to start up a practice, etc.).

 

[jeffity]

More than 10 years of school gets a little dry too.

Tell me more about the interesting part of medicine. I think you have a good gig with father.

 

[mpatel24]

The human body seems to fascinate me. If I do become a surgeon, I will be intrigued by performing lifesaving surgery everyday. I like the challenges of the various techniques and diagnosis a doctor may perform. The pay is not bad also haha.

Likewise, with dentistry I will also be working with my hands. The lifestyle and salary is just amazing. In addition, my dad's patients keep telling me how talented my dad is. It will be an honor learning from him and his advices.

 

[NMC2010]

Ah! You realize you can be both a dentist and surgeon? You can be an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you love both surgery and dentistry. Make sure you do shadowing of different allopathic/osteopathic/dental doctors to see what would be best suited for you. I'm guessing your dad is a general dentist? Maybe some of the other avenues would strike your fancy.

I'm with jeffity though - your dad seems like he could offer you a pretty sweet setup, plus working with 'ol pap would be nice if you're close. I think any career can become boring, really. It is what you make of it. You can have the the attitude that it's going to be just another day of seeing patients and treating and diagnosing people, or you can find ways to extract joy out of anything you do. The choice is up to you!

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

The human body seems to fascinate me. If I do become a surgeon, I will be intrigued by performing lifesaving surgery everyday. I like the challenges of the various techniques and diagnosis a doctor may perform. The pay is not bad also haha.

Likewise, with dentistry I will also be working with my hands. The lifestyle and salary is just amazing. In addition, my dad's patients keep telling me how talented my dad is. It will be an honor learning from him and his advices.

Very few surgeons get to perform life saving surgery, let alone on a daily basis. Sounds like you may have a bit of an idealistic view of surgery (and possible medicine in general).

Looks like you have a great thing going with your dad. If you don't have an overwhelming desire to become a physician, I would take what's in front of you.

 

[bambam92]

Sounds like you have a tempting offer from your dad there! I have shadowed both MD' and DMD's and respect both. They both provide challenge, nice income, intellectually stimulating, and reward. The lifestyle will almost always be better on the dentist side of the fence. However, like you are alluding to undoubtedly medicine is more diverse and interesting than dentistry. One could argue it is more intellectually stimulating as well. Primary care docs and general dentists are probably equal on par, but if you look at an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon I don't think any specialty dental offers can match up to the demand and intellectual depth involved that these high end specialties of medicine have to offer. (I realize were on a dental forum here just saying what I have observed in my fairly extensive shadowing of both fields.) But one must realize that with dentistry you can work 40 hours, whereas with the before mentioned medical specialties you would likely average 80+ hours a week. Essentially go into medicine if you can't picture yourself doing anything else. If not dentistry is a great gig, and you can have a life outside your career! I realize this is on a dental forum--just be aware I respect both careers! I view it as choosing between a BMW and Mercedes--both nice🙂

 

[Minion]

Do you really want someone's life on your hands? How would you tell the family that the surgery was unsuccessful? Do you want to present them the bad news ?

 

[vsun]

Do you really want someone's life on your hands? How would you tell the family that the surgery was unsuccessful? Do you want to present them the bad news ?

+1

Sounds like you got a good setup continuing your family's trade. Not many people have that opportunity. I would go towards dentistry just for the sake of continuing your family's business. I think its really great that there's a tradition like that, having returning patients, and making real lasting connections with people.

 

[steiner2]

Hi, I love and enjoy the medical field and cannot see myself doing anything. I love medicine and dentistry both equally, however, I think that medicine might be a little bit more interesting than dentistry. On the other hand, private dentistry is also the perfect mixture between business and medicine, which i am really fond of.

My father is a very successful dentist and keeps on urging me to become a dentist so I can join him on expanding his practice. He also says, even though medicine may be more interesting, any job regardless of it being medicine or dentistry will seem boring after 10 years into your career.

What are your thoughts? I know I cannot go wrong with both careers, but is it foolish of me to give up such a great opportunity of being a dentist? I am very grateful and know it is very tough to start out as a dentist (i.e. investing large amounts of money to start up a practice, etc.).

Well, one of my best friends is a cardiologist. He says, "trust me, don't believe the BS ppl tell you, being a doctor is totally worth it." My sister in law the internist says, "I should have been a dentist, so much work for little pay and hoops to jump." My brother, the other med specialist hates Obamacare and is thinking of retiring when he reaches 45 in a couple of years here. My wife, the dentist, is paying off loans still and drives a 2007 Civic. My other friend went to med school, didnt do his residency, and went to do what he wanted versus what his dad, the doctor wanted him to be, is back doing his residency after slumming it for 3 years. My co-worker is interviewing for med school right now and cant wait to be a doctor. He's a pretty darn smart guy with a 4.0. It would be a waste if he was not a doctor. The grass is always greener on the other side.

 

[steiner2]

Do you really want someone's life on your hands? How would you tell the family that the surgery was unsuccessful? Do you want to present them the bad news ?

That's such a not well thought out answer. Someone has to have the guts to do surgery and have the balls to tell a family member that. America is #1 in the world for obesity. What do you think? A shortage of heart surgery in this country? Strive to be a good surgeon while knowing your limitations that we all must die one day. We can't go blaming doctors every time a patient dies. They are only medical professionals not a deity.

 

[Minion]

That's such a not well thought out answer. Someone has to have the guts to do surgery and have the balls to tell a family member that. America is #1 in the world for obesity. What do you think? A shortage of heart surgery in this country? Strive to be a good surgeon while knowing your limitations that we all must die one day. We can't go blaming doctors every time a patient dies. They are only medical professionals not a deity.

All you said holds true, but there are several people in the world would consider otherwise.

the world put so much emphasis on what a doctor can do. if a procedure does not work, or the patient is more in pain. Then people are going to start blaming doctors.

I know, I seen it several times. Hear a lot about it too.

Some people would say, "I can't believe he even got into medical school."