Im worried.

[TheDarkTooth]

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I'm about to start my junior year in college. For the longest time, I know I've wanted to go into the dental field. I'm not too worried about getting into dental school as my grade are pretty good, but, I'm more worried about the debt ill accumulate, and the lifestyle after I graduate.

So, basically..
1.) How much debt does the average person graduate from dental school with? Do a lot of people have trouble paying it off?

2.) I've always heard that lifestyle as a dentist is great. I've even talked to my dentist about it, and he says he has a great lifestyle, but he did mention that his kids never really played sports. If my kids decide to play sports, I'd like to be able to coach them, or at least see their games, would this possible as a dentist?

3.) Do any of you guys know of anyone who has regrets about going into dental school?

Thanks,
TheDarkTooth

 

[threeblindmice]

I'm about to start my junior year in college. For the longest time, I know I've wanted to go into the dental field. I'm not too worried about getting into dental school as my grade are pretty good, but, I'm more worried about the debt ill accumulate, and the lifestyle after I graduate.

So, basically..
1.) How much debt does the average person graduate from dental school with? Do a lot of people have trouble paying it off?

2.) I've always heard that lifestyle as a dentist is great. I've even talked to my dentist about it, and he says he has a great lifestyle, but he did mention that his kids never really played sports. If my kids decide to play sports, I'd like to be able to coach them, or at least see their games, would this possible as a dentist?

3.) Do any of you guys know of anyone who has regrets about going into dental school?

Thanks,
TheDarkTooth

1) Its not just the debt from school that is hard, its also the debt from buying a practice or starting a practice. Some can come out of dental school with $200,000 debt and then take out another $500,000 to buy a practice. Then there is the debt of buying a house, which you might not think is important but your wife will. Say your wife wants a $300,000 home, if you do the math you're at $1,000,000 in debt and interest starts as soon as you graduate. 2) you pick your own hours as a dentist but if you have $1,000,000 debt you are working 5-6 days a week 12 hour days for at least five years just to get on top of stuff before the 4 day work week that you hear about can start. 3) Some dentists regret their career choice (although not the majority) and sadly the suicide rate for dentists seems to be higher than the general population. (although people have suggested its because dentists are more successful at suicide than other professions due to accessibility of drugs)

 

[ajusf16]

HOw about going into dental school with debt, I wonder if there is a stat on that? Over $250k 🙂

 

[shiftypoptart]

jeez what undergrad cost 250,000$? what a rip off... And I thought UC's were expensive lol.

 

[ajusf16]

jeez what undergrad cost 250,000$? what a rip off... And I thought UC's were expensive lol.

nothing to do with school, paid for school out of pocket, it is a house

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

Get your parents to pay for your schooling 😎

 

[youknowthedrill]

If you truly want to become a dentist- go for it. You will have a ton of debt when you finish, but you have some control over the amount. Attend your state school and keep your lifestyle simple. When you finish dental school just keep your standard of living at a modest level while you build your practice. Pay off your debt as soon as you can. I have two close friends who are general dentists. One works 3 1/2 days/wk and the other works 4 days/wk. They have both chosen to spend lots of time with their family and they still have a nice standard of living.

 

[eliot81]

You could skip the dental school debt by joining the Armed Forces on one of the HPSP scholarships.....You will owe them back a year of work for every year they pay for school though and then you owe another few years in the reserves.

 

[ajusf16]

You could skip the dental school debt by joining the Armed Forces on one of the HPSP scholarships.....You will owe them back a year of work for every year they pay for school though and then you owe another few years in the reserves.

I am thinking of looking into this, they pay school, and boarding correct? Plus a signing bonus?