income ortho vs. peds

[ScorpiORTHO]

Do you guys think orthodontists will make more money in the future or pediatric dentists? Just curious. I'm also interested in seeing why pediatric dentists are making more money than they used to.

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[LeFort]

Here is my analysis of the situation: I don't really think that either will make significantly more than the other in the future... Although paediatric dentists' income grew faster than any other specialty over the past 15 years (and faster than ortho, its need vs demand). Paediatric dentistry has come a long way in terms of shortage of practitionners... on the other hand, both ortho and paedo will be facing the same situation where a lot of practionners will be retiring in the coming years... However in both areas, some markets are saturated. But in general, paediatric dentistry will continue to enjoy a healthy growth because parents nowadays are more aware than ever before of the importance of seeing a paediatric dentist. The paediatric population in the United States will also keep growing as this country has one of the highest birth rates in the industrialized countries (way more babies than in Europe). More disposable income in the hispano-american community will mean more paedatric patients that are fee-for-service and that can afford dental care. As for sedation and its role in paedo, I see two opposing currents now forming, one that advocates more sedation training (to be able to administer IV sedation in paediatric patients for instance) and another trends that advocates status quo or even doing less sedation and using a anaesthesiologist. However, I cannot predict how sedation and its practice will influence income. But there will be a definite trend that parents will want more sedation and less restraint. Actually, in the United Kingdom, its is forbidden to use a papoose board. Use it and you are illegal and can be sued, whatever your consent was. An item that can drive the incomes up in paediatric dentistry is maybe esthetics. Paediatric esthetics will become more and more important. And the parents are ready to pay the price. Do you know how much they charge for a preveneered SSC in Greenwich, CT? Some people are even doing CEREC (!) in the primary dentition, I see those things coming. Go back in the 17th century and try to tell people that one day women will get implants to have bigger breasts, people would think that it is so pointless. Last but not least, the American Academy of Pediatric dentistry is doing a magnificient job lobbying for the specialty, so I think America is the best place in the world to be a paediatric dentist.

 

[capisce?]

Do you guys think orthodontists will make more money in the future or pediatric dentists? Just curious. I'm also interested in seeing why pediatric dentists are making more money than they used to.

Who cares? The only reason I can fathom you being curious is you feel a need to be in the one that makes the most money. Otherwise, i can't possibly think of a legitimate reason for wanting to know the answer to that type of question, one that no one here or anywhere for that matter can give you the answer to.

Here's the answer you need: both will make more money than 1 person needs in this lifetime.

 

[Billy Gilmore]

Do you guys think orthodontists will make more money in the future or pediatric dentists? Just curious. I'm also interested in seeing why pediatric dentists are making more money than they used to.

The question she meant to ask is:

Would I make more money as an orthodontist or pediatric dentist?

My answer to you is you can make plenty of money as a general dentist so if that is all you are after maybe you shouldn't choose either field.

 

[aphistis]

Who cares? The only reason I can fathom you being curious is you feel a need to be in the one that makes the most money. Otherwise, i can't possibly think of a legitimate reason for wanting to know the answer to that type of question, one that no one here or anywhere for that matter can give you the answer to.

Here's the answer you need: both will make more money than 1 person needs in this lifetime.

+1.

 

[Austin1]

+1.

+2.

 

[ScorpiORTHO]

+3 Thank you all. Mostly thanks to the first reply.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Here's the answer you need: both will make more money than 1 person needs in this lifetime.

Yes, more than one person needs but not enough to support a wife. 🙂

 

[capisce?]

Yes, more than one person needs but not enough to support a wife. 🙂

I was waiting until someone was going to point that out 😉

Gotta keep the wifey in check, that's for sure.

 

[wizziefiend]

Yes, more than one person needs but not enough to support a wife. 🙂

haha, my boss always tells me to keep this in mind when choosing between GP or specialization.



So when I was a kid I only went to the dentist to get sealents, flouride treatment and cleanings. I don't think my dentist made a whole lot of money on me and it's not like I brushed all the time at home.

So what does a pediatric dentist do that results in such high incomes relative to GP??

 

[capisce?]

So when I was a kid I only went to the dentist to get sealents, flouride treatment and cleanings. I don't think my dentist made a whole lot of money on me and it's not like I brushed all the time at home.

So what does a pediatric dentist do that results in such high incomes relative to GP??

Exactly what you said above...sealants, fluoride treatment and cleanings (throw in x-rays too). It's all about volume, volume, volume. A lot of a practice's income is dependent on generating recalls. As my mentor has said, he earns what he brings in pretty much from "slingin prophy paste".

 

[wizziefiend]

Exactly what you said above...sealants, fluoride treatment and cleanings (throw in x-rays too). It's all about volume, volume, volume. A lot of a practice's income is dependent on generating recalls. As my mentor has said, he earns what he brings in pretty much from "slingin prophy paste".

That's interesting. I don't think I could do peds though. Not that I would be incapable, I just don't think I have the right personality to get kids comfortable in a dental setting. Maybe I can work on it and play with the UV gun all day long.

 

[USAF_Dentman]

Couldnt you set up a GP practice that is high volume like a pedo office?

 

[aphistis]

Exactly what you said above...sealants, fluoride treatment and cleanings (throw in x-rays too). It's all about volume, volume, volume. A lot of a practice's income is dependent on generating recalls. As my mentor has said, he earns what he brings in pretty much from "slingin prophy paste".

Does he do any of his own hygiene, or does he get enough DDS-only stuff to fill his time?

 

[Sommy]

Does he do any of his own hygiene, or does he get enough DDS-only stuff to fill his time?

I wish this thread would fade away...
The thing is that I secretly wish that pedo made the same as gp, because I don't want anyone doing it for any other reason than for the 😍 I think it is best for all those concerned. If you come from s#*t, like me, there is no difference between the huge amount that a gp makes and possibly even huger amount that a pedo makes, except that you get to see the kids' faces. Maybe my humble opinion is the minority, but I just thought....

 

[capisce?]

Does he do any of his own hygiene, or does he get enough DDS-only stuff to fill his time?

He has enough to keep him busy with operative and checking post-prophy by the hygienists. He doesn't do any of the prophies.

A lot of offices will have assistants to do coronal polishing. In NC, they can after a 7 hr CE. To bill out as a prophy, the dentist has to physcially touch the teeth with a scaler. Even for pedo....insurance is a weird thing. To lower overhead, a lot of pedos will just employ assistants and not hygienists. I guess the reality is very few kids will have calculus so coronal polishing is all that's needed. For the teens that do need the scaling, then the DDS will do it.

 

[musiq]

I could not imagine doing that just for the money. I have a two year old and I do not like brushing his teeth. I couldn't imagine working in a child's mouth all day.