Is Dentistry Physically Strenuous?

[PAthrowaway]

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I was reading a few threads revolving around non-traditional students going to dental school and some mentioned it might not be worth it for older students because the work is physically strenuous so you wouldn't be able to do it into your older age and therefore it wouldn't be worth taking on the debt at an older age (I'm 30) and not having a long time to practice. Is this true (the physically strenuous part and not being able to practice when you're old)?

 

[molarballer]

Yes and no. You have to maintain good posture and good form throughout your whole career. If you don't, the stress on your wrist and on your back WILL accumulate. But old habits die hard.

 

[darknightzzz]

I was reading a few threads revolving around non-traditional students going to dental school and some mentioned it might not be worth it for older students because the work is physically strenuous so you wouldn't be able to do it into your older age and therefore it wouldn't be worth taking on the debt at an older age (I'm 30) and not having a long time to practice. Is this true (the physically strenuous part and not being able to practice when you're old)?

yep, the comment above. THe dentist I shadow just finds it easier to bend his back and neck to look into the patient rear molars and do the same for cleaning. He rarely uses the mirror though. 🙂)

 

[PAthrowaway]

Thank you guys for the replies. I wonder if older dentists who have been doing this for a long time have any specific input...

 

[Faux]

Loupes help a lot, no?

 

[Gen. Beauregard]

Loupes, yas.

 

[akog]

I know a dentist in his 60s who claims to never have had any neck or back problems. But his wife is a PT so there you go

 

[PointEstimate]

The thing I find hard with loupes is that after a day of looking through them (and with the bright light reflecting), my eyes get pretty tired; this is more so than staring at a computer screen all day though YMMV.

Definitely echoing that the job can be physically demanding and that the more important thing is that you do self maintenance (breaks, get up, stretches, posture, etc). I would also probably recommend strengthening your core to help with posture.

As for other parts, running after faculty members to check your stuff; that's pretty physically demanding.

 

[DocJL]

Dentistry is exceptionally physically demanding.

I remember twisting my neck and back in dental school to look into a pts mouth and having an instructor tell me I "wouldn't be able to do that forever", and thinking that because I worked out and was healthy, it wouldn't be a problem. I was very hard on my neck and back the first several years out of school, as I didn't really focus on being very ergonomic, and often just had tunnel vision on the procedure I was doing.

I had loupes from dental school, but usually only used them for endo.

When I first started making good money at a corporate office and then as an associate, there were many 10-12 hour days running 4 chairs, and I had many days where I really torqued my neck out. I spend a fare share of time and money going to chiropractors and becoming a member at Massage Envy and getting massages twice a week, with extra focus on my neck and shoulders.

Fast forward to today. I own my own office so only I get to decide how hard I want to work and how many pts I will see on any given day, and how many hours a week I want to work.

I wear loupes (I own 4 pair of varying power) for 90% of my treatment, only not using them for removable pros. I use a loupe mounted LED headlight (Lumadent is my favorite, but also have DFV) at all times, in fact, I sometimes don't even turn on my overhead operatory light, lol.

The key to preventing injury for me has been limiting how many patients and procedures I will do, and wearing loupes with the maximum declination angle and long working distance helps me to maintain the best posture. I do most procedures with the pt laid back very far, and use a mirror extensively. I also exercise regularly and I am very active - this also is key.

To the OP - you are 30 now - are you done with prerequisites and ready to apply? Because graduating dental school at 34 or 35 is NOT old. The oldest grad in my class was 40 or 41. We had 2 females that started with my class that were in their mid to late 40's D1 year, but both washed out to the class behind us, and one ended up dropping out.

 

[PAthrowaway]

Dentistry is exceptionally physically demanding.

I remember twisting my neck and back in dental school to look into a pts mouth and having an instructor tell me I "wouldn't be able to do that forever", and thinking that because I worked out and was healthy, it wouldn't be a problem. I was very hard on my neck and back the first several years out of school, as I didn't really focus on being very ergonomic, and often just had tunnel vision on the procedure I was doing.

I had loupes from dental school, but usually only used them for endo.

When I first started making good money at a corporate office and then as an associate, there were many 10-12 hour days running 4 chairs, and I had many days where I really torqued my neck out. I spend a fare share of time and money going to chiropractors and becoming a member at Massage Envy and getting massages twice a week, with extra focus on my neck and shoulders.

Fast forward to today. I own my own office so only I get to decide how hard I want to work and how many pts I will see on any given day, and how many hours a week I want to work.

I wear loupes (I own 4 pair of varying power) for 90% of my treatment, only not using them for removable pros. I use a loupe mounted LED headlight (Lumadent is my favorite, but also have DFV) at all times, in fact, I sometimes don't even turn on my overhead operatory light, lol.

The key to preventing injury for me has been limiting how many patients and procedures I will do, and wearing loupes with the maximum declination angle and long working distance helps me to maintain the best posture. I do most procedures with the pt laid back very far, and use a mirror extensively. I also exercise regularly and I am very active - this also is key.

To the OP - you are 30 now - are you done with prerequisites and ready to apply? Because graduating dental school at 34 or 35 is NOT old. The oldest grad in my class was 40 or 41. We had 2 females that started with my class that were in their mid to late 40's D1 year, but both washed out to the class behind us, and one ended up dropping out.

Thanks DocJL for the detailed reply. I still have to take Orgo and Physics, BUT I took Gen Chem and Biology a few years ago, so I have to contact dental schools and see if they would still accept it. So realistically I might be graduating when I'm 36-37. I hope that's not too old.

Since we're on the subject of age, how long does it usually take dentists to own their own office?

Also, random question, but are the 3rd and 4th years of dental school more demanding than the first two years or less demanding?

 

[DocJL]

Thanks DocJL for the detailed reply. I still have to take Orgo and Physics, BUT I took Gen Chem and Biology a few years ago, so I have to contact dental schools and see if they would still accept it. So realistically I might be graduating when I'm 36-37. I hope that's not too old.

Since we're on the subject of age, how long does it usually take dentists to own their own office?

Also, random question, but are the 3rd and 4th years of dental school more demanding than the first two years or less demanding?

Search some of my recent posts - I have gone into some detail on dental school debt and it's effect on potential income and practice ownership.

Also, on the topic of age, I would say most dentists practice at least until their late 60's, so you will still be looking at a 30 plus year career. Unless you already have a rewarding career that you enjoy, you are still looking at dentistry in plenty of time to make a change. There were lots of guys in my class who it was a 2nd career for (engineers, medical lab techs, even a Phd who was a researcher for a couple of years).

As far as the first 2 years vs the last 2 years, that would depend on who you ask, lol. And that would depend on if they are the academically gifted type, or if they are better with their hands (clinical skills). Some people are good at both.

Regardless, it is fair to say that pretty much the entire 4 years of dental school suck. Big time.

I came across this blog that pretty much sums it up - read the comments too:

http://thedentalwarrior.com/2011/12/20/25-years-later-dental-school-still-sucks/

 

[andreadds]

My husband and I are both dentists and I think we would both answer yes.
My husband used to work 5 days/week and his neck used to hurt. Now that he dropped to 4.5 days one week and 3.5 days the next his neck pain is gone. I work 3.5 days/week and I get middle of the back and shoulder pain. Trapezius. I have to get massages every week and a half to control it.
hope this helps

 

[ktran17]

It's physically demanding so you have to make sure your diet, exercise routine, and ergonomics are great!

For example, If you can't do 10 wide grip (palm facing away) pull ups from dead hang your back muscles aren't trained enough. I especially focus on core, upper and lower back muscles.

 

[PAthrowaway]

Thank you all for the responses!

 

[irishmom]

I have been a hygienistfor over 10 years. Loupes, ergonomic chairs and proper posture. Still my neck hurts sometimes and I see a PT and Message therapist regularly.

 

[PAthrowaway]

Thanks irishmom. Based on your signature, it seems you're currently in dental school. How is that going?

 

[irishmom]

Thanks irishmom. Based on your signature, it seems your currently in dental school. How is that going?

I start this fall. I'll let you know then.😉

 

[PAthrowaway]

I start this fall. I'll let you know then.😉

Haha, sounds good.

 

[tooth knockn]

I once knew a doctor who worked standing up to avoid and back issues....


This is how I plan to work

 

[irishmom]

I once knew a doctor who worked standing up to avoid and back issues....


This is how I plan to work

Let me dash those hopes for you.🙄

I had a patient about 2 months ago. She had had macular hole surgery about 2-3 week prior to her appt. Macular hole surgery cosists of injecting an air bubble into a patients eye and the air bubble plugs up the hole, so to speak. After this surgery you have to lay on your stomach with your head down on a bed that can only be described as a modified massage table for 7 to 10 days. With breaks only to go to the bathroom. So here we are ~3 weeks later. The bubble had not completely dissolved yet, so she canot lay back. AT ALL. After cleaning her teeth in a completely upright posistion, which requires me to stand for entire appt my back and feet hurt like a mo fo.

So no, I will not be doing standing dentistry. (Unless I need to ext a particularly hard tooth...LOL)