is dentistry right fit for me

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hmp12

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Hello everyone
I'm considering career between dentistry and pharmacy.
I'm currently at 2nd year of college as a business major.
I was wondering if I can get some of you experts opinions on whether dentistry is right fit for me.
To introduce little bit about myself, I'm a 1.5 generation immigrant, so English is not my first language. I'm definitely not an outgoing person, but not too shy either. I like to have procedures or guidelines when I'm doing something. I like talking with people if they have similar interest with me, and I don't like strangers too much. But, I have been working as a waiter for past 2 year, so I can put up with any rude people. Also, although I'm not an outgoing person, when I'm working I can pretty much talk to anyone from my work experience. I helped my dad to learn the business as well so I have prior knowledge and experience on how to run my own business. The thing that I'm concerning about the dentistry is that I'm not a big fan of the drilling sound that comes out of the dental office. But, I'm sure it would not be a big deal with training. Also, I have neck and back problem from the car accident. I asked my chiropractor and he told me that I need to receive the treatment continuously if I want to become a dentist. The reason that I like about the dentistry is the life style and of course the money. Also, the respect that I get from people. I thought about going into medicine, but I just can't see myself disecting human body and perform surgery on it. Also, my last concern is that with 8 more dental schools opening up, would that have a great impact on Dentist's salary? I like to decide what I want to do with my work so dentistry attract me more than pharmacy. I think being a dentist would give me more control of what I do with the job. Pharmacy would give me less stress and stable salary, but having potential of making more money as a dentist attracts me more.... I know I'm considering too much abou the money, but is this career right fit for me?

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I didn't think dentists made much (or any) more than pharmacists, unless you mean specialists, but you're not guaranteed to become a specialist (or a dentist or a pharmacist for that matter, but you know... one step at a time) so you shouldn't depend on that when making your decision.

Btw, yes you are considering money too much. What happens if you don't become a specialist and you are "stuck" doing general dentistry with a crappy neck and back? Or even if you do specialize, is another $100K+ worth extra stress and physical pain? After taxes, that extra 100k is 60k anyway :p Sounds like the wrong job for you.

I wouldn't want to see a dentist who hates his job, but picked it because of money and "respect". Be a pharmacist, relax, make good money, and as long as you can read and count (or know how to use the counting machine), you wont screw up anyone else's life.
 
general dentist makes more than pharmacist. shadow both and whatever fits u better.
If you wanna go for an easier way go for pharm school
 
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...I thought about going into medicine, but I just can't see myself disecting human body and perform surgery on it....

Ummm...medicine doesn't necessarily = surgery
 
and DDS= surgery for in side the mouth
 
I didn't think dentists made much (or any) more than pharmacists, unless you mean specialists, but you're not guaranteed to become a specialist (or a dentist or a pharmacist for that matter, but you know... one step at a time) so you shouldn't depend on that when making your decision.

Btw, yes you are considering money too much. What happens if you don't become a specialist and you are "stuck" doing general dentistry with a crappy neck and back? Or even if you do specialize, is another $100K+ worth extra stress and physical pain? After taxes, that extra 100k is 60k anyway :p Sounds like the wrong job for you.

I wouldn't want to see a dentist who hates his job, but picked it because of money and "respect". Be a pharmacist, relax, make good money, and as long as you can read and count (or know how to use the counting machine), you wont screw up anyone else's life.

My dentist feels the same way.. he said I made the right choice going to pharmacy when I talked to him about how I chose pharmacy but thought about dentistry. That the job is less stressful on the body.
 
My dentist feels the same way.. he said I made the right choice going to pharmacy when I talked to him about how I chose pharmacy but thought about dentistry. That the job is less stressful on the body.

There's something called exercising to strengthen your body. You might wanna give it a try. A dentist I shadowed told me to learn to use the correct posture. With those 2 things, you should be fine. You should've stuck with dentistry.
 
Hello everyone
I'm considering career between dentistry and pharmacy.
I'm currently at 2nd year of college as a business major.
I was wondering if I can get some of you experts opinions on whether dentistry is right fit for me.
To introduce little bit about myself, I'm a 1.5 generation immigrant, so English is not my first language. I'm definitely not an outgoing person, but not too shy either. I like to have procedures or guidelines when I'm doing something. I like talking with people if they have similar interest with me, and I don't like strangers too much. But, I have been working as a waiter for past 2 year, so I can put up with any rude people. Also, although I'm not an outgoing person, when I'm working I can pretty much talk to anyone from my work experience. I helped my dad to learn the business as well so I have prior knowledge and experience on how to run my own business. The thing that I'm concerning about the dentistry is that I'm not a big fan of the drilling sound that comes out of the dental office. But, I'm sure it would not be a big deal with training. Also, I have neck and back problem from the car accident. I asked my chiropractor and he told me that I need to receive the treatment continuously if I want to become a dentist. The reason that I like about the dentistry is the life style and of course the money. Also, the respect that I get from people. I thought about going into medicine, but I just can't see myself disecting human body and perform surgery on it. Also, my last concern is that with 8 more dental schools opening up, would that have a great impact on Dentist's salary? I like to decide what I want to do with my work so dentistry attract me more than pharmacy. I think being a dentist would give me more control of what I do with the job. Pharmacy would give me less stress and stable salary, but having potential of making more money as a dentist attracts me more.... I know I'm considering too much abou the money, but is this career right fit for me?

All things considered, I think that Pharmacy is a better fit for you.
 
sounds like you sold yourself on pharmacy.
 
Hello everyone
I I thought about going into medicine, but I just can't see myself disecting human body and perform surgery on it.

uhh. Unless you go to NYU. Dental school = dissecting human body. 99% of being a dentist = performing surgery on the oral cavity. So LOL? Is this thread even serious?
 
Pharmacists can make good money and own their own pharmacy/ store (whatever). Dentistry is all about surgery and a bit more demanding than pharmacy. So, like others have indicated, shadow both and then make your decision, since money really isn't an issue for either profession.:thumbup:
 
I didn't think dentists made much (or any) more than pharmacists, unless you mean specialists, but you're not guaranteed to become a specialist (or a dentist or a pharmacist for that matter, but you know... one step at a time) so you shouldn't depend on that when making your decision.

Btw, yes you are considering money too much. What happens if you don't become a specialist and you are "stuck" doing general dentistry with a crappy neck and back? Or even if you do specialize, is another $100K+ worth extra stress and physical pain? After taxes, that extra 100k is 60k anyway :p Sounds like the wrong job for you.

I wouldn't want to see a dentist who hates his job, but picked it because of money and "respect". Be a pharmacist, relax, make good money, and as long as you can read and count (or know how to use the counting machine), you wont screw up anyone else's life.

You pretty much said everything I was going to say. I went into dental school wanting only ortho. Not thinking about how bad my life would be if I was stuck doing general dentistry for the rest of my life. General dentist do not make more than a pharmacist, unless they open up their own practice. (However, opening up your own practice will cost around 1-5 million dollars plus you have to add your dental school loans) You only make more money if you PUT IN MORE money. I rather be a pharmacist owe ~60K and make 110K a year doing a very clean, non-bloody, non-smelly, job. ;)
 
Man, some of y'all are way harsh on outsiders! Its naive of all of us to think dentistry isn't appealing for the money aspect, but yes, we all need to keep it in perspective as one earns what one works for. You're also kidding yourselves if you think the neck and back pain associated with leaning over all day isn't going to get to you...its just a matter of exercising and keeping as healthy as possible. Anyway, as for the OP, it sounds like you might be getting into dentistry for the wrong reasons. It's so cliche, but money does not buy happiness, so don't hesitate to open your mind- shadow a pharmacist, shadow a dentist, and keep in mind which of these careers you can picture YOURSELF doing for 20+ years.
 
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8 more schools opening up? easier to get in by the day.
 
You pretty much said everything I was going to say. I went into dental school wanting only ortho. Not thinking about how bad my life would be if I was stuck doing general dentistry for the rest of my life. General dentist do not make more than a pharmacist, unless they open up their own practice. (However, opening up your own practice will cost around 1-5 million dollars plus you have to add your dental school loans) You only make more money if you PUT IN MORE money. I rather be a pharmacist owe ~60K and make 110K a year doing a very clean, non-bloody, non-smelly, job. ;)


welcome baaaaaaaaack, SHC. weren't you the one that was deciding between Columbia and Penn Dental for the longest time EVER last cycle??!?! and now pharmacy??? :confused:
 
You pretty much said everything I was going to say. I went into dental school wanting only ortho. Not thinking about how bad my life would be if I was stuck doing general dentistry for the rest of my life. General dentist do not make more than a pharmacist, unless they open up their own practice. (However, opening up your own practice will cost around 1-5 million dollars plus you have to add your dental school loans) You only make more money if you PUT IN MORE money. I rather be a pharmacist owe ~60K and make 110K a year doing a very clean, non-bloody, non-smelly, job. ;)

what the heck SHC1984, i thought you were a predent?? what's going on with all the pharmacy talk now?

anyway, to the OP, where did you hear from that 8 more dental schools are opening up?
 
I think I should chime in here a bit in regards to the school and career of a Pharmacist. My perspective comes from my fiancee is a recent grad and working in retail pharmacy, who I dated since her 2nd year in school.

I don't know how hard dentistry and dental school are, since I think that perspective should be left to people who are actually in dental school or are dentists already (or know one of either very very well, and know that person isn't just lazy or unhappy with their choices -- see bad perspective).

Pharmacy school is not easy. You do far more chemistry/pharmacokinetics than any dental school curriculum I've seen(they also have a very very intense set of courses "drugs and diseases" dealing with basically every body system and related pathology and treatment, not a joke at all). Academically, this should be important to think about for you. Something you should also research is where you might stand when applying to a pharmacy school, my fiancee's university will not give you advanced standing beyond the 3rd year (there are 6 years typically, some 5, some up to 8 I believe). And even then, you would have to have the same dental school pre-reqs completed to receive any advanced standing (except physics I think, but I know they do orgo, gen chem, and bio in those first 2 years, at least at her school). So timewise investment, there probably isn't a huge difference. One thing nice about pharmacy is that many schools do not require an admission test, so not having to take the DAT could be a nice bonus. They also usually have a year of clinicals, where you rotate through (she did 13 sites), hospitals, private pharmacies, retail, etc, where you will have to do everything from menial work, rounds with and work with the physicians in various ICUs, write detail papers and do presentations, possibly do research, she even had one instance where she visited homeless shelters for the mentally ill, and traveled in a van helping out homeless/HIV/AIDS patients. (So yeah, it's not all chemistry ;D)

In relation to the job itself, it is not, and I repeat NOT, just counting pills. I suggest, as others have, that you shadow a pharmacist or two, and if possible visit a pharmacy school and actually talk to the educators there. You can also think about what a pharmacist can do other than running a private pharmacy; you can work in the hosital environment, and you can even do PGY1 and 2s to specialize in clinical pharmacy which has many specialties. Something else to really consider with what you said about your personality, pharmacy work is very intensive with people interaction, it's probably one of the "worst" aspects of pharmacy even if you enjoy talking to random people (I know a lot of pharmacists, it happens when you're attached to one). Another highly aggravating issue in pharmacy is dealing with insurance companies, which is a daily thing and can easily add up to many hours of phone calls; really not sure if dentists have this issue, though I would think that their assistants in the office might do a lot of that stuff for them.

I have yet to even do my first shadowing of a dentist (hope to this winter break once finals are over, next week, yay!), but from seeing dentist regularly twice a year from as long as my memories go back, across the civillian world and military, I don't think you need to deal with heavy duty talking and personal interaction with the patients (please don't take this as fact or assertion, I really don't know specifically). I've always thought that dentists are highly at risk for back/neck/hand issues, but maybe that's also a bad assumption. Either way, it sounds like you might have issues with either career, though not in the way of salary at least. Just don't assume that pharmacy academically and in work will be some simple thing compared to parallels in dentistry.

Anyway, hope that helps!
 
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what the heck SHC1984, i thought you were a predent?? what's going on with all the pharmacy talk now?

anyway, to the OP, where did you hear from that 8 more dental schools are opening up?


SHC did something I have tremendous respect for:

She realized that she was applying to dental school and that did not guarantee her a spot in an ortho residency. She decided that she would not be happy with general dentistry if she didn't make it into ortho so she has decided to pursue pharmacy.

I have so much respect for this. She took a step back and realized just how difficult the path ahead of her was and made her own decision.

I just walked out of my gross anatomy final and I want to grab every "pre-OMFS-dent" on this board and just shake them!
 
quite an interesting decision from SHC1984 who got accepted to dental school and change carrer to pharmacy. what was the main reason that you changed your field? and was the decision worth it?
 
I think I should chime in here a bit in regards to the school and career of a Pharmacist. My perspective comes from my fiancee is a recent grad and working in retail pharmacy, who I dated since her 2nd year in school.

I don't know how hard dentistry and dental school are, since I think that perspective should be left to people who are actually in dental school or are dentists already (or know one of either very very well, and know that person isn't just lazy or unhappy with their choices -- see bad perspective).

Pharmacy school is not easy. You do far more chemistry/pharmacokinetics than any dental school curriculum I've seen(they also have a very very intense set of courses "drugs and diseases" dealing with basically every body system and related pathology and treatment, not a joke at all). Academically, this should be important to think about for you. Something you should also research is where you might stand when applying to a pharmacy school, my fiancee's university will not give you advanced standing beyond the 3rd year (there are 6 years typically, some 5, some up to 8 I believe). And even then, you would have to have the same dental school pre-reqs completed to receive any advanced standing (except physics I think, but I know they do orgo, gen chem, and bio in those first 2 years, at least at her school). So timewise investment, there probably isn't a huge difference. One thing nice about pharmacy is that many schools do not require an admission test, so not having to take the DAT could be a nice bonus. They also usually have a year of clinicals, where you rotate through (she did 13 sites), hospitals, private pharmacies, retail, etc, where you will have to do everything from menial work, rounds with and work with the physicians in various ICUs, write detail papers and do presentations, possibly do research, she even had one instance where she visited homeless shelters for the mentally ill, and traveled in a van helping out homeless/HIV/AIDS patients. (So yeah, it's not all chemistry ;D)

In relation to the job itself, it is not, and I repeat NOT, just counting pills. I suggest, as others have, that you shadow a pharmacist or two, and if possible visit a pharmacy school and actually talk to the educators there. You can also think about what a pharmacist can do other than running a private pharmacy; you can work in the hosital environment, and you can even do PGY1 and 2s to specialize in clinical pharmacy which has many specialties. Something else to really consider with what you said about your personality, pharmacy work is very intensive with people interaction, it's probably one of the "worst" aspects of pharmacy even if you enjoy talking to random people (I know a lot of pharmacists, it happens when you're attached to one). Another highly aggravating issue in pharmacy is dealing with insurance companies, which is a daily thing and can easily add up to many hours of phone calls; really not sure if dentists have this issue, though I would think that their assistants in the office might do a lot of that stuff for them.

I have yet to even do my first shadowing of a dentist (hope to this winter break once finals are over, next week, yay!), but from seeing dentist regularly twice a year from as long as my memories go back, across the civillian world and military, I don't think you need to deal with heavy duty talking and personal interaction with the patients (please don't take this as fact or assertion, I really don't know specifically). I've always thought that dentists are highly at risk for back/neck/hand issues, but maybe that's also a bad assumption. Either way, it sounds like you might have issues with either career, though not in the way of salary at least. Just don't assume that pharmacy academically and in work will be some simple thing compared to parallels in dentistry.

Anyway, hope that helps!

I know pharmacy school is just as hard as dental school. I was accepted to 4 dental schools and could do the work, that wasn't the reason I quit.

I know retail can be stressful. I am working as a pharmacy tech right now. It was hard at first but I am a fast learner...the ONLY thing I don't like now is dealing with customers asking me a million questions when I am trying to do my work. :laugh::rolleyes:

I also don't care for the nasty stories....I don't want to hear nor do I care about anyone's body parts or bodily fluids.

However overall I think pharmacy is a better fit for me b/c I just don't like touching people, I don't like blood and do not feel like looking into someone's mouth for the rest of my life.
 
I know pharmacy school is just as hard as dental school. I was accepted to 4 dental schools and could do the work, that wasn't the reason I quit.

I know retail can be stressful. I am working as a pharmacy tech right now. It was hard at first but I am a fast learner...the ONLY thing I don't like now is dealing with customers asking me a million questions when I am trying to do my work. :laugh::rolleyes:

I also don't care for the nasty stories....I don't want to hear nor do I care about anyone's body parts or bodily fluids.

However overall I think pharmacy is a better fit for me b/c I just don't like touching people, I don't like blood and do not feel like looking into someone's mouth for the rest of my life.

you don't like dealing with people. you don't like bodily functions. why are you in a healthcare field then
 
SHC did something I have tremendous respect for:

She realized that she was applying to dental school and that did not guarantee her a spot in an ortho residency. She decided that she would not be happy with general dentistry if she didn't make it into ortho so she has decided to pursue pharmacy.

I have so much respect for this. She took a step back and realized just how difficult the path ahead of her was and made her own decision.

I just walked out of my gross anatomy final and I want to grab every "pre-OMFS-dent" on this board and just shake them!

right...i was in her shoes a year ago. i quit a phd program before deciding to get into dentistry. it was a very weird and awkward situation because i knew some friends and relatives would be secretly discussing that this guy just wasted two years because he couldn't make up his mind or whatever. anyway, i got into the school of my top choice and everything seems worth it now.

i would say SHC1984 definitely made the right decision if she truly felt that dentistry wasn't for her. but i would caution against her to rush into pharmacy too quickly before exploring this profession further. i just looked at her previous posts and it seems like she switched to pharmacy because she wanted "an easy lifestyle" and she didn't want to touch blood?! (not to mention about the money factor)

honestly they don't seem to be very convincing reasons, and I really hope she doesn't make the same mistake that we both made before.
 
SHC did something I have tremendous respect for:

She realized that she was applying to dental school and that did not guarantee her a spot in an ortho residency. She decided that she would not be happy with general dentistry if she didn't make it into ortho so she has decided to pursue pharmacy.

I have so much respect for this. She took a step back and realized just how difficult the path ahead of her was and made her own decision.

I just walked out of my gross anatomy final and I want to grab every "pre-OMFS-dent" on this board and just shake them!

awww thanks. :)Yeah it was hard at first b/c everyone thought I was crazy for quitting.
Now that I think of it even if I was given a spot in Ortho, I am not sure if I will be happy. (The money part is nice but what else?) I still do not like the patient contact and I do not think I want to invest so much of my money and time working in the mouth.
 
you don't like dealing with people. you don't like bodily functions. why are you in a healthcare field then

I also applied for Pharm Sales rep positions at Pzifer and Johnson/Johnson. I have a job interview coming up pretty soon here...I am actually debating between working as a sales rep or becoming a pharmacist. Not sure, I just know I do not want to touch people and do not enjoy patient contact, so dentistry is not for me.
 
I also applied for Pharm Sales rep positions at Pzifer and Johnson/Johnson. I have a job interview coming up pretty soon here...I am actually debating between working as a sales rep or becoming a pharmacist. Not sure, I just know I do not want to touch people and do not enjoy patient contact, so dentistry is not for me.

Would you enjoy customer contact? :p Sales reps have to be charismatic and either love talking to their customers, or be able to pretend to love it :p
 
right...i was in her shoes a year ago. i quit a phd program before deciding to get into dentistry. it was a very weird and awkward situation because i knew some friends and relatives would be secretly discussing that this guy just wasted two years because he couldn't make up his mind or whatever. anyway, i got into the school of my top choice and everything seems worth it now.

i would say SHC1984 definitely made the right decision if she truly felt that dentistry wasn't for her. but i would caution against her to rush into pharmacy too quickly before exploring this profession further. i just looked at her previous posts and it seems like she switched to pharmacy because she wanted "an easy lifestyle" and she didn't want to touch blood?! (not to mention about the money factor)

honestly they don't seem to be very convincing reasons, and I really hope she doesn't make the same mistake that we both made before.

How come you quit Phd program? I did apply to some pharm school this year. I am debating between going to pharmacy school to become a pharmacist or working for pzifer as a sales rep.

Either way, eventually I just want to start a family and be a educated housewife...(couldn't mind working as a part-time pharmacist either ;))
 
How come you quit Phd program? I did apply to some pharm school this year. I am debating between going to pharmacy school to become a pharmacist or working for pzifer as a sales rep.

Either way, eventually I just want to start a family and be a educated housewife...(couldn't mind working as a part-time pharmacist either ;))

okay now i see what your deal is :rolleyes:
 
Would you enjoy customer contact? :p Sales reps have to be charismatic and either love talking to their customers, or be able to pretend to love it :p

I don't mind talking to people, but in retail, I have a million things to do already...its hard to stop what you are doing to talk...I just don't like hearing people talk about coughing, sneezing, puking, bodily fluids coming out, etc etc. But if I had to do one, I would choose listening to something nasty versus actually touching it. ;) thats why I choose pharm over dental.
 
How come you quit Phd program? I did apply to some pharm school this year. I am debating between going to pharmacy school to become a pharmacist or working for pzifer as a sales rep.

Either way, eventually I just want to start a family and be a educated housewife...(couldn't mind working as a part-time pharmacist either ;))

it's a mix of reasons. for one, i didn't want to do a pure-research career for decades, and i want to get more clinical experiences from work.

i have many female friends who want to become a pharmacist because, like you, they wish to become a housewife who can also work part-time and earn decent amount of money. and that seems to be a legitimate part of the argument. but seriously, if you don't like patient interactions (either touching them or hearing their stories), then pharmacy is not perfect for you. i wish you the best for making up a wise decision eventually.
 
Lots of dentists work part time and make good money. My dad (general dentist) works 3 days a week in his private practice.
 
it's a mix of reasons. for one, i didn't want to do a pure-research career for decades, and i want to get more clinical experiences from work.

i have many female friends who want to become a pharmacist because, like you, they wish to become a housewife who can also work part-time and earn decent amount of money. and that seems to be a legitimate part of the argument. but seriously, if you don't like patient interactions (either touching them or hearing their stories), then pharmacy is not perfect for you. i wish you the best for making up a wise decision eventually.
OMG are any of these housewife/pharmacists/hotties available? PM me names+digits immediately!

Btw, satanic = sexy.
 
I don't mind talking to people, but in retail, I have a million things to do already...its hard to stop what you are doing to talk...I just don't like hearing people talk about coughing, sneezing, puking, bodily fluids coming out, etc etc. But if I had to do one, I would choose listening to something nasty versus actually touching it. ;) thats why I choose pharm over dental.


what dental school did you end up dropping out of? and how long were in school before you decided?
 
OMG are any of these housewife/pharmacists/hotties available? PM me names+digits immediately!

Btw, satanic = sexy.

go meet your own at dental school. :D
though i am not sure if pharmacy students dig dental students or not, at least there is no inferiority complex like a male nurse dating a female medical doctor.

satanic, perfect weapon for night stalker. though we agree not to use night stalker anymore. it's almost like cheating.
 
SHC did something I have tremendous respect for:

She realized that she was applying to dental school and that did not guarantee her a spot in an ortho residency. She decided that she would not be happy with general dentistry if she didn't make it into ortho so she has decided to pursue pharmacy.

That's the exact reason I switched from Medicine to Dentistry lol. I realized that applying to medical school couldn't guarantee me a Dermatology residency, and I would absolutely hate being a family doctor. In contrast, I would love to be a General Dentist, and have no thoughts of specializing. Thus, Dentistry is the smart choice for me :)

Sounds like Pharmacy is definitely the smart choice for SHC and for OP.
 
Pharmacy isn't all about direct patient health care. I know many pharmacists that work executive or management positions at pharmaceutical companies such as amgen. I also know a pharmacists that works health insurance and compensation/benefits package plans for a fortune 500 company. These jobs often pay a lot more than retail/hospital pharmacy and dentistry in general and offer a lot more benefits and bonuses.
 
Pharmacy isn't all about direct patient health care. I know many pharmacists that work executive or management positions at pharmaceutical companies such as amgen. I also know a pharmacists that works health insurance and compensation/benefits package plans for a fortune 500 company. These jobs often pay a lot more than retail/hospital pharmacy and dentistry in general and offer a lot more benefits and bonuses.

sure, but most pharmacists won't obtain those high positions. In general, I bet general dentist make more than pharmacists.
 
sure, but most pharmacists won't obtain those high positions. In general, I bet general dentist make more than pharmacists.

Dentist definitely make more. Without a doubt. I don't know what these guys are talking about pharmacy school is just as hard as dental school. I would love to see some evidence to back that up.

Also as a dent you get to do your own thing, so how much you make ultimately depends on your own business skills. As a pharmacist, sure you can open your own pharmacy, but you can't compete with the retail chains that open from 8am-9pm. Also they always have everything in stock. So when a CVS opens up near your little pharmacy, its bye bye.
 
Now it's OK to be a "health professional".....we are happy for your enlightenment. From just an optometrist.
 
i think the decision she made is definately bad decision. (waste of time/money)
also, pharmacy school is easier to get in (dont need to take PCAT for many schools)
 
Isnt that pharmacists make money (6 figures) but they have to work ~50+ hours per week? I am not sure so someone correct me if i am wrong.
 
sure, but most pharmacists won't obtain those high positions. In general, I bet general dentist make more than pharmacists.

True. Most pharmacists entering a retail position (i.e. CVS, walgreens, etc.) will probably make $45-50 per hour which translate to about 87-96,000 base salary. With overtime a pharmacist can earn a salary far above 100,000/year. The great thing about working at a Corportation like CVS is the paid vacation time, sick leave, 401K (dollar for dollar match), bonus, etc.

I don't like how people say all general dentists make more money than pharmacists because that simply isn't true. I do have to admit that on average a dentist will make far more money in private practice. Also dental loans >> pharmacy school loans.

You really have to enjoy working with your hands, working with others and encounter challenges to enjoy dentistry. That's my opinion
 
(However, opening up your own practice will cost around 1-5 million dollars plus you have to add your dental school loans) You only make more money if you PUT IN MORE money. I rather be a pharmacist owe ~60K and make 110K a year doing a very clean, non-bloody, non-smelly, job. ;)



I think that is a little...well, a lot higher than what it actually cost. I know an oral surgeon who opened a practice for 220K, though he does rent his space. As for general dentists I do not know how much to open, but I'm sure it is similar and to buy an established practice the cost is usually around the gross billing or collections for the previous years. So you can buy for about 500K with 60% overhead and make 200K if you keep the patients and work the same speed as the previous owner. Sorry this was off the topic but I think that is really high and can probably get some people worried.
 
...However, opening up your own practice will cost around 1-5 million dollars plus you have to add your dental school loans) You only make more money if you PUT IN MORE money. I rather be a pharmacist owe ~60K and make 110K a year doing a very clean, non-bloody, non-smelly, job. ;)

Haha. $1-5 million??? Get outta here. Maybe if you were opening up a 50-chair office. Obviously you were so badly misinformed.
 
A dentist I know recently bought a million dollar practice in Las Vegas for ... a million dollars. He said all he had to do with sign his name on some papers and he got a $250k loan for the down payment, and then the practice will pay for itself over 5 years.
 
There's something called exercising to strengthen your body. You might wanna give it a try. A dentist I shadowed told me to learn to use the correct posture. With those 2 things, you should be fine. You should've stuck with dentistry.

I made the decision to go to pharmacy before what my dentist told me. I chose pharmacy after careful thought and volunteering at a pharmacy. I did not go from dentistry to pharmacy, I made my choice after looking at all the options and will most likely never regret the decision. I was just remarking on what was said above about stress on back and stuff and thought it was funny how my dentist also complained about it. I'm sure there is a bit of stress there even if you keep your body fit, but I didn't drop dentistry simply because I didn't want to deal with a bit of body ache.

I'm also not sure which profession makes more money.. i figure dentistry do make more, but still prefer pharmacy. It is a difference in interest. I'm was very interested in med chem class at my school, biochemistry, etc more than anatomy of teeth and stuff. I'm also not a very mechanical person.
 
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The weekly hours in retail are definitely not 50+, maybe if you owned your own private pharmacy that might be the case. Currently my fiancee works around 40 hrs a week, 3*13hr shifts one week, and every other Sunday, which is like a half day, so it averages a few hours over 40, but that's not taking away time for lunch. (This is at CVS).

Pay wise, I really don't know what dentists make. I can't specifically say what she makes, but it's more than 110k, not counting a large bonus.

Really though, the decision whoever made to do what is their own to make; I think instead of saying "she made the wrong decision" or "he made a stupid decision", we should be thinking, "Wow, you're post-bacc, and considering a doctoral degree, good for you, higher ambition than most people have in this world."

Both schools are obviously tough, the point wasn't that one was just as hard as the other or one was harder, the point was that neither are an easy undertaking, which obviously SHC understands.

In reply to school loans, that's what we have military scholarships for. ;D
 
The weekly hours in retail are definitely not 50+, maybe if you owned your own private pharmacy that might be the case. Currently my fiancee works around 40 hrs a week, 3*13hr shifts one week, and every other Sunday, which is like a half day, so it averages a few hours over 40, but that's not taking away time for lunch. (This is at CVS).

Pay wise, I really don't know what dentists make. I can't specifically say what she makes, but it's more than 110k, not counting a large bonus.

Really though, the decision whoever made to do what is their own to make; I think instead of saying "she made the wrong decision" or "he made a stupid decision", we should be thinking, "Wow, you're post-bacc, and considering a doctoral degree, good for you, higher ambition than most people have in this world."

Both schools are obviously tough, the point wasn't that one was just as hard as the other or one was harder, the point was that neither are an easy undertaking, which obviously SHC understands.

In reply to school loans, that's what we have military scholarships for. ;D

well said... there really is no wrong decision. Both are great professions and I'm sure some will kill to be either a pharmacist or dentist (if they are fit for health profession). I don't know why people have this attitude like everyone has that perfect job that they are born to do and any other job would be a nightmare. I'm sure there are people that fit their job to a T, but there are also many who could be happy with either job. I would say that the OP does seem to give off a vibe of doing the profession for money and not really fit for even the health profession at all, but I'm not going to judge.
 
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Lots of dentists work part time and make good money. My dad (general dentist) works 3 days a week in his private practice.

Your dad must be one of those fortunate ones that had all his dental tuition paid for and most likely inherited a practice as well? (there is nothing wrong with that, I wish I had that luck myself...My parents were paying for my living cost but I had to pay for my tuition by myself which would be around 180K:eek: + the cost of opening up my own practice = huge debt!) Most people that owe a huge debt would not be able to work 3 days a week...:(
 
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