Is it easy for dentists to change careers if they don't feel satisfied?

[phattestlewt]

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Compared to physicians, is it easier for dentists to change careers if they don't feel intelleculatly stimulated by what they do?

I'm consider various careers in the health field right now and my biggest worry is working a job that I don't feel challenges my intellect or in otherwords is boring.

Dentists, do you ever feel that your job has become routine?

Just trying to get some perspective so any and all answers are welcome 🙂

 

[Ferneezy]

you'll find that any job or career will have its share of monotony. the trick is, through shadowing, you have a decent grip on what that might be before you commit to something like dentistry as it requires a ton of investment on the front end.

if you lurk around the physician threads you'll see some senior residents and attendings say there is also very little intellectual stimulation in their jobs and the practice of medicine is quite formulaic. personally, what sold me on dentistry is that it is a solid health career that allows me nearly 100% control of my time and the manner in which i work.

it's possible to switch out of healthcare and follow a different path, it comes down to knowing yourself and what you're truly interested in and what your strengths are.

 

[Glimmer1991]

I agree with Ferneezy. I don't know that there's any career that would cause to to hop out of bed every morning and scream out in ecstasy, "YES! IT'S TIME FOR WORK!!!!" However, I think that dentistry is about the closest I can get to that.

Dentistry is an option that I know will be enjoyable to me for a large majority of the time. There will be times, I'm sure, when things won't be "exciting." However, if things do get boring, at least I will have control to make it less boring. One of the cool things about being a dentist is that you can do as much or as little of the specialist work as you want. I'm sure that I will take continuing ed classes to become proficient at things like root canals. This is a small example, but being good at things like this can help you "mix it up" and keep some variety during the day.

You also do have almost 100% control of your time and what you do, which is very appealing. You aren't working all the darn time if you don't want to. I am very family-oriented person, for example. I know that I will not only have time to spend with my family, but I will also be able to afford the lifestyle I want for them. Among the many other reasons I want to go into this career,this is very important to me.

Become a "jack of all trades" and I doubt you'll get bored. Take the time to become proficient at everything you can. Also, in this trade, there's always room for improvement in what you're able to do.

Best of luck in your decision! 🙂

 

[phattestlewt]

I agree with Ferneezy. I don't know that there's any career that would cause to to hop out of bed every morning and scream out in ecstasy, "YES! IT'S TIME FOR WORK!!!!" However, I think that dentistry is about the closest I can get to that.

Dentistry is an option that I know will be enjoyable to me for a large majority of the time. There will be times, I'm sure, when things won't be "exciting." However, if things do get boring, at least I will have control to make it less boring. One of the cool things about being a dentist is that you can do as much or as little of the specialist work as you want. I'm sure that I will take continuing ed classes to become proficient at things like root canals. This is a small example, but being good at things like this can help you "mix it up" and keep some variety during the day.

You also do have almost 100% control of your time and what you do, which is very appealing. You aren't working all the darn time if you don't want to. I am very family-oriented person, for example. I know that I will not only have time to spend with my family, but I will also be able to afford the lifestyle I want for them. Among the many other reasons I want to go into this career,this is very important to me.

Become a "jack of all trades" and I doubt you'll get bored. Take the time to become proficient at everything you can. Also, in this trade, there's always room for improvement in what you're able to do.

Best of luck in your decision! 🙂

Dang these are really good answers. Thanks for the input guys!
Would you say that being a dentist is 'jack of all trades' kind of position. I've always seen myself as a jack of all trades/information junkie so exposure to new things is always interesting to me.

Thanks once again!

 

[Ionz]

Compared to physicians, is it easier for dentists to change careers if they don't feel intelleculatly stimulated by what they do?

I'm consider various careers in the health field right now and my biggest worry is working a job that I don't feel challenges my intellect or in otherwords is boring.

Dentists, do you ever feel that your job has become routine?

Just trying to get some perspective so any and all answers are welcome 🙂

Research is your best friend if intellectually challenging is your motto.

 

[tingting]

I'm not sure what Pre-dents know about the reality of practicing dentistry (basically nothing), so I will throw in my 2 cents.

Dentistry is more repetition that intellectual exploration. Sure you have to think a bit, a maybe research certain types of tx, but the very nature of the job is repetition. A 30y/o dentist does basically the same thing every day as a 60 y/o dentist. Think about that.

Also what you need to realize is that health care jobs are set up to be repetitive because routine is predictable! This is why we refer certain procedures to specialists, because it is within their daily repetitive routine! It is also where the financial reward is, because you become very efficient and quick. We can explore new procedures, but it doesn't always make sense for GP's to do endo tx on calcified molars, or free gingival grafts, or take out ankylosed teeth because the opportunity cost is usually too high (we are too slow since we can't do that many) and there is also increased liability. Now there are certainly GP's that are talented at specialty procedures, but- the GP's that are good at endo do alot of endo, thus repetition! Same with GP's doing third molars, ortho, etc.

Now I'm not downplaying the role of CE. I think expanding the skllset is the only hope for a GP such as myself to feel stimulated. But it is not a "jack of all trades" position. You are limited to the oral cavity!

It is very hard to change careers because our skillset is essentially useless for anything else. After you spend 8 years in school, acrue massive debt, spend a few years piddling around corporate type jobs, it is unrealistic to think you will be free to ignore your debt and take an entry level job in another career field at that point in your life. It is a very rare person that can abandon all family and financial obligations at that point in the game and press restart. Of course it is possible, but it is not easy. I think an "MD" title would get more mileage in a non-clinical type career change.

With that said, its a decent job and can reasonably interesting if you attend CE and whatnot. And I think most other careers are probably at least as boring. From what I understand most MD specialites also have a nature of repetition.

If you are after a level of excitement and stimulation and being a "jack of all trades" type, I would recommend emergency medicine or surgery. But I'm not a physician, so I'm not sure if thats a good answer.

 

[phattestlewt]

sorry accidentally reposted

 

[UCSFx2017]

If you are after a level of excitement and stimulation and being a "jack of all trades" type, I would recommend emergency medicine or surgery. But I'm not a physician, so I'm not sure if thats a good answer.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=961677

 

[Hawkteeth]

Dental school is a large financial commitment and practicing is how your going to pay for it. I'm sure you could go into research or teaching, possibly sales.

 

[goffdent]

I agree with Ferneezy. I don't know that there's any career that would cause to to hop out of bed every morning and scream out in ecstasy, "YES! IT'S TIME FOR WORK!!!!" However, I think that dentistry is about the closest I can get to that.

Dentistry is an option that I know will be enjoyable to me for a large majority of the time. There will be times, I'm sure, when things won't be "exciting." However, if things do get boring, at least I will have control to make it less boring. One of the cool things about being a dentist is that you can do as much or as little of the specialist work as you want. I'm sure that I will take continuing ed classes to become proficient at things like root canals. This is a small example, but being good at things like this can help you "mix it up" and keep some variety during the day.

You also do have almost 100% control of your time and what you do, which is very appealing. You aren't working all the darn time if you don't want to. I am very family-oriented person, for example. I know that I will not only have time to spend with my family, but I will also be able to afford the lifestyle I want for them. Among the many other reasons I want to go into this career,this is very important to me.

Become a "jack of all trades" and I doubt you'll get bored. Take the time to become proficient at everything you can. Also, in this trade, there's always room for improvement in what you're able to do.

Best of luck in your decision! 🙂

Not trying to be a nit-picker, just pointing out so people understand that dentistry is a "profession" not a "trade".

Trades are electrician, plumbing, carpentry, etc..

Physicians, dentists, lawyers, pharmacists etc.. are professions/professionals

Trades-persons uses "tools".. professionals use "instruments".

Just food for thought.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Goodness! I wasn't expecting my simple, quickly-written post to be critiqued.

Now I'm not downplaying the role of CE. I think expanding the skllset is the only hope for a GP such as myself to feel stimulated. But it is not a "jack of all trades" position. You are limited to the oral cavity!

If you are after a level of excitement and stimulation and being a "jack of all trades" type, I would recommend emergency medicine or surgery. But I'm not a physician, so I'm not sure if thats a good answer.

Obviously, I know dentists are limited to the oral cavity. However, there are lots of different procedures within the dental profession. My main point--which I don't think was extremely hidden--was that you don't have to do fillings and crowns all days as a dentist. No, we should likely leave the ankylosed teeth for the surgeons. However, the dentist I shadowed did the occasional root canal and implant placement; not only was he good at these, but I could tell he also really enjoyed doing them. I didn't find things to be monotonous in his office at all, and that was my point.

Not trying to be a nit-picker, just pointing out so people understand that dentistry is a "profession" not a "trade".

I just looked up "trade" in my dictionary and got the following: "a skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills and special training."

If dentistry doesn't fit that, I don't know what does. However, my word choice wasn't exactly top priority here.

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

You could go into research, become a professor at a dental school, become a dental equipment salesperson, go into public health, become a dental policy maker/lobbyist, there are lots of different avenues to use your dental education.

 

[free99]

I just looked up "trade" in my dictionary and got the following: "a skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills and special training." If dentistry doesn't fit that, I don't know what does.

👍 It's semantics, really, but I'd agree that dentistry is a trade.

 

[tandem7]

If you really wanted to pursue a different path after dental school, you could go to law school and become a patent lawyer. To be a patent lawyer, you must take both the bar exam and a separate exam called the patent bar exam. Although the patent bar exam only tests patent law issues and has no science whatsoever, you are not even allowed to qualify to take the patent bar exam unless you show you have a science background. Dental school would make you eligible to take the patent bar exam. Because patent lawyers must have a science background and pass both bar exams, they are highly sought after and make a significant amount of money too.

 

[doc toothache]

Not trying to be a nit-picker, just pointing out so people understand that dentistry is a "profession" not a "trade".
Trades are electrician, plumbing, carpentry, etc..
Physicians, dentists, lawyers, pharmacists etc.. are professions/professionals
Trades-persons uses "tools".. professionals use "instruments".
Just food for thought.

👍

My main point--which I don't think was extremely hidden--was that you don't have to do fillings and crowns all days as a dentist. No, we should likely leave the ankylosed teeth for the surgeons. However, the dentist I shadowed did the occasional root canal and implant placement; not only was he good at these, but I could tell he also really enjoyed doing them. I didn't find things to be monotonous in his office at all, and that was my point.

I just looked up "trade" in my dictionary and got the following: "a skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills and special training."

If dentistry doesn't fit that, I don't know what does. However, my word choice wasn't exactly top priority here.

You needed a dictionary to help you decide that dentistry is a "trade"?

 

[Glimmer1991]

You needed a dictionary to help you decide that dentistry is a "trade"?

Keep it comin', big boy. I like it.

 

[doc toothache]

Keep it comin', big boy. I like it.

Stay tuned.

 

[goffdent]

Goodness! I wasn't expecting my simple, quickly-written post to be critiqued.

I wasn't attempting to "critique" you or criticize your post, just throwing information out to predents so they understand a simple but often unknown difference.

For example, I don't know how many people mention the use of dental "tools" in their personal statements.. I'm guessing a lot. But if you want to avoid looking like an uninformed ninny, use "instruments" in your statement. Same goes for trade vs. profession.

 

[gryffindor]

If you really wanted to pursue a different path after dental school, you could go to law school and become a patent lawyer. To be a patent lawyer, you must take both the bar exam and a separate exam called the patent bar exam. Although the patent bar exam only tests patent law issues and has no science whatsoever, you are not even allowed to qualify to take the patent bar exam unless you show you have a science background. Dental school would make you eligible to take the patent bar exam. Because patent lawyers must have a science background and pass both bar exams, they are highly sought after and make a significant amount of money too.

I thought there was nothing worthwhile left for me to learn on SDN. You proved me wrong. I had no idea about this niche career path within law.

You can also get a law degree and then utilize it within dentistry. If you are buying or selling a practice, you will need a lawyer to write up the buy/sell agreements and other contracts so we don't all screw each other too badly in these transactions.

 

[tandem7]

I thought there was nothing worthwhile left for me to learn on SDN. You proved me wrong. I had no idea about this niche career path within law.

You can also get a law degree and then utilize it within dentistry. If you are buying or selling a practice, you will need a lawyer to write up the buy/sell agreements and other contracts so we don't all screw each other too badly in these transactions.

Exactly...or another niche in law is medical malpractice, and within that niche, dental malpractice. I know many lawyers who do this area of law. Although, unlike patent law, you do not need a science background to practice in this area, people with science/medical backgrounds are preferred and gravitate toward this area of law. I know several MD/JDs who work part-time at firms just to help in cases that involve health professions.

 

[Conflagration]

If you really wanted to pursue a different path after dental school, you could go to law school and become a patent lawyer. To be a patent lawyer, you must take both the bar exam and a separate exam called the patent bar exam. Although the patent bar exam only tests patent law issues and has no science whatsoever, you are not even allowed to qualify to take the patent bar exam unless you show you have a science background. Dental school would make you eligible to take the patent bar exam. Because patent lawyers must have a science background and pass both bar exams, they are highly sought after and make a significant amount of money too.

That's really cool, actually. 😀

 

[Eri3]

To OP go shadow a maxillofacial surgeon if you're looking for excitement.
At my dentist's office I've watched eye balls pop out of socket. Cheek bones broken to pieces but the routine and boring extractions are still part of the profession. If you're looking for excitement and stimulation this may be a great specialty in the field of dentistry.