Is it OKAY to like 2 Professions????

[bootylicious]

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So, I have been juggling between D.D.S. and M.D. I have been shadowing doctors in both professions and seem to not dislike anything. I am a third year, so I don't really have time anymore to think it over. I have also been part of a free clinic program where we go to Mexico and I just love the idea of helping underserved community. There are, however, some slight differences I have seen in both professions ( you may not agree, but your ideas are welcomed). First, I noticed that most patients who come in at a dental clinic have the happy-go-lucky attitude and seem to be happy visiting the clinic for check-ups or whatever reason it may be; while, on the other hand, patients that do go to general clinics do not bring the same attitude (well, at least for most patients and it is obviously acceptable to have that type of attitude in general clinics who seek medical help.) So, at the end of the day, I think I would prefer being in an environment where everyone seem to be excited and vibrant. And, it may seem that I am leaning more towards D.D.S. but these subtle differences do not fully explain which field I like most. I am utterly confused. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

 

[djeffreyt]

uh...I'm not sure that what you are finding is really something upon which you should base your choice. Unless you plan to complete either your MD or DDS and then only go about working at similar free clinics for the rest of your life, you may find the world to be very different.

Dentists in private practice deal with all sorts of patients. Some love them, other utterly hate and despise them. Some kids cry at the very thoughtof them.

Doctors in private practice and hospitals have a similar variety.

I don't think the patient attitude you have seen in the free clinics is a fair way to gauge which field's patients you will enjoy having more later in life. Just like SDN isn't a representation of all prehealth students throughout the world, the patients at the free clinics you've worked at are also not a complete representation of the patients you will experience later in life.

 

[pine88]

Yes, it's okay to like two professions. I like plenty. Apparently, some SDNers think it's a sin to consider both medicine and dentistry. I don't understand why, they can be pretty similar. I'd say try to shadow many different types of dentists and doctors, to give you a better idea of what you are looking for. It's amazing how different each office is.

Maybe it would help if you search posts about why the predents here are attracted to dentistry, and see if the reasons match up with your observations, or with what you are looking for.

Hopefully you will figure it out before you start applying. That would suck to take both the MCAT and DAT, and do all the apps. Plus, it seems like dental schools don't like it when an applicant is also applying to med/pharm/etc school.

Good luck👍

 

[Blitzdt]

check out programs like the one at Case. They have DDS-MD, and if i'm not mistaken they'll train you to be both a physician and a dentist at the same time (one of a kind).

 

[cel083]

check out programs like the one at Case. They have DDS-MD, and if i'm not mistaken they'll train you to be both a physician and a dentist at the same time (one of a kind).

Some schools with both colleges of medicine and dentistry may allow you to take the two degrees together, with or w/o an official combined program, such as Case Western. I think University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine offers students this opportunity.

http://sdm.uchc.edu/predoctoral/combineddegree/index.shtml

 

[1992Corolla]

Have you ever considered the DMD instead of the DDS? LOL, lets see who bites on this.

General patient happiness seems weird to base a decision on, but to each his/her own.

I would look more at what you will personally be doing for the next 30-50 years instead of if your patients will be smiling or not when they come into your office. Also trying to pay off huge debt in free clinics will be difficult, unless you were thinking of doing it on the side, or you could flee the country with your degree and instruments become a rogue from the federal government and never pay off your debt and work in free clinics as a gorilla dentist in the jungle like that sean connery movie, but he was with cancer...

/mildly amusing post

 

[Blitzdt]

So, I have been juggling between D.D.S. and M.D. I have been shadowing doctors in both professions and seem to not dislike anything. I am a third year, so I don't really have time anymore to think it over. I have also been part of a free clinic program where we go to Mexico and I just love the idea of helping underserved community. There are, however, some slight differences I have seen in both professions ( you may not agree, but your ideas are welcomed). First, I noticed that most patients who come in at a dental clinic have the happy-go-lucky attitude and seem to be happy visiting the clinic for check-ups or whatever reason it may be; while, on the other hand, patients that do go to general clinics do not bring the same attitude (well, at least for most patients and it is obviously acceptable to have that type of attitude in general clinics who seek medical help.) So, at the end of the day, I think I would prefer being in an environment where everyone seem to be excited and vibrant. And, it may seem that I am leaning more towards D.D.S. but these subtle differences do not fully explain which field I like most. I am utterly confused. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

With a screen name like Bootylicious....i do think you are too good for just one degree 😀😀

 

[bootylicious]

hahaha.. 😀 😀 🙂 😀 thanx blitz... sorry for the bluntness

 

[SFPredent]

I have been working as a dental assistant for over three years, and I can tell you that 90% of patients HATE visiting the dentist (with the exception of regular hygiene visits). They are NOT Happy go lucky or excited or vibrant. I have also spent lots of time in public hospitals, and most patients are NOT happy to be there either. They do it because it is important to their health, but don’t expect much gratitude....... As far as your double interests, good for you! Try to get some time here shadowing different dental clinics (from Gentle Dental or free clinics to dental spas) and hospitals. Good luck.

 

[gigit]

check out programs like the one at Case. They have DDS-MD, and if i'm not mistaken they'll train you to be both a physician and a dentist at the same time (one of a kind).

Not a good option as it'll limit yourself from excelling in either path.

 

[Blitzdt]

Not a good option as it'll limit yourself from excelling in either path.

the aim of programs like these is to maximize your efficiency as a healthcare provider. They are not for everyone.