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Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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GrendizerDDS

GrendizerDDS

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This is a thread to those who are on the edge and might consider dentistry. Just wanted to see whats stoping y'all from it. There's a lot of advantages to it ya know. Here's the perks for going dental:

-no on-call
-freedom to choose your work schedule [holidays off yipee!!!]
-moneys $$$ hehe
-4 years of school
-less board exams
-you make people smile [its dentistry okay...we make people have good teeth to smile]
-and finally, you get a D with your MD! DMD is more badass :meanie: [yes I'm aware that my name has DDS and aware of schools that give out DDS....]

So what is it that's keeping you on the edge? You've got it all in this profession.....unless you're on the edge for DO, then that's a whole different story.
 
I don't see how dentistry is the dark side.
 
GrendizerDDS said:
This is a thread to those who are on the edge and might consider dentistry. Just wanted to see whats stoping y'all from it. There's a lot of advantages to it ya know. Here's the perks for going dental:

-no on-call
-freedom to choose your work schedule [holidays off yipee!!!]
-moneys $$$ hehe
-4 years of school
-less board exams
-you make people smile [its dentistry okay...we make people have good teeth to smile]
-and finally, you get a D with your MD! DMD is more badass :meanie: [yes I'm aware that my name has DDS and aware of schools that give out DDS....]

So what is it that's keeping you on the edge? You've got it all in this profession.....unless you're on the edge for DO, then that's a whole different story.
Click to expand...

I don't know...why don't you ask a cop whats stopping him from being a fireman?
 
GrendizerDDS said:
This is a thread to those who are on the edge and might consider dentistry. Just wanted to see whats stoping y'all from it. There's a lot of advantages to it ya know. Here's the perks for going dental:

-no on-call
-freedom to choose your work schedule [holidays off yipee!!!]
-moneys $$$ hehe
-4 years of school
-less board exams
-you make people smile [its dentistry okay...we make people have good teeth to smile]
-and finally, you get a D with your MD! DMD is more badass :meanie: [yes I'm aware that my name has DDS and aware of schools that give out DDS....]

So what is it that's keeping you on the edge? You've got it all in this profession.....unless you're on the edge for DO, then that's a whole different story.
Click to expand...

Cons
teeth are boring

I'd rather go into podiatry.
 
No prestige in dentistry.

Being a pediatric surgeon saving little kids lives is infinitely more prestigious than giving root canals to spoiled baby boomers or fixing the smile of some 16 year old girl so some guy will sleep with her in HS.
 
GrendizerDDS said:
-moneys $$$ hehe
Click to expand...


you do realize physicians make more than dentists? So money would actually be an advantage of going to med school, not dental school. Also like the poster above said, there is more prestige and challenge in going into medicine.
 
I'm scared of the dentist. I don't want to be afraid of myself. :scared:


Thread contribution joke:

Q - What time did Sean Connery get to Wimbeldon to watch the match?

A - Oh, about Tennish.
 
I had a dream last night that a dentist was trying to wrench my crown out with a pair of plyers.

Also, Pan's Labyrinth.
 
Teeth are boring and you don't save lives.

Also, there are several specialties with little or no on-call and make triple of what you make - Radio/Derm - and they save people's lives

Just sayin'
 
Planet Ocean said:
I don't know...why don't you ask a cop whats stopping him from being a fireman?
Click to expand...

Why don't we ask a police/national guard: what's stopping him from joining the "dark side" and become a soldier? A soldier gets to fight terrorism, "save the world", protect American way of life etc etc.
 
NH14 said:
Teeth are boring and you don't save lives.

Also, there are several specialties with little or no on-call and make triple of what you make - Radio/Derm - and they save people's lives

Just sayin'
Click to expand...

Not to knock radiology and derm a ton, but they're not out there savin' lives all the time. This whole "saving lives" thing is kind of a simplified explanation for why to do medicine.
 
I have a lot of family in dentistry and a close family friend on an adcom that could probably get me in no sweat. Heres why I decided against it:

1. teeth bore me
2. lack of job satisfaction. At the end of the day, why am I alive? what mark am I leaving on the world?
3. overspecialization for a semi-luxury. What I mean by that is it is well documented that many dental procedures are not necessary (example filling a cavity that will likely fill itself). Don't get me wrong tho, dental intervention CAN be necessary and life-saving in certain (but rare) circumstances. could lead to issues of job security in 20-30 years. Yes I know there is a shortage of dentists predicted but who knows how long it will last so shush.
4. The stigma. Very few people love dentists as a whole. They are out there, but few.
5. excitement.... see reason #1
6. personal background in tech/business serves for better integration in the medical field. No one wants a website that tracks your dental health.

hope that was somewhat useful
 
flatearth22 said:
No prestige in dentistry.

Being a pediatric surgeon saving little kids lives is infinitely more prestigious than giving root canals to spoiled baby boomers or fixing the smile of some 16 year old girl so some guy will sleep with her in HS.
Click to expand...

Yes, you will feel very prestigious when you're I&D'ing abscess #253 of the year...right before your next hernia repair.
 
Enjoy the highest suicide rate among any profession, OP.
 
Prestige???

Hahahahaha, it doesn't even matter where you go to medical school... if it's an allopathic medical school in the CONTINENTAL USA... (see what I did there?), then you're good.

Yes, some residency program directors factor in the "prestige" of your medical school. But it's not THAT big of a deal at most programs.
 
A thread about dentistry being the darkside and nothing lolworthy yet, for shame.
 
I briefly considered it, and as I learned more about the medical profession and what it entails, I considered it more. Certainly, dentistry wins the lifestyle argument any day... and although it's true that nobody really loves dentists, I'm sure lots of people would love to be married to one. Additionally, since I (think I) am procedure-oriented, the prospect of actually working with your hands on some real interventions is pretty appealing.

Ultimately, though, it just isn't enough. I don't see a whole lot of satisfying, intellectual diagnostic challenge in dentistry. Other than using some new filling compound, I don't think the field is as dynamic and wide-ranging as medicine. I might make more money, and have more time to enjoy it, but if I went dental I'd probably always be wondering 'what if...'.

If I wanted a life, I'd be a dentist. But I'd rather be a doctor. I'll make marginally more of a difference that way.
 
I gotta say that I have no interest in digging around in someone's mouth all day, every day.

Yes, I know that's funny since I'm so interested in Ob/Gyn.
 
GrendizerDDS said:
This is a thread to those who are on the edge and might consider dentistry. Just wanted to see whats stoping y'all from it. There's a lot of advantages to it ya know. Here's the perks for going dental:

-no on-call
-freedom to choose your work schedule [holidays off yipee!!!]
-moneys $$$ hehe
-4 years of school
-less board exams
-you make people smile [its dentistry okay...we make people have good teeth to smile]
-and finally, you get a D with your MD! DMD is more badass :meanie: [yes I'm aware that my name has DDS and aware of schools that give out DDS....]

So what is it that's keeping you on the edge? You've got it all in this profession.....unless you're on the edge for DO, then that's a whole different story.
Click to expand...

You make people smile, we make people... not die. :shrug:
 
sector9 said:
How would you rate the "prestige" of Hofstra?
Click to expand...

Well it's new but I like what they're doing.....very unique curriculum and they have a solid hospital system backing them in the LIJ-North Shore. I see them being a solid school serving the outskirts of a major metropolitan area....kind of like UC Irvine.

It sucks though because they invited me in October for an interview in February.
 
Doctor Bagel said:
Not to knock radiology and derm a ton, but they're not out there savin' lives all the time...
Click to expand...

well, a life with bad skin is no life...
Considering fields like oncology couldn't exist without piggybacking on radiology and pathology, I'd say these fields are on the front line of saving lives though.
 
Doctor Bagel said:
Not to knock radiology and derm a ton, but they're not out there savin' lives all the time. This whole "saving lives" thing is kind of a simplified explanation for why to do medicine.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure without radiologists, that the hospital wouldn't function. Without what they do, the internists, orthos, and pretty much all other specialties involving some type of imaging, wouldn't be able to do what they do.
 
centrigeugle said:
and although it's true that nobody really loves dentists
Click to expand...

I never liked, let alone "loved", a dentist until I meet my endodontist....going from a ten to a one on the pain scale can do that to you.... (My wallet still hates him though
biggrin.gif
)
 
This is the most pointless thread ever. OP is probably a gunner hoping to eliminate some of his competition.
 
IMO, having to stare at teeth ALL day EVERY day for the next 50 years of my life would be a living hell. Where is the excitement?
 
MrLahey said:
Quote from the Hangover
"He's a dentist...not a doctor...If someone is hurt you should still call 911"

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=ed+h...tart=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=54&ty=68
Click to expand...

honest to god, that was the deciding factor for me in the process of ruling out dentistry as a career path

CodeBlu said:
Prestige???

Hahahahaha, it doesn't even matter where you go to medical school... if it's an allopathic medical school in the CONTINENTAL USA... (see what I did there?), then you're good.

Yes, some residency program directors factor in the "prestige" of your medical school. But it's not THAT big of a deal at most programs.
Click to expand...

why no love for osteopathic?
 
OP, please go give yourself an unanesthatized root canal with pliers and GTFO of pre allo. You're not even a real doctor and you never will be. And by the "perks" you list for dentistry, I'm sure you'll enjoy living your boring, mediocre life of looking at people's teeth, driving your leased 3 series, and marrying a cheating college drop out all in the name of status and trying to look wealthy.. I'm jelly OP, where do I sign up? Not.
 
AZFutureDoc said:
OP, please go give yourself an unanesthatized root canal with pliers and GTFO of pre allo. You're not even a real doctor and you never will be. And by the "perks" you list for dentistry, I'm sure you'll enjoy living your boring, mediocre life of looking at people's teeth, driving your leased 3 series, and marrying a cheating college drop out all in the name of status and trying to look wealthy.. I'm jelly OP, where do I sign up? Not.
Click to expand...

😱 Wow.


🤣
 
AZFutureDoc said:
OP, please go give yourself an unanesthatized root canal with pliers and GTFO of pre allo. You're not even a real doctor and you never will be. And by the "perks" you list for dentistry, I'm sure you'll enjoy living your boring, mediocre life of looking at people's teeth, driving your leased 3 series, and marrying a cheating college drop out all in the name of status and trying to look wealthy.. I'm jelly OP, where do I sign up? Not.
Click to expand...

:corny::corny::corny:
 
GrendizerDDS said:
This is a thread to those who are on the edge and might consider dentistry. Just wanted to see whats stoping y'all from it. There's a lot of advantages to it ya know. Here's the perks for going dental:

-no on-call
-freedom to choose your work schedule [holidays off yipee!!!]
-moneys $$$ hehe
-4 years of school
-less board exams
-you make people smile [its dentistry okay...we make people have good teeth to smile]
-and finally, you get a D with your MD! DMD is more badass :meanie: [yes I'm aware that my name has DDS and aware of schools that give out DDS....]

So what is it that's keeping you on the edge? You've got it all in this profession.....unless you're on the edge for DO, then that's a whole different story.
Click to expand...

no gomers?
 
I spent about half my childhood at the dentist's office.

...So no, I don't think I want to be a dentist.
 
AZFutureDoc said:
OP, please go give yourself an unanesthatized root canal with pliers and GTFO of pre allo.
Click to expand...

Why you so mad? Do you wave your arms around and roar when you rage in real life? 🙄

You're not even a real doctor and you never will be.
Click to expand...

Guess who else isn't a "real doctor"? People like you who won't get into medical school. 🙄

And by the "perks" you list for dentistry, I'm sure you'll enjoy living your boring, mediocre life of looking at people's teeth, driving your leased 3 series, and marrying a cheating college drop out all in the name of status and trying to look wealthy.. I'm jelly OP, where do I sign up? Not.
Click to expand...

You know what your writing makes me think of? A kid who lacks the intellectual capacity to get his point across and is really frustrated and bitter about it.

Anyways, judging by your language skills and an inability to control your temper, the OP is probably a lot smarter than you (If the OP is a troll, then he is a really good one to have gotten to you so badly).

But it's not just your language skills. You are a complete failure at logic as well. And judging from your post history, you're everything BUT logical.

If you don't like the facts, that doesn't make them wrong.
 
I just wanted to see some action in here cuz it seemed way too civilized for SDN.

I'm flattered that my post created enough interest for someone to go through my post history! I'm not sure how to feel about a stranger calling me illogical over the Internet tho. Kinda hurts me feelings.😀
 
Okay, I'll bite, even though I'm scared $#!+less of getting into an Internet flame war over this issue. Only because I once was a dental student (as my handle would suggest) and realized that internal medicine is a better fit for me and now I'm just a lowly pre-med. I know some of you are going to say "You're such a dumb@$$ for leaving DENTISTRY for INTERNAL MEDICINE!!" but here are my reasons for doing so:

1) No on-call: Yes, it's true that there's no "call" per se if you're a dentist (unless maybe you decide to specialize in oral surgery), and that's one of the major reasons why I chose dentistry in the first place. But after drilling tooth after tooth and realizing that I'm more oriented toward the cerebral rather than the procedural, I realized that I'd much rather be on call at 2AM in the morning diagnosing some patient's life-threatening condition than have to wake up at 8AM in the morning and look forward to eight hours of drilling and filling.

2) Freedom to choose your work schedule: Yes, there's freedom in terms of determining what hours you work as a dentist, but for me the answer became "no hours," because I just couldn't stomach looking at another tooth or holding the drill in my hand one more time.

3) Money $$$: Shameful as it is to admit it, the reason I went into dentistry was mainly for the $$. But what people (including me, until a while ago) don't realize is that dentistry is HARD WORK. It is pure physical labor for the most part, and after drilling for just a couple of hours (not even a whole 8-hour day), my wrists were hurting, my neck was sore, and I was miserable. It came to a point where I felt like you just couldn't pay me enough to touch another tooth. And that's when I decided to leave and pursue medicine instead, because I would rather be studying renal physiology than learning about dentures, but unfortunately, there was no way I could just skip the lab work and study physiology instead.

4) 4 years of school: Both medicine and dentistry require 4 years of post-college studying, and I had already completed part of my dental degree. So why did I leave for the wonderful world of unemployment and MCAT studying? Because I realized that I'd rather spend 4 years in med school, plus residency, learning about and applying knowledge about the WHOLE human body, than spend another minute with my drill. Besides, residency is paid so it's not really "school" in my opinion, although it's where the most learning takes place. It will be hellacious, I'm sure, but it will pay off in the end. We'll all be 45 some day any way, so might as well enjoy the journey.

None of this is to say that I don't appreciate or respect dentists/dentistry. It is HARD WORK, people. I definitely didn't have the hand skills that really good dentists do, and more importantly, I just didn't care enough to develop those hand skills. All I wanted to do was to study in the library, not spend another hour in the dental lab. This cemented my decision for me. Medicine vs dentistry is not a decision that you should make based on money on "lifestyle." Lifestyle means nothing if you don't enjoy your LIFE and don't feel like you're living your life to the FULLEST. You have to look inside of yourself and be honest with your strengths and weaknesses. I know that I'm a much better at diagnosis than I am at performing complex, millimeter-scale procedures, which is why I eventually choose the big picture (internal medicine) over the more detailed one (dentistry).

Of course, as in all pre-cautionary tales, YMMV.

Best,
rootcanalz
 
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