Mba -> dds?

[onlypurchases]

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I was a predental undergrad, but decided at the time it wasn't for me. In the meantime I received an M.B.A. and have been working full time and am now starting a family. I have done pretty well since I graduated 4 years ago. Now I am wondering with all of the economic meltdown if I should go into dentistry due to it's stability. I have made enough money that I could probably pay for dental school without any loans. I am 28 years old and am starting a family. Is it too late for me to reconsider dental school? Will an M.B.A. help me get accepted to dental school? I know it would help run a practice. When would I need to retake the DAT, and what kind of scores would I need to get accepted? When I applied the first time around 4 years ago, it was late august and I was waitlisted due to the late application, mediocre DAT, and average grades. I know I would have to excel in the DAT to be considered, and hope that I am still young enough to consider dental school. Any opinions?

 

[Pat Kelly]

If you are considering Dentistry because it's more "stable" during an economic reccession, you should probably reconsider your choices. Dental services are a luxury, not a necessity for most people. When they don't get enough income during recession, they won't spend a dime on getting dental services.

That being said, sure an MBA helps, but you will probably have to take some pre-req courses again because some schools don't accept those that are taken 5+ years before application. It's helpful for you too because you can review for the DAT and do well in the class at the same time because you have already went through the material once before.

 

[onlypurchases]

That being said, sure an MBA helps, but you will probably have to take some pre-req courses again because some schools don't accept those that are taken 5+ years before application.

Wow, did not realize that. That could be a serious problem for me. Could I take the pre-req courses at any state college? There is no way I could go back to my university to go full time student unless it meant dental school, but I would be willing to take night classes.

 

[Chesnok]

I think if you are about to start family, you can spend money for supporting your family b/c you know it's a different and more responsible stage in your life. IMO tho.

 

[needa20]

i am in a similiar situation. just not as far out. finished my MBA about 18 months ago. married, but no kids yet. im 26 and going back. look at my pre dents profile to the left. i have an 18/19 DAT and lower gpa and already have 2 interview invites.

If you want to be a dentist, go for it. I am. Yes, being a dentist does not guarentee stability, but many people do have insurance so most procedures are covered and less likely to be affected by the economy

 

[bipolardoc]

i am in a similiar situation. just not as far out. finished my MBA about 18 months ago. married, but no kids yet. im 26 and going back. look at my pre dents profile to the left. i have an 18/19 DAT and lower gpa and already have 2 interview invites.

If you want to be a dentist, go for it. I am. Yes, being a dentist does not guarentee stability, but many people do have insurance so most procedures are covered and less likely to be affected by the economy

Both of your backgrounds are very interesting.What type of positions did you guys have and work in, what are other reasons you considered dentistry, make sure you want to and can handle the work before invest the money, especially clinical work (shadow). Curious to the first poster who can pay cash for dental school (300K+) what job/background did you have that allowed you to be that financially stable?

 

[doc toothache]

Wow, did not realize that. That could be a serious problem for me. Could I take the pre-req courses at any state college? There is no way I could go back to my university to go full time student unless it meant dental school, but I would be willing to take night classes.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527335

 

[onlypurchases]

Both of your backgrounds are very interesting.What type of positions did you guys have and work in, what are other reasons you considered dentistry, make sure you want to and can handle the work before invest the money, especially clinical work (shadow). Curious to the first poster who can pay cash for dental school (300K+) what job/background did you have that allowed you to be that financially stable?

I worked for an oral surgeon for 1 year and didn't make any money. However, I was able to purchase rental properties which I have since paid off significant portions of the debt. I have invested almost all of the money I make which is now about $150k in liquid assets, and I have about $200 to $400k in real estate equity depending on how bad the real estate market is. I was pretty successful in commercial real estate which put my income in the six figure range the whole time I was working. Some of the top producers were making seven figures, but they were older and much more established.

That market however is gone, and my job is likely to disappear. I will probably start my own company if I don't go to dental school, but I have definitely been thinking....