Moving from the East Coast to California to practice dentistry

[futureteef]

Hello,

I am currently in my past year of residency and am considering moving from New York to California ( particularly San Diego and LA area) to practice pediatric dentistry. I was wondering if anyone has advice as far as there experience of moving from NY to California. Is it easy to find a job? Any advice on networking and how to obtain a job in the California area? What is insurance reimbursement like in California? Is it worthwhile to leave NY? Any feedback would be appreciated!!! Thanks so much!!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[bikedoc]

Fantastic thread! I am in the same boat and look forward to reading responses.

 

[jpark1800]

don't come to cali. it is a lose lose. There are too many dentists around, the jobs are not there. lots of new grads can't find jobs. if you do find a job it is gonna be low paying and you'll have to deal with the medicad crowd of cali (which is a difficult crowd to deal with). You'll be at a disadvantage if you dont speak spanish. San Diego and LA are particularly saturated and low paying. What's more is that the cost of living is skyhigh (especially in SD and LA) and cali takes 10% of you're income, no matter how much you make. it is also a pain in the neck to be an employer (if you're thinkin about private practice eventually) with very anti-biz laws. cali was ranked one of the worst states for businesses. go to texas, instead.

 

[charlestweed]

The above poster was right about the saturation problem in CA but that's only for general dentists. You should be fine since you are a pediatric dentist. Oversaturation of general dentists in CA is actually a good thing. More general dentists mean broader referral source for your pedo practice. A lot of dentists hate dealing with crying kids. They either have to refer the patients out to a pedo practice or they have to hire a traveling pedo to come to their practices. A lot of special need kids need pediatric dentists like you. My wife has done very well as a periodontist and perio is known to be the worst specialty in dentistry. If she can do it, there is no reason why you can't.

 

[futureteef]

Thank you for all the feedback. As far as orthodontics, how would you say the job market is in Cali? Also any feedback on how to get your foot in the door and get a job?

 

[master80]

...... go to texas, instead.

Just FYI:- Medicaid bubble has burst in Texas, especially for Orthodontics.

 

[krishdentist]

I don't see a future to practice in Cali. Its definitely worst for Genral Dentist in San Diego, LA and San Francisco. Its moderately good in suburbs. The only good thing in CA is weather and diverse population. The worst things are crowded clinicians, poor medical/insurance, Highest unemployment rate, Expensive living standard.
I am choosing Pediatrics as speciality but even for them its over crowded unless you practice in suburbs. I would prefer to practice in metro area of mid-west states rather than suburbs of CA.