Need Some Serious Advice

[BigK2113]

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Hello there,

I am new to this forum and am hoping to get some info. First of all, I am in my second year of a biology degree. Everything is going fine in school, I am keeping a good GPA and taking all the classes. I am planning on applying to the closest dental school, UTHSC in Memphis. I have been mulling over a couple things lately, and had a couple of questions.

1) I want to be a cosmetic dentist, doing veneers and things like that. So, what is the best way to do this. I know I need either my D.D.S or D.D.M., but UTHSC also offers a three year program in Prosthodontics. Should I plan on doing that, or just trying to take some extra course work in my first few years of practicing to get accredited?

2) My dream is to open a very large, multi-discipline practice. I would like to have dentists from different specialists, and eventually if possible, step back and manage the company. So, would it be wise of me to double major in business while I am in college, or is it unnecessary?

3) Lastly, I was wandering if there were any practicing cosmetic dentists who could give me some advice on the best way to get started. I have shadowed a couple of other disciplines and really think this is the one for me.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I will be the first in my family to even go to college, let alone graduate school, so it is really important to me that I succeed. I am open to any suggestions you guys have.

Thanks

 

[doc toothache]

You could wait, at least, until you gain an acceptance. In the meantime, you could decide to skip prosthodontics not to mention "cosmetic dentistry" (which is not a recognized specialty) and decide to become an astronaut.

 

[BigK2113]

I realize that's an attempt at humor, but I'm looking for real advice. I know that cosmetic dentistry is not a discipline, however it is a job description. As for the whole astronaut business, I can see that dental school doesn't teach people humility or intelligence. I was under the impression that this forum was a place where well informed, intelligent. and possibly kind dentists and dental students could help people. Why don't we hold our childish tongues and use the forum as it is intended next time.

 

[doc toothache]

I realize that's an attempt at humor, but I'm looking for real advice. I know that cosmetic dentistry is not a discipline, however it is a job description. As for the whole astronaut business, I can see that dental school doesn't teach people humility or intelligence. I was under the impression that this forum was a place where well informed, intelligent. and possibly kind dentists and dental students could help people. Why don't we hold our childish tongues and use the forum as it is intended next time.

You shadowed "real" dentists and did not ask them, but you are looking for "real advice" on a pre dent forum. Withholding the "childish tongues" is easy; the hard part is holding the fingers away from the keyboard.

 

[BigK2113]

So i take it from your reply you don't consider yourself or other members "real" dentists. I was simply looking for some help, from those out there that would give it. Obviously you won't, or can't, so I do not see any advantage to bickering with you like a fifteen year old on the internet. If you could help me I would appreciate it. If you can not, then there is no point to continue this.

 

[itsallabout18]

Hello there,

I am new to this forum and am hoping to get some info. First of all, I am in my second year of a biology degree. Everything is going fine in school, I am keeping a good GPA and taking all the classes. I am planning on applying to the closest dental school, UTHSC in Memphis. I have been mulling over a couple things lately, and had a couple of questions.

1) I want to be a cosmetic dentist, doing veneers and things like that. So, what is the best way to do this. I know I need either my D.D.S or D.D.M., but UTHSC also offers a three year program in Prosthodontics. Should I plan on doing that, or just trying to take some extra course work in my first few years of practicing to get accredited?

2) My dream is to open a very large, multi-discipline practice. I would like to have dentists from different specialists, and eventually if possible, step back and manage the company. So, would it be wise of me to double major in business while I am in college, or is it unnecessary?

3) Lastly, I was wandering if there were any practicing cosmetic dentists who could give me some advice on the best way to get started. I have shadowed a couple of other disciplines and really think this is the one for me.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I will be the first in my family to even go to college, let alone graduate school, so it is really important to me that I succeed. I am open to any suggestions you guys have.

Thanks

Getting into dental school is your first hurdle, then getting into a graduate program is your second hurdle. It's not necessary to major in business unless you want to. Cosmetic dentistry is a bizarre thing to want to do because you're actually going to make your money on people that are in pain and need medical attention, not people who want to electively improve their smile (people most often go to the dentist when something is wrong). I wouldn't share this desire with dental schools, as they are predominantly looking for people who want to help others as a medical professional, rather than as a beautician. Furthermore, you are going to struggle to find specialists that won't want to be their own boss after many years of training.

You have lofty goals, and that's good, but just be prepared to have some disappointments along the way. There are tons of very motivated people who have the same dreams that you do. I'm glad you want to become a dentist, but I urge you to understand the profession as more than a business, because no matter how alluring the money is, it's hard work and selflessness that get you there.

Nobody gets exactly what they want in life, but if you work hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen. - Conan O'Brien

 

[BigK2113]

thanks itsallabout18, I really want to do veneers and the like. Not just because of the money, but because I want to help people with their smiles. I know its cheesy, but I was lucky enough to have braces and regular dental care as a kid. I grew up with a lot of people who did not get the same care when they were young, and they still have confidence issues to this day. I would like to be able to help them improve their lives like my parents did for me.

I appreciate your advice. So, you don't think a business major would be necessary? would it or possibly a minor in it look good on my application/interview?

 

[JustwantDDS]

You should really take it step by step, its good to have these goals but from what i understand, those big multi specialty practices everyone is their own boss, nt just one dentist managing them all. Its a good idea, but you are getting a little ahead of yourself. Think about how you are going to study for the DAT, work on recommendation letters, shadowing etc then think about this stuff.

 

[longhornpride]

thanks itsallabout18, I really want to do veneers and the like. Not just because of the money, but because I want to help people with their smiles. I know its cheesy, but I was lucky enough to have braces and regular dental care as a kid. I grew up with a lot of people who did not get the same care when they were young, and they still have confidence issues to this day. I would like to be able to help them improve their lives like my parents did for me.

I appreciate your advice. So, you don't think a business major would be necessary? would it or possibly a minor in it look good on my application/interview?

Veneers aren't that hard to do. Actually, it's one of the easiest restorative procedures. Doesn't take long and you get a nice little return on a pretty simple prep. You don't have to be a "cosmetic" dentist to do veneers.

The problem is that many practices can't run on simply just doing cosmetic dentistry. I've met a few dentists that focus on quite a bit cosmetic work, but they are few and in between. If that's something you want to do, you'll have to move to a location with the proper demographics and have a pretty good reputation.

So my advice is that you should be okay with being a general dentist and doing a variety of treatment. It's the same advice that people give to pre-dents that say they want to go to dental school to be an orthodontist. Focus on first getting into dental school and then being good at what you do. The rest will take care of itself with hard work.

Also, it looks like you're new on here, but doc is one of the most helpful posters on this site. I still remember messaging him my essay a few years ago and him "nicely" ripping it to shreds haha. He keeps it real and knows what he's talking about... for the most part 😉

 

[itsallabout18]

thanks itsallabout18, I really want to do veneers and the like. Not just because of the money, but because I want to help people with their smiles. I know its cheesy, but I was lucky enough to have braces and regular dental care as a kid. I grew up with a lot of people who did not get the same care when they were young, and they still have confidence issues to this day. I would like to be able to help them improve their lives like my parents did for me.

I appreciate your advice. So, you don't think a business major would be necessary? would it or possibly a minor in it look good on my application/interview?

Major in something interesting that will ensure that you are easily differentiable. Getting into dental school is predominantly about making yourself stick out. Look at the things that everyone has and then go beyond that. They want unique candidates, because a lot of people can get good grades in the pre-professional courses. They can't take them all.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Stop watching nip tuck!!! Lol, all kidding aside. I think its too early to really start paving your way into making millions. you seem to have the wrong motives of going on this field (from the way U worded the question at least). as others have said focus on your Dat+GPA> dental admission and THEN worry about these issues. Regardless of your motives, do ur self a favor and not mention this desire in your personal statement/interviews.

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[JdogDMD]

Graduate from undergrad and get accepted to dental school first and then worry about what you want to do. It's a long road ahead and lots of people aren't cut out for dentistry... Good luck!

 

[BigK2113]

Thanks a lot guys. Now, in re-reading my post I can see that it sounds a little naive/greedy. I appreciate all of the advice. For now I'm just going to buckle down, study for the DAT, and maybe pick up a couple business classes. Thanks again, and I am sure I will be posting more as I go along.