NEVER work for the State of California!!

[Calif Screaming]

😡 If you are even thinking about taking a Dentist job with the State of California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, please read this first!

I actually enjoyed my dental school (most of the time), but hated private practice. Good clinician but did not enjoy the business aspect of private practice. In practice for 7 years, and then (in 2007) a Federal Court ruling required the State of California to increase the number and salaries of their prison dentists. In 33 prisons, new dentists would make $180K a year (plus great benefits). In time, one could become a Chief Dentist making $330K per year! And each subsequent year of employment brought a 5% automatic increase.

I talked it over with my wife, applied and got a job at a California Prison, sold my practice, and started loving Dentistry again.

Fast forward to 2010. Now the State of California decides that the Chief Dentists are really not needed, since they did strictly administrative functions and were not treating patients. As of January 30, 2010 all of the Chief Dentist positions are being eliminated!

Unlike private corporations, though, Civil Service rules apply. These Chief Dentists have up to 25 years in State Service, so they get to "demote and bump" less senior dentists from their positions.

Bottom line -- I will out in the cold starting Feburary 1st. I will be starting over in private practice working as an Associate until I find a practice to purchase.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Oracle DMD]

😡 If you are even thinking about taking a Dentist job with the State of California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, please read this first!

I actually enjoyed my dental school (most of the time), but hated private practice. Good clinician but did not enjoy the business aspect of private practice. In practice for 7 years, and then (in 2007) a Federal Court ruling required the State of California to increase the number and salaries of their prison dentists. In 33 prisons, new dentists would make $180K a year (plus great benefits). In time, one could become a Chief Dentist making $330K per year! And each subsequent year of employment brought a 5% automatic increase.

I talked it over with my wife, applied and got a job at a California Prison, sold my practice, and started loving Dentistry again.

Fast forward to 2010. Now the State of California decides that the Chief Dentists are really not needed, since they did strictly administrative functions and were not treating patients. As of January 30, 2010 all of the Chief Dentist positions are being eliminated!

Unlike private corporations, though, Civil Service rules apply. These Chief Dentists have up to 25 years in State Service, so they get to "demote and bump" less senior dentists from their positions.

Bottom line -- I will out in the cold starting Feburary 1st. I will be starting over in private practice working as an Associate until I find a practice to purchase.

ouch! you got burned! that is the opposite cool. sorry for ya!

 

[djh597]

Keep your chin up. I have a fantastic practice for sale so I can return to school to specialize. Check your PM's

 

[inteli7]

😡 If you are even thinking about taking a Dentist job with the State of California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, please read this first!

I actually enjoyed my dental school (most of the time), but hated private practice. Good clinician but did not enjoy the business aspect of private practice. In practice for 7 years, and then (in 2007) a Federal Court ruling required the State of California to increase the number and salaries of their prison dentists. In 33 prisons, new dentists would make $180K a year (plus great benefits). In time, one could become a Chief Dentist making $330K per year! And each subsequent year of employment brought a 5% automatic increase.

I talked it over with my wife, applied and got a job at a California Prison, sold my practice, and started loving Dentistry again.

Fast forward to 2010. Now the State of California decides that the Chief Dentists are really not needed, since they did strictly administrative functions and were not treating patients. As of January 30, 2010 all of the Chief Dentist positions are being eliminated!

Unlike private corporations, though, Civil Service rules apply. These Chief Dentists have up to 25 years in State Service, so they get to "demote and bump" less senior dentists from their positions.

Bottom line -- I will out in the cold starting Feburary 1st. I will be starting over in private practice working as an Associate until I find a practice to purchase.

As it turns out it does not seem like actually any perm. position dentist will be eliminated. Some limited terms will be tho. Which one are you?

I do agree tho once you get used to doing state dentistry its very hard to go back to private not just because of the money but because of the lifestyle.

It would be like going from broadband internet to dialup....

 

[supraeli]

dang that sux! sounds like you had a sweet deal! oh well, back to the grinding wheel like the rest of us unfortunate souls... thanks for updating us though... dang gov't always jacking people over.

 

[Mulberry Tooth]

Excuse my naive question, but what does a "chief dentist" in California's prisons do, that he/she gets to make as much as a specialist.

 

[dentstd]

I talked it over with my wife, applied and got a job at a California Prison, sold my practice, and started loving Dentistry again.

Sux that you now have to do real dentistry. I feel you. I'd rather do admin stuff and get paid 6x what I should be paid too.

The State of California was right in eliminating that position if that's all chief dentists do. You have to get past your own ego and think what's best for the people.

 

[Mulberry Tooth]

Sux that you now have to do real dentistry. I feel you. I'd rather do admin stuff and get paid 6x what I should be paid too.

The State of California was right in eliminating that position if that's all chief dentists do. You have to get past your own ego and think what's best for the people.

I got it! Thank you for answering my question.

 

[DudeDDS]

That's what the government is about, dummy.