Ophthalmology vs. dentistry

[opstudent]

Hello,
I am still confused on what job i would like to persue. What is the detailed (such as salary, work hours, schooling, etc.) difference of an ophthalmologists and a dentist? Which has a more comfortable living?

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[Doxorubicin]

Hello,
I am still confused on what job i would like to persue. What is the detailed (such as salary, work hours, schooling, etc.) difference of an ophthalmologists and a dentist? Which has a more comfortable living?

Well, you won't starve in either one. Don't let pay dictate what you do. Find what you enjoy doing.

A career in ophthalmology is obtained with a medical degree (MD, DO.) Thus, you have to go to college, then a medical school, and then complete a residency in ophthalmology, which is usually three years, if I'm not mistaken. Given the relatively low numbers of ophthalmic emergencies, I know of a practice here in town that operates only 4 days a week and light call.

Not unlike ophthalmology, dentistry requires a professional dental degree (DDS, DMD.) Schooling is undergraduate + dental school, which is 4 years + 4 years.
In some states, dentists don't have to do any post-graduate training and can begin practicing right away after dental school upon being licensed. I think, not for sure though, that some dentists must complete at least an intern year before practicing.
Residencies can include endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and oral surgery, among others. These require extra years of training, with some oral surgery programs running 6 years post-dental school in length, resulting in an MD degree and specialization in oral surgery.

Anyhow, the amount of schooling for either is longer than usual. If it's a cushy lifestyle you want, go for dentistry. Just know that you're going to make a career out of it for the rest of your life.
It's pretty well-known that dentists can enjoy a nice lifestyle and salary.

 

[fahimaz7]

The real question is Medicine vs Dental. You need to figure this one out before you worry about a specific specialty, which you may or may not even be competitive for when the time comes.

 

[md88jd98]

Opthalmology is among the most competitive specialties. Applicants who match successfully tend to have top USMLE scores and AOA credentials (top 15%). Most students keep an open mind and many don't make specialty selection until late junior or early senior year. For many, Opthalmology is not a realistic option.

 

[rockclock]

The real question is Medicine vs Dental. You need to figure this one out before you worry about a specific specialty, which you may or may not even be competitive for when the time comes.

Opthalmology is among the most competitive specialties. Applicants who match successfully tend to have top USMLE scores and AOA credentials (top 15%). Most students keep an open mind and many don't make specialty selection until late junior or early senior year. For many, Opthalmology is not a realistic option.

Exactly. Specializing in both medicine and dentistry can be very competitive, and those specialties that provide the best incomes and lifestyles tend to be at the top of the list. Your decision to pursue either medicine or dentistry shouldn't be based solely on income or lifestyle (you run the risk of being horribly miserable if you do), but the "plan B" in dentistry is better in terms of both than the "plan B" in medicine. What I mean by that is not that either general dentistry or family practice are inferior in any way, but if your intention is to specialize and for whatever reason you end up not being competitive enough, your fall-back in dentistry is a much better lifestyle than your fall-back in medicine.

Just something to consider since that seems like (one of the) biggest factor(s) in your decision-making.

 

[opstudent]

thankyou for all the replies. I am not thinking about the money. I like both proffesians and just wanted more insight.

 

[45408]

The real question is Medicine vs Dental. You need to figure this one out before you worry about a specific specialty, which you may or may not even be competitive for when the time comes.

Well, maybe that's not the question. Eyes and teeth are pretty specific interests, and those happen to be two of the areas where people have a bit of an ick factor. I don't like dealing with either of them, and I've got a pretty high threshold.

It takes a lot longer to become an ophthalmologist, and because it's a very competitive specialty, there's a good chance you'll become an MD and not be able to get into optho. If you like the idea of being a dentist, do that. If you would only want to be an ophthalmologist, then think long and hard about the fact that you could easily end up in another specialty.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

The main difference between medical and dental is the loneliness factor. Dentistry is more of a "solo career," rather than a team effort. Not that dentists don't work with others--they do (hygienists, assistants, etc.), but it's pretty uncommon for dentists to work with many people with the same level of education that they have. For this reason, some feel somewhat isolated in their profession.

In medicine, however, doctors collaborate with other doctors and hospital staff, as well as nurses and techs. Thus, it's more of a team sport, in the most relative sense. Kudos to both professions--but this should be one of the factors that you consider, in addition to the more obvious question of "which one do you like better?"

 

[FIREitUP]

If you can stand the idea of being a dentist rather than a physician, I would personally go with dentistry.

 

[rockclock]

The main difference between medical and dental is the loneliness factor. Dentistry is more of a "solo career," rather than a team effort. Not that dentists don't work with others--they do (hygienists, assistants, etc.), but it's pretty uncommon for dentists to work with many people with the same level of education that they have. For this reason, some feel somewhat isolated in their profession.

In medicine, however, doctors collaborate with other doctors and hospital staff, as well as nurses and techs. Thus, it's more of a team sport, in the most relative sense. Kudos to both professions--but this should be one of the factors that you consider, in addition to the more obvious question of "which one do you like better?"

A healthy percentage of dental practices are group practices...I don't know the numbers off the top of my head or care to make them up, but if your preference is to work closely with others of "the same level of education" you can choose to guide your career in that direction.

Many specialists choose to work at (or open) group practices because they afford the convenience of being able to consult with colleagues as well as the flexibility of having them cover your schedule during planned vacations and impromptu days off. Also, more and more general dentists are inviting specialists to come work in their office on certain days of the week/month (and sharing in the production) rather than referring out...it basically cuts the specialist's overhead out of the equation and increases revenue for both him and the GP.

 

[ULTRON]

Did you mean "optometry" vs "dentistry"? Because most people tend to get confused between ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Optometrists are docs who prescribe eye glasses. I had the same question but I ended up going to medical school and not optometry school or dental school

The three are very different.

ULTRON

Hello,
I am still confused on what job i would like to persue. What is the detailed (such as salary, work hours, schooling, etc.) difference of an ophthalmologists and a dentist? Which has a more comfortable living?

 

[opstudent]

no i made it very clear that it was ophthalmology vs. dentistry

 

[Starlightembers]

Dentists:

Training:

1. Undergraduate, 3 - 4 years
2. Dental Admissions Test
3. Dental School, 4 years
4. Some states require a post gradate residency program, 1-2 years
5. Further specialty training (if you wish to pursue it), 2-6 years

Wages:

• National average $140,950 a year, $68 an hour

Ophthalmologist

Training:

• Undergraduate, 3 - 4 years
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
• Medical School, 4 years
• Internship, 1 Year
• Ophthalmology Residency, 3+ Years

Wages:

• $244,126 a year

I agree with others who have said that, if you are interested in dentistry, to pursue that. Ophthalmology is an extremely competitive specialty, and there is a greater than not chance you will not match to it. If you can only see yourself being an ophthalmologist if you go the MD/DO route and not any other medical specialty, it may not be worth it. If you want to try anyways, then that is your choice; but make sure to have a back up.

 

[kcin]

Hello,
I am still confused on what job i would like to persue. What is the detailed (such as salary, work hours, schooling, etc.) difference of an ophthalmologists and a dentist? Which has a more comfortable living?

1. Work on your spelling and grammar.
2. lol

 

[opstudent]

Thanks for all the replies! especially starlightembers

 

[AntiHouseMD]

I know you said only ophthalmologist vs. dentist, but you really should take a look at a future as an optometrist. My father is an OD, and he makes a pretty good living with his office. Lot of paperwork and time making the glasses, but he's able to have a fair amount of time off.

Whichever way you go, good luck.

 

[ULTRON]

Does it matter? I can still read the question clearly despite the spelling errors. What are you smoking?

1. Work on your spelling and grammar.
2. lol

 

[ULTRON]

You forgot to mention the five figure malpractice insurance ophthalmologists pay every year.

ULTRON

Dentists:

Training:

1. Undergraduate, 3 - 4 years
2. Dental Admissions Test
3. Dental School, 4 years
4. Some states require a post gradate residency program, 1-2 years
5. Further specialty training (if you wish to pursue it), 2-6 years

Wages:

• National average $140,950 a year, $68 an hour

Ophthalmologist

Training:

• Undergraduate, 3 - 4 years
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
• Medical School, 4 years
• Internship, 1 Year
• Ophthalmology Residency, 3+ Years

Wages:

• $244,126 a year

I agree with others who have said that, if you are interested in dentistry, to pursue that. Ophthalmology is an extremely competitive specialty, and there is a greater than not chance you will not match to it. If you can only see yourself being an ophthalmologist if you go the MD/DO route and not any other medical specialty, it may not be worth it. If you want to try anyways, then that is your choice; but make sure to have a back up.

 

[opstudent]

Thanks so much ultron for defending me.lol. I will try to spell better.

 

[opstudent]

I believe I am more inclined to becoming an ophthalmologist

 

[Namie]

I believe I am more inclined to becoming an ophthalmologist

If you are doing this for money, then neither will make you rich (above 350 k for me).

I say if you really wanted to go for money, choose the top medical professions that will earn at least 300 k.

 

[raceru689]

If ophthalmologist is such a hard specialty to get into what are some other options for residency that might be closely related that could be a little less difficult to match to?

 

[kcin]

If ophthalmologist is such a hard specialty to get into what are some other options for residency that might be closely related that could be a little less difficult to match to?

ob/gyn is the residency for you, my boy

 

[raceru689]

ob/gyn is the residency for you, my boy

Why do you think this is a good suggestion?

 

[AntiHouseMD]

Why do you think this is a good suggestion?

I believe he meant it as :sarcasm: