Options to practice / licensure after "retirement" ?

[Retired DDS]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Sold my practice in 1997 to persue a different path, have not kept up with CE or renewed state license since then. What options (if any) would be viable to re-enter the profession at this point? Not looking to go back into private practice. I'm almost 50, debt-free & would be content with public service type of work in an underserved area of Hawaii or California, but would consider any option (military, etc...) to get to that point.

Being out this long, how does one get back up to speed? Obviously can't just pick up a handpiece & get to work, licensed or not.

 

[jda02624]

You sold your practice 21 years ago, you're 50 now, so you stopped practicing at 29 years old? How long did you practice? I'd like to hear more about this if you care to share.

I would assume it all depends on the state you wish to practice in and if your licensing board (i.e. WREB, etc.) is still considered valid. For example, some states say that you must have passed the respective board within the last 10 years. You will probably have to provide some evidence of CE or training too. Maybe if you mention which state, we can help out.

 

[Retired DDS]

You sold your practice 21 years ago, you're 50 now, so you stopped practicing at 29 years old? How long did you practice? I'd like to hear more about this if you care to share.

I would assume it all depends on the state you wish to practice in and if your licensing board (i.e. WREB, etc.) is still considered valid. For example, some states say that you must have passed the respective board within the last 10 years. You will probably have to provide some evidence of CE or training too. Maybe if you mention which state, we can help out.

My license was obtained in Florida. Not sure if Florida is part of any other licensing boards now, but they certainly weren't in 1994. Regardless, it is Null & Void & according to Florida guidelines I would need to re-take the state board to have it re-instated if I wanted to practice in Florida. At this point in time, Florida is not on my list. I would be looking to practice in under-served areas of California and Hawaii. At a later date, perhaps Mexico & Africa. Licensing issues aside, I've been out of practice over two decades & need a path to regain competency, preferably without going back to school...

The lapse -- I started a very small home-business while still in Dental School. It paid a few bills & by fourth year, paid tuition. Since money was no issue, I opened a practice straight out of school. By 1997, the side venture turned into a company producing $12 million a year and required my full attention. For sake of anonymity, I'd prefer not to provide any further details except to state at the present time, money is not my motivation for returning to Dentistry. There are far easier ways to produce higher incomes (as I've proved to myself in the past).

 

[OhioDMD]

Contact the state dental board where you want to practice and the should provide you with the pertinent information.

 

[321931]

My license was obtained in Florida. Not sure if Florida is part of any other licensing boards now, but they certainly weren't in 1994. Regardless, it is Null & Void & according to Florida guidelines I would need to re-take the state board to have it re-instated if I wanted to practice in Florida. At this point in time, Florida is not on my list. I would be looking to practice in under-served areas of California and Hawaii. At a later date, perhaps Mexico & Africa. Licensing issues aside, I've been out of practice over two decades & need a path to regain competency, preferably without going back to school...

The lapse -- I started a very small home-business while still in Dental School. It paid a few bills & by fourth year, paid tuition. Since money was no issue, I opened a practice straight out of school. By 1997, the side venture turned into a company producing $12 million a year and required my full attention. For sake of anonymity, I'd prefer not to provide any further details except to state at the present time, money is not my motivation for returning to Dentistry. There are far easier ways to produce higher incomes (as I've proved to myself in the past).

So what are your thoughts on the new DDS 300-500k loans and the state of dentistry now... when there are far more easier ways to produce higher incomes as you stated? What are your thoughts on just education loans 300-500k and then practice loan of 500-1mil?

Just curious since you have been successful in other ventures.

 

[nealofgrafton]

OP if you are serious go to dentaltown and look for a user by the handle drpainlus. I think he'd have a situation you'd be interested in

 

[Retired DDS]

So what are your thoughts on the new DDS 300-500k loans and the state of dentistry now... when there are far more easier ways to produce higher incomes as you stated? What are your thoughts on just education loans 300-500k and then practice loan of 500-1mil?

Just curious since you have been successful in other ventures.

I started to compose a lengthy response to this, but need more info to validate it. What is the starting average salary of most Dentists in today's times? What is the income potential in private practice? I know the ROI for way back when, but if my guess is correct, it would make almost zero sense to go in the hole for close to a million dollars in today's times. I see high tuition in most professions as a bubble waiting to burst, like many other segments of our economy.

 

[Retired DDS]

OP if you are serious go to dentaltown and look for a user by the handle drpainlus. I think he'd have a situation you'd be interested in

Thank you. Will do.