Oral Pathology

[MsPurtell]

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Anyone have any idea how much oral pathologists make? I've seen the salaries of other specialties, but not for this specialty. Thanks, Margaret

 

[ItsGavinC]

Really difficult to tell, since the field isn't overly-expanded as of yet.

From what I've been told, here is how it currently breaks down:

? Oral pathologists most often hold other positions "by day," so to speak.

? Their incomes fall in line with other academic and research oriented positions

? Typically they don't focus exclusively on oral pathology unless the need arises.

For example, an oral pathologist might be on staff at a hospital (or group of hospitals), but not really focus on the oral aspect of pathology unless they are called to a major crime scene, etc.

One girl in my class is VERY interested in this, but she is simply going to do some "forensic" fellowships, which will allow her to be a practicing GD and then visit the path side when the need arises. Her outlook is that it's difficult to make an income operating solely as an oral path, so she's avoiding the specialty title altogether.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by ItsGavinC
Really difficult to tell, since the field isn't overly-expanded as of yet.

From what I've been told, here is how it currently breaks down:

? Oral pathologists most often hold other positions "by day," so to speak.

? Their incomes fall in line with other academic and research oriented positions

? Typically they don't focus exclusively on oral pathology unless the need arises.

For example, an oral pathologist might be on staff at a hospital (or group of hospitals), but not really focus on the oral aspect of pathology unless they are called to a major crime scene, etc.

One girl in my class is VERY interested in this, but she is simply going to do some "forensic" fellowships, which will allow her to be a practicing GD and then visit the path side when the need arises. Her outlook is that it's difficult to make an income operating solely as an oral path, so she's avoiding the specialty title altogether.

Yep. Our dean is actually an oral pathologist. I believe he practices one day per week.

 

[DrJeff]

Originally posted by MsPurtell
Anyone have any idea how much oral pathologists make? I've seen the salaries of other specialties, but not for this specialty. Thanks, Margaret

I can tell you that the main o-path at your school, Dr. E, does alot better than many other o-paths, simply because she has been a LONG TERM state employee. She does though supplement that state paycheck by doing many lectures at conferences/meetings. You're lucky though that she now runs the course. While I was at UCONN, she was "2nd fiddle" to Dr. K. He was one tough cookie, but between the 2 of them, I learned a ton of o-path that I remember vividly heading on 10 years after sitting in Friends lecture hall and absorbing it. Plus, I'll also vouch that the mainly retired now Dr. K is probably the best golfing Oral Pathologist in the U.S., and I've got a hole in my wallet to prove it!😀

 

[Stanford Fencer]

I have heard that the oral path dept. is one of the most successful depts at UCSF dental school in terms of profitability. So the dept. apparently does well, though I don't know about the professors themselves. We *are* using the textbook that they wrote though.....

 

[MsPurtell]

Thanks, guys, for all the info. I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to specialize and oral pathology is one that interested me. It's sounds like they don't make out as well as other specialists. It's a lot to think about and I think I need to talk to some folks at school. I don't know whether to go with something I think I'll really like or something that makes the $$$.

Dr. Jeff, I'm gonna PM you.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Ms,

Go with something you LIKE. No specialty is going to be down and out in regards to $$ (when compared to other jobs).

 

[MsPurtell]

I know, I know, I know......we should always choose something we like......but at my age I feel like I've gotta be practical.....I'm worried about taking care of a family properly.......kids, their education, etc. That's why I'm perplexed right now as to what route to go!

But, thanks for the advice. You're probably right.

 

[aphistis]

Your concerns about being able to provide for your family are noble and valid. The good news about dentistry is that as long as you're a competent dentist, you won't have to worry about that. If you're good at the business end, you can open your own practice and make a killing. If you're good at dental school, you can specialize and do the same. If you're not the best businesswoman ever, or if you don't want to work full-time, you can associate and still make a very respectable living. SDN in general has an extremely inflated notion of what kind of income is necessary to live comfortably and provide for a family. As always, vive la dentistry 😀