Ortho, Dental salaries - what hours?

[SD-user]

I've been reading all the literature on this site about ortho and dental salaries . . . and $/day, etc. How many hours does one have to work/day to get the money we are talking about? I mean, I know dentists and orthodontists who work anywhere from 4 days a week (8am-4pm) to 6 days (and up until 8 pm, 9 pm at night depending on the demand). Could someone potentially work a 4 day week and still pull in $800-$1000/day in ortho or dental?

- SD

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[drben]

I've been reading all the literature on this site about ortho and dental salaries . . . and $/day, etc. How many hours does one have to work/day to get the money we are talking about? I mean, I know dentists and orthodontists who work anywhere from 4 days a week (8am-4pm) to 6 days (and up until 8 pm, 9 pm at night depending on the demand). Could someone potentially work a 4 day week and still pull in $800-$1000/day in ortho or dental?

- SD

yes...next question please

 

[Jone]

gee, if you know them, then why don't you ask them.

most of us on this message board are just stupid students, giving stupid advice to stupid people (including me)

I mean, I know dentists and orthodontists who work anywhere from 4 days a week (8am-4pm) to 6 days (and up until 8 pm, 9 pm at night depending on the demand). Could someone potentially work a 4 day week and still pull in $800-$1000/day in ortho or dental?

- SD

 

[rahmed]

I've been reading all the literature on this site about ortho and dental salaries . . . and $/day, etc. How many hours does one have to work/day to get the money we are talking about? I mean, I know dentists and orthodontists who work anywhere from 4 days a week (8am-4pm) to 6 days (and up until 8 pm, 9 pm at night depending on the demand). Could someone potentially work a 4 day week and still pull in $800-$1000/day in ortho or dental?

- SD

Why you even asking these questions??? I am curious!!

rahmed

 

[ItsGavinC]

Could someone potentially work a 4 day week and still pull in $800-$1000/day in ortho or dental?

- SD

One can easily make $1,000/day, and it doesn't matter how many days a week you work.

You won't make that starting out unless your production is insane, but it isn't at all impossible.

Heck, *after* overhead is paid, some specialists make over $1,000 an HOUR..

 

[Profchaos]

One can easily make $1,000/day, and it doesn't matter how many days a week you work.

You won't make that starting out unless your production is insane, but it isn't at all impossible.

Heck, *after* overhead is paid, some specialists make over $1,000 an HOUR..

Sure...

 

[ItsGavinC]

Sure...

Care to elaborate as to which part of that you don't agree with?

 

[balance]

Care to elaborate as to which part of that you don't agree with?

I am curious to know what type of specialist you are referring to? And what location?

 

[Rezdawg]

Profchoas and Balance, I take it you guys are questioning Gavin's comments regarding specialists making 1000/hour.

The endodontist I worked with in Houston would schedule 16 root canals a day, although she would only end up doing about 10-14 due to no-shows. At around 800 bucks a pop, thats pretty solid money, and easily figures into Gavin's assertion that a specialist can make 1000/hour. Thats just for root canals, I didnt even mention her apicoectomy procedures, which net her even more dough/hour.

 

[Profchaos]

Profchoas and Balance, I take it you guys are questioning Gavin's comments regarding specialists making 1000/hour.

The endodontist I worked with in Houston would schedule 16 root canals a day, although she would only end up doing about 10-14 due to no-shows. At around 800 bucks a pop, thats pretty solid money, and easily figures into Gavin's assertion that a specialist can make 1000/hour. Thats just for root canals, I didnt even mention her apicoectomy procedures, which net her even more dough/hour.

I see.
How about orthodontist?
I've been hearing some glamorous comments that orthodontist has the highest potential earning power.

 

[Wah]

I see.
How about orthodontist?
I've been hearing some glamorous comments that orthodontist has the highest potential earning power.

I would think Oral surgeons and endodontists have the highest potential to earn big bucks. The nice thing about ortho is that in many places they can see patients 3 days a week and still pull in over $200k/year. But then again, that could apply to a lot of specialists...

 

[deltamed]

So how come I dont hear about a lot of dental specialists making 2-3 million a year which would only be working 40 hours a week on your assumption? I'm sure there are a few, but a very few.

Profchoas and Balance, I take it you guys are questioning Gavin's comments regarding specialists making 1000/hour.

The endodontist I worked with in Houston would schedule 16 root canals a day, although she would only end up doing about 10-14 due to no-shows. At around 800 bucks a pop, thats pretty solid money, and easily figures into Gavin's assertion that a specialist can make 1000/hour. Thats just for root canals, I didnt even mention her apicoectomy procedures, which net her even more dough/hour.

 

[Rezdawg]

So how come I dont hear about a lot of dental specialists making 2-3 million a year which would only be working 40 hours a week on your assumption? I'm sure there are a few, but a very few.

How did you come to 2-3 million?

The endodontist I speak of probably works 4 days a week ~ 32 hours/week. Also, she takes about 1 month of vacation per year...so she basically works 11 months. That comes out to about 1.2-1.5 million per year depending on how much she works and vacations.

Also, Im not sure about the ratio of endos to population in most areas, but this endodontist told me that there are approximately 20-25 endodontists in the whole Houston area. If my math is correct, that comes out to 1 endodontist per 180,000 people. Not sure how that compares to other parts of the country, but it seems like there would be a very high demand for endodontists in Houston. That could be the reason her bank account is loaded.

 

[drben]

I see.
How about orthodontist?
I've been hearing some glamorous comments that orthodontist has the highest potential earning power.

Orthodontist's have less of an earnings ceiling per se than other dental specialties (excluding pedo)...the reason? What limits production in any dental setting is "doctor time". If you have a well trained clinical staff the majority of orthodontic treatment can be executed by skilled auxilaries. Therefore, there isn't a demand for "doctor time" like there is for other dental specialities (afterall, I have never seen an assistant do a root canal per the doctor's directions )

I have a colleague/friend who has a large practice (about 700 starts/year) and his net income is about 1.4 million per year. This is the exception, and he is an exceptional individual. The average run of the mill orthodontist is incapable of starting over 700 patients a year, and seeing 120-150 patients a day.

That being said, I would say that "on average" my oral surgery, endo colleagues probably make more money than me...but I still make a great living creating smiles!

Ben

 

[Rezdawg]

seeing 120-150 patients a day.

What kind of factory is he running?

 

[dort-ort]

It must be one of those orthodontic sweatshops that are becoming increasingly popular. They take orthodontists from the third world and force them to bend wires for $2/hr. Then, after years of labor, their hands get worn out and they have to bend wires with their feet. Then, when their feet wear out, they are put at the curb with the rest of the garbage, or they become faculty at Tufts.

Are you sure? From what your describing, sounds exactly like an OEC orthodontist.

 

[deltamed]

How did you come to 2-3 million?

The endodontist I speak of probably works 4 days a week ~ 32 hours/week. Also, she takes about 1 month of vacation per year...so she basically works 11 months. That comes out to about 1.2-1.5 million per year depending on how much she works and vacations.

Also, Im not sure about the ratio of endos to population in most areas, but this endodontist told me that there are approximately 20-25 endodontists in the whole Houston area. If my math is correct, that comes out to 1 endodontist per 180,000 people. Not sure how that compares to other parts of the country, but it seems like there would be a very high demand for endodontists in Houston. That could be the reason her bank account is loaded.

Well I'm sure there are endodontists "willing" to work 40-50 hours a week with a reasonable few weeks of vacation. If they really are making 1000 an hour these individuals would be making 2-3 million a year:

1000*45*4*11 = 2 million

Since there are few doing this, I assume there is some type of problem that makes this very hard to do. I mean, no offense, but it's easier (and faster) to become an endodontist than, for example, a dermatologist. Derms work those hours and make 250k-400k a year and have what is considered an incredibly easy time making money.

 

[Profchaos]

It must be one of those orthodontic sweatshops that are becoming increasingly popular. They take orthodontists from the third world and force them to bend wires for $2/hr. Then, after years of labor, their hands get worn out and they have to bend wires with their feet. Then, when their feet wear out, they are put at the curb with the rest of the garbage, or they become faculty at Tufts.

Ha, very dynamic

 

[drben]

Are you sure? From what your describing, sounds exactly like an OEC orthodontist.

As opposed to the majority of the BS that people quote about..."I have a friend that makes..."(you can fill in the rest ) This is an operation I have seen first hand, and have experienced for myself. I make fun of him because he has someone that I have dubbed the "fluffer" that puts his gloves on for him, tells him which chair to go to next, and gives him background on the patient (eg. past sib's treated, special concerns, etc.) He has a VERY competent staff, and he is exceptionally skilled.

It's definitely not an OEC mill and the quality of work is good (he is a board certified), but the quality of patient interactions even with the "fluffer" is compromised.

Me...I'll stick to seeing around 60 patients a day and exclude the "fluffer" from my practice...I don't think my wife would like it

Ben

 

[zdaddy08]

razalasodnomra:

nice signature!!!

 

[ryche22]

What kind of factory is he running?

nah. the orthodontist i worked for saw an average of 110 patients a day i think, and in his prime it was more than that. he is an anti-oca guy as well.

its definatly not a sweatshop, but the business works like clockwork, and the staff is amazing.