Part Time Associate?

[IrishTwins]

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As a mother, I'm considering part time work (3-4 day work weeks) a huge benefit of being a dentist. I'll be applying to dental school this summer, and I'm at a point where I would really like to verify if my expectations are realistic or not. I am hoping that some of you dentists, or dental students out there can help.

What I basically want to know is this: How common are 3-4 day work week positions in dentistry, especially for new graduates or "young" dentists? What kind of salary and benefits accompany these positions (i.e. are you still able to get insurance, 401K, vacation weeks, etc?)

Are there many difference specifically between 3 day work week opportunities versus 4 day?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nightguard]

I am a mother and work 3 days a week. There are definitely opportunities to work part-time in dentistry. That is one of the reasons I chose this field. Earning potential is good too. I think the hard part would be going through dental school with kids since its basically a full time schedule during the day and then you have to go home and study. That might be hard for the family, depending on how old your kids are. But its been done and you will need good support. I had kids after finishing school but some female classmates had them during school and they are all practicing dentists, mostly part-time. Good luck! It's not an easy 4 years but a rewarding profession when you start practicing.

 

[omaralt]

As a mother, I'm considering part time work (3-4 day work weeks) a huge benefit of being a dentist. I'll be applying to dental school this summer, and I'm at a point where I would really like to verify if my expectations are realistic or not. I am hoping that some of you dentists, or dental students out there can help.

What I basically want to know is this: How common are 3-4 day work week positions in dentistry, especially for new graduates or "young" dentists? What kind of salary and benefits accompany these positions (i.e. are you still able to get insurance, 401K, vacation weeks, etc?)

Are there many difference specifically between 3 day work week opportunities versus 4 day?

Thanks in advance!

I'm a male so I don't speak from personal experience;but from what I see and hear.

Finding part time work is easy. Many dentists don't want the expense of a full time associate. The downside is that there is usually no benefits. Also the other consideration you will have is how much debt are you going to be in? If ur in debt 250-300K can you afford to only work part time?? Probably not if uroan re-payment is around 3k a month. Either way it's definitely doable and probably the best situation will be for you to partner up with somebody and work part time. My partner hasn't worked a day since December (illness) and is still making good money.

 

[Saddleshoes]

One thing to consider with your plan...

If you apply to a state school remember, that tax payers are paying for a good portion of your education. Tax payers are going to want a good retuern on their investment.

Therefore: DO NOT tell the people at a state dental school you intend to practice only on a part time basis.

 

[omaralt]

One thing to consider with your plan...

If you apply to a state school remember, that tax payers are paying for a good portion of your education. Tax payers are going to want a good retuern on their investment.

Therefore: DO NOT tell the people at a state dental school you intend to practice only on a part time basis.

lol i dont think anybody could care less. even working part time your going to pay through the nose in taxes

 

[Ostracized]

Thank goodness for women dentists who want to work part time. This is an increasing trend, and will mean less competition for all of us.

 

[IrishTwins]

I am a mother and work 3 days a week. There are definitely opportunities to work part-time in dentistry. That is one of the reasons I chose this field. Earning potential is good too. I think the hard part would be going through dental school with kids since its basically a full time schedule during the day and then you have to go home and study. That might be hard for the family, depending on how old your kids are. But its been done and you will need good support. I had kids after finishing school but some female classmates had them during school and they are all practicing dentists, mostly part-time. Good luck! It's not an easy 4 years but a rewarding profession when you start practicing.

Thanks for your encouraging post! I am definitely not looking forward to the struggle of trying to balance school with kids, but fortunately ours will be starting school shortly after I start dental school (if I make it in!). I'm hoping they will be a little more independent by that time. Plus, we've got great family support in the area also. So, we'll see.

May I ask if you're a general dentist or a specialist? I'm guessing part time work is pretty easy to find in any field of dentistry. Also, working part time, do you get decent benefits or is that pretty much a sacrifice you have to make to have the 3 day schedule?

 

[yojimbo53]

Not to worry. You'll actually have an easier time finding a part-time job than a full-time job. Most of my ex-classmates are working two jobs because none of their employers are willing to give them more than 2-3 days per week. I should mention, they are in a fairly large city though.

 

[marcusnasland]

Thank goodness for women dentists who want to work part time. This is an increasing trend, and will mean less competition for all of us.

Very true, read any interesting articles on this lately? I am writing a paper.

 

[gryffindor]

As a GP I used to work 3 days/week (2 associate jobs).

As a specialist I now work 3 days/week, occasionally 4 (3 associate jobs).

Sometimes it feels like I work 2 days too many.

I have never worked full time as a dentist because I didn't feel like it and financially I haven't needed to. I don't plan to stay part time forever. I will start working full time soon at my associate jobs 2 - 3 days/week and at my own practice the rest of the week. I'm building my practice now so that when I have kids, I can return back to 3 days/week but have those work days be in my own office and not as an associate in someone else's office. If my office is too busy and needs to run 5 days/week, I will hire an associate. I don't think I am cut out for a 5 - 6 day work week staring solely at teeth.

The downside is that I have never been offered any benefits from any job I have had. As a GP, my health insurance consisted of prayer (my monthly student loan payment was less than the monthly premium for a healthy young individual). As a specialist, I got married in city hall for the sole purpose of getting on my spouse's health plan. I pay my own malpractice, disability, and I used to contribute to a Roth IRA every year I was eligible until the recent turn of events in the stock market made that a worthless habit.

 

[Nightguard]

I am a GP and unfortunately don't get benefits with my 3 day a week job. I work at a private office and usually they don't give benefits for part time. But I don't know how large companies are if you wish to go that route. Maybe they would pay even part time dentists some benefits, don't know. I wouldn't worry too much about health insurance and such because if your husband is working, his company might be able to cover the family, depending on what he does. But still, even without benefits and on a part time schedule, the pay is decent. It all depends on your priorities too. First priority for me is always the kids and family. But dentistry is an enjoyable thing that you can do for yourself outside of the family and earn a decent 2nd income without too much sacrifice. It's worth it so I hope you get accepted!