Pay for dentists in Alaska..

[budda10000]

I had heard that Alaska has a shortage of dentists and thus pay's very well. Is there any truth to this rumor? Any personal experiences? I was thinking about going up there for a year or two after Dschool.

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[srb711]

everyone makes more money in alaska because the cost of living is so high. that being said, there is no question that alaska is short on dentists. but it's not the desirable places in alaska that are short... it's mainly the native villages that are only accessible by plane that you're going to find this shortage.

you're not going to be able to just go up to alaska for a year or two after school, set up shop, make a lot of money and then go back to the "lower 48." now if you're truly interested in giving back to the underserved of alaska, you could look in to the public health service, IHS, or even see if the native corporations will hire you directly. they tend to pay competitively and generally have competitive loan repayment programs as well.

 

[budda10000]

It was more of a interest... I wanted to live up there for awhile just to see what it was like. I already do plenty of giving back to indigenous communities seeing as that would be my community😛 I just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't go broke moving to a state with high COL and so/so pay.

 

[redrocksdentist]

Anchorage, Fairbanks offer competitve IHS/638 salaries 115-130k.

The interior locations and those in the tundra which are usually IHS tribal are in the 130s. All of these programs include some sort of housing subsidy so your rent is nothing or dirt cheap. However, food is expensive and you will feel very isolated from a good meal or shopping. Relocation and 25-30 days time off are included but most of these places are accessible by air only. There isn't much at all to do up there. But if all you want to do is sock it away and don't mind living in a small community playing board games and watching movies at night with your fellow dentists in a cruddy place then go for it.

Southeast Alaska is the most competitive because of the mild climate and scenery. Most of these places will hold out for a residency trained or experienced doc.

If you're looking for adventure out west without the isolation of Alaska there are plenty of IHS positions in the lower 48 that pay just as well.

In my opinion when you consider the gauranteed 20 days off, 10 holidays, good salary, CE, benies, tax free NHSC repayment AND low stress, IHS/Public Health is the only way to go for the first 2-4 yrs out of school. But I am biased because that's what I do.

 

[88ay31]

How are the salaries at NHSC for starting out dental associates...?
like in the rural massachuetts?

is massachuetts in general a good area to find dental positions?

 

[desdes]

I actually live in Fairbanks and it is expensive on some things. They have clinics at Tanana chiefs and not many dentist offices around town. I have only seen one in NP, it is really pretty here.

 

[Tirekicker]

I know this is really late. I'm from Fairbanks and there are tons of dentists here (40+ not counting all the military dentists). I can think of three offices in North Pole off the top of my head.

 

[MissyT]

Doesn't the state pay people like, $1,500 p/year just to live in Alaska? I hear that parents all pretty much save that money for their kids and use it toward college and stuff. Dunno how long it would take to qualify for it though.

 

[Tirekicker]

Alaska sets aside a portion of all mineral income (including oil) into an investment fund. The fund began in 1977 with $734,000. Last year the Alaska Permanent Fund was valued at $38 billion and earned a 20% rate of return. Since 1982, a portion of the interest (based on an average of the fund's performance over the last five years) is paid out to law-abiding permanent Alaska residents in an annual dividend. Last year the amount was $1174. To qualify a person has to live in the state for a year before applying and intent on living in Alaska indefinitely. As you can imagine, this is extremely popular here.

http://www.pfd.state.ak.us/