Philosophy on choosing a specialty

[BananaBread27]

Hi all!

I'm a D2 looking for some advice on how to choose a specialty. After searching around the internet and here, the general answer I get is some variation of "do what you are interested in". Should it be that simple? There are many other factors to consider (work balance, physical toll, patient population, future of certain specialties, general fulfillment) but when it comes down to it the most important part of choosing a career is pure interest in the field?

I know it's different for everyone and the answer isn't that simple, but I would really appreciate if someone could share why they chose their field and what factors do they think are the most important when choosing a specialty.

Thanks for reading my wall of text. I'm gonna go study now.

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[deleted1196239]

Gut feeling. I have been there and done stupid things. Follow your gut feeling.

 

[JustWisdom]

Dental school is surface level of education in terms of our profession. You learn 99% of dentistry while you work and what you end up liking to do. I highly recommend doing a high quality GPR or AEGD. I was hard stuck on doing general after graduation because I thought everything was fun until I did a GPR. Found the calling for my specialty there. Truly try to do everything and see what draws you in the most. Your only doing it for the rest of your life haha

 

[stealyoface]

Just go shadow all the specialties you’re interested in either at your schools programs or local docs to the area. The thing about the specialties is they’re all very different. I chose OMFS because I want to do surgery. I knew I wanted to do surgery because the scope is so broad/interesting, the surgeries themselves are cool/satisfying, and I shadowed in OMFS and saw them first hand

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Remember, you don’t have to specialize. I wouldn’t specialize just for the sake of specializing.

Big Hoss

 

[Pablo Sanchez]

Remember, you don’t have to specialize. I wouldn’t specialize just for the sake of specializing.

Big Hoss

I second this! If you’re passionate about one specific area of dentistry, by all means specialize. If you don’t feel a calling to something specific, it is a lot to put yourself through more years of what can be grueling residency just for what you might feel is the promise of a happier life or better lifestyle.

In many cases specialists can have a great life, but so can general dentists. Specializing isn’t guaranteed more income, and locking yourself into performing one procedure for the rest of your life can be boring if you aren’t passionate about it. It can be hard while you’re in residency watching some of your friends practicing as general dentists making, in some cases, more money than you might make being a specialist when you eventually graduate.

 

[D1Bound]

philosophy: do a specialty that is not saturated, that makes money, and that you like

 

[Torshammer]

I'm endo and really like it. I like focusing on one thing and being really good at it. I was GP before and felt like there too many things to master. I also like seeing patients just once or twice. As GP I hated see annoying or demanding patients multiple times. Money is good in endo. Money is important so you have to choose a specialty where you will be satisfied with the income you bring it. For example, Prosths who open their own practice and are business savvy will probaby make bank, but I have heard associate Prosths don't make much more than some GPs. Stress level in endo can be high. You have to be someone who can handle your emotions; I assume it's the same in OMSF and probably perio too. You will get calls after hours in Endo sometimes, which is stressful for some endos I know. Physical toll in Endo is a thing, but it's a thing in most of dentistry I assume.

 

[yappy]

Hi all!

I'm a D2 looking for some advice on how to choose a specialty. After searching around the internet and here, the general answer I get is some variation of "do what you are interested in". Should it be that simple? There are many other factors to consider (work balance, physical toll, patient population, future of certain specialties, general fulfillment) but when it comes down to it the most important part of choosing a career is pure interest in the field?

I know it's different for everyone and the answer isn't that simple, but I would really appreciate if someone could share why they chose their field and what factors do they think are the most important when choosing a specialty.

Thanks for reading my wall of text. I'm gonna go study now.

Im not a specialist but when people say pick something you’re interested in they mean a specialty you like, enjoy doing, and yes, want to learn a lot more about because of your interest in it. Shadow pp too to make sure you understand what the real world of the specialty looks like.

 

[BananaBread27]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Dental school is surface level of education in terms of our profession. You learn 99% of dentistry while you work and what you end up liking to do. I highly recommend doing a high quality GPR or AEGD. I was hard stuck on doing general after graduation because I thought everything was fun until I did a GPR. Found the calling for my specialty there. Truly try to do everything and see what draws you in the most. Your only doing it for the rest of your life haha

This is probably why I am hesitating so much haha. I feel like I need to analyze every aspect of the specilaty/GP so I can minimize the chance of regretting my choice in the future. I wish I could just go with my gut feeling but I can't help but to overthink. AEGD/GPR seems like a great and apparently popular option right now.

 

[D1Bound]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

This is probably why I am hesitating so much haha. I feel like I need to analyze every aspect of the specilaty/GP so I can minimize the chance of regretting my choice in the future. I wish I could just go with my gut feeling but I can't help but to overthink. AEGD/GPR seems like a great and apparently popular option right now.

There will be tons of more GPs cranked out as DSOs and insurance build dental schools. Do you want to be amongst a sea of other people providing the same service? Or do you want to be an expert and in high demand? In a profession with a huge barrier of entry? This is coming from someone that wanted to be a rural hometown GP. My dentist told me to get far away from general dentistry

 

[Saddleshoes]

Another view...

Specializing is also limiting! Students often think specializing is an advancement but that may not be true!
Specializing will limit...

• ...Who you see.
• ...What you do.
• ...How you do it.
• ...Where you can practice.

Specializing also keeps you out of the real world (read that making money) longer. At this point most of us are tired of the academic BS and want to get out and do something for real!
In short, specializing may very well be overrated.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

There will be tons of more GPs cranked out as DSOs and insurance build dental schools. Do you want to be amongst a sea of other people providing the same service? Or do you want to be an expert and in high demand? In a profession with a huge barrier of entry? This is coming from someone that wanted to be a rural hometown GP. My dentist told me to get in far away from general dentistry

There’s plenty of competition and saturation with dental specialties in “desirable” locations, i.e. within 15 minutes of a Costco. Honestly, the whole field of dentistry is becoming a joke.

Big Hoss

 

[D1Bound]

Another view...

Specializing is also limiting! Students often think specializing is an advancement but that may not be true!
Specializing will limit...

• ...Who you see.
• ...What you do.
• ...How you do it.
• ...Where you can practice.

Specializing also keeps you out of the real world (read that making money) longer. It this point most of us are tired of the academic BS and want to get out and do something for real!
In short, specializing may very well be overrated.

I’ve never met one single specialist that regretted specializing. I’ve met many GPs that regret not. Ask any OMS, Dental Anesthesiologist, Endo, Ortho, etc they are happy folks $$$

 

[Torshammer]

Another view...

Specializing is also limiting! Students often think specializing is an advancement but that may not be true!
Specializing will limit...

• ...Who you see.
• ...What you do.
• ...How you do it.
• ...Where you can practice.

Specializing also keeps you out of the real world (read that making money) longer. It this point most of us are tired of the academic BS and want to get out and do something for real!
In short, specializing may very well be overrated.

I was a GP for a few years. The opportunity cost of foregoing GP income while you do residency is very small compared to the much more significant income you will bring in as a specialist. You may very well make 2-3 times what you would as a GP so you will make up that difference, including student loans, very quickly. Going back to school sucks, but it is more than worth it.

 

[Pablo Sanchez]

Oh no! This is quickly becoming a pissing war. Lots of fields of dentistry can be financially rewarding. I would encourage the OP to shadow different specialties in a private practice setting if possible. Find out what you could see yourself doing for a long time. There are pros and cons to specializing and being a GP, some of which are mentioned above.

I would, however, make the argument that the opportunity cost of going to specialize can be significant. I’m a GP making well over $400k per year as an associate two years after graduating. I already paid off my student loans and have six figures of investments providing me with passive income. If I were still in residency right now I’d have student loans collecting 6% interest and the time value of money would be working against me. The sooner you can get some serious money invested, the more exponentially it will grow and the sooner you won’t have to actively work for your money. Just something to consider! Find what you’re passionate about and be disciplined with your money and every field of dentistry can be very rewarding!

 

[OncePreDent]

I’ve never met one single specialist that regretted specializing. I’ve met many GPs that regret not. Ask any OMS, Dental Anesthesiologist, Endo, Ortho, etc they are happy folks $$$

I have met some who regret going into a specific specialty and then changing to/applying for a different specialty because they disliked the specialty they chose so much. I am sure they wish they waited/practiced general dentistry for a few years before choosing to apply to specialties.

 

[Torshammer]

I have met some who regret going into a specific specialty and then changing to/applying for a different specialty because they disliked the specialty they chose so much. I am sure they wish they waited/practiced general dentistry for a few years before choosing to apply to specialties.

Which specialties were those that they disliked?

 

[OncePreDent]

Which specialties were those that they disliked?

it ranged from peds, perio, and ortho

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Big Hoss

 

[bahter]

I never really understood how dental students knew from the very beginning of D1 orientation, which speciality they wanted to pursue. I wanted to be a super GP at first. Then thought I would be into surgery and implants coming out of D4. None of the above gets me going, but endo does. My AEGD and private practice experience really helped me choose which route I wanted to take. I'd say keep your grades and class rank competitive, as dental school does not immerse you enough to know which speciality to commit to. My school tried their best to give us rotations respective to each speciality. Nothing about a 2 week rotation ignited my passion by shadowing and doing simple specialty cases. It wasn't until real world dentistry that I realized I hate hygiene checks, removable, small talk and back to back class 2's.

 

[deleted923283]

I’ve never met one single specialist that regretted specializing. I’ve met many GPs that regret not. Ask any OMS, Dental Anesthesiologist, Endo, Ortho, etc they are happy folks $$$

There’s $$$ at the end of this? I’m 30, sleeping in the hospital tonight, eating graham crackers for dinner again. This s*** has opportunity costs.

 

[D1Bound]

There’s $$$ at the end of this? I’m 30, sleeping in the hospital tonight, eating graham crackers for dinner again. This s*** has opportunity costs.

Let’s talk in how ever many years you have left when you sign your first contract 700k starting lol. It sucks but you’ll be happy when the time comes

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Let’s talk in how ever many years you have left when you sign your first contract 700k starting lol.

And on that day, thanks to Joe Biden, a dozen eggs will cost $57.12.

Big Hoss

 

[charlestweed]

Because of the high student loan debt that young new grads are facing, I recommend the students to choose the specialty that offers them greater job opportunities after graduation. The ease of finding jobs helps reduce the stress level greatly. If you can’t find work (or can’t convince a lot GPs to refer to your office) to keep yourself busy, you will hate your job. Pedo and OS would be on the top of my list. Pick ortho if you plan to work and live in states like CA, AZ, TX, FL because these states have a lot of DSO offices that are hiring associate orthodontists. Perio would be on the bottom of my list. My wife is a perio. The reason she’s busy and has good income is in addition to the perio skills, she is also good at extracting teeth. At some of the GP offices, she works as an “exodontist.”

You can only be happy when you have good paying jobs that are easy to find.....that help you pay bills, repay student loans, and support your family. What's the point of doing something that you love but can't get enough patients to work on? It's like the main character (played by Ryan Gosling) in the La La Land movie...the guy loves Jazz and has a great musical gift in but he can't find enough audience to listen to his music.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Hoosier jokes

Only Dogecoin can save the world from our impending financial ruin…

Big Hoss

 

[deleted1196239]

Because of the high student loan debt that young new grads are facing, I recommend the students to choose the specialty that offers them greater job opportunities after graduation. The ease of finding jobs helps reduce the stress level greatly. If you can’t find work (or can’t convince a lot GPs to refer to your office) to keep yourself busy, you will hate your job. Pedo and OS would be on the top of my list. Pick ortho if you plan to work and live in states like CA, AZ, TX, FL because these states have a lot of DSO offices that are hiring associate orthodontists. Perio would be on the bottom of my list. My wife is a perio. The reason she’s busy and has good income is in addition to the perio skills, she is also good at extracting teeth. At some of the GP offices, she works as an “exodontist.”

You can only be happy when you have good paying jobs that are easy to find.....that help you pay bills, repay student loans, and support your family. What's the point of doing something that you love but can't get enough patients to work on? It's like the main character (played by Ryan Gosling) in the La La Land movie...the guy loves Jazz and has a great musical gift in but he can't find enough audience to listen to his music.

Great advice to young docs and students

 

[yappy]

It's like the main character (played by Ryan Gosling) in the La La Land movie...the guy loves Jazz and has a great musical gift in but he can't find enough audience to listen to his music.

did you watch till the end? He had a successful club.

I agree with @charlestweed because all specialties in dentistry are still dentistry. It’s not like in medicine where you’re comparing psychiatry to surgery. If you’re going to take on the extra debt, or extended training, might as well do something that increases your employment opportunities.

 

[2TH MVR]

Hi all!

I'm a D2 looking for some advice on how to choose a specialty. After searching around the internet and here, the general answer I get is some variation of "do what you are interested in". Should it be that simple? There are many other factors to consider (work balance, physical toll, patient population, future of certain specialties, general fulfillment) but when it comes down to it the most important part of choosing a career is pure interest in the field?

I know it's different for everyone and the answer isn't that simple, but I would really appreciate if someone could share why they chose their field and what factors do they think are the most important when choosing a specialty.

Thanks for reading my wall of text. I'm gonna go study now.

Best advice if you are not sure is to ....... stay competitive in your class (high rank) so you will have options. I was also a D2 when I decided to pursue Ortho. My whole story. Started undergrad thinking I was going into medicine. Then I came to the realization that I did not want to make life and death decisions. Switched to dentistry. Around my D2 year .... (not trying to piss off the general dentists, but .....) I started to feel like a "Tooth Mechanic". Got a taste of seeing orthodontic treatment .... and I was hooked. I've been practicing ortho for the last 31 years. I'm looking forward to going another 10-15 years. I enjoy my profession that much.

You're a D2. Perfect time to evaluate the different specialties. Hopefully you attend a DS that has graduate specialty programs. Yes. Certain specialties are doing better than others financially. But at the end of the day .... you want to be in a profession that you will enjoy for a long time.

One more thing. Make sure the numbers work. If you are attending a high debt DS and then plan on attending a high debt residency. No. Doesn't make sense.

 

[charlestweed]

did you watch till the end? He had a successful club.

Yeah...but at the expense of losing a person that he loved. Was he really happy? It wasn't a happy ending. Life is not only about work.

If you’re going to take on the extra debt, or extended training, might as well do something that increases your employment opopportunities.

Yes. The whole point of going to school is to have an easier time at finding jobs.....and have a better paid job.....have stable job.

 

[Van Der Woude]

Yeah...but at the expense of losing a person that he loved. Was he really happy? It wasn't a happy ending. Life is not only about work.


Yes. The whole point of going to school is to have an easier time at finding jobs.....and have a better paid job.....have stable job.

stop speaking sense

 

[yappy]

Yeah...but at the expense of losing a person that he loved. Was he really happy? It wasn't a happy ending. Life is not only about work.

You said that he wasn’t successful because no one wanted to listen to his music to make the point that people should pick a marketable specialty. I was just pointing out that’s not how the movie went - he had a successful club. Your interpretation of the ending is a non-sequitur.

But I get what you’re saying regarding specialties and agree. Unfortunately things are so high stakes for students today because of the cost of education.