lol... aahhhahahaha...
Vidtaker.. you are not going to get any accurate information from that poll. Some of your options are absolutely ludicrous. Second, If you are looking to make money do not become a dentist. You will not become rich by being a dentist. Most dentists you see rolling around in fancy cars are over extended and actually very very broke.
I had a very wise professor in dental school who was very successful say that there is no real money in dentistry and I came to learn he is right. The real money he said was in business and real estate. All his frat buddies from the 50's who had made big money did it that way.
I can understand wanting to have a profitable office but if you focus on money only you will end up sacrificing your relationship with and loyalty to your patients. You will undermine dentistry as a profession. The most successful dental practices with the happiest dentists are those that don't nickel and dime their patients and are very conservative in their treatment. Their patients are loyal because they know they are not being sold a pile of B.S. Patients don't want to go to a dentist who comes from a long line of used car salesmen. Nor should anyone aspire to be that salesman.
Finally, If you want to know what general dentists are earning right now here is a run down from my experience. Granted the varies from state to state.
Most new dentists in first year will start out making about 90-120k plus incentives.
If you do a GPR or AEGD this starting salary may be a bit more 100k-130k plus incentives.
If you work as an associate these numbers are probably about the same.
Once you have been out a few years you will make more. At corporate offices you will make more because you are faster and get a larger incentive bonus. Many community clinics have built in raises each year to a maximum salary. One local clinic starts new grads at 90-100k and for the first years there is an automatic 10k per year raise until maximum 140k reached and then 2% per year after that. In private practice as and associate you will earn more as years progress because you will have a larger patient pool and thus more production.
You will not make money in dentistry until you are debt free and own your own practice. Once you reach that point you can bring home between 200-350k because your overhead is now much lower. Reaching that point all depends on if you want to spend or save early in your career. So... 400k student loans plus 600k practice loan that 1 million in debt. So the first 10 years you may pay your self 150k and then after all is paid you may pay yourself 250k. However, most people don't buy a practice until 5 years out. Thus dentistry is not profitable until 10 to 20 years after graduating and even then it for some it is never profitable.
But once again. Do not go into dentistry for the money because its really not that great. Focus on becoming a good dentist with great clinical judgement and great hand skills and you will have a job for the rest of your life. If you want money move to North Dakota and drive a truck for the oil companies. No debt and salary of 100k+. Or you may consider selling used cars.
14.31469% to be exact
