Practicing Dentists: What are some downsides to your career?

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I've heard back pain is a big one, but does it get boring? is the compensation decreasing? are the patients problematic?

there are problems with every job, what are some in dentistry?

 

[allover]

Yes, if you dont stay fit. Yes, everything gets boring. No. Some are.

Im not a dentist but i know my answers are right.😀

 

[Saddleshoes]

I've heard back pain is a big one, but does it get boring? is the compensation decreasing? are the patients problematic?

there are problems with every job, what are some in dentistry?

The answer to this one depends on your personality.

Personally, I dislike the details of running a business. Staff issues, accounting details, supplies, etc. bore me. However, I have a gift for working with the "problem patients", nobody else wants to mess with. So at present, I work with another dentist and she handles the management stuff I hate and I handle the weirdo patients she hates.

The point here is this...
We all have some aspect of dentistry we don't like but you can work it out. Autonomy is greatness part of this dental profession in my judgment.

 

[DrRoxy]

I've heard back pain is a big one, but does it get boring? is the compensation decreasing? are the patients problematic? QUOTE]

I think if you really like what you are doing, you will find it rewarding and you won't complain about it. Therefore the problem is not the patients but it is yourself.

 

[omaralt]

I've heard back pain is a big one, but does it get boring? is the compensation decreasing? are the patients problematic?

there are problems with every job, what are some in dentistry?

yes i've heard that back problems can be a problem. you definitely want to practice good ergonomics and be pre-emptive about your health (maybe go to chiropractor every few weeks to prevent problems?) luckily i havent had any problems yet. this is my first year out, so compensation for me has increased dramatically from last year 🙂 yes, some patients are problematic; i refer those out. i see who i want to see, and refer who i dont want to. that keeps my life less complicated.

the problem arises when you have a good patient and a complication arises (perfed tooth during RCT, root tip in sinus, etc). those are the tricky situations; however as long as you handle yourself correctly you'll be fine. we as dentists are not expected to not make mistakes; but we are expected to handle them appropriately (ie, disclose to patient, refer to proper specialist, etc).

at the end of the day, i work 4.5 days/week and make more money than all my siblings and parents. very stress free and enjoyable. i dont think theres a better job out there IMO (maybe playboy photographer...)