Practicing in San Diego?

[UCSD1984]

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I was born and raised in San Diego, but I'm not sure how saturated San Diego is with Dentists. Anyone here with a private practice in San Diego willing to give me some info? I assume it's saturated with Dentists, like any other big city. But I'm still curious; how ideal is it to open a practice here? What's the income outlook? (Yes, I know that last question varies dramatically, but perhaps someone who has been practicing in SD for awhile can answer with their experience).

Not a very specific thread, and I know they are broad and difficult questions to answer, but I appreciate any input nonetheless. Thanks guys/girls.

 

[UBDent19]

I'm not a dentist but I am from San Diego as well (La Mesa/Grossmont area) and have asked that question to many dentists here in town. The general consensus I have heard is if you are good and have a good personality you can expect to do well. You can expect to have about 2000 active patients (small time for somebody in underserved areas I'd imagine). Of the 4 successful GPs I know, they all independently confirm that number. I had lunch two days ago with a dentist who's practice is on Navajo near the 125. She said she is booked 4 months out and is having to turn away patients - and she limits her practice to just general dentistry, no endo, ortho, etc. It goes without saying though, these dentists have relatively high overhead with a relatively low number of patients (compared to other areas of the country). I have a meeting with a dentist in La Jolla next week, just a block from the Children's Pool. I'll let you know what he says about this.

 

[UBDent19]

BTW, do you already know where you're going to school?

 

[Daurang]

It goes without saying though, these dentists have relatively high overhead with a relatively low number of patients (compared to other areas of the country).

What's a high overhead? 25%, 50%, 75%? Cali is in a deep recession so should be able to bring down that overhead quite a bit.

 

[snuffie]

What is the best way to get to know San Diego dentists if I don't live there? If I am visiting the area, would it be okay to call a dentist and ask to come in for a day/shadow and talk about opening a practice in SD? Or is that weird? Is there a better way of obtaining this info?

 

[UCSD1984]

BTW, do you already know where you're going to school?

Thanks for the great response UBDent. I'm almost embarrassed to answer your question, because I'm not applying until next year, I was just curious about this because I never plan on leaving San Diego (except for school). All my posts are in the DAT Discussion and Pre-Dental Forums.

However, this question still lingered on my mind from time to time so I figured I might as well ask. Let me know what the Dentist in La Jolla tells you...so far it seems optimistic for the most part (wasn't expecting this).

You live in La Mesa/Grossmont area? That's awesome, I'm in Rancho San Diego (I go to Barnes and Noble at Grossmont Mall from time to time to study for the DAT, when it isn't overrun by 900 kids, haha).

 

[UBDent19]

What's a high overhead? 25%, 50%, 75%? Cali is in a deep recession so should be able to bring down that overhead quite a bit.

60% range from what I gather, unless they own their building and have paid it off or refinanced it down the road. It's mainly rent or a commercial mortgage that is much more expensive compared to many other areas of the country.

 

[UBDent19]

What is the best way to get to know San Diego dentists if I don't live there? If I am visiting the area, would it be okay to call a dentist and ask to come in for a day/shadow and talk about opening a practice in SD?

Sounds like a plan to me. What area of SD do you tend to visit?

 

[UBDent19]

I'm in Rancho San Diego

You're not far at all. I live off Mollison and Chase...well, at least for a few more days before I ship off to Buffalo. That Barnes and Noble is great - one of the last remaining brick and mortar bookstores around. It seems to still be doing pretty well. The Denny's on Jamacha in the Ross shopping center has been one of my study areas of choice since I used to take a couple classes at Cuyamaca.

 

[snuffie]

Sounds like a plan to me. What area of SD do you tend to visit?

Wherever they seem the most open. Coronado is a nice small area where I envision small practices with dentists that may have time to have a conversation. or maybe imperial beach might be the best place to find a down to earth dentist with real advice. Maybe east county to talk with some out there. That may be the most realistic. But I don't see myself living in east county. haha, I love san diego. maybe I'll just go out there for a week and spend a day at a ton of different practices...mission valley has some great spots, probably more young professionals.

 

[UCSD1984]

You're not far at all. I live off Mollison and Chase...well, at least for a few more days before I ship off to Buffalo. That Barnes and Noble is great - one of the last remaining brick and mortar bookstores around. It seems to still be doing pretty well. The Denny's on Jamacha in the Ross shopping center has been one of my study areas of choice since I used to take a couple classes at Cuyamaca.

No kidding...I live off Jamacha, right down from Chase (about half a mile away from the 7-11 on the corner of Chase and Jamacha)...we're like right next to each other.

Yea that B&N has stuck around that's for sure. I was pretty upset when I found out the Borders next to Parkway Plaza Mall closed down, that place was legit.

I should really consider studying at that Denny's since I'm only about a 2 minute drive away...that's not a bad idea at all.

You're heading to Buffalo huh? Well congratulations, that's a heck of a transition from SD. I hope everything goes well for you my friend.

 

[UBDent19]

Snuffie, if you have the time, definitely visit a few across the county. Like you mentioned: Coronado, South Bay, East County, Mission Valley, North County. That should give you a better idea how dentists are faring throughout San Diego.

What I find interesting is that, despite insanely cheap dental care in Mexico right across the border, the dentists here still do pretty well. In TJ, a filling is $40 and RCT is $100. But then you have to wait 2 hrs in the most god awful line of cars at any border crossing in the world. Chiclets anyone?

I've visited two Mexican dentists myself, one in Tijuana and one in Tecate. I had tooth pain that neither of them could figure out. I went back to my American dentist in La Mesa and he found the loose filling in 2 minutes. Additionally, two fillings my wife got in Tecate fell out within a month and one of mine done by the same Mexican dentist has been sensitive ever since (2 years).

I realized it's just not worth it to try to save the dough if the dentistry is not quality.

 

[UBDent19]

I should really consider studying at that Denny's since I'm only about a 2 minute drive away...that's not a bad idea at all.

If you sit near the west wall, you can usually steal free internet off the McDonald's nearby 😎

 

[HunnerJ]

All the dentists I know from SD say the exact same thing about the saturation:

"A dentist on every corner"

 

[UBDent19]

That is true. But there is a 7-11 on every corner too and they are doing well. Part of having a dentist on every corner is due to demand. As long as they have a sufficient number of patients, there could be one on every corner and one in between every corner and you'll still do fine 😛

 

[HunnerJ]

That is true. But there is a 7-11 on every corner too and they are doing well. Part of having a dentist on every corner is due to demand. As long as they have a sufficient number of patients, there could be one on every corner and one in between every corner and you'll still do fine 😛

haha good call. though there are probably around twenty 7-11s or so and there are many more practicing dentists than that. Anyways, why not just ask the dentist(s) you're shadowing for more information?

either way, it's definitely worth it to live in SD