Pros and Cons of Dentistry?

[Gallix23]

Hey everyone,

I'm entering college this fall, and so far I've been considered "pre-med" with my major and my interests. I've always been interested in the medical field, because my mother is a nurse and my dad owns a dental tech. lab, so I've pretty much seen both sides of the ball.

I've been leaning towards medicine, but with so many articles saying to stay away and the unhappiness percentage, I'm starting to think about Dentistry. I've seen all the med pros and cons out there, but what are the main dental pros and cons?

Also, I have a few side questions:

1. What are the differences in class requirements for premed/predent

2. What is the difference between the MCAT and the DAT

3. I've always been interested in Orthodontics, so is that a specialty like a medical specialty or is it obtained in a different way?

These answers can be brief, sorry if they've been asked to death.

Thanks for the help!

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[vlct0ria]

Hey everyone,

I'm entering college this fall, and so far I've been considered "pre-med" with my major and my interests. I've always been interested in the medical field, because my mother is a nurse and my dad owns a dental tech. lab, so I've pretty much seen both sides of the ball.

I've been leaning towards medicine, but with so many articles saying to stay away and the unhappiness percentage, I'm starting to think about Dentistry. I've seen all the med pros and cons out there, but what are the main dental pros and cons?

Also, I have a few side questions:

1. What are the differences in class requirements for premed/predent

2. What is the difference between the MCAT and the DAT

3. I've always been interested in Orthodontics, so is that a specialty like a medical specialty or is it obtained in a different way?

These answers can be brief, sorry if they've been asked to death.

Thanks for the help!

1. Pretty much 0 difference between the pre-requisites.

2. MCAT tests bio, chem (incl ochem), physics, math, reading, and writing; DAT tests bio, chem, ochem, math, reading, and incl the PAT (perceptual ability) section. MCAT is about 5.5 hours, DAT is about 4.5 hours...I think most people agree the MCAT is the tougher of the 2

3. Yes, it is a verrryy competitive specialty...you must keep up your grades and be involved throughout all 4 years of dental school to have a shot at specializing.

 

[Dental Monst3r]

Here's the prerequisites

 

[169745]

as far as the pros and cons of dentistry, you might want to talk to actual dentists. we're all predents and while we have some idea we haven't practices or lived the daily burdens of a dentist. talk to your family dentist one afternoon.

 

[Gallix23]

as far as the pros and cons of dentistry, you might want to talk to actual dentists. we're all predents and while we have some idea we haven't practices or lived the daily burdens of a dentist. talk to your family dentist one afternoon.

Yeah I know, but I mean I just want a gist of it, sort of like the general consensus of what you guys have gathered over time.

 

[Gallix23]

Oh, and I also meant to ask you guys what specialties were available in Dentistry? I only know like three; prosthodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery. What/Are there others?

 

[armorshell]

Oh, and I also meant to ask you guys what specialties were available in Dentistry? I only know like three; prosthodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery. What/Are there others?

There are 9 recognized specialties:
Pediatric Dentistry
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Prosthodontics
Orthodontics
Periodontics (Gums)
Public Health Dentistry
Endodontics (Root canals)