pursue dental or med school?

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msmems

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I have always been interested in medicine and specifically in becoming a pediatrician, as I love working with kids...but recently have been questioning pursuing this goal because I am realizing that I want to be able to have a life outside of my career, and will want to be able to spend time with my family (I recently got married) and my future kids and be able to go on vacations and have hobbies. And so I have recently started looking into dentistry, which is also interesting to me, as I always loved going to the dentist and loved having braces, plus with dentistry you definitely are able to have a life as well as a career, as most dentists work less hours per week then a physician...but I am not sure that it would be as "rewarding" to me (by that I mean feeling like I am really able to help someone and make a difference) as becoming a pediatrician.

I just turned 26 and already have taken the required science courses and have been working on a weight loss clinical trial for the past few years...but I want to get moving and pursue one of these options....but am finding it hard to make a decision between the two. Has anyone else gone through this and how did you decide?
 
msmems said:
I have always been interested in medicine and specifically in becoming a pediatrician, as I love working with kids...but recently have been questioning pursuing this goal because I am realizing that I want to be able to have a life outside of my career, and will want to be able to spend time with my family (I recently got married) and my future kids and be able to go on vacations and have hobbies. And so I have recently started looking into dentistry, which is also interesting to me, as I always loved going to the dentist and loved having braces, plus with dentistry you definitely are able to have a life as well as a career, as most dentists work less hours per week then a physician...but I am not sure that it would be as "rewarding" to me (by that I mean feeling like I am really able to help someone and make a difference) as becoming a pediatrician.

I just turned 26 and already have taken the required science courses and have been working on a weight loss clinical trial for the past few years...but I want to get moving and pursue one of these options....but am finding it hard to make a decision between the two. Has anyone else gone through this and how did you decide?


i totally understand how you feel. i was in a very similar situation, wanting to be a pediatrician. but then i realized, do i want to take care of other peoples' kids while neglecting my own? then i got engaged last summer and knew that i wanted to have a family. i definitely wanted to do something w/ health services and enjoyed the dental environment as well. it is a rewarding job and constantly having new advances as well. isnt giving someone a smile they can feel proud of rewarding? or giving a child invisalign braces instead of wire ones? those small things can change a child's self-esteem. there is always pediatric dentistry if that's the way you wnat to go. just think though, residency for MDs is a lot longer and the hours are rougher. do what you think is not only best for you, but your family. Good luck! 🙂
 
Browse through the post 'Accepted to both Med and Dent school' where much of this has been discussed. I would also love to be a pediatrician. And not that it matters to some, but pediatricians are starting at under $100,000/year now. Makes it hard to pay off students loans . . .
 
msmems-very realistic concerns. your points are well taken, and i think are the same issues that many people have when they consider "medicine vs dentistry". good luck in your decision making process.
 
msmems said:
I have always been interested in medicine and specifically in becoming a pediatrician, as I love working with kids...but recently have been questioning pursuing this goal because I am realizing that I want to be able to have a life outside of my career, and will want to be able to spend time with my family (I recently got married) and my future kids and be able to go on vacations and have hobbies. And so I have recently started looking into dentistry, which is also interesting to me, as I always loved going to the dentist and loved having braces, plus with dentistry you definitely are able to have a life as well as a career, as most dentists work less hours per week then a physician...but I am not sure that it would be as "rewarding" to me (by that I mean feeling like I am really able to help someone and make a difference) as becoming a pediatrician.

I just turned 26 and already have taken the required science courses and have been working on a weight loss clinical trial for the past few years...but I want to get moving and pursue one of these options....but am finding it hard to make a decision between the two. Has anyone else gone through this and how did you decide?

if you want to be happy, make sure your wife is.
 
polarnut said:
if you want to be happy, make sure your wife is.
If you're dog is barking at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door, which one should you let inside?


The dog....at least he'll shut up once you let him inside.
 
msmems said:
I have always been interested in medicine and specifically in becoming a pediatrician, as I love working with kids...but recently have been questioning pursuing this goal because I am realizing that I want to be able to have a life outside of my career, and will want to be able to spend time with my family (I recently got married) and my future kids and be able to go on vacations and have hobbies. And so I have recently started looking into dentistry, which is also interesting to me, as I always loved going to the dentist and loved having braces, plus with dentistry you definitely are able to have a life as well as a career, as most dentists work less hours per week then a physician...but I am not sure that it would be as "rewarding" to me (by that I mean feeling like I am really able to help someone and make a difference) as becoming a pediatrician.

I just turned 26 and already have taken the required science courses and have been working on a weight loss clinical trial for the past few years...but I want to get moving and pursue one of these options....but am finding it hard to make a decision between the two. Has anyone else gone through this and how did you decide?

I know how you feel, I have even considered Veterinary because I love science and animals 😛 . The problem with me is that I like everything...I like dentistry because it combines art and science...but I kind of feel the same way you do about Medicine. I think that as physician you are able to help people in more ways than in dentistry...I am not saying that dentistry is less than medicine...but I guess they both have different ways in which you can help others. Dentistry is a profession that allows you to be independent, is more flexible, you can spend more time with your family...etc. But I think that if you want to be a physician you will find the way to balance your career and your personal life..at the beginning it may be difficult.. especially during residency..but there are a lot of people who have families and do it. "Where there is a will, there's a way". and you are not going to be a resident forever To be honest..I haven't decided yet. 😕 They are both excellent careers where you will make a difference. soo yes the decision is very difficult
I just turned 27 married and one day would like to have kids.. I'm finishing my pre-reqs 😳
 
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