I am between a rock and a hard place. I love medicine and I know that one way or another, I will be doing something related to medicine with my life. Now the hard part.
My father is a very successful Dentist/Orthodontist/TMJ Specialist, and all I need to do is complete dental school, work for him as an associate for a few years, and then the practice is mine for the taking. He gross's over a million a year as his own boss and works four days a week for seven hours a day. Pretty Cushy lifestyle and that could all be mine. He desperately wants me to follow in his footsteps and take over his practice.
I worked in his office all summer and came to the conclusion that I am not a big fan of teeth. I don't like working in a small dark space as a hunched over evil man. There are very few people that enjoy going to the dentist. I was astonished at the number of people that come in, in no discomfort what so ever, and then leave with a very expensive treatment plan. I understand that the work needs to be done in order to avoid certain pain down the road, but in dentistry there seems to be too many what ifs.
I shadowed an orthopedic surgeon with a fellowship in sports orthopedics and I loved it. I liked the happy, youthful patients that want to get better and wanted to return to form. I liked the surgery, I would much rather work on arms and legs than teeth and gums. I liked this profession, but I wasn't there long enough to deal with the negatives. Malpractice premiums are outrageous, insurance seems to be determining who gets treatment and who doesn't. Also, the hours are more than double what I would be working as a dentist and in very few instances are you your own boss. The pay is comparable so that isn't what I am worried about. The schooling is more rigorous and the residency is very demanding.
My dad called me today gloating on the phone. "I spoke with a patient that works for an orthopedic surgeon, and he says he wished he had gone into orthodontics."
I know that was a lot to read. It gets down to the easy way, or the hard way. Is working 30hrs a week, making great money, and spending that extra time with my family a better choice. Or do I want to work harder, longer, see my family less at something I like better, but not that much more?
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
My father is a very successful Dentist/Orthodontist/TMJ Specialist, and all I need to do is complete dental school, work for him as an associate for a few years, and then the practice is mine for the taking. He gross's over a million a year as his own boss and works four days a week for seven hours a day. Pretty Cushy lifestyle and that could all be mine. He desperately wants me to follow in his footsteps and take over his practice.
I worked in his office all summer and came to the conclusion that I am not a big fan of teeth. I don't like working in a small dark space as a hunched over evil man. There are very few people that enjoy going to the dentist. I was astonished at the number of people that come in, in no discomfort what so ever, and then leave with a very expensive treatment plan. I understand that the work needs to be done in order to avoid certain pain down the road, but in dentistry there seems to be too many what ifs.
I shadowed an orthopedic surgeon with a fellowship in sports orthopedics and I loved it. I liked the happy, youthful patients that want to get better and wanted to return to form. I liked the surgery, I would much rather work on arms and legs than teeth and gums. I liked this profession, but I wasn't there long enough to deal with the negatives. Malpractice premiums are outrageous, insurance seems to be determining who gets treatment and who doesn't. Also, the hours are more than double what I would be working as a dentist and in very few instances are you your own boss. The pay is comparable so that isn't what I am worried about. The schooling is more rigorous and the residency is very demanding.
My dad called me today gloating on the phone. "I spoke with a patient that works for an orthopedic surgeon, and he says he wished he had gone into orthodontics."
I know that was a lot to read. It gets down to the easy way, or the hard way. Is working 30hrs a week, making great money, and spending that extra time with my family a better choice. Or do I want to work harder, longer, see my family less at something I like better, but not that much more?
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
