Question about career choices from a pre-dent

[Longcatislong]

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Hello all! Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my question -- It's greatly appreciated.

One of the reasons many pre-dental folks cite for their desire to pursue dentistry is the potential to be business owners. I for one, have no desire to run my own practice and would be perfectly happy being someones associate, work in a group setting or in corporate.

My question is, is it possible to do this for the duration of ones dental career? Will I find financial success simply working for a corporate chain or being an associate? Am I unique in not wanting to have my own practice (I am female btw, just want more family time and don't want the extra stress) or are their others like me?

 

[Parklife]

Hello all! Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my question -- It's greatly appreciated.

One of the reasons many pre-dental folks cite for their desire to pursue dentistry is the potential to be business owners. I for one, have no desire to run my own practice and would be perfectly happy being someones associate, work in a group setting or in corporate.

My question is, is it possible to do this for the duration of ones dental career? Will I find financial success simply working for a corporate chain or being an associate? Am I unique in not wanting to have my own practice (I am female btw, just want more family time and don't want the extra stress) or are their others like me?

I think what you mean is a partnership. You could do a partnership with a fellow dentist/perio/ortho/etc.

Maybe someone else can give you better info

 

[Longcatislong]

Thanks. What does a partnership entail specifically? I just know I don't want to be wholly responsible for a practice and don't want to deal with the business end of things.

 

[Pleonasm]

You might consider another dentist (female or male) or group that shares your same family/work philosophy. This way you can work toward something that you not only own, but is saleable after 5 or 10 yrs. A partnership with someone that has a different work ethic (all day, 6 days a week, evenings, etc.) and doesn't appreciate your situation, won't work. They should be clinicians that can compliment your abilities and that you like being around (and vice versa). You should also share the same basic business philosophy.

As an employee, however, you will only get what you negotiate for, if lucky. That is if your employer chooses to give it. When and if you decide to leave, you probably won't be taking anything other than your lab coat and loupes with you. I know,...some employers offer 401k, insurance, etc. But, your own group or partnership could offer the same benefits.

Your group could decide to offer on sight daycare. The point is, if it's yours you make the decisions. As an employee, all you can do is ask. The key is to find like minded professionals.

 

[Saddleshoes]

As I look as the tea leaves, truth of the matter is this...

For the next generation of dentists the old solo practice model of delivering dental care is going away. Simple ecomomics is going to kill the solo practice. I would guess that 50% of the DS students right now will never be an owner operator.