Reasons To Become A Dentist

[busupshot83]

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I am sorta confused whether this field is what I want to do. I don't want to waste my time taking these prerequistes and ending up not using them. I also don't want to send an application and prevent others who want the spot more from grabbing it.

This is why I am confused:
- I believe one of the main reasons for me wanting to be a dentist is because of the money $$$ and the status.
- I think the field of dentistry is amazing, and very interesting, it is just that science is by far my weakest subject and even the most simple classes are difficult for me.

Should I just close my book in dentistry and persue something that interests me (like writing)? The problem is that writing does not have the stability that dentistry has. Or, should I just say "to hell with it" and chug along no matter what the costs?

Common' guys... please help me out here. Throw me a frickin' bone... will you?

This is what I look like ---> 😕 😱 😡 😳 🙁

 

[Brand]

There are negatives to any career. For me the positives in dentistry outweigh the negatives. Its a personal decision and a very important one.

Compare writing to dentistry. Weigh the good and the bad and make a decision.
Good luck!

 

[busupshot83]

Brand, your my new best friend. Thanks big guy! 😎

 

[zazzookode]

After a while, everything just becomes a job. I realized that. It doesn't matter what you do. If you do it enough times, it's going to be a job. You will like aspects of it and you will hate aspects of it. That includes writing.

You need to grow up kid. Becoming a writer is great but it's not going to pay the bills. The chances of you becoming the next Stephen King are nill. Life is hard. You want money and prestige but you don't want to pay the price. Nothing in life is free. Dentistry is a great field. You can make a lot of money and have a lot of free time to pursue other activities like writing!

Trust me, don't do the writing thing. In about 5 years you will probably change your mind and end up applying to dental school anyway.

If I upset you, I really don't care, but I just gave you the best advice on here. And you will thank me in 4 years.

 

[antishock]

I have my own reason. I was born with small hands, micromegaly? I can fit my fist into my mouth. I did that a lot as a little child. My dentist was amazed how far down my throat my fist could go down. (He is my first crush.) My dentist is such a handsome gentleman. I visited him more often than necessary and learned more about dentistry. That led to my career as a (future)dentist.

 

[aphistis]

Dentistry <i>is</i> a great career, <i>if</i> you're willing to put in the time and work to get there. It's just like anything else, some people are lucky enough to get there with less work, and for some it takes more. The best advice is to talk to people who've done it already--SDN is a great place, but go out and ask some dentists about their experience, and how they think you'd do.

Having said that, it's a lot easier career-prep-wise to become a writer than to become a dentist. I was in a very similar situation not long ago, not sure if I wanted to do dental or take a job in pharm sales straight out of undergrad. What settled the decision for me was that if dental school turns out not to work out for me, leaving to find a job is no sweat, and at least then I'll know for sure that I gave it my best shot. If I took a job straight out of college, and it's less than satisfying, I have to go through the entire application rigamarole again, with all the attendant expense and worry.

Bottom line, it's a sure thing that you'll be able to leave if dental school doesn't work out...getting in to dental school after you've been out of college for five years (if you took the prerequisites in the first placee) is a much dicier proposition. Good luck with the decision!

 

[Supernumerary]

Originally posted by antishock
I have my own reason. I was born with small hands, micromegaly? I can fit my fist into my mouth. I did that a lot as a little child. My dentist was amazed how far down my throat my fist could go down. (He is my first crush.) My dentist is such a handsome gentleman. I visited him more often than necessary and learned more about dentistry. That led to my career as a (future)dentist.

That is a bizarre story... but cool. 🙂

 

[busupshot83]

more like freaky...

 

[FMLizard]

Originally posted by aphistis

Having said that, it's a lot easier career-prep-wise to become a writer than to become a dentist. I was in a very similar situation not long ago, not sure if I wanted to do dental or take a job in pharm sales straight out of undergrad. What settled the decision for me was that if dental school turns out not to work out for me, leaving to find a job is no sweat, and at least then I'll know for sure that I gave it my best shot. If I took a job straight out of college, and it's less than satisfying, I have to go through the entire application rigamarole again, with all the attendant expense and worry.

Ah, its funny how the grass is always greener on the other side. It seems as if all the straight to grad school from undergrad people feel like they are missing out on some great career opportunity and piles of money that their bachelor's was going to afford them. Dental school would have been a distant memory by the time they will make anything near what they would make as even a first year associate, working in another field.

Not to say anything about your abilities or skills, but there is no way on Earth that you would have landed a pharm sales job right after graduation. Unless your father was the CEO of Pfizer, these jobs are extremely difficult to land, even with the perfect background and years of experience. Taking an unsatisfying and very low paying job straight out of college is the way it is now. Be happy that you are going to dental school for a better life. I know its a big part of my decision to do so.

One of dentistry's draws for me are the flexible hours. I want to be involved in politics at some point in my life, and I would imagine that dentists are overrepresented in state legislatures, city councils, and such. Its the perfect political foundation. Money, time, and a large base of people who know who you are (patients). There is no reason why a dentist "by trade" cannot be a very successful writer on the side. You may not be as prolific as a full timer, but you won't eat as much ramen either.

 

[LMUKID]

If you want to write then write. Don't go into dentistry solely for the money. Check the posts on the thread entitled, "My Dentist is Such a Downer." Stuff only becomes a job if you have to get up in the morning and do something that you dread doing. Dentistry won't be like that for me. Ask yourself those kind of questions and you'll know quickly what you don't want to do with the rest of your life.

outro
~jesse~

 

[Firm]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by antishock
I have my own reason. I was born with small hands, micromegaly? I can fit my fist into my mouth. I did that a lot as a little child. My dentist was amazed how far down my throat my fist could go down. (He is my first crush.) My dentist is such a handsome gentleman. I visited him more often than necessary and learned more about dentistry. That led to my career as a (future)dentist.



Hmmm... that's a nice trick. Somebody will love that trick. Good luck!

 

[hotinwoof]

Free little tooth brushes from Oral B and tooth paste from Crest of course. Then again, it's kind of nice bringing pretty smiles and not be a pain in the arse while doing it.

 

[busupshot83]

LMUKID,

I never said that I would be miserable being a dentist, I just like to write... so what?

 

[LMUKID]

Originally posted by busupshot83
LMUKID,

I never said that I would be miserable being a dentist, I just like to write... so what?

Of course. All I'm saying is that if you like to write then write. Nothing else really matters. My suggestion is to find something where you can use your talent and passion for writing and still pay the bills. I'm sure with writing there are more options than just writing books and trying to get them published. I don't know much about it but what about journalism or writing for a big newspaper? The only writing you'll be doing in dentistry is for prescriptions!


Outro
-jesse-

 

[busupshot83]

LOL, he has jokes

If I did go that route, I was thinking more about script writing for movies / videogames (whichever industry I break into, both are exceptionally hard to enter).

While writing is my natural talent, it seems dentistry keeps "calling me." I'm beginning to realize that if I abandon these calls just because "science is my weakest subject," that is a lame excuse for not want to do some hard work like the rest of you all. Thanks for helping man, I'll see you in dental school (hey, my essay shouldn't be too hard jk)

 

[LMUKID]

Originally posted by Luminous_1
busupshot83,

If you are true to yourself and your values, everything else will eventually fall into place. Choose whichever field you are passionate about.

Luminous_1 [/QUOTE

FO SHO! Speak on the truth!


~jesse~

 

[busupshot83]

i edited my above passage while Luminous added his message...

 

[LMUKID]

This might be of inspiration to you since you want to do both. I worked with a periodontist who was about 65 years old. He said that when he was younger he couldn't decide what he wanted to do with his life because he had a passion for three differnt things. So he went to Law school and practiced law for 10 or 15 years. Retired from Law and went to dental school at UCLA and also there for to do periodontics. The funny thing is is that inbetween he did astro physics and worked for NASA.

Mind you he was obviously a genius. If you think I'm full of it, give him a call. Leonard Schusterman in Los Angeles. PM me and I'll try to find his number for you.

outro
~jesse~

 

[busupshot83]

LMUKID... man, I'll take your word for it. 😛

As for geniuses, I am the very, very far from one. Nevertheless, who knows, your theory on "inspiration" may turn out true. Only time will tell... 😉

 

[Comet208]

My Top 10 Reasons to Become a Dentist:

10. I like teeth.
9. I hate halitosis.
8. Its the only healthcare profession in which you can get the patient to shut up while in your office.
7. Good $/easy life.
6. I can finally feed my 7 wives and 6 kids that i already have.
5. I look good in white.
4. I like to see blood all day long.
3. No HMO's
2. "No beepers required." (DesiDentist)
1. I like to stick things in other people's mouths!

Comet!

 

[busupshot83]

"I like to stick things in other people's mouths!" - Comet

You too big C?