Recent graduates - should I specialize?

[youraverageasia]

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So there's a thread in predental and dentists are saying that the debt is too much to handle when its above 200k. With this in mind I want to consider specializing for the higher pay. Do you guys recommend it, and if so, which specialty seems to be the most rewarding and available in terms of jobs these days? I haven't even started in dental school, but I don't think it hurts to think ahead.

 

[CanaDMD]

Doesn't hurt, but surely doesn't help

You have absolutely no idea what field of dentistry you enjoy. Wait it out 🙂

I'm in D1 and already, a lot of my thoughts have changed from the week before DS 😛

 

[deleted634258]

I read that you can be a very successful general practitioner right out of dental school. Income is good (unless you want to practice in like NYC or LA). And after you have practiced for a while, you can always decide on a specialty. I read somewhere that you can do endodontics and periodontics as a general practitioner (after doing some CE).

 

[Pedodel]

Yeah, I am so glad that I did specialize. I am a. Pediatric dentist. I absolutely love what I do and I can't imagine being a general dentist.

Granted,,,, I have found my niche ,,, and I know that Pedo was my complete fit. I am really good at it and have built a fantastic practice in their past 10 years.

I think General dentistry is soooo much more difficult than pediatric dentistry in general ( and all specialty's in general).

I think as a general dentist, you have to be very competent in every aspect of dentistry. I think it is way more overwhelming.

When you specialize,,, you can focus on an area of dentistry that you really enjoy.

The income is almost always better as well. Don't get me wrong ,,,, you can do very well as a general dentist. But I think it easier to make much more as a specialist. Regardless,,, you need to do what you think you would enjoy,,,, endo , omfs , pedo, ortho,,,, Or genereal dentistry,,,,,, do mostly what you think your personality most fits.
Good luck!

 

[Tooth]

If you want to maximize annual income, and don't care about quality of life going down (hours worked and years of education remaining), consider OS. I did GP for 5 years. I decided to maximize quality of life. I hope my income increases, but I'm ok if it doesn't thanks to the improved quality of life.

 

[RoseEndo]

So there's a thread in predental and dentists are saying that the debt is too much to handle when its above 200k. With this in mind I want to consider specializing for the higher pay. Do you guys recommend it, and if so, which specialty seems to be the most rewarding and available in terms of jobs these days? I haven't even started in dental school, but I don't think it hurts to think ahead.

I would never recommend specializing only for the higher pay. You need to find out what aspect of dentistry you enjoy the most and then decide whether it is worth spending more years of staying in school.

As an endodontist, I would like to pitch in as well to help pre-dents with their decision. I can truly say that I could not be any happier. My staff and I don’t pat ourselves on the back based on our radiographic results but how our patients feel about the care we have rendered. I have a small endodontic practice and do not treat a large volume of patients on a daily basis. I treat on average 6-8 patients per day. I work with a small group of highly reputable restorative dentists and provide them and our patients with the highest quality of service. RDA's, front desk, and myself are rated anonymously by each patient at the end of a procedure based on perception of the care and competence patient experienced in our care. I constantly review these surveys.

As others have mentioned, reducing debt load as soon as possible is important. Financial stress can become an issue if your schedule is not ideal as a new specialist or a new GP. You will have to decide what you love to do and if it is worth pursuing. Opportunity cost is opportunity lost. There are no guarantees in life and I know specialists or GPs that make an exceptional amount of money, while others don't. The difference I've found has been that those who love what they do, money will follow. Never give up an opportunity to do what you love, whether it be dentistry or anything else, because of money. Money is important, but it sure doesn't always make you happy. I recommend pre-dents to read threads on dental and residency section of this forum since they are written by practitioners who practice for several years.

I hope everyone finds their own path, and wish everyone the best of luck in whatever decision they make. Living life is about not having regrets. You can make mistakes a long the way, but failure isn't a finite path, it's just a detour to the path of success.

 

[positivevibes2]

Guys. I have 3 extracted teeth in the lower jaw (molars) and some fillings at the molars at the upper jaw. Soon I will have implants so I could get my teeth fixed... can I still be a dentist even if I dont have natural teeth?

 

[Tooth]

Guys. I have 3 extracted teeth in the lower jaw (molars) and some fillings at the molars at the upper jaw. Soon I will have implants so I could get my teeth fixed... can I still be a dentist even if I dont have natural teeth?

A personal dental exam is not part of the admission process.

 

[Bernie Sanders]

A personal dental exam is not part of the admission process.

😍🤣

 

[Pedodel]

Guys. I have 3 extracted teeth in the lower jaw (molars) and some fillings at the molars at the upper jaw. Soon I will have implants so I could get my teeth fixed... can I still be a dentist even if I dont have natural teeth?

Seriously? yeah,,,, you don't any teeth to be a dentist. Just know how to fix them. Not sure this is a serious question or the correct thread if it is?