Second Thoughts on Dental School

[km18]

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Hi all,
Has anyone had second thoughts on whether or not they want to go to dental school? I've already been accepted and paid the deposit, etc. but I am not sure it is for me anymore. I can't tell if I am just having a end of the year-I'm about the graduate freak out, or if I really am second guessing this career path. I feel like I have put a ton of time and effort into something that I am not passionate about. Has anyone else dealt with the same thing?

 

[Hannah Banana]

I think your brain is trying to tell you something. I have been wanting to be a dentist after graduating from high school and have always been working toward that goal. I'm going to graduate from undergrad in less than 2 months and can't wait to start dental school. Maybe you're not happy with this path. What are you passionate about?

 

[deleted659902]

Hi all,
Has anyone had second thoughts on whether or not they want to go to dental school? I've already been accepted and paid the deposit, etc. but I am not sure it is for me anymore. I can't tell if I am just having a end of the year-I'm about the graduate freak out, or if I really am second guessing this career path. I feel like I have put a ton of time and effort into something that I am not passionate about. Has anyone else dealt with the same thing?

"What are the alternatives?"

Also, do you feel empty?

 

[km18]

I'm about to graduate from undergrad in May too, and am all set to go to Dental school, but unsure if I want to commit to this career for life. My alternative would be to take a year off and work and then apply to Physical Therapy school. I am passionate about health, fitness, running, etc. I spend most of my free time exercising, running, cooking healthy meals, and researching healthy living. I am not sure that a career in Dentistry will make me happy. I have second-guessed dentistry a few times, but just brushed it off thinking that everyone second guesses themselves at some point. A lot of my family members and friends seem to think that I would be happier doing something else. I just feel like it may be too late, and I don't want to disappoint anyone.

 

[snipza]

Screw everyone else. This is YOUR decision on YOUR career path that will affect YOUR life. If it's not something you absolutely want to do, don't invest the $XXX,XXX into something you may not be happy with.

You've accomplished something that all of use here want to do one day - get into D-School. Forgoing your acceptance to see if you were meant for something else is a brave thing to do. I don't know, though, how dental schools will look at this decision if you find that dentistry IS what you want and you apply again later. In business, we learn that every decision has something called "opportunity cost". This opportunity cost is the forgone opportunity for choosing to go in another direction.

You need to weigh what your opportunity costs are for continuing on with your acceptance as well the cost for going another path to find out what you really want. It seems that you risk not being happy by continuing with D-School or not getting accepted into D-school again by second guessing your decision now. But, if you got in once I don't see why you wouldn't get in again... just doubt it would be at the same school.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

well, i'm one of those people that has second thoughts against dental school...and i'm wrapping up my second year LOL. i'm just fed up with school to be honest with you, so sorry if i sound bitter. the real world of dentistry is 90% not like dental school. think of it in terms of rushing a fraternity or sorority---you have the pledging process, which sucks, but once you make it thru all is good. just think of it as 4 years of pledging hell.

but anyway,

i've noticed a couple of things, from my absurdly large class size......from what i've personally seen (in my opinion) is that the only people who are truly 'dedicated' are those who are non-trad students..i.e. left a career in finance or something else to pursue dentistry. why? bc they're older and this whole dentistry thing HAS to work for them. and there are also those who have parents who are dentists...well they're there because, hey why not right? and then there are those mixed bunch of students that are going to be first generation dentists in their families and want to make boat loads of $$.

if what i'm thinking is true, then you jumped the gun and applied to dental school with the idea of, 'hey i'll be a doctor, i'll be making money, and i get to be a business owner'.

but, you forgot to realize that 1. dental school is crazy expensive 2. you most probably won't pay that debt down for a while ergo you won't be making boatloads of money like you thought until you hit your 40s 3. you got suckered into a career because it was a 'fad'

so what do you do now? well it depends...you could defer for a year, and then see what happens...and take time to 'soul search'. get a job in corporate america and see if it works for you is my recommendation.

 

[km18]

Toothdriller, while you have made some good points, I did and do realize all of those things you mentioned. I know the cost of dental school and I also am aware of how long it will take to pay down the debt. I am well informed on the cost and even received a scholarship for d-school, so ultimately my decision is not based on money, but whether or not I think I will be happy doing dentistry for my whole life. My alternative to Dental school would be to take a year off from school, work and apply to Physical Therapy school. I have all of the pre-reqs, a good resume, and would just need to take the GRE. I had always considered both Dental school and PT school, but ended up deciding to stick with Dentistry, and now am uncertain if I want to continue on this journey. I guess my question for you would then be if you could do it all over, would you still choose Dentistry?

 

[I want to go to there]

When you were shadowing/spending time at dental clinics, how much did you enjoy your time there? If you were bored and only did enough hours for your application, dentistry is probably not the right path for you. If you loved the experience, then it's the right path for you.

If you can't remember, go shadow at some clinics(general and specialties) even though you've been accepted already. It's always a great learning experience and maybe the dentists can even help you figure out if dentistry is truly the right path for you.

 

[Triflate]

sounds to me like you already know what you need to do

 

[toothdriller2k17]

Toothdriller, while you have made some good points, I did and do realize all of those things you mentioned. I know the cost of dental school and I also am aware of how long it will take to pay down the debt. I am well informed on the cost and even received a scholarship for d-school, so ultimately my decision is not based on money, but whether or not I think I will be happy doing dentistry for my whole life. My alternative to Dental school would be to take a year off from school, work and apply to Physical Therapy school. I have all of the pre-reqs, a good resume, and would just need to take the GRE. I had always considered both Dental school and PT school, but ended up deciding to stick with Dentistry, and now am uncertain if I want to continue on this journey. I guess my question for you would then be if you could do it all over, would you still choose Dentistry?

solid no. would have done medicine

 

[jeffk805dent]

solid no. would have done medicine

depends on what specialty of medicine, I can assure you that a trip to the SDN Allopathic forum is not all roses either.

If the OP does intend to go to Physical Therapy, I recommend extensive shadowing and Magoosh and the official ETS book for the GRE.

Best of luck in your decision. It is yours and yours only.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

depends on what specialty of medicine, I can assure you that a trip to the SDN Allopathic forum is not all roses either.

If the OP does intend to go to Physical Therapy, I recommend extensive shadowing and Magoosh and the official ETS book for the GRE.

Best of luck in your decision. It is yours and yours only.

this is true, but there will never be a saturation of physicians in this country. not to mention there are also more opportunities to branch out into the corporate world with an MD.

and not to mention from a personal note, i think it would've been more fulfilling. to work so hard in dental school and step into a not so accommodating work environment isn't so promising.

 

[jeffk805dent]

this is true, but there will never be a saturation of physicians in this country. not to mention there are also more opportunities to branch out into the corporate world with an MD. you're more limited with a DDS/DMD

for what you have to invest

partially agree, Radiologists are facing saturation and many eye surgeons have to move out to the boonies to make the real dough - thats the issue with dentistry right now too by moving out to the boonies.

with that said, psychiatry and family medicine are probably the only jobs in healthcare where one can expect a job opening in Beverly Hills/West Los Angeles (albeit at lower pay). For those with a passion in those fields and wanting to live in LA, cant ask for a better deal (ok maybe more money but whatever).

 

[deleted659902]

solid no. would have done medicine

How are you doing in dental school? Are you ranking in the upper half at least?

 

[toothdriller2k17]

partially agree, Radiologists are facing saturation and many eye surgeons have to move out to the boonies to make the real dough - thats the issue with dentistry right now too by moving out to the boonies.

with that said, psychiatry and family medicine are probably the only jobs in healthcare where one can expect a job opening in Beverly Hills/West Los Angeles (albeit at lower pay). For those with a passion in those fields and wanting to live in LA, cant ask for a better deal (ok maybe more money but whatever).

radiologists have been facing 'saturation' since the early 2000s. they prob. won't be struggling. it's a relative term and it depends on who you talk to i think. i'd prob compare that to the whole issue of prosthodontics dying out as a field. is it true? maybe. but i'm sure you've encountered prosthodontists who are doing quite well for themselves (heck at least i know i have)

and by real dough, we're talking upwards of 500k to making less--it's all relative. i feel like with specialties like radiology or opthamology, numbers are negligible (in my opinion) when you're dealing with that kind of money...kind of hard to compare with a general dentist who'll come out making a certain % of production or like 90k.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

How are you doing in dental school? Are you ranking in the upper half at least?

yea definitely. the work is whatever. it's just kind of disheartening to have professors say stuff like ''you guys are nuts for paying this much for a degree."

you put in blood, sweat, and tears for something that might not even be as worth it as you once thought.

 

[jeffk805dent]

radiologists have been facing 'saturation' since the early 2000s. they prob. won't be struggling. it's a relative term and it depends on who you talk to i think. i'd prob compare that to the whole issue of prosthodontics dying out as a field. is it true? maybe. but i'm sure you've encountered prosthodontists who are doing quite well for themselves (heck at least i know i have)

and by real dough, we're talking upwards of 500k to making less--it's all relative. i feel like with specialties like radiology or opthamology, numbers are negligible (in my opinion) when you're dealing with that kind of money...kind of hard to compare with a general dentist who'll come out making a certain % of production or like 90k.

True but you'd be surprised at how people freak out when salary goes from 400k to 350k, if its not a gradual drastic decline, cry me a river.

speaking of 90k I'd like to meet a current dental student who says he/she has passion for dentistry with this kind of salary (lets assume its adjusted for inflation in the future). And no, I dont want to meet the student who says yes but doesnt include the fact that parents, other family, or spouse is paying for school.

 

[artvandelay786]

well, i'm one of those people that has second thoughts against dental school...and i'm wrapping up my second year LOL. i'm just fed up with school to be honest with you, so sorry if i sound bitter. the real world of dentistry is 90% not like dental school. think of it in terms of rushing a fraternity or sorority---you have the pledging process, which sucks, but once you make it thru all is good. just think of it as 4 years of pledging hell.

but anyway,

i've noticed a couple of things, from my absurdly large class size......from what i've personally seen (in my opinion) is that the only people who are truly 'dedicated' are those who are non-trad students..i.e. left a career in finance or something else to pursue dentistry. why? bc they're older and this whole dentistry thing HAS to work for them. and there are also those who have parents who are dentists...well they're there because, hey why not right? and then there are those mixed bunch of students that are going to be first generation dentists in their families and want to make boat loads of $$.

if what i'm thinking is true, then you jumped the gun and applied to dental school with the idea of, 'hey i'll be a doctor, i'll be making money, and i get to be a business owner'.

but, you forgot to realize that 1. dental school is crazy expensive 2. you most probably won't pay that debt down for a while ergo you won't be making boatloads of money like you thought until you hit your 40s 3. you got suckered into a career because it was a 'fad'

so what do you do now? well it depends...you could defer for a year, and then see what happens...and take time to 'soul search'. get a job in corporate america and see if it works for you is my recommendation.

It's sad to hear that you don't like dental school so much but -- as far as debt goes -- isn't it possible to pay off your debt in the first five to ten years if you live below your mean (i.e. no new BMW/big house/etc)? Also, if you don't mind me asking, do you attend an OOS school? If so, do you feel this plays a role in how you feel about D school?

 

[jeffk805dent]

I know how you feel. I'm just treating the whole dental school experience as practice sessions for the real world cuz I don't think what's out there will be any less stressful or easier than the plethora of work I have to do in dental school.

while the dental school curriculum is needed to work as a dentist, I must say in my experience and two dozens other dentists in the Southwest, most of dentistry is learned AFTER school. Which makes you wonder is the tuition really justified at dental school.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

It's sad to hear that you don't like dental school so much but -- as far as debt goes -- isn't it possible to pay off your debt in the first five to ten years if you live below your mean (i.e. no new BMW/big house/etc)? Also, if you don't mind me asking, do you attend an OOS school? If so, do you feel this plays a role in how you feel about D school?

i attend a private school with a scholarship. and i'm paying off as much as i can from work money that i have saved up. i'll still have around 320k in debt when i graduate.

5 to 10 years? you've got to be kidding me. even if you made, say 120k pre tax. how much would you take home? of that, what would go towards a car, an apartment, living expenses? and then on top of that, how much do you want to pay back for loans? the only honest way that i can see paying that in 10 years is if: i live with my parents for the whole time (and be financially dependent on them) and not get married. for the sake of my life lol, i'd rather pay back the debt on my own.

of course that plays a role in how i feel about dental school. it's one thing to graduate with like 30k in debt with a 90k job, vs. 320k with a 90k job. you'll find that when you graduate, if you haven't researched already, the job market isn't going to be very nice. you will probably have to consider, like a lot of us, about working for a corporate chain that throws you 150k and benefits. it's not ideal, and you probably won't be practicing very ethical dentistry...but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and put in your time.

 

[Realitydentalstudent]

the only people who are truly 'dedicated' are those who are non-trad students..i.e. left a career in finance or something else to pursue dentistry. why? bc they're older and this whole dentistry thing HAS to work for them. and there are also those who have parents who are dentists...well they're there because, hey why not right? and then there are those mixed bunch of students that are going to be first generation dentists in their families and want to make boat loads of $$.

No truer words have ever been said to describe the dental school demograph.

 

[ladentista007]

i attend a private school with a scholarship. and i'm paying off as much as i can from work money that i have saved up. i'll still have around 320k in debt when i graduate.

5 to 10 years? you've got to be kidding me. even if you made, say 120k pre tax. how much would you take home? of that, what would go towards a car, an apartment, living expenses? and then on top of that, how much do you want to pay back for loans? the only honest way that i can see paying that in 10 years is if: i live with my parents for the whole time (and be financially dependent on them) and not get married. for the sake of my life lol, i'd rather pay back the debt on my own.

of course that plays a role in how i feel about dental school. it's one thing to graduate with like 30k in debt with a 90k job, vs. 320k with a 90k job. you'll find that when you graduate, if you haven't researched already, the job market isn't going to be very nice. you will probably have to consider, like a lot of us, about working for a corporate chain that throws you 150k and benefits. it's not ideal, and you probably won't be practicing very ethical dentistry...but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and put in your time.

are u referring to the job market of a general dentist? or specialists? can we all specify if what we're talking about is general dentistry or a dental specialty?

 

[toothdriller2k17]

True but you'd be surprised at how people freak out when salary goes from 400k to 350k, if its not a gradual drastic decline, cry me a river.

speaking of 90k I'd like to meet a current dental student who says he/she has passion for dentistry with this kind of salary (lets assume its adjusted for inflation in the future). And no, I dont want to meet the student who says yes but doesnt include the fact that parents, other family, or spouse is paying for school.

me too. you'll be hard pressed to find a student now a days who'd believe it. i've heard classmates expecting to make upwards of 130k in major cities right out of school.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

are u referring to the job market of a general dentist? or specialists? can we all specify if what we're talking about is general dentistry or a dental specialty?

general dentistry. specialties are a whole other ballgame. everyone wants to specialize when they enter dental school. you make that realization about where you stand by the end of your 2nd year in most cases.

 

[ladentista007]

general dentistry. specialties are a whole other ballgame. everyone wants to specialize when they enter dental school. you make that realization about where you stand by the end of your 2nd year in most cases.

nah im goin to a true pass/fail ..that's why

 

[toothdriller2k17]

nah im goin to a true pass/fail ..that's why

you'll still have a class rank. they might not tell you that you do, but you will.

 

[Realitydentalstudent]

me too. you'll be hard pressed to find a student now a days who'd believe it. i've heard classmates expecting to make upwards of 130k in major cities right out of school.

Yes everybody paying excessive amounts for dental school seems to think they will magically end up on the far right side of the salary bell curve. Cheer up your debt load is not bad, there are people out now with 300k debt that are doing good 🙂

 

[ladentista007]

you'll still have a class rank. they might not tell you that you do, but you will.

Hey, messaged u. But no I am aware that they do but I was specifically told that they don't usually publish this information to the programs...it's for other purposes regarding the dental school itself, which I can't recall right now lol but I remember bein told this.

 

[jmcunnin]

This is a tough one. I left a career in business to pursue dentistry..currently taking prereqs now. I finished a bachelor and master degree in business before realizing what I wanted to do with my life. I had to make a lot of difficult decisions and sacrifices personally, financially, and professionally to be able to follow this dream of becoming a dentist. However, I can honestly say I do not regret any part of my journey. It's been a hell of a ride, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Although it would be difficult for me to offer any specific advice on what path you should take, I wish you the best of luck. It is these difficult decisions in life that will make you a stronger person no matter what route you take. I am sure you will be successful in your career whether it be dentistry or something else. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.

 

[Faux]

When you were shadowing/spending time at dental clinics, how much did you enjoy your time there? If you were bored and only did enough hours for your application, dentistry is probably not the right path for you. If you loved the experience, then it's the right path for you.

If you can't remember, go shadow at some clinics(general and specialties) even though you've been accepted already. It's always a great learning experience and maybe the dentists can even help you figure out if dentistry is truly the right path for you.

I'm sure a good amount of people were bored while shadowing. Wether you enjoyed it or not, dentistry is just something you have to be in the chair to either appreciate it or dislike.


We're all scared OP and nervous as heck. But if you're possibly interested in another career, you owe it to yourself to shadow and do some reflection. You'll will be disappointing people and yourself if you stick with something while another career was on your mind.

 

[BYU4you]

I've met many more physicians and med students saying they wish they would have chosen dentistry over medicine than dentists regretting their decision. Including younger dentists. Moral of the story as most things are in life, the grass always looks greener on the other side.

The truth is that life is hard and no job can guarantee you big bucks and work anywhere doing anything you want without the possibility of struggling.

Also the truth is that you are much more likely to complain on the internet about bad experiences than good ones so take everything on AND with a grain of salt, including what I say as a pre dental student.

And to the OP it's a big decision and I think it really depends what you want in the future. I think a career as a dentist has more longevity, I don't think it's weird at all to have second thoughts because it's a big decision just like marriage. In fact I think it is a BAD sign if you don't have second thoughts, no one should go into something like this without thinking deeply about it.

 

[synthiac]

Having second thoughts is fine but make sure you start school with the right intentions. You have a couple more months to figure things out. If you still continue to have second thoughts then probably best not to go forth with it. From what I've read from most of your comments, you seem to be leaning more towards PT which is also a great field. Good luck and may the odds be forever in your favor! 😀

 

[Bifenthrin]

i've noticed a couple of things, from my absurdly large class size......from what i've personally seen (in my opinion) is that the only people who are truly 'dedicated' are those who are non-trad students..i.e. left a career in finance or something else to pursue dentistry. why? bc they're older and this whole dentistry thing HAS to work for them. and there are also those who have parents who are dentists...well they're there because, hey why not right? and then there are those mixed bunch of students that are going to be first generation dentists in their families and want to make boat loads of $$.

False. I'm a non-trad and I'm getting pretty fed up with this bull****. I'm sure that once I graduate I'll be back to being all "yay dentistry!" but right now as I sit here attempting (and failing) to study for tomorrow's behavior exam, I am seriously wondering why I'm doing this to myself.

 

[deleted659902]

False. I'm a non-trad and I'm getting pretty fed up with this bull****. I'm sure that once I graduate I'll be back to being all "yay dentistry!" but right now as I sit here attempting (and failing) to study for tomorrow's behavior exam, I am seriously wondering why I'm doing this to myself.

It's cool. At least you have a brilliant mind that allows you to pull at least B's on exams after just reading stuff once the night before exams.

 

[kholley25]

OP, I recently turned down an acceptance to vet school because deep down I knew I wouldn't be happy doing it for the rest of my life. I think it was the right decision because I'm really enjoying my shadowing and other dental experiences and think dental med better fits me personally.

Like I've told others, I would recommend to anyone that you should sit down and really envision what you want in life 10, 20, etc. years from now and if you think a degree in dental/allopathic/vet/etc. medicine will enable you to achieve those goals.

Really think about it before you make the decision, because time and loans cannot be taken back.

 

[Bifenthrin]

It's cool. At least you have a brilliant mind that allows you to pull at least B's on exams after just reading stuff once the night before exams.

For this one, I'm not worried... pretty scared for pharm though... Way too many lectures to memorize.

 

[Jerm174]

Just wanted to say that I love all of this support for OP from the community

 

[Realitydentalstudent]

Hi all,
Has anyone had second thoughts on whether or not they want to go to dental school? I've already been accepted and paid the deposit, etc. but I am not sure it is for me anymore. I can't tell if I am just having a end of the year-I'm about the graduate freak out, or if I really am second guessing this career path. I feel like I have put a ton of time and effort into something that I am not passionate about. Has anyone else dealt with the same thing?

Honestly no one has a realistic expectation of what dentistry will be like for them until they are a few years out. I'm a D2 and I still am not sure if I'll like it yet. We just take the plunge with our risks calculated, akin to taking an educated guess, like the endless generations of dentists before us have done.

 

[jeffk805dent]

Just wanted to say that I love all of this support for OP from the community

you're more than welcome to post about advice/information. The SDN forum is like any internet forum, you got keyboard warriors and you got keyboard angels. The stuff posters tell you to to be successful may be subjective but we're all here to give advice and our opinion. It is up to you to know what is best from these posts on an internet forum.

 

[jeffk805dent]

me too. you'll be hard pressed to find a student now a days who'd believe it. i've heard classmates expecting to make upwards of 130k in major cities right out of school.

130k within 5 years sounds right if you're in a big city (key word is big city). I started out at 100k in Phoenix, most of my CA friends were in that same ballpark though some were offered 85k-90k in the nicest parts of LA. 😱

 

[toothdriller2k17]

I've met many more physicians and med students saying they wish they would have chosen dentistry over medicine than dentists regretting their decision. Including younger dentists. Moral of the story as most things are in life, the grass always looks greener on the other side.

The truth is that life is hard and no job can guarantee you big bucks and work anywhere doing anything you want without the possibility of struggling.

Also the truth is that you are much more likely to complain on the internet about bad experiences than good ones so take everything on AND with a grain of salt, including what I say as a pre dental student.

And to the OP it's a big decision and I think it really depends what you want in the future. I think a career as a dentist has more longevity, I don't think it's weird at all to have second thoughts because it's a big decision just like marriage. In fact I think it is a BAD sign if you don't have second thoughts, no one should go into something like this without thinking deeply about it.

it's a common idea to never be content with yourself until you've really hit that ''i made it moment'', i get it. for some it'll take a lot longer than others.

life is hard, and no job can guarantee you big bucks--that's true. but again, i find it rather difficult to muster up any motivation that i have left, all while knowing that i will probably be paying off my debt burden until i'm almost 50. and i'd be willing to bet that your medical school friends don't know that a decent number of dental students pay upwards of 100,000 a year for their education, or that dental school is the most expensive professional school in the country.

and with the way this field is going, i just hope i don't have to open up an office inside of a costco just to make ends meet.

 

[jeffk805dent]

and with the way this field is going, i just hope i don't have to open up an office inside of a costco just to make ends meet.

I'd take a Costco office over a Walmart office.

 

[BYU4you]

life is hard, and no job can guarantee you big bucks--that's true. but again, i find it rather difficult to muster up any motivation that i have left, all while knowing that i will probably be paying off my debt burden until i'm almost 50. and i'd be willing to bet that your medical school friends don't know that a decent number of dental students pay upwards of 100,000 a year for their education, or that dental school is the most expensive professional school in the country.

No I agree that they don't know that at all, but I don't think any of us know what it's like to go to all that medical school and then have to work crazy long hours as a practitioner, have so much paper work and non patient related stuff to deal with with hospitals etc, and so much more about the medical field I couldn't imagine.

To the OP who knows if being a PT Will be a dream job either? Eventually it takes a leap of faith. But it's definitely nice knowing if you are even jumping in the right direction

 

[jeffk805dent]

Worried about big student debt? Suck it up and relocate to rural areas and associate there for a few years making 150k+ a year. Then relocate again to suburbs of metropolitan cities, and either buy in or open up a new practice. Problem solved.

dentistry like a restaurant business, has a lot of success with word of mouth. Opening a new practice even as an experienced dentist still makes the local public wary about trying a new dentist when there are other experienced dental offices to go to. By no means will it mean the new practice will go under, but opening a new practice in metro cities even as an experienced dentist is still kind of going back to square one.

Also depending how rural we are talking about, most associates dont get paid $150k unless they're 3-5 years into the field. A private dental office has a liability by having a rookie dentist in the office and will therefore make the associate dentist do the basic stuff and also get paid much less (like 100k-120k). An associate position having a $150k starting salary either means its 4 hours from the nearest big city or the boss has a lot of unreasonable expectations to meet.

 

[tendram]

I've been in the same boat here recently however I have been second guessing myself not because I don't think I will like dentistry but rather because after 2 failed attempts at getting in the whole application process and bettering my application for each year is beginning to wear me thin. I think at the end of the day you have to look at what you will likely be doing 5-10 years down the road in whatever field you see yourself in and then decide if you will be content doing that for the rest of your life. For me, I have been thinking of going back to school and getting a degree in computer science/engineering and getting a job in the IT field or something like that, but when I think about what I might possibly be doing with that degree a few years down the road I'm not entirely sure I will be satisfied with it. Dentistry on the other hand makes me excited to think about what I would likely be doing and this encourages me to keep pursuing it. At the moment I am still trying to decide if I am even going to apply this cycle just because I'm incredibly stressed out trying to balance shadowing, volunteering, and working full time (according to one of the schools I have applied to I am going to need at least 50-100 more shadowing hours in order to stay competitive, something that is going to be ridiculously hard to get in my current situation). I'm at the point now where no matter how much I want to be a dentist I'm not really sure it's worth all of the stress I'm putting myself through. But I digress. I guess the point I am trying to make is if you can see yourself happier in a different field 5-10 years down the road than in dentistry you may want to do some research and decide whether or not you're going to be satisfied with dentistry.

 

[jeffk805dent]

I've been in the same boat here recently however I have been second guessing myself not because I don't think I will like dentistry but rather because after 2 failed attempts at getting in the whole application process and bettering my application for each year is beginning to wear me thin. I think at the end of the day you have to look at what you will likely be doing 5-10 years down the road in whatever field you see yourself in and then decide if you will be content doing that for the rest of your life. For me, I have been thinking of going back to school and getting a degree in computer science/engineering and getting a job in the IT field or something like that, but when I think about what I might possibly be doing with that degree a few years down the road I'm not entirely sure I will be satisfied with it. Dentistry on the other hand makes me excited to think about what I would likely be doing and this encourages me to keep pursuing it. At the moment I am still trying to decide if I am even going to apply this cycle just because I'm incredibly stressed out trying to balance shadowing, volunteering, and working full time (according to one of the schools I have applied to I am going to need at least 50-100 more shadowing hours in order to stay competitive, something that is going to be ridiculously hard to get in my current situation). I'm at the point now where no matter how much I want to be a dentist I'm not really sure it's worth all of the stress I'm putting myself through. But I digress. I guess the point I am trying to make is if you can see yourself happier in a different field 5-10 years down the road than in dentistry you may want to do some research and decide whether or not you're going to be satisfied with dentistry.

shadowing I did:

2 general dentists - 50 hours each
1 oral surgeon - 40 hours
1 orthodontist - 20
1 pediatric dentist - 10 (very hard to shadow imo because of the liability with children and helicopter parents)

that totals to 170 hours, at those hours, you might be telling the professors about dentistry 🙂

 

[tendram]

shadowing I did:

2 general dentists - 50 hours each
1 oral surgeon - 40 hours
1 orthodontist - 20
1 pediatric dentist - 10 (very hard to shadow imo because of the liability with children and helicopter parents)

that totals to 170 hours, at those hours, you might be telling the professors about dentistry 🙂

That's pretty close to what I have done and I have to agree. At this point I have seen so many crowns I feel like I should be able to prep and place one

 

[Realitydentalstudent]

the associate dentist do the basic stuff and also get paid much less (like 100k-120k). An associate position having a $150k starting salary either means its 4 hours from the nearest big city or the boss has a lot of unreasonable expectations to meet.

Don't you think at 500/day or 30% of production (whichever is higher) an associate can expect to make 150k+ by his second-third year out in private practice? 170k pre-tax under those numbers, assuming lab fees are 10%, would mean that the associate has to produce around 52k monthly. I know there are associates that do this easily in less competitive areas but I'm not sure the same applies for a saturated market like phoenix.

 

[jeffk805dent]

Don't you think at 500/day or 30% of production (whichever is higher) an associate can expect to make 150k+ by his second-third year out in private practice? I know there are associates that do this easily in less competitive areas but I'm not sure the same applies for a saturated market like phoenix.

I think I mentioned in a previous post that it takes 3-4 years to reach 150k as an associate (if I didnt mention it, my bad). I have an email somewhere that said associate dentists maxing around 140k-150k in San Diego, of course the key words in this statement are "associate dentist" and "San Diego." If its your own practice, however, then its sky the limit. Good money to be made but not like "I can buy a Bugatti" type of salary.

 

[Realitydentalstudent]

I think I mentioned in a previous post that it takes 3-4 years to reach 150k as an associate (if I didnt mention it, my bad). I have an email somewhere that said associate dentists maxing around 140k-150k in San Diego, of course the key words in this statement are "associate dentist" and "San Diego." If its your own practice, however, then its sky the limit. Good money to be made but not like "I can buy a Bugatti" type of salary.

Sorry I edited my post to talk about production as you replied. I think it depends on the % production you get. You would reach 150k pre-tax sooner if you were getting paid a higher % of production. I believe the going rate in a saturated market like San Diego would be well under 25%. That being said I think it would take a couple of years to reach the production required, ~45k a month, to make 150k.