Second Thoughts on Dental School

[jeffk805dent]

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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.

around 26% in San Diego and 27-29% in the rural San Diego areas. I was 30% in Phoenix, not much difference but my taxes were almost half.

 

[DentalDoge]

OP, this is most likely more than just a mild case of cold feet. You're about to graduate college, moving on to the next big chapter in your life. This isn't about the "college experience" anymore. This is the beginning of the rest of your life.

This is, of course, daunting. But you've convinced the admissions committee ... remember why you decided to go on this crazy adventure with the rest of us.

 

[Hannah Banana]

OP, this is most likely more than just a mild case of cold feet. You're about to graduate college, moving on to the next big chapter in your life. This isn't about the "college experience" anymore. This is the beginning of the rest of your life.

This is, of course, daunting. But you've convinced the admissions committee ... remember why you decided to go on this crazy adventure with the rest of us.

Hahaha DentalDoge, it makes me giggled because I was imagining all of us on a squeaky bandwagon ride in the zoo.

 

[Dentsss]

I've always wanted to be a dentist since elementary school and my passion has only grown stronger since but once I got my first acceptance I was like "do I really want to do this?"

I think it's normal to doubt a career plan. Because who the hell really knows what they are signing up for.

 

[keyvdent]

In my opinion,

we are starting an era where some people are starting to question whether debt upwards of 350-450 k is worth becoming a dentist in a uncertain future economy.
In 5-10 years when the current students are out in the field and people hear more stories of dentist struggling ( not all, but enough ) i think dentistry will be much less desirable.

You dont need to get a 21 on the dat to know that >350k debt and dentist saturation is going to be a tough situation. There will still be successful dentist, but also alot more people who don't do well enough to justify the time and money invested, in my opinion. You can't compare yourself to the dentist you shadowed who graduated 20, or even 10, years ago. Even 10 years ago people I think the tuition was only lke 150k , 20 years ago what like 60 k?

I think it is a cycle and were are definitely at the top right now.

 

[deleted659902]

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.

Just curious, what kind of procedures are considered "basic?"

 

[futuredoc2019dds]

Just curious, what kind of procedures are considered "basic?"

They probably mean crowns, bridges, fillings, dentures, and simple extractions

 

[km18]

Hi everyone, OP here. Just wanted to say thanks for all of the input. You have all given me a lot to think about. I am trying not to think of the money aspect of dentistry too much in my decision. My decision will be difficult due to the fact that I can see myself doing so many different things 10 years down the road. I want to make sure this is something that I really want before I start school in the fall. Luckily, I have a few months to think it over. I think after graduation I will have a bit more of a clear head and will be able to decide if this is something that I really want. I will probably be looking at $260,000 in debt from dental school and about $100,000 in debt from undergrad so this will basically put me in the same boat as many others who have no undergrad debt, but 350K+ from dental school.

 

[deleted659902]

They probably mean crowns, bridges, fillings, dentures, and simple extractions

hm I was thinking more along the lines of class I, II, III, and V restorations... in addition to exams and cleanings of course.

 

[Iceskater22]

Hi everyone, OP here. Just wanted to say thanks for all of the input. You have all given me a lot to think about. I am trying not to think of the money aspect of dentistry too much in my decision. My decision will be difficult due to the fact that I can see myself doing so many different things 10 years down the road. I want to make sure this is something that I really want before I start school in the fall. Luckily, I have a few months to think it over. I think after graduation I will have a bit more of a clear head and will be able to decide if this is something that I really want. I will probably be looking at $260,000 in debt from dental school and about $100,000 in debt from undergrad so this will basically put me in the same boat as many others who have no undergrad debt, but 350K+ from dental school.

Hey, I think it is a great idea to take time to think over the situation after you graduate. I graduated last May and took my DAT in August and as I was studying I was rethinking the whole process because studying was so hard and as a college athlete I worked out 3-4 hours each day and had trouble sitting still for 8 hours. And then once I did well on my DAT I seriously researched and talked to a lot of people about how much dental school would really cost; this was overwhelming and I was doubting dentistry mainly because I am a woman and don't know exactly how my future with debt will work out as far as raising kids...but overall I think dentistry is the career the fits me the most. It took me awhile to come up with that conclusion and I doubted it along the way

So basically don't be worried about doubting dentistry and maybe reevaluate why you chose this career path to begin with. I do think its worth it to also shadow a physical therapist though and see what you think because as with dentistry there are drawbacks to that field as well.

As to you interest in cooking, running, etc..I don't think that is a reason to doubt dentistry. Dental school will be stressful at times and in the future working as a dentist will be stressful at times, but every career path has stress and life will always have ups and downs. Overall, I think dentistry provides a good lifestyle where you will be able to run and cook and exercise. I was a nutrition major in college and I run half marathons for fun. I didn't want to be in the health/fitness industry after researching all of the careers so I chose dentistry because I believe that I will like it and be able to continue to live a healthy lifestyle and workout.

Thus: take the time to make YOUR choice, doubts are normal, enjoy graduation and your friends, go running when your stressed...etc Now I will get back to my physics studying which I love procrastinating, I hope this helps!!!