Should I go into Dental

[toothphage]

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Hi all

I am going through a career choice crises right now. I just keep going in circles, and I am going to start shadowing a dentist to see if this is in fact the field for me.

I have a pretty high GPA ~3.85, I have not taken the DAT's and I have just finished an undergrad degree in bio and have taken most of the prerequisite courses required for most dental schools. I am quite confident I could probably get in a dental school if I put the time in to study for the DAT's

However, Let me start out by saying that doing dental is in fact not my first choice in terms of personal interest. I would rather go into teaching at the university level i think by persuing a phd in biochemistry. However due to my family having pretty bad economic problems I can"t help but feel the pressure to go into dental. I know this is not the best reason to go, but seeing my almost 70 year old single father work a physical job day in and out really does get to me. Additionally I have 3 younger siblings who are going to need to get through college.

Even though I did pretty good in undergrad, I now suffer from health problems myself and can not take too much stress very well. I would simply like to get some opinions whatever they may be, thank you.

 

[sfrice80]

Its never a good idea to enter a profession just because you would make good money. If you cant handle too much stress, it doesnt sound like dental or a PhD program would be a good idea either. Dental, I know, is pretty stressful at times. If you are referring to you paying for your siblings college, you may want to consider the amount of debt you would incur while going through dental school, you will hardly be able to help them while you are in dental school and afterwards you will have hefty payments towards loans.

If your heart is in getting a PhD and teaching at the college level, then absolutely do it! I dont know of too many college professors who dont do well financially either! They live pretty comfortably!

 

[alanan84]

I've read somewhere that you can make a lot of money doing anything, as long as you're good at it. You're going to be good at what you enjoy most. IMO, go the teaching route.

Having said that, I sympathize with your reasoning for considering dentistry. The shadowing will help you with your decision. I think if after shadowing you still have doubts, walk away from it. Those doubts will very possibly turn into regrets.

Just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[CrazyTeeth]

Toothphage:

First of all, I have gone through the graduate program. So I do have some background into what grad school offers. Not to discourage you or anything, but if you are in dire need of immediate financial assistance for your family, dental school would probably not be the best route. The loans that you take in dental school would more likely cover the cost of school tuitions, supplies, living, etc. than helping out your family's financial issues.

If you go into the phd program, many/most Principal investigators (PI's) would pay for your time spent researching for them. Additionally, you could teach as a graduate student to earn extra cash to help your younger siblings. I have taught for the past 4 years and now have a part-time faculty position at my university. It's a great experience! Teaching while in the graduate program will allow you to gain more experience to see if you TRULY want to teach as a career.

When you are done with grad school (4-5yrs), you still have time to pursue dentistry (if that's where your passion). With you phd, dds, and graduate teaching experience, you would great chance to attain a teaching position at a dental school.

NOTE: My answer is based on the fact that you're in need of immediate financial assistance to support your family. If you have some time (3-4yrs) before you need the money, then maybe dental school would be a better option b/c you would have greater financial output when you graduate. You sound like a great and caring person, good luck with everything you decide to do. 🙂

 

[sketo43]

How soon do you need the money? Dentists can make good money, but it takes time to get there. If you haven't taken the DAT yet, then I assume you wouldn't apply this cycle, which means you would be in the class of 2015. So it would be six years from now until you make any money as a dentist (assuming you don't want to sepcialize), and even then you will have student loan payments, and it takes time to grow a practice.

Definitely shadow a dentist to see if you like it. I think dentistry is a great field, but it isn't for everyone. Since you're more interested in a phd, I would suggest going that route. Science phds do pretty well from what I can tell, and in a phd program you won't end up with as much debt as in dental school. Either way, I think it will be tough to support your father and siblings right away.

Another option is to combine the paths you're considering, and become a professor/researcher at a dental school.