Should you be a dentist if you're NOT WHITE?

[hellohello22]

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Hi, I am really considering going into dentistry. I am Indian but born in this country. From what I have seen, there seem to be very few successful Indian dentists around, but TONS of successful Indian doctors. Most successful dentists seem to all be white or Oriental.

so my question: Do you think me being Indian could (1): reduce the amount of people who would come to see me and/or (2): majorly put my chances for being successful in jeopardy?


Please no smart-ass comments, this is a serious topic.

Thank you.

 

[Lauren87]

I feel that maybe more Indians choose to be doctors, which is why you see more Indian successful doctors. I think it's that simple! If you want to be a dentist..go be one! I definitely don't think it would put your chances of being successful in jeopardy-that's a bit extreme and it shouldn't significantly reduce the number of people who come see you. Not by a significant amount and maybe you'll have a lot of Indians come see you for care to make up for it.

 

[TaylorMDhopeful]

Hi, I am really considering going into dentistry. I am Indian but born in this country. From what I have seen, there seem to be very few successful Indian dentists around, but TONS of successful Indian doctors. Most successful dentists seem to all be white or Oriental.

so my question: Do you think me being Indian could (1): reduce the amount of people who would come to see me and/or (2): majorly put my chances for being successful in jeopardy?


Please no smart-ass comments, this is a serious topic.

Thank you.

I agree with Lauren. There are probably just a lot more Caucasian and Oriental dentists overall which would give the perception of there being a few successful Indian doctors. Or perhaps there is a cultural/ideological significance to their choice of doctor over dentist. But either way that shouldn't deter you from becoming a dentist if that is what you really want to do. I believe as long as you work hard to achieve your goal, then you will have no problems. My new dentist is Indian and it takes me close to 2 months for an appointment because he is always overbooked (specific instance though). If you are good at what you do then you will have people coming to you for their dental work. You being Indian should not matter and I don't think many people will care what your roots are. Do what you think will make you happy, work hard and success will come.

 

[str8peds]

Hi, I am really considering going into dentistry. I am Indian but born in this country. From what I have seen, there seem to be very few successful Indian dentists around, but TONS of successful Indian doctors. Most successful dentists seem to all be white or Oriental.

so my question: Do you think me being Indian could (1): reduce the amount of people who would come to see me and/or (2): majorly put my chances for being successful in jeopardy?


Please no smart-ass comments, this is a serious topic.

Thank you.

I had a dentist of Indian decent. He was licensed and a couple blocks from my parent's house and that's all I cared about. He had a practice in Queens and one in Brooklyn, NY. If I didn't move out of state he would still be my dentist. (I'm actually thinking about going there once just to get my crowns done, he was great!). I also had an Indian doctor come to think of it....lol (I didn't really think about it until you brought it up)

Just a note: NYC is extremely diverse so people tend not to look at race. I can understand your question but I think if you practice in a diverse area no one will notice if you're Indian...lol

Realistically, if you practice in a big city I think you will no have no issues with questions (1) and (2). If you practice in a more rural area you will have to fight a little more for your success. It all depends on if you want easy breezy success or if you are trying to shatter a glass ceiling.

BTW: If you are bilingual, you could actually make a killing working in area with people who predominately speak that language. i.e. dentists/doctors who speak Mandarin/Cantanese and have a practice in Chinatown.

 

[njbmd]

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