Specialty vs. General Dentistry

[license2kill]

I am a DS1 and although I don't have a clue as to what specializing is all about, I would like to specialize frankly because I heard that it makes alot more money with less work.
Being exposed to different specialists, I find myself shying away from a future dealing with gruesome abnormalities that require bloody surgeries. So orthodontics and endodontics are what I am interested in due to the relatively less gruesome cases and more money for less work.

But my questions is, what about general dentistry?
Is it that physically tiring at the end of the day and making RELATIVELY a small amount of money compared to specialists?

I don't want to sound like a money hog only caring about money but it will play a large decision in the "hunt" to or not to specialize. People tell me that general dentists make around 250K easy in an established private practice while a specialist on average makes 350K. Is this accurate?

Any suggestions, comments are welcomed. Thanks!

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[Streetwolf]

First, as you hopefully are aware, you should make sure you enjoy what you're going to do. For instance if you think ortho is boring then don't do it. If you can't stand root canals, don't do endo.

Second, for a specialty such as ortho, you need killer grades and board scores. I would wait for a 94/95 or higher (right guys?). I'm not sure what endo requires... I can't even venture a guess.

Third, you might end up doing as much or more work as a specialist. And don't forget that all specialties require an additional 2+ years of schooling, and they don't all pay you for those 2 years.

Finally, remember that those salaries ARE averages. There are generalists making over 500k and specialists making under 200k. Maybe not the majority, but you never know where you'll end up.

So that's what I'm considering for myself. I probably have a good enough board score to have a chance at anything but ortho. I still haven't completely narrowed it down yet, but if I do decide to do a bit of everything I'll have no problem at all being a generalist.

 

[license2kill]

First, as you hopefully are aware, you should make sure you enjoy what you're going to do. For instance if you think ortho is boring then don't do it. If you can't stand root canals, don't do endo.

Second, for a specialty such as ortho, you need killer grades and board scores. I would wait for a 94/95 or higher (right guys?). I'm not sure what endo requires... I can't even venture a guess.

Third, you might end up doing as much or more work as a specialist. And don't forget that all specialties require an additional 2+ years of schooling, and they don't all pay you for those 2 years.

Finally, remember that those salaries ARE averages. There are generalists making over 500k and specialists making under 200k. Maybe not the majority, but you never know where you'll end up.

So that's what I'm considering for myself. I probably have a good enough board score to have a chance at anything but ortho. I still haven't completely narrowed it down yet, but if I do decide to do a bit of everything I'll have no problem at all being a generalist.

Is this even remotely likely? If it is, then I could definitely be happy without specializing.
I am in need to plan for my future early because I am thinking about the military route. (Staying in the army 5 yrs for a chance to specialize, or just going for 3 years to get GPR training(with relatively good pay)/chance to specialize and getting out ASAP.)

 

[ReallyCuteGirl]

Is this even remotely likely? If it is, then I could definitely be happy without specializing.
I am in need to plan for my future early because I am thinking about the military route. (Staying in the army 5 yrs for a chance to specialize, or just going for 3 years to get GPR training(with relatively good pay)/chance to specialize and getting out ASAP.)

The likelyhood of that would depend on how well you take advantage of the business aspect of dentistry.

 

[license2kill]

The likelyhood of that would depend on how well you take advantage of the business aspect of dentistry.

Easier said than done? Given that a general dentist is business savy, are there enough patients out there to enable me to make this much as a solo practitioner? Or is 500K more like a three office with multiple associates kind of thing.

 

[ReallyCuteGirl]

Easier said than done? Given that a general dentist is business savy, are there enough patients out there to enable me to make this much as a solo practitioner? Or is 500K more like a three office with multiple associates kind of thing.

Definitely multiple offices with many associates/hygenists. no way you can make 500k as a gp with one pair of hands. And you're right, it is much easier said than done, as with everything else in life. But the opportunities to milk this career is definitely present in gp as well as specialty.

 

[Streetwolf]

Is this even remotely likely?

Like I said, it's definitely to the right of the bell curve.

 

[license2kill]

I am a DS1 and although I don't have a clue as to what specializing is all about, I would like to specialize frankly because I heard that it makes alot more money with less work.
Being exposed to different specialists, I find myself shying away from a future dealing with gruesome abnormalities that require bloody surgeries. So orthodontics and endodontics are what I am interested in due to the relatively less gruesome cases and more money for less work.

But my questions is, what about general dentistry?
Is it that physically tiring at the end of the day and making RELATIVELY a small amount of money compared to specialists?

I don't want to sound like a money hog only caring about money but it will play a large decision in the "hunt" to or not to specialize. People tell me that general dentists make around 250K easy in an established private practice while a specialist on average makes 350K. Is this accurate?

Any suggestions, comments are welcomed. Thanks!

Wasn't asking about right side of curve, thank you.

 

[OceanDMD]

Definitely multiple offices with many associates/hygenists. no way you can make 500k as a gp with one pair of hands. And you're right, it is much easier said than done, as with everything else in life. But the opportunities to milk this career is definitely present in gp as well as specialty.

I think I would back off this if I were you. Obviously it is not the norm, but there are many dentists who push 500k or more. You need to be well trained and able to do procedures beyond the realm of an average GP(and at the quality of a specialist). This often takes years of CE and practice. Being able to place implants, and rehabilitate arches and full upper and lower cases helps as well.

I realize this thread is being hijacked right now, and certainly there are PLENTY of salary threads to review.

As far as the thread goes, If you are thinking about specializing, concentrate on your grades and board scores. Throughout your 4 years of dental school you will learn what you like and don't like.

 

[license2kill]

I think I would back off this if I were you. Obviously it is not the norm, but there are many dentists who push 500k or more. You need to be well trained and able to do procedures beyond the realm of an average GP(and at the quality of a specialist). This often takes years of CE and practice. Being able to place implants, and rehabilitate arches and full upper and lower cases helps as well.

I realize this thread is being hijacked right now, and certainly there are PLENTY of salary threads to review.

As far as the thread goes, If you are thinking about specializing, concentrate on your grades and board scores. Throughout your 4 years of dental school you will learn what you like and don't like.

I am concentrating on my grades and future board exams, but in actuality I am trying to convince myself not to specialize. I would like to know what the average general dentist makes. (I will search the forum, but any input is greatly appreciated as well.)

 

[predentn]

I am concentrating on my grades and future board exams, but in actuality I am trying to convince myself not to specialize. I would like to know what the average general dentist makes. (I will search the forum, but any input is greatly appreciated as well.)

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=average+dentist+salary


Did you just wake up one morning and decide you wanted to be a dentist? What a way to start a career.

 

[Guy Smiley]

Easier said than done? Given that a general dentist is business savy, are there enough patients out there to enable me to make this much as a solo practitioner? Or is 500K more like a three office with multiple associates kind of thing.

It can definitely be done by the right person in the right circumstances. I knew a dentist near a city where I also worked as a dentist who produced 1.6 million/yr. I am sure his take home was somewhere near half that. Most won't reach this level of production but it can be done given the right set of skills and circumstances. As someone who has been through dental school and practiced dentistry, I would say the pay for a specialty you're not very interested in won't be enough. I can't stand root canals and even if I had had a guaranteed spot in an endo program, I wouldn't have done it. You have to do what you like. There's plenty of money in all aspects of dentistry, including general.

 

[HookEmBP]

It's highly unlikely that a dentist will make $500K on his own, but it's possible for an owner dentist who has several other GPs working under them, especially with satellite offices etc. That being said, I'd plan on earning 120-150K as a GP.

PS - you're a dental student? How have you not had this conversation 1,000 times already? Sorry to sound harsh but I'd expect this to be someone's first post!

 

[Guy Smiley]

It's highly unlikely that a dentist will make $500K on his own, but it's possible for an owner dentist who has several other GPs working under them, especially with satellite offices etc. That being said, I'd plan on earning 120-150K as a GP.

PS - you're a dental student? How have you not had this conversation 1,000 times already? Sorry to sound harsh but I'd expect this to be someone's first post!

Why is it highly unlikely a dentist can make that much on his own?

 

[license2kill]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=average+dentist+salary


Did you just wake up one morning and decide you wanted to be a dentist? What a way to start a career.

Very funny. No, I didn't wake up one morning to become a dentist. I am a grown man with a wife and son to feed, so I always had more responsibilities as an undergraduate. Although I would have loved to shadow a dentist and explore more into the dental field, school and putting food on the table came first. As for online searching, I had already done all of that, but I wanted to share my thoughts on SDN. So as I tell my son, if you don't have anything nice to say-don't say anything. Or in your case, smart azz comments are not appreciated.

 

[license2kill]

It's highly unlikely that a dentist will make $500K on his own, but it's possible for an owner dentist who has several other GPs working under them, especially with satellite offices etc. That being said, I'd plan on earning 120-150K as a GP.

PS - you're a dental student? How have you not had this conversation 1,000 times already? Sorry to sound harsh but I'd expect this to be someone's first post!

You are joking right? 120-150K for life?

I am a DS1. We have had this conversation several times between classmates, but such varying opinions.

 

[license2kill]

It can definitely be done by the right person in the right circumstances. I knew a dentist near a city where I also worked as a dentist who produced 1.6 million/yr. I am sure his take home was somewhere near half that. Most won't reach this level of production but it can be done given the right set of skills and circumstances. As someone who has been through dental school and practiced dentistry, I would say the pay for a specialty you're not very interested in won't be enough. I can't stand root canals and even if I had had a guaranteed spot in an endo program, I wouldn't have done it. You have to do what you like. There's plenty of money in all aspects of dentistry, including general.

Thanks for the advice doc!

 

[xhamburgersamx]

General dentist can pretty much do everything with the proper training, attitude, and risk/reward tolerance.

As a general dentist, you can place implants, do impaction surgeries, do iv sedation, endo, pros etc like a specialists would do but just charge less. If you have a very high volume of patients trusting you with your lowered costs then of course you will make a lot of money.

The average GP out of school is making around $400-500 a day in my area. As a specialists working as an associate, you'll probably start at least $500+/day.

1.6 million sounds like BS to me because that would mean the dentists is producing $6000+ per day on average, working 5 days a week, every week of the month. $6000 is obtainable on a good day but every day is really far fetched unless that dentists is a super workaholic.

 

[CanuckDDS]

General dentist can pretty much do everything with the proper training, attitude, and risk/reward tolerance.

As a general dentist, you can place implants, do impaction surgeries, do iv sedation, endo, pros etc like a specialists would do but just charge less. If you have a very high volume of patients trusting you with your lowered costs then of course you will make a lot of money.

The average GP out of school is making around $400-500 a day in my area. As a specialists working as an associate, you'll probably start at least $500+/day.

1.6 million sounds like BS to me because that would mean the dentists is producing $6000+ per day on average, working 5 days a week, every week of the month. $6000 is obtainable on a good day but every day is really far fetched unless that dentists is a super workaholic.

The question is: can you do EVERYTHING at the level of a specialist...

I couldn't when I was practicing general dentistry, and I had to be able to sleep at night knowing that my patient's received the best possible Tx.

You can make very very good money doing general dentistry and doing it well. And it is less stressful to be able to know that you can handle a purposed Tx and the possible sequelae and complications...

On a side note I had this conversation with a GP this past week.

Me: Hi Dr. _____. (He prefers to be called Dr.)
Him: OMG I tried to take out this ST impacted LL 3rd and the guy is on Warfarin and he is now bleeding all over! I'm going to send him right in to see you.
Me: Wait, what was his INR preop?
Him: I dunno I didn't ask him, jeeze!
Me: OK, don't panic. What is he taking the Warfarin for?
Him: I dunno, I didn't ask him. Wait, he is taking it for a heart attack I think....

I $h!t you not, that happened this past week...

 

[license2kill]

The question is: can you do EVERYTHING at the level of a specialist...

I couldn't when I was practicing general dentistry, and I had to be able to sleep at night knowing that my patient's received the best possible Tx.

You can make very very good money doing general dentistry and doing it well. And it is less stressful to be able to know that you can handle a purposed Tx and the possible sequelae and complications...

On a side note I had this conversation with a GP this past week.

Me: Hi Dr. _____. (He prefers to be called Dr.)
Him: OMG I tried to take out this ST impacted LL 3rd and the guy is on Warfarin and he is now bleeding all over! I'm going to send him right in to see you.
Me: Wait, what was his INR preop?
Him: I dunno I didn't ask him, jeeze!
Me: OK, don't panic. What is he taking the Warfarin for?
Him: I dunno, I didn't ask him. Wait, he is taking it for a heart attack I think....

I $h!t you not, that happened this past week...

What residency did you wind up doing?

 

[Cold Front]

It's highly unlikely that a dentist will make $500K on his own, but it's possible for an owner dentist who has several other GPs working under them, especially with satellite offices etc. That being said, I'd plan on earning 120-150K as a GP.

PS - you're a dental student? How have you not had this conversation 1,000 times already? Sorry to sound harsh but I'd expect this to be someone's first post!

Highly unlikely that you did your research on this topic before you decided to chip in.

In 2006, ADA survey showed "The average net income for an independent private practitioner who owned all or part of his or her practice in 2006 was $202,930 for a general practitioner and $329,980 for a specialist."

The survey was based on a mixture of dentists; some who work part-time, some who own more than 1 office, some who did start-up couple of years out of school... etc. Again, this was back in 2006. Income usually goes about 5-10% each year, so the same group of dentists would be averaging about $250k in 2009, while the top 15-20% of that group are making $400-500k range with 1 office.

Another thing to note is that ADA surveys are reported conservatively. No dentist will ever put his actual tax return numbers on a survey. Plus, owner dentists adjust their income to avoid taxes.

 

[license2kill]

Highly unlikely that you did your research on this topic before you decided to chip in.

In 2006, ADA survey showed "The average net income for an independent private practitioner who owned all or part of his or her practice in 2006 was $202,930 for a general practitioner and $329,980 for a specialist."

The survey was based on a mixture of dentists; some who work part-time, some who own more than 1 office, some who did start-up couple of years out of school... etc. Again, this was back in 2006. Income usually goes about 5-10% each year, so the same group of dentists would be averaging about $250k in 2009, while the top 15-20% of that group are making $400-500k range with 1 office.

Another thing to note is that ADA surveys are reported conservatively. No dentist will ever put his actual tax return numbers on a survey. Plus, owner dentists adjust their income to avoid taxes.

Now I can go to sleep at night!

 

[gary_ruska]

It's highly unlikely that a dentist will make $500K on his own, but it's possible for an owner dentist who has several other GPs working under them, especially with satellite offices etc. That being said, I'd plan on earning 120-150K as a GP.

PS - you're a dental student? How have you not had this conversation 1,000 times already? Sorry to sound harsh but I'd expect this to be someone's first post!

Gary "Hook was a stupid movie" Ruska here,
Kudos to the posters who have pointed out that you have the research and analytical skills of a fish taco.

Posted from another thread:

Here are some more recent numbers, (c) ADA 2006 (income survey from 2005), for full-time practitioners (1600 hours or more/year)

1. OMFS: $408,570 for 1920 hours/year
2. Endo: $362,700 for 1824 hours/year
3. Pedo: $337,800 for 1728 hours/year
4. Ortho: $309,970 for 1728 hours/year
5. Perio: $295,630 for 1824 hours/year
6. Prosth: $232,310 for 1920 hours/year
7. General: $210,280 for 1728 hours/year

Hourly income (estimated):
1. OMFS: $213
2. Endo: $199
3. Pedo: $195
4. Ortho: $179
5. Perio: $162
6. Prosth: $121
7. General: $122

Source: ADA surveys, Income from the Private Practice of Dentistry. (c) 2006, American Dental Association, Chicago, IL.

If you're counting on making 120-150K as a GP, then you're counting on being significantly below average. However, in the setting of the available evidence (i.e. your post), your expectations are, at least, concordant with your potential.

GR does not mean to personally attack you, but rather suggest that your attitude leaves much to be desired, as you attacked the OP for asking a basic question and provided not only incorrect information in response, but chastized the poster for asking a question that should have been addressed ad nauseum by now. Which would be totally fine, if not for the small (albeit significant) fact that you clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

To the OP - asking questions is certainly not a bad thing and curiosity is a great virtue. GR would suggest that, in addition to curiosity, you would also benefit from a healthy dose of "learning how to look stuff up". This way, you can present the info, evaluate it, and elevate the level of discussion on these boards. Or, you could just ask, probably get some made up answer, quote it to someone else later on, and then get blasted by people who actually know what they're talking about (e.g. HookEmBP in this thread) and can back it up with actual data.

Finally - just remember: money isn't everything. Having a cool nickname is everything.

Gary "They Call Me Poo" Ruska

 

[Guy Smiley]

Gary Ruska,

I would like to refer all my patients to you.

Is this you? Everyone likes a guy who can sing.

http://www.turtlecreek.org/index.php?/about/tenor1/#pR

Gary "Hook was a stupid movie" Ruska here,
Kudos to the posters who have pointed out that you have the research and analytical skills of a fish taco.

Posted from another thread:

Here are some more recent numbers, (c) ADA 2006 (income survey from 2005), for full-time practitioners (1600 hours or more/year)

1. OMFS: $408,570 for 1920 hours/year
2. Endo: $362,700 for 1824 hours/year
3. Pedo: $337,800 for 1728 hours/year
4. Ortho: $309,970 for 1728 hours/year
5. Perio: $295,630 for 1824 hours/year
6. Prosth: $232,310 for 1920 hours/year
7. General: $210,280 for 1728 hours/year

Hourly income (estimated):
1. OMFS: $213
2. Endo: $199
3. Pedo: $195
4. Ortho: $179
5. Perio: $162
6. Prosth: $121
7. General: $122

Source: ADA surveys, Income from the Private Practice of Dentistry. (c) 2006, American Dental Association, Chicago, IL.

If you're counting on making 120-150K as a GP, then you're counting on being significantly below average. However, in the setting of the available evidence (i.e. your post), your expectations are, at least, concordant with your potential.

GR does not mean to personally attack you, but rather suggest that your attitude leaves much to be desired, as you attacked the OP for asking a basic question and provided not only incorrect information in response, but chastized the poster for asking a question that should have been addressed ad nauseum by now. Which would be totally fine, if not for the small (albeit significant) fact that you clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

To the OP - asking questions is certainly not a bad thing and curiosity is a great virtue. GR would suggest that, in addition to curiosity, you would also benefit from a healthy dose of "learning how to look stuff up". This way, you can present the info, evaluate it, and elevate the level of discussion on these boards. Or, you could just ask, probably get some made up answer, quote it to someone else later on, and then get blasted by people who actually know what they're talking about (e.g. HookEmBP in this thread) and can back it up with actual data.

Finally - just remember: money isn't everything. Having a cool nickname is everything.

Gary "They Call Me Poo" Ruska

 

[HookEmBP]

You can eat up the ADA's inflated numbers all you want, but you'll surely be disappointed if you expect that much. I'm going from personal experience, but here are the first two links that come up after a google search:

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000220.html

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Dentist/Salary

 

[K Niner]

Hookem, That includes associates, academic dentists, etc. Not private practice dentists who own their own practice. Not too mention those numbers are always absurdly off for dentists and physicians.

 

[HookEmBP]

From the ADA website:

What is a dentist's average net income?
The average net income for an independent private practitioner who owned all or part of his or her practice in 2006 was $202,930 for a general practitioner and $329,980 for a specialist.
Source: 2007 Survey of Dental Practice—Income from the Private Practice of Dentistry

This ADA figure from 2006 states that the average owner makes 200K. I don't know what the ratio is of associates: owners, but I do know that it's misleading to say the average dentist makes 200K/yr.

 

[gary_ruska]

From the ADA website:

What is a dentist's average net income?
The average net income for an independent private practitioner who owned all or part (what is a part owner called?) of his or her practice in 2006 was $202,930 for a general practitioner and $329,980 for a specialist.
Source: 2007 Survey of Dental Practice—Income from the Private Practice of Dentistry

This ADA figure from 2006 states that the average owner makes 200K. I don't know what the ratio is of associates : owners(and couldn't bother to even look it up), but I do know that it's misleading to say the average dentist makes 200K/yr.

GR here,
GR has improved upon your post, Mr. Hook (see above bold). GR assumes BP stands for "bowel prep" b/c most of what you say is, well, what comes out after a bowel prep.

You are absolutely correct that the survey of dental practice lists independent private practitioners who own all or part of a practice - (i.e. this could include associates as well).

GR is very happy to see that you referred to salary wizard and continue to demonstrate your inability to appreciate the finer points of data analysis. It's a really wonderful example for all of the other pre-dents and dents out there and just great that you willingly continue to place yourself at the mercy of the board here with your wholly inadequate research. What self-sacrifice in the name of educating others!!!

If you actually read the survey methodology for salary wizard, it says that their data comes from HR departments. Most private practice dentists do not have HR departments. Therefore, which dentists work for groups that have HR departments? Hmmmmmmmmmm? Oh yeah, that would be salaried dentists (those who work in academics, research, for the state, etc.). Not surprising that they make less, though it is important that you provide such data to confirm what we already know to be true.

The following things are true:
1. Approximately 90% of dentists are independent practitioners (part or full owners).
2. The average independent practitioner makes ~$200,000-210,000/year.
3. You have the analytical skills of a roast beef sandwich. From the supermarket. On sale. 1 day prior to expiration.

Conclusion: It is not inaccurate to state that the average independent practitioner in dentistry makes ~200-210,000/year and that this will apply to most, if not all, people on this board who intend to practice general dentistry.

GR will spare you the trouble of providing some criticisms of the ADA analysis, by doing it for you:

1. Averages are averages: if you look at the actual report (which GR presumes that you did not), the SD for the mean income is quite wide. Therefore, there are some who make significantly less than 210000 and some who make significantly more. In addition, salary varies significantly by geographic locale, as shown in the report. Therefore, the law of averages is at work here and, all that can be said, it that, on average, the income is certainly in the range of 200000

2. The ADA report is a salary survey, just like the Salary Wizard. To say that dentists over-report their income uniformly makes no sense. GR could just as easily state that dentists underreport their income. In fact, this is likely why the Bureau of Labor Statistics data show dental incomes that are much lower than the ADA numbers - because they are based on tax returns. Most dentists, as full or part-business owners, do not draw a standard salary and certainly have an incentive to under-report income as business owners and have many ways of "creative accounting" to do so.

Take home point: You (population at large) will be fine as any type of dentist and make more than 95% of the population.

 

[moolah]

Even if this would be qualified as a "smart aZZ comment", I'll say it anyways.

You want to specialize solely based on salary (and the less blood possible).
You, GO YOU!

You are joking right? 120-150K for life?

Even IF a generalist makes that kind of money/yr (ok my brother makes that but he works 2.5 days/wk), it is already substantially above average. Unless you plan to live in a hollywood mansion, have 3 aston martins and give your wife a birkin bag every 2 months, then you chose the wrong career.
Being a generalist, you'll be well-off, but don't expect to be living like the Olsen twins because even specialists don't rival them.

Take home point: You (population at large) will be fine as any type of dentist and make more than 95% of the population.

on the dot.

 

[license2kill]

Even if this would be qualified as a "smart aZZ comment", I'll say it anyways.

You want to specialize solely based on salary (and the less blood possible).
You, GO YOU!



Even IF a generalist makes that kind of money/yr (ok my brother makes that but he works 2.5 days/wk), it is already substantially above average. Unless you plan to live in a hollywood mansion, have 3 aston martins and give your wife a birkin bag every 2 months, then you chose the wrong career.
Being a generalist, you'll be well-off, but don't expect to be living like the Olsen twins because even specialists don't rival them.



on the dot.

I want to possibly specialize because I would like to make more and work less. Is that such a bad reason to specialize? IMO dentistry is dentistry, whether it is general practice, orthodontics or endodontics. As long as I enjoy what I do and become damn good at it to give my patients top quality treatment, then I don't think that it is bad to go in it for the money.

 

[Guy Smiley]

I want to possibly specialize because I would like to make more and work less. Is that such a bad reason to specialize? IMO dentistry is dentistry, whether it is general practice, orthodontics or endodontics. As long as I enjoy what I do and become damn good at it to give my patients top quality treatment, then I don't think that it is bad to go in it for the money.

If you really want to work less and make more and that's all that motivates you, the most potential actually lies with general dentistry. You can become one of those guys who has like 20-30 practice locations in a region and have 20-30 dentists working for you and you just manage the business side of it.

 

[gryffindor]

I want to possibly specialize because I would like to make more and work less. Is that such a bad reason to specialize? IMO dentistry is dentistry, whether it is general practice, orthodontics or endodontics. As long as I enjoy what I do and become damn good at it to give my patients top quality treatment, then I don't think that it is bad to go in it for the money.

Maybe you need to pick up a handpiece before making such statements. All dentistry is not equal. Doing surgeries all day is not the same as doing ortho adjustments all day.

 

[license2kill]

Maybe you need to pick up a handpiece before making such statements. All dentistry is not equal. Doing surgeries all day is not the same as doing ortho adjustments all day.

Sorry to offend you. I understand that each specialty is unique. All I am saying is that all specialties fall under the umbrella of dentistry. A cheeseburger is different from a Big Mac and a Whopper, but they are all fast food. I am fortunate to be in dentistry, so in general, I would be happy doing invisalign or root canals, etc. A handpiece I will pick up when they let me. I started this discussion so that I can plan better for the future since I have to decide on taking the 2 vs. 4 yr HPSP by OCT 1st and I don't think I would have much handpiece time before then.

 

[moolah]

Sorry to offend you. I understand that each specialty is unique. All I am saying is that all specialties fall under the umbrella of dentistry. A cheeseburger is different from a Big Mac and a Whopper, but they are all fast food. I am fortunate to be in dentistry, so in general, I would be happy doing invisalign or root canals, etc. A handpiece I will pick up when they let me. I started this discussion so that I can plan better for the future since I have to decide on taking the 2 vs. 4 yr HPSP by OCT 1st and I don't think I would have much handpiece time before then.

You just compared dentistry to fast food. Maybe everything falls under the "dentistry umbrella" as you call it but what you get out of it is oh-so different. Its more like constructing a car. Specialties in dentistry is like breaking down the construction of a car: would you rather design it, build the frame, work on the motor, work on the interior or the finishing? I do support what gryffindor said about picking up a handpiece and knowing what each specialty is really about. You said you don't like blood so endo would be a good solution. Did you know that endodontists do surgical procedures such as apectomies where you have to open a flap, dig a hole into the bone and cut off a piece of the apex?

And yes I think it is REALLY BAD that you want to specialize for the money. Yes, I do agree that it is really appealing. On the other hand, it's not like you're gonna be poor being a generalist. People specialize because they like/love/are passionate about a certain field in dentistry and they want to learn more about it or maybe they realized that is was the only thing they liked doing. As I mentioned before, money is a really good incentive but shouldn't be the primary reason or the biggest motivator (which, in your case, seems to be)