student dentist experience

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DrNo72

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i've been lurking around this site for a while. for lack of sleep and boredom, i want to discuss the post-dental school life. i am a 4th year dental student looking into an associateship in a general practice. i am in the northeast area and looking to practice here or to move to southern cali.
if anybody wants to discuss associateship opportunity or gripe about regional boards and state licensing exams, i have a gripe too!
anyways, let's see if we can get some conversation rolling.


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Dr. No 72:

I'm in Pre-Med but wanted to ask you a few questions...I hope you don't mind.

First, why did you choose Dentist over MD.

Second, what is an "associateship" in dentistry.

third, where I'm from dentists make more money than MD's on average. there are 700 MD's in my city but only 70 dentists...I would like some insights into any dynamics you're aware of related to this apparent lack of dentists compared with doctors.

fourth, can a dentist begin practice right after dental school without a residency?

I thank you in advance for your reply
 
Terry,
first, i chose to be a dentist over md because of the length of time of studying.
second, dentist do more hands-on work unless you are a surgeon, and i thought i would enjoy that more.
third, the money, the quality of life, and the hmo and the lack of uncertainty in u.s. healthcare services weren't as attractive as an MD.

after my undergrad, i was in a phd/ms program and "wasted" 2 yrs. i wanted to come to dental school, do well, and start making money and enjoying life. if i had gone to med school, i would have strived to be an orthopedic surgeon(cuz i think the tools are cool.. haha) i think orthopedic surgery residency is 6 yrs after med and very competitive.. anyways i'd rather be a general dentist than a internal, family medicine guy who sees pt for 15 min, charge 50 bucks and gives Rx for cold pills.

associateship is where a dentist graduates from a dental school, or comes out of a specialty/residency and decides to work for another dentist. hence, associate, instead of partner..

you shouldn't be worried about money as a MD or dentist in ideal, but as we all know, all these schools cost an arm and a leg. choose wisely, and choose what you will enjoy for the rest of your life. i think general dentist makes more than family med. but if you look at specialists (MD), they make even more. apparent lack of dentists?? what part of the us are you in? let me move there.. hahaa.. i think there are more.. if not same.. but some of the dental schools closed in the 80's due to the high flying economy(professional schools don't have any applicants), and the ADA was better at closing the faucet in turning out dentists where as AMA increased turning out MD cuz residents(slaves who are worked for 5-10yrs depending on residency and including fellowships) make heck of lot more money for the hospitals.

a dentist can practice right after graduating from dental school. some feel they are confident enough to see patients in private settings, others choose residency to specialize in ortho, pedo, perio, etc.. but others go to advanced general dental programs to work for hosp or dental schools.
as for me, i am gonna grad and start yankin' on ppl's teeth when they gimme the license to practice!
hope that quenches your curiosity!

 
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