the Lifestyle has me hooked

[busupshot83]

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Straight up: I think the dentistry lifestyle is hands down the greatest. Flexibility, financially stable, low hours... it's all good.

However, is it necessary to love dentistry before persuing this path? Truthfully, I like dentistry... but I would not say I love it. I just think that dentistry will allow me to persue other things that being a physcian will not (family, hobbies, etc.).

In fact, my dream profession is a Primary Care Sports Physician. Unfortunately, I am scared that if I persued that, after completing med school, residency, and sports physician fellowship, I would be in my thirties and my 20s would have flown by. Also, I probably would have to put having a family aside for the time being until I am done. Dentistry, on the other hand, allows me to enjoy my twenties, and start a family (two of my top priorities). It's just that I know that I would enjoy something more than dentistry (not that I hate it, I just like something more).

So again, is it necessary to love dentistry before persuing this path? Or is loving the lifestyle and liking the work (instead of loving it) suitable? I know that this is a question each individual has to assess, but I've been frustrated lately, and would greatly appreciate some higher knowledge here... Thanks.

Bus.

 

[critterbug]

I would LOVE to be a professional golfer. 😀

But that fell through......

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by critterbug
I would LOVE to be a professional golfer. 😀

But that fell through......

heh, for real now

 

[ItsGavinC]

Liking the work is fine, but loving it would make it a lot better.

You may burn out--who knows?

 

[critterbug]

There comes a point where everything becomes a job, I don't care what you do. Its how you react to this feeling that makes you who you are. We can't determine that for ya.

Heck, even some professional athletes get "burned out", regardless of the lifestyle they have.

So it all depends on your personality and goals I suppose.

Me....

I know I will be happy being a dentist. Whether I will "LOVE" it reamains to be seen, but there aren't many things that really excite me other than my hobbies and spending time with family and friends.

I know the work will be exciting at times. But I also know the work will be routine probably most of the time, but my personality kinda finds comfort in routine. I have the practice makes perfect mentality. But I like to be challenged every once in a while, but wouldnt want the stress of dealing with it day in and day out like a Heart Surgeon.

Different strokes for differnent folks I guess.

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by ItsGavinC
Liking the work is fine, but loving it would make it a lot better.

You may burn out--who knows?

Gav,

i feel ya here. I have the mentality that if you love your work, it will not feel like work when you roll out of bed each day. The hours and pay suddendly don't matter, because you are personally satisfied.

Ever since I had surgery 5 years ago, I've been addicted to exercise/health, and I know that persuing that route would satisfy me personally in a way that dentistry can never. But at the end of the day, truth is spending time with loved ones and engaging in your hobbies also satisfy you personally.

I find it hard to decide, because I feel like I am choosing between lifestyle and job satisfaction...

Any more thoughts guys?

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by critterbug
There comes a point where everything becomes a job, I don't care what you do. Its how you react to this feeling that makes you who you are. We can't determine that for ya.

Heck, even some professional athletes get "burned out", regardless of the lifestyle they have.

So it all depends on your personality and goals I suppose.

Me....

I know I will be happy being a dentist. Whether I will "LOVE" it reamains to be seen, but there aren't many things that really excite me other than my hobbies and spending time with family and friends.

That was extremely deep man, I never thought about it like that: "every thing becomes a job at one point."

I am with you with the "nothing excites me more than my hobbies and family." Great post C.

 

[Supernumerary]

I kind of feel that if you are spending $200,000 and nearly a decade of your life in school to enter a profession it should be more than "just a job." Delivering pizza is "just a job," selling cars is "just a job." Dentistry isn't something that you just accidentally stumble into.

I think a mistake that a lot of people make is looking at years in school or residency as "lost time." A residency is nothing more than on the job training. Sure the pay is peanuts compared to what you will be earning in practice, but it is still better than what a lot of college grads are earning. Plus, you are doing something that is personally gratifying. Few people can claim that about their jobs, but wouldn't it be nice if you were one of them?

Whether it is medicine or dentistry, the profession you choose will be one that you will be devoting yourself to for the rest of your life. And since you have the choice, why not choose the one that interests you more? But that's just me. 🙂

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by Supernumerary
I kind of feel that if you are spending $200,000 and nearly a decade of your life in school to enter a profession it should be more than "just a job." Delivering pizza is "just a job," selling cars is "just a job." Dentistry isn't something that you just accidentally stumble into.

I think a mistake that a lot of people make is looking at years in school or residency as "lost time." A residency is nothing more than on the job training. Sure the pay is peanuts compared to what you will be earning in practice, but it is still better than what a lot of college grads are earning. Plus, you are doing something that is personally gratifying. Few people can claim that about their jobs, but wouldn't it be nice if you were one of them?

Whether it is medicine or dentistry, the profession you choose will be one that you will be devoting yourself to for the rest of your life. And since you have the choice, why not choose the one that interests you more? But that's just me. 🙂

Thank you so much for that post Super, you're completely correct. This is not just a "job" I am talking about, it is a career and my life.

 

[UBTom]

My two cents:

Career changes are costly and time consuming. Best get it right on the first go. Go with the career that will give you a sense of fulfillment at the end of the day.

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by UBTom
My two cents:

Career changes are costly and time consuming. Best get it right on the first go. Go with the career that will give you a sense of fulfillment at the end of the day.

Thanks Tom, your input means a lot.

 

[Icewoman]

I'm a MS-II and I don't feel like med school is "wasting my 20's". I actually get to go out a lot.

We'll see how residency is though. I currently plan on doing ENT, which is supposedly a little bit easier in terms of hours, from what I've read on these boards.

 

[busupshot83]

After some deep contemplation, and I believe maintaining a good balance between your personal and professional life is key. For me, dentistry will allow that, so I've decided to continue my pursuit of dentistry. Sincere thanks to everyone who posted their thoughts, this was a huge decision for me.

All the best,

Bus.

 

[hafido]

A friend of mine (an orthodontists that got me involved in Dentistry) told me something that stuck with me once. " Don't let a few years determine what to do with the rest of your life". You will finish D-school in 4 years, you probably will be 24-27. If you finish med school and then residency etc, you are looking at 30-34. It is a difference and a rather large one depending on what side of the looking glass you are on, but man, it's not that big of a deal. You will eventually be that age. Would you rather be 35 and doing something you love, or reach 35 and doing something that you stomach. Don't get me wrong, I have seen your posts on here a long time and I would advise you to stay with this career path as you seem really interested in it, but be honest with yourself first and foremost.

 

[hafido]

Maybe I should start using paragraphs, huh? Damn I am lazy sometimes.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by hafido
A friend of mine (an orthodontists that got me involved in Dentistry) told me something that stuck with me once. " Don't let a few years determine what to do with the rest of your life". You will finish D-school in 4 years, you probably will be 24-27. If you finish med school and then residency etc, you are looking at 30-34. It is a difference and a rather large one depending on what side of the looking glass you are on, but man, it's not that big of a deal. You will eventually be that age. Would you rather be 35 and doing something you love, or reach 35 and doing something that you stomach. Don't get me wrong, I have seen your posts on here a long time and I would advise you to stay with this career path as you seem really interested in it, but be honest with yourself first and foremost.

Good post, and good advice.

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by hafido
A friend of mine (an orthodontists that got me involved in Dentistry) told me something that stuck with me once. " Don't let a few years determine what to do with the rest of your life". You will finish D-school in 4 years, you probably will be 24-27. If you finish med school and then residency etc, you are looking at 30-34. It is a difference and a rather large one depending on what side of the looking glass you are on, but man, it's not that big of a deal. You will eventually be that age. Would you rather be 35 and doing something you love, or reach 35 and doing something that you stomach. Don't get me wrong, I have seen your posts on here a long time and I would advise you to stay with this career path as you seem really interested in it, but be honest with yourself first and foremost.

Thank you for such great advice. I've decided to stay on my route to dentistry. Thank you.

pce,

bus.

 

[GeddyLee]

Originally posted by Icewoman
I'm a MS-II and I don't feel like med school is "wasting my 20's". I actually get to go out a lot.

We'll see how residency is though. I currently plan on doing ENT, which is supposedly a little bit easier in terms of hours, from what I've read on these boards.

Hmm....Icewoman...I thought you matched in ophthalmology at Baylor. No....you are applying for ENT this summer. What? Now you're and MSII???

 

[groundhog]

Holders of DDS/DMD degrees are generally fairly sharp folks who also also possess great emotional control skills . Most of them should be able to do quite well competing in the professional level "hold em" poker tounaments once they become educated in the disciplines of the game. So, if you are looking for a safety valve after becomming a licensed dentist, use your practice to build up your stakes, pay your dues on the learning curve, and then go out and make Doc Holiday proud.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by GeddyLee
Hmm....Icewoman...I thought you matched in ophthalmology at Baylor. No....you are applying for ENT this summer. What? Now you're and MSII???

It's odd how the dumbest trolls usually end up being the most entertaining ones.

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by aphistis
It's odd how the dumbest trolls usually end up being the most entertaining ones.

wha? did i miss something?

 

[aphistis]

She's a serial troll in the medical forums. So far, if memory serves, she's been an MSII, III, and IV, and in pursuit of ENT and opthalmology residencies at points as diverse as "I hope to apply someday," as in here, to "accepted to Baylor opthalmology" in the optho forum. It looks like she's had her post history altered by moderators; but for all that, she(?) is definitely among the more persistent, if less bright, imposters on SDN. 😀

More germane to your original question, though, I originally switched to dentistry primarily because of convenience issues, much as it sounds like you're talking about. Now that I'm in the field, though, I absolutely adore acquiring the knowledge and practicing the skills 😀 It's definitely possible to learn to love a career.

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by aphistis
She's a serial troll in the medical forums. So far, if memory serves, she's been an MSII, III, and IV, and in pursuit of ENT and opthalmology residencies at points as diverse as "I hope to apply someday," as in here, to "accepted to Baylor opthalmology" in the optho forum. It looks like she's had her post history altered by moderators; but for all that, she(?) is definitely among the more persistent, if less bright, imposters on SDN. 😀

More germane to your original question, though, I originally switched to dentistry primarily because of convenience issues, much as it sounds like you're talking about. Now that I'm in the field, though, I absolutely adore acquiring the knowledge and practicing the skills 😀 It's definitely possible to learn to love a career.

Thanks for the update on the "ice troll." Also, thanks for your thoughts on my original question. Take care.

Bus.

 

[stdent9972]

One thing, make sure you love to work with your hands and have great manual dexterity.

And make sure that you will like doing this for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!

Maybe this sounds harsh, but really your only option otherwise is to teach at dental school (not recommended) or do research.

There are far more possibilities for other kinds of work in other professions.

Also be forewarned that dentistry is EXPENSIVE. School will set you back $200K. Dental instruments will be $12-$15K.

Take a pair of scisssors. Add dental to the name. Voila! Those scissors now cost $50 or $75.

These are things that I have found out. And make sure that you can work in small areas. Dentistry is not for everyone.

 

[NonTradMed]

Although the original poster has made his/her decision....I thought I might chime in.

I believe going into a profession requires you have to look at a multitude of factors. How much you like the subject matter, financial compensation, lifestyle etc.

In the OP's case, one thing I would ask myself is this: would you choose dentistry if the deciding factor, lifestyle, changed?

As others have said, you will probably be doing this for the rest of your life.....make sure you can would still enjoy the profession even if variable factors such as income and lifestyle changes over the course of the next few decades.

That doesn't necessarily mean a drastic change but, would you still do it, if say dentistry requires you to do 50-60 hrs/wk, can you see yourself doing it still? Hours work varies from person to person, but can also change from decade to decade....just something to think about since lifestyle is such a big issue for you. Even though I could never go into dentistry, congrats on choosing it!