The salary for the new grad

[OceanBlue]

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I guess so...I didn't decide to go military b/c of not having debt. I'm doing it b/c it's something that runs in my family and I know exactly what it has to offer. As I said before, if you can swing having your own place right out of school...then that's awesome, I hope it works out for the best. I simply think that all the "money" that can be made tends to blind a lot of students to all the crap that is to follow post d-school. I just think people tend to get ahead of themselves. and I understand you'll be making 2-3x that of a military dentist, but come four years from now most still will probably be in the 6 figure debt range...on top of other expenses. But like I said, if you can deal with all that...then more power to you. I hope you have nothing but success......Plus, i've spoken to many other dentists who always tell me that wish they would have gone military..b/c many of their professional friends who have done that came out and were getting all kinds of offers to buy into fantastic practices..and could do so b/c they had no school debts, and tons of experience...so there are both sides. I'm not saying military is the best way to go...it's just the best way to go for me.

What kind of comment is that?
People who start out fresh is blinded by the money????? You got to be kidding me!!!!! I think most of them want do it because they want to be their own boss, running their own businesses, and they happen to see more pros than cons if they start out immediately. This is not for everyone, that's all!

 

[darksky]

I guess so...I didn't decide to go military b/c of not having debt. I'm doing it b/c it's something that runs in my family and I know exactly what it has to offer. As I said before, if you can swing having your own place right out of school...then that's awesome, I hope it works out for the best. I simply think that all the "money" that can be made tends to blind a lot of students to all the crap that is to follow post d-school. I just think people tend to get ahead of themselves. and I understand you'll be making 2-3x that of a military dentist, but come four years from now most still will probably be in the 6 figure debt range...on top of other expenses. But like I said, if you can deal with all that...then more power to you. I hope you have nothing but success......Plus, i've spoken to many other dentists who always tell me that wish they would have gone military..b/c many of their professional friends who have done that came out and were getting all kinds of offers to buy into fantastic practices..and could do so b/c they had no school debts, and tons of experience...so there are both sides. I'm not saying military is the best way to go...it's just the best way to go for me.

the best way to get out of debt and get the best experience. be all you can be !

 

[Revelde]

I guess so...I didn't decide to go military b/c of not having debt. I'm doing it b/c it's something that runs in my family and I know exactly what it has to offer. As I said before, if you can swing having your own place right out of school...then that's awesome, I hope it works out for the best. I simply think that all the "money" that can be made tends to blind a lot of students to all the crap that is to follow post d-school. I just think people tend to get ahead of themselves. and I understand you'll be making 2-3x that of a military dentist, but come four years from now most still will probably be in the 6 figure debt range...on top of other expenses. But like I said, if you can deal with all that...then more power to you. I hope you have nothing but success......Plus, i've spoken to many other dentists who always tell me that wish they would have gone military..b/c many of their professional friends who have done that came out and were getting all kinds of offers to buy into fantastic practices..and could do so b/c they had no school debts, and tons of experience...so there are both sides. I'm not saying military is the best way to go...it's just the best way to go for me.

same here. I would say.. its less risky, more stable path to follow after D school. my parents own a couple of small buisinesses . they make good money but at the same time, I know how risky and complicated they can get. its not that simple like you open a practice and patients will come. No way. there are tons of factors that play in this.

if you don't have any business experience( direct or indirect) you should re consider getting into private practice right after D school. Experience the reeal world before you jump into.

 

[PlanB21]

same here. I would say.. its less risky, more stable path to follow after D school. my parents own a couple of small buisinesses . they make good money but at the same time, I know how risky and complicated they can get. its not that simple like you open a practice and patients will come. No way. there are tons of factors that play in this.

if you don't have any business experience( direct or indirect) you should re consider getting into private practice right after D school. Experience the reeal world before you jump into.

i agree. What is wrong with working for someone for a couple of years to get a good grasp on the business side of dentistry. We are all going to be competent dentists (hopefully). Look, you can make the greatest crown preps or dentures in the world, but if you are a jerk who doesn't know how to treat your patients and employees, you aren;t going to have a good practice. Sounds obvious I know, but many business owners still do not understand that. I would have taken the military route but I got into a cheap school with good reputation; if i accepted NYU's seat, I def would have done military...350K+ debt out of college..😱 I think i would have been prepared to handle any case thrown to me after military. To the super duper moderator...I lived in a town in florida where we had KKK members marching down my damn street..and I am white..have fun treating those people.

 

[shamrock2006]

What kind of comment is that?
People who start out fresh is blinded by the money????? You got to be kidding me!!!!! I think most of them want do it because they want to be their own boss, running their own businesses, and they happen to see more pros than cons if they start out immediately. This is not for everyone, that's all!

Of course that's not what I'm saying. My point is, dentists do make good money...but there are many who think that all that money is going to be waiting for you right out of school and that's simply not the case. If anything, its after d-school that all the really hard work begins. Which is why I, personally, wouldn't think to start up a practice right out of school b/c it's very risky financially and professionally. Does it mean it can't be done? No, of course not. Im' sure there are some cases where someone comes right out, starts up a place..and is fine. But, i would assume that person lives in an area where there arent many dentists, and is probably pretty rural. Maybe i'm just biased being from a big city and seeing that the vast majority of the established healthcare professionals only became that way after paying a lot of dues. Location probably has a lot to do with it as well...and given where I'm from, i couldn't see starting right away. So no, my post was not about people being "blinded" by money. It was me saying that all the money that can be earned can give people the impression that it's going to happen right away..and very rarely is that the case.

 

[4thQtrDreams]

Of course that's not what I'm saying. My point is, dentists do make good money...but there are many who think that all that money is going to be waiting for you right out of school and that's simply not the case. If anything, its after d-school that all the really hard work begins. Which is why I, personally, wouldn't think to start up a practice right out of school b/c it's very risky financially and professionally. Does it mean it can't be done? No, of course not. Im' sure there are some cases where someone comes right out, starts up a place..and is fine. But, i would assume that person lives in an area where there arent many dentists, and is probably pretty rural. Maybe i'm just biased being from a big city and seeing that the vast majority of the established healthcare professionals only became that way after paying a lot of dues. Location probably has a lot to do with it as well...and given where I'm from, i couldn't see starting right away. So no, my post was not about people being "blinded" by money. It was me saying that all the money that can be earned can give people the impression that it's going to happen right away..and very rarely is that the case.

I'll refute this by quoting my self...

My friend graduated then associated for 2 years and then opened up his own practice in midtown Manhattan this past August. Yes, there are at least 20 other dentist in the same building, and even 1 other dentist in the shared office space, yet there seems to be an instant patient pool.. he works at his office 3 days a week and is an associate at his old location for 1 day.

I work at his office on Saturdays and it really is amazing how swamped he is considering that it has been open for only 7 months. He has even hired a hygienist who is booked solid for weeks. its an average 2-3 week wait to get in for an appointment.. Very encouraging.. I dont ask too much about finances of it all, but his 1st year out i believe he made $140k and is on pace to make 240k at his office in its 1st year.

Now, Im not as ambitious as my friend above and I am considering both NHSC and military scholarships, but its good to know that it can be done not too long after you graduate even if you do graduate with 200k+ in loans..

 

[shamrock2006]

I'll refute this by quoting my self...



Now, Im not as ambitious as my friend above and I am considering both NHSC and military scholarships, but its good to know that it can be done not too long after you graduate even if you do graduate with 200k+ in loans..

I completely agree with you...i know it can be done. In my personal opinion though, I think for every success story (like your friend)..there are probably more than a few that arent quite so successful. I mean, we havent been hearing about someone who knows someone that started a place right out school and bombed. I mean, my reason for going military wasn't soley based on money..in fact, that was a minor part. I'm doing it for family reasons, a chance to gain some invaluable experience, have the honor in knowing I gave back to the country that allowed me to have all types of opportunities...and, it gives me a chance to live in different areas and see where i'd possibly like to settle down. I'm the type that doesnt like to be locked down into anything too soon. So for me, I wouldnt like to know that right after school..i'd go into practice somewhere that I know i'd pretty much have to stay in my whole life. Would I like to come back and practice in Chicago? sure. But i dont know what else is out there...and I definitely want to find out.

 

[pre-dentalguy]

Everyone keeps talking about associates. What's an associate?

 

[drpduck]

Everyone keeps talking about associates. What's an associate?

An associate is a dentist that works as an employee of another dentist, usually the owner of a practice. You won't make as much as the owner, but have less hassle of owning a business, more flexibility, etc. Usually most new dentists associate for a few years to build up speed/confidence and then open up/buy their own practice if they desire.

However I also know associates that have been working for 10-15 years under the owner. Its really up to you how you want to practice dentistry.

 

[lnsip9reg]

Most likely you will not start your own private practice out of dental school. Takes a rare person to be willing to tack on an additional half-million in debt on top of $250k of student loans, hah!

So you'll join someone else's practice and be salaried (I think as a percentage of your production), and you're referred to as an associate.

 

[keving]

I believe as an associate, you work under another dentist (usually the owner of the practice). The owner of the practice usually gets a big cut of your collection.