Thinking Dentistry

[Scotty6278]

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I have always wanted to go into some area of heathcare.....and after doing my research I have found dentistry to be a very attractive career choice. This might be a crazy question but how do you "know" if dentistry is for you. Dentistry is very hands on and seems to be more of a skill than other heathcare professions. How did you guys decide that you would be "good" at the procedures that you will one day be doing. I mean just b/c you find the field interesting that doesn't mean you will be good at all of the dental work general dentists do........i think you need more than just an interest you need the "skill" to work in a small area....just curious what you guys thought

 

[Generallee]

I have always wanted to go into some area of heathcare.....and after doing my research I have found dentistry to be a very attractive career choice. This might be a crazy question but how do you "know" if dentistry is for you. Dentistry is very hands on and seems to be more of a skill than other heathcare professions. How did you guys decide that you would be "good" at the procedures that you will one day be doing. I mean just b/c you find the field interesting that doesn't mean you will be good at all of the dental work general dentists do........i think you need more than just an interest you need the "skill" to work in a small area....just curious what you guys thought

You have a valid point. I guess you really wouldn't know until you actually did it. However, you can get really close to what it would be like if you work or shadow tons in a dental office. That's what I did. I worked/shadowed a dentist for over 300hrs and even though I didn't get to actually do the dentist's job, I have a pretty good feel of how it would be like if I did them myself.

What attracted me about dentistry was the ability to own my own practice and be in a field where I improve the well being of other people. Additionally, the field is very stable and is very generous as far as earnings potential. I really like the fact that I will call all the shots. If I only want to work a 4 day week, by all means, I will. If I want to work 6 days, 60hrs a week, then I'll do that. I love the flexibility that comes with this great profession. Lastly, the dentist that I work for seems to always be happy and loves what she does. I too want to love what I do and I believe dentistry will do that for me.

 

[dental poopie]

I have always wanted to go into some area of heathcare.....and after doing my research I have found dentistry to be a very attractive career choice. This might be a crazy question but how do you "know" if dentistry is for you. Dentistry is very hands on and seems to be more of a skill than other heathcare professions. How did you guys decide that you would be "good" at the procedures that you will one day be doing. I mean just b/c you find the field interesting that doesn't mean you will be good at all of the dental work general dentists do........i think you need more than just an interest you need the "skill" to work in a small area....just curious what you guys thought

Well I think deciding if you want to be a dentist and either work on commission (for someone else) or being self-employed and owing hundreds of thousands of dollars and not having any money for at least 8-10 years is what you want as opposed to being a physician and making $100 - 300 every 15 minutes with minimal overhead could be a factor for someone that is undecided between healthcare professions may play a part as well.

 

[deebog01]

Well I think deciding if you want to be a dentist and either work on commission (for someone else) or being self-employed and owing hundreds of thousands of dollars and not having any money for at least 8-10 years is what you want as opposed to being a physician and making $100 - 300 every 15 minutes with minimal overhead could be a factor for someone that is undecided between healthcare professions may play a part as well.

not having any money for 8-10 years seems a little pessimistic to me. One way to really get your foot in the door is to go in as a partner, take your income, but put a certain amount into buying 5-10% of the business every year. Each year, you're making an investment (the quality of the investment is determined by your skills), but you're still leaving yourself with tons of money to play around with. In ten years, you'll own the entire business without every having to set up your own operatories. In short, there are lot's of business plans you could think up to make the transition favorable.

-D

 

[aphistis]

Well I think deciding if you want to be a dentist and either work on commission (for someone else) or being self-employed and owing hundreds of thousands of dollars and not having any money for at least 8-10 years is what you want as opposed to being a physician and making $100 - 300 every 15 minutes with minimal overhead could be a factor for someone that is undecided between healthcare professions may play a part as well.

I can think of quite a few physicians I know who'd love to hear how they can start earning $1200 an hour with negligible overhead. Let's hear your secret.

 

[lunguv]

I can think of quite a few physicians I know who'd love to hear how they can start earning $1200 an hour with negligible overhead. Let's hear your secret.

Actually I know a dentist who is making about 10k a day, every day, working 6 days a week. He is an animal. I don't even wanna go into further details...lol...but yes he is doing it...I saw it first hand shadowing him. He works around 10-12 hours a day tho, from like 8am till around 6pm.

 

[dental poopie]

I can think of quite a few physicians I know who'd love to hear how they can start earning $1200 an hour with negligible overhead. Let's hear your secret.

Ok gladly.

Gastros and Surgeons. Ok?

Nice pic of your sister. Are you twins?

 

[dental poopie]

not having any money for 8-10 years seems a little pessimistic to me. One way to really get your foot in the door is to go in as a partner, take your income, but put a certain amount into buying 5-10% of the business every year. Each year, you're making an investment (the quality of the investment is determined by your skills), but you're still leaving yourself with tons of money to play around with. In ten years, you'll own the entire business without every having to set up your own operatories. In short, there are lot's of business plans you could think up to make the transition favorable.

-D

Well I dont want to sink your boat since you obviously know everything, but whats the advantage for a dentist with a successful practice taking in a partner right out of college?

wouldnt you think he would want to keep his profits?

People that have worked their asses off to establish strong businesses are not so willing to just hand it over to a worker.

Thats all you will be if you work for someone else, an employee. Mention partnership before you are hired and you WONT get hired.

But dont believe me you go out there into the world and see for yourself.

DP

 

[aphistis]

Ok gladly.

Gastros and Surgeons. Ok?

Nice pic of your sister. Are you twins?

I'll reemphasize the "with negligible overhead" component of my post. Unless, of course, you saw it and simply consider a hospital OR wing to be an insignificant cost. Making fun of my wife must also help you feel pretty big & bad about yourself.

 

[dental poopie]

I'll reemphasize the "with negligible overhead" component of my post. Unless, of course, you saw it and simply consider a hospital OR wing to be an insignificant cost. Making fun of my wife must also help you feel pretty big & bad about yourself.

OH man I am so sorry I didnt know that was your wife. I would have bet my entire life savings that she was your sister. Wow, if we were in Vegas I would be broke!

Sooooo sorry.

That is amazing.

 

[dental poopie]

I'll reemphasize the "with negligible overhead" component of my post. Unless, of course, you saw it and simply consider a hospital OR wing to be an insignificant cost. Making fun of my wife must also help you feel pretty big & bad about yourself.

Back to business. Doctors do have their own offices and yet still do surgeries at the hospital.

You didnt think that all physicians lived and had offices at the hospital did you?

Also, when they do surgeries they dont pay to do so. Thats a seperate fee the patient pays.

Man how did you get into dental?

 

[Rezdawg]

Back to business. Doctors do have their own offices and yet still do surgeries at the hospital.

You didnt think that all physicians lived and had offices at the hospital did you?

Also, when they do surgeries they dont pay to do so. Thats a seperate fee the patient pays.

Man how did you get into dental?

You do realize the hours that physicians have to put in to make that money, right? Sure, doctors can work their 60 hour weeks and make a great living.

Or, you can do dentistry, work 30 hour weeks and make a great living.

Take your pick.

 

[dental poopie]

You do realize the hours that physicians have to put in to make that money, right? Sure, doctors can work their 60 hour weeks and make a great living.
Or, you can do dentistry, work 30 hour weeks and make a great living.

Take your pick.

Wow I cant believe you guys.

Sure a Dr in a clinic or hospital works tons of hours.

But one that has his own office can set his own hours. All he does is schedule less patients.

Poor argument. 👎

 

[aphistis]

Back to business. Doctors do have their own offices and yet still do surgeries at the hospital.

You didnt think that all physicians lived and had offices at the hospital did you?

Oh, so you mean they have independent offices? Do they get them for free?

How about malpractice insurance, which runs tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year?

OVERHEAD, N., The operating expenses of a business, exclusive of labor and materials.

That's the dictionary definition of the term. I'd love to hear yours.

 

[Rezdawg]

Wow I cant believe you guys.

Sure a Dr in a clinic or hospital works tons of hours.

But one that has his own office can set his own hours. All he does is schedule less patients.

Poor argument. 👎

Other than a few specialties in medicine, if a doctor works the same hours as a dentist, their incomes will come out to about the same total. Plus, insurance is a bigger pain in the ass in medicine.

As time goes on, insurance is causing doctors to be more limited in their practice. Have fun with that 👍

 

[Rezdawg]

One other thing, there are many different areas of medicine. Only a handful will net you the big bucks, if thats what you are going for. There are also a crapload of areas of medicine that will bring you a relatively mediocre income. So, just because you go to med school doesnt mean you are destined for great things. What happens if you do terrible on the USMLE? Consider that with someone who just barely passes the boards in dentistry. I would much rather go with dentistry in that case.

In any case, the average doctor will work about 20 hours more a week. That right there is enough for me to avoid a medicine. Its not the income, its the life that matters for me.

 

[dental poopie]

Oh, so you mean they have independent offices? Do they get them for free?

How about malpractice insurance, which runs tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year?


That's the dictionary definition of the term. I'd love to hear yours.

hahahahahahahahaha

Good job webster.

 

[dental poopie]

Oh, so you mean they have independent offices? Do they get them for free?

How about malpractice insurance, which runs tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year?


That's the dictionary definition of the term. I'd love to hear yours.

Well last I heard, dentist have to buy nearly $300,000 of equipment for a small practice.

I am sure a physician wont pay that much for their equipment and an office.



Seriously, are you and that girl related? Man you two look alike. That has to be your sister! I am sorry if I am being rude but I think that your pullin my leg. Was that pic taken at a family reunion? Seriously, no pun intended.

MAN! you look like that guy that was in that Tom Cruise movie, the real old movie, oh man, they were pilots? What was it?

Or that dude on ER maybe

 

[ItsGavinC]

Other than a few specialties in medicine, if a doctor works the same hours as a dentist, their incomes will come out to about the same total.

Actually you have it a bit backwards.

For a few specialties, they would earn the same as dentists if they worked the same hours.

For MOST specialties they would earn quite a bit less than dentists if they worked the same hours.

 

[dental poopie]

Actually you have it a bit backwards.

For a few specialties, they would earn the same as dentists if they worked the same hours.

For MOST specialties they would earn quite a bit less than dentists if they worked the same hours.

I dont agree with that at all and I think that you are saying that just b/c you are in dental school.

How could they make the same. Looks like physicians charge more and they can move more people in and out than a dentist can.

I dont agree.

 

[aphistis]

Well last I heard, dentist have to buy nearly $300,000 of equipment for a small practice.

I am sure a physician wont pay that much for their equipment and an office.

So go research the issue and find out.

Seriously, are you and that girl related? Man you two look alike. That has to be your sister! I am sorry if I am being rude but I think that your pullin my leg. Was that pic taken at a family reunion? Seriously, no pun intended.

MAN! you look like that guy that was in that Tom Cruise movie, the real old movie, oh man, they were pilots? What was it?

Or that dude on ER maybe

1) The movie is Top Gun.

2) "Goose" from Top Gun & ER's Dr. Green are both played by Anthony Edwards. Quite a few people have noticed the resemblance.

3) Whether you think I'm pulling your leg or not really doesn't matter to me in the slightest.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I dont agree with that at all and I think that you are saying that just b/c you are in dental school.

How could they make the same. Looks like physicians charge more and they can move more people in and out than a dentist can.

I dont agree.

It doesn't matter what physicians charge (that's the entire problem with medicine!), they only get reimbursed a certain amount.

To say they can "move more people in and out than a dentist can" is also not quite right. Hygiene production is where it's at, and a dentist with multipe hygiene patients going, as well with assistants helping with other patients, can easily move MANY patients each hour.

If MOST medical speicalists worked 28 hours a week, they would earn LESS than the dentists that work 28 hours a week. For example, family practice physicians and general dentists have incomes in the same range ($150-200k on average). The dentist on average works 50% of the time that FP works. As I said before, there are a few exceptions to that rule, but generally I believe it to be true.

 

[dental poopie]

It doesn't matter what physicians charge (that's the entire problem with medicine!), they only get reimbursed a certain amount.

To say they can "move more people in and out than a dentist can" is also not quite right. Hygiene production is where it's at, and a dentist with multipe hygiene patients going, as well with assistants helping with other patients, can easily move MANY patients each hour.

If MOST medical speicalists worked 28 hours a week, they would earn LESS than the dentists that work 28 hours a week. For example, family practice physicians and general dentists have incomes in the same range ($150-200k on average). The dentist on average works 50% of the time that FP works. As I said before, there are a few exceptions to that rule, but generally I believe it to be true.

Well I have to admit that sounds reasonable and I am glad to lose that argument because I am close to entering dental school and I have no problem with making more money!

I am in it for the lifestyle and the reduced hours myself but its nice to know that I will get compensated as well!

Thanks,

DB

 

[dental poopie]

So go research the issue and find out.



1) The movie is Top Gun.

2) "Goose" from Top Gun & ER's Dr. Green are both played by Anthony Edwards. Quite a few people have noticed the resemblance.

3) Whether you think I'm pulling your leg or not really doesn't matter to me in the slightest.

THATS IT!

you look like Dr. Green after he lost his hair and got cancer.

Are you sick too?

 

[IcemanDDS]

THATS IT!

you look like Dr. Green after he lost his hair and got cancer.

Are you sick too?

Enough already, sheesh.

 

[KaryoKinesis]

Bill your quote says, "never argue with an idiot....", this is one of those times....

 

[aphistis]

Bill your quote says, "never argue with an idiot....", this is one of those times....

Yeah, I know. I trust today went better for you? 😉

 

[ItsGavinC]

Gavin, thats one ugly kid, one that only a father could love !!

Very kind of you.

 

[dental poopie]

Very kind of you.

OH MAN!

 

[IcemanDDS]

😴

 

[Rezdawg]

To make my earlier point more clear... I had stated that a few specialties in medicine could net a doctor more income than a dentist, if they worked the same hours.

These specialties can include areas such as neurosurgery, plastic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and transplant surgery as well as a few others.

 

[deebog01]

Well I dont want to sink your boat since you obviously know everything, but whats the advantage for a dentist with a successful practice taking in a partner right out of college?

wouldnt you think he would want to keep his profits?

People that have worked their asses off to establish strong businesses are not so willing to just hand it over to a worker.

Thats all you will be if you work for someone else, an employee. Mention partnership before you are hired and you WONT get hired.

But dont believe me you go out there into the world and see for yourself.

DP

And I guess you "know everything" about the real world... did you read the rest of my message where I said that that was "one" of the roads someone could follow? FYI: my future partner Dr. David Sudimack in Las Cruces, NM is waiting for me to graduate. I'm sure there are people like me out there, and some fortunate enough to establish good connections with nearly retiring dentists durring school. Still... I wish you the best of luck, my man.

-D

 

[USUaggie]

Is it still a TOS violation if we use derogatory words to describe people who've been banned for trolling? I mean think about it, if they're banned then they're not really real people to us anymore, right? So they're fair game? Just reading this thread made me think of words like "loser", "*****", "idiot", and "is he seriously this stupid or is he just pissing people off?" but I'm not going to use them if it's against the rules.

Oh, and about the topic, uh, dentistry is a great career. You should look into it.

 

[ItsGavinC]

FYI: my future partner Dr. David Sudimack in Las Cruces, NM is waiting for me to graduate. I'm sure there are people like me out there, and some fortunate enough to establish good connections with nearly retiring dentists durring school. Still... I wish you the best of luck, my man.

-D

Cool deal. Best of luck to you with that!