What is the job market like for dentistry (in nyc)?

[Springs01]

I got accepted into dental school. I was really happy and excited but someone (close relative) just had to rain on my parade and tell me that he thinks I'm making a big mistake by going into the dental field.

The last thing I want is for him to be correct, but I can't stop worrying about whether or not i'll find a job.

My particular problem is that I strongly want to practice in nyc. I grew up there and my friends and family members live there and I really don't want to leave. I'm know that nyc is over saturated with dentists. I see it with my own eyes. My dentist's office is pretty much empty most of the time.

Can someone please give me some insight on my situation? How difficult is it going to be to get a job, especially in nyc? Also where do the dentist work, if they decide not to set up a private practice?

Am i making a mistake? I really hope not!!

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[djtiesto14]

Maybe work up a bit north in Yonkers or higher up and just live in the city?

 

[Bis-GMA111]

if you're thinking manhattan--forget about it

outer boroughs are tough, but if you're good at what you do, and can speak more than one language, you might have a fighting chance.

but generally--no. after talking with professors and instructors who practice in the area....if you wanna do general dentistry you're gonna have a tough time here as a new dentist.

 

[Springs01]

Oh no! I did prefer manhattan and the other boroughs. I guess yonkers or westcheser wouldn't be too bad. Is it over saturated there too?

 

[Glimmer1991]

There will always be work for good dentists. It just might be harder to get started and make a name for yourself in some areas. Choose wisely.

 

[Illfavor]

There will always be work for good dentists. It just might be harder to get started and make a name for yourself in some areas. Choose wisely.

Maybe I'm cynical, but the only way most patients know you're a "good" dentist is because your advertisement said so.

 

[Apollonia]

How about doing reverse commuting? You can live in Manhattan and work in NJ. But, I don't know how saturated Jersey is. I've thought about this since I want to go back to NYC in a few years.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

Jersey isn't good at all either. a lot of the dentists try to set up shop in nj and there's a lot of saturation.

your best bet to work in the ny/nj area is to either--know someone, have something that sets you apart from your counterparts (skill set, bilingual/trilingual/etc) or work in an impoverished area and accept medicaid

 

[Glimmer1991]

Maybe I'm cynical, but the only way most patients know you're a "good" dentist is because your advertisement said so.

Eh, I'm from a smallish town, so maybe things are different here. In all honesty, though, I suppose patients mainly care if you are kind and make them feel comfortable. I think that those abilities are definitely characteristics of "good" dentists. 🙂

 

[free99]

Maybe I'm cynical, but the only way most patients know you're a "good" dentist is because your advertisement said so.

Ha, I'd like to think factors like "chairside manner", longevity of the restoration, pain during/after the procedure, aesthetic quality, etc. play into people's assessments as well. But ultimately, I think most people choose their dentist, not based on who they think is the best, but rather on proximity, cost, and the accepted insurance.

 

[IsaacYankem]

There are ample opportunities for associates in the Tri-State area. You might not get paid as well as you would in less desirable locations, but the jobs are certainly there.

 

[LFA20]

There are ample opportunities for associates in the Tri-State area. You might not get paid as well as you would in less desirable locations, but the jobs are certainly there.

would you say that the average salary of a dentist straight out of dental school is less than 100k in tri-state area?

 

[johnho771]

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjourn...homas/2013/04/pay-in-market-063.html?page=all

Dentists, number 25 on the list for highest paying jobs in NYC. OMFS and Orthodontist are 2 and 3 respectively. And most of the other jobs that dentists are behind on the list are for either physicians or managers. Managers, insinuating more of an elite group of people who have years of experience and have ascended up to the title of manager, thus the higher salaries in their respective fields.

And as far as "saturation" goes, sure there are a lot of dentists in NYC, but there are also over 8 million people compacted in to the relatively small area of NYC. That is more people than many states! Of course there are going to be a lot of dentists.

 

[Illfavor]

Eh, I'm from a smallish town, so maybe things are different here. In all honesty, though, I suppose patients mainly care if you are kind and make them feel comfortable. I think that those abilities are definitely characteristics of "good" dentists. 🙂

I think patients care more about how much you're billing them. 😀

Ha, I'd like to think factors like "chairside manner", longevity of the restoration, pain during/after the procedure, aesthetic quality, etc. play into people's assessments as well. But ultimately, I think most people choose their dentist, not based on who they think is the best, but rather on proximity, cost, and the accepted insurance.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[doc toothache]

You are on a train about the leave the station, and you are just starting to wonder if you chose the right destination.

 

[Blake1e]

The median dentist US salary is 150k. Median for NYC is 175k. Numbers speak for themselves. NYC has a population of over 8 million, probably the largest city in the West. As long as you dont open up shop on the same block as another office youll be fine.

 

[IsaacYankem]

would you say that the average salary of a dentist straight out of dental school is less than 100k in tri-state area?

Spoke to a few acquaintances who associated in NYC after dental school, 100k-115k fresh out of school

 

[LFA20]

Spoke to a few acquaintances who associated in NYC after dental school, 100k-115k fresh out of school

thanks

 

[sjv]

thanks

Don't forget to practice in NY:

All applicants for initial licensure must complete an approved clinically-based dental residency program of at least one year's duration.

 

[Blake1e]

Don't forget to practice in NY:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/dent/dentlic.htm said:
All applicants for initial licensure must complete an approved clinically-based dental residency program of at least one year's duration.

You can get around that by working at least 8 months as a dentist in another state. If you want to be near your family in Nyc you can work/live in New Jersey for those 8 months, with a car the distance likely wont be much of an issue.

 

[sjv]

You can get around that by working at least 8 months as a dentist in another state. If you want to be near your family in Nyc you can work/live in New Jersey for those 8 months, with a car the distance likely wont be much of an issue.

Yeah, I know, just stating there is some "requirement" before you can just jump right in.

 

[gn4]

Dunno why anybody would want to live and raise a family in NYC, but hey, different strokes for different folks. If you don't mind commuting 4 to 5 hours everyday, from what a few dentists told me, New Hampshire is not saturated at all and many dentists are starting to think of moving there. Also, great for business purposes. It's just really cold up there.

 

[NMC2010]

The median dentist US salary is 150k. Median for NYC is 175k. Numbers speak for themselves. NYC has a population of over 8 million, probably the largest city in the West. As long as you dont open up shop on the same block as another office youll be fine.

I can't help wondering if the cost of living makes it so those NYC dentists make the same, or even less than dentists elsewhere.

 

[ChrisM07]

I can't help wondering if the cost of living makes it so those NYC dentists make the same, or even less than dentists elsewhere.

But can they also charge more to compensate for this? I would guess care is more expensive as well.

 

[Glimmer1991]

If you don't mind commuting 4 to 5 hours everyday...

SWEET JESUS! Haha. Better drive dat Prius...

 

[dieanotherday]

The median dentist US salary is 150k. Median for NYC is 175k. Numbers speak for themselves. NYC has a population of over 8 million, probably the largest city in the West. As long as you dont open up shop on the same block as another office youll be fine.

West? You mean East.

 

[Blake1e]

West? You mean East.

The phrase (or whatever) "the West" usually refers to the countries to the west of Asia. Europe and North America (US and Canada). But I see what you're getting at.

 

[Faux]

Don't forget to practice in NY:

Do you know if you can do the residency outside of NY? or does it have to be in the state?

 

[sjv]

Do you know if you can do the residency outside of NY? or does it have to be in the state?

Doesn't matter but if you're elsewhere, you can either do at least 8 months practicing and be licensed through endorsement rather than the residency requirement so there are 2 options.

 

[str8ner]

would you say that the average salary of a dentist straight out of dental school is less than 100k in tri-state area?

I did my residency in NYC. I moonlighted during residency and made $500/day. I'm hearing from friends that still live in NYC that $500/day is about average for an associate general dentist. You will likely have to work in several offices to fill your schedule. There is work but the pay is low compared to the rest of the country.

Btw, most people have no way knowing you are a good dentist. They will come to you because you take their insurance.

 

[gn4]

I did my residency in NYC. I moonlighted during residency and made $500/day.

How do you go about moonlighting during residency? Any clinic will just let you come work on the side? are the residency programs ok with this?

 

[sgv]

Btw, most people have no way knowing you are a good dentist. They will come to you because you take their insurance.

"Hey doc, do your preps and restorations have proper retention and resistance form, follow facial embrasures, and display secondary anatomy?"

 

[nomad12]

With de Blasio (NYC's new mayor) and the 'progressive' policies he will be enacting, NYC is going straight down the toilet. Get ready to see an uptick in crime and see more business fleeing NYC.

 

[str8ner]

How do you go about moonlighting during residency? Any clinic will just let you come work on the side? are the residency programs ok with this?

I moonlighted two Saturdays per month. As long as it didn't affect my performance in residency my director was ok with it.

 

[str8ner]

"Hey doc, do your preps and restorations have proper retention and resistance form, follow facial embrasures, and display secondary anatomy?"

I did Ortho (as a general dentist) when I moonlighted. I practiced as a general dentist for 8 years before starting residency. I considered myself a better than average dentist but most of my patients judged my performance based on my personality. They don't have much else to go on when you are working in the back of the mouth.