where to find a good lawyer for dentists

[airwolfrocks999]

I'm in need of legal advice and help. Does anyone know of a reputable attorney that has some knowledge in dentists filing for bankruptcy?

It's highly rare to find an attorney that deals with anything dental-related but I'm asking just in case there's that one SDN member who has the needed info. The attorney's info doesn't have to posted in public; you can PM me his/her info if you want.

Thanks.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Regmata]

Are you trying to file bankruptcy on your student loans?

 

[airwolfrocks999]

Are you trying to file bankruptcy on your student loans?

Yes. Do you know of anyone who has any relevant knowledge pertaining to dentists?

I assure you it's not from laziness. I have legit reasons and my circumstances make it impractical to even make minimum monthly payments to my lenders.

 

[Regmata]

I didn't think it was possible to bankrupt on student loans...so no, I guess I don't have any useful information for you. You could just try an attorney who handles general bankruptcies. Bankruptcy laws have changed though, at least in NY. People don't get let off the hook quite like they used to be.

 

[reapply2007]

You should call your lender. I did it and they were really nice about payment plans, deferments, forbearances. I was really surprised as I was expecting them to threaten to take a sandblaster to my foot.

 

[JamieMac]

I'm in need of legal advice and help. Does anyone know of a reputable attorney that has some knowledge in dentists filing for bankruptcy?

It's highly rare to find an attorney that deals with anything dental-related but I'm asking just in case there's that one SDN member who has the needed info. The attorney's info doesn't have to posted in public; you can PM me his/her info if you want.

Thanks.

If you're attempting to file mainly due to the debt from student loans, you're in deep #@%*...you cannot get out of paying them by filing bankruptcy. As for legitimate reasons for not being able to pay... disability, inability to pass boards (not really a good one), license revoked, or along these lines are the only logical reasons I can think of. No offense, but you seem to be the 'Debbie Downer' of the SDN dental forums. Everything you post on the forums is very negative, and I have often wondered about the authenticity of your posts. If you do have a legitimate reason for being unable to pay your loans, I wish you the best of luck in sorting it out. As another poster indicated, you should contact your lenders, and perhaps you can work out some type of consolidation deal over a longer period of time.

Good luck.

 

[aphistis]

I don't have any specific leads on attorneys to contact, but my understanding is the same as others' here--student loans are very difficult to discharge. Good luck finding a knowledgeable lawyer to help you through this.

 

[NileBDS]

Yes. Do you know of anyone who has any relevant knowledge pertaining to dentists?

I assure you it's not from laziness. I have legit reasons and my circumstances make it impractical to even make minimum monthly payments to my lenders.

Nice try. And no, it is not possible to get out of paying back your student loans for a Chapter 11. Technically, almost all dental students are bankrupt and even way down the hole dude ... get real.
You need to contact your lender and ask them about 'economic hardship' deferments or forbearances. You can also try and stretch your payments to a 25 year re-payment plan, and make 'interest only' payments for a while, while you get your stuff back together.

 

[NileBDS]

... No offense, but you seem to be the 'Debbie Downer' of the SDN dental forums. Everything you post on the forums is very negative ...

 

[airwolfrocks999]

. Technically, almost all dental students are bankrupt and even way down the hole dude

But I've dropped out of my residency and couldn't find any decent position. It was almost counterproductive to continue job searching so I just have up.

I am now making ~$12/hr as a call center rep. I still do look for good positions from time to time but I'm not getting anywhere. And there's no way I can keep up with loans payments.

And no, I'm not interested in stretching my loan payments over the next 30 yrs. That's how much more interest I'll be paying and I'd rather be broke/bankrupt now than to be broke/bankrupt at the age of 45.

 

[airwolfrocks999]

Everything you post on the forums is very negative

I tell it like it is. Name one negative thing I said that isn't true of dentistry. Except for anecdotes.

 

[jfitzpat]

But I've dropped out of my residency and couldn't find any decent position. It was almost counterproductive to continue job searching so I just have up.

I am now making ~$12/hr as a call center rep. I still do look for good positions from time to time but I'm not getting anywhere. And there's no way I can keep up with loans payments.

And no, I'm not interested in stretching my loan payments over the next 30 yrs. That's how much more interest I'll be paying and I'd rather be broke/bankrupt now than to be broke/bankrupt at the age of 45.

I was once a bankruptcy attorney with a stress on the word "once", so this does not constitute legal advice of any kind. However, everyone here is pretty spot on. Back in the late 70s and early 80s, there were a bunch of kids coming out of med school who were declaring bankruptcy to clear their student loan debt and then start over fresh (albeit with bad credit, but hey they were still doctors). In response, congress made it more difficult to discharge student loans and then within the last five or ten years, it has become essentially impossible. If you are missing some limbs or have a terminal disease that makes your life a living hell, you might get a discharge. Otherwise, you better start working with your lender.

 

[biocmp]

But I've dropped out of my residency and couldn't find any decent position. It was almost counterproductive to continue job searching so I just have up.

Ha ha. You must have been the worst dentist ever! Good luck in your new career.

this is if you are actually a troll. If not, I apologize you have fallen on tough times.

 

[bodiddely]

Have you tried looking for work outside of the NYC metro area? There a tons of opportunities for dentists out there.

 

[BuckeyeDDS]

But I've dropped out of my residency and couldn't find any decent position. It was almost counterproductive to continue job searching so I just have up.

I am now making ~$12/hr as a call center rep. I still do look for good positions from time to time but I'm not getting anywhere. And there's no way I can keep up with loans payments.

And no, I'm not interested in stretching my loan payments over the next 30 yrs. That's how much more interest I'll be paying and I'd rather be broke/bankrupt now than to be broke/bankrupt at the age of 45.

Airwolf, I'm sorry, I hate to judge and I don't know your personal circumstances, but I've read a few of your posts and I am absolutely baffled. Speechless. I'm without speech. Seriously, are you for real? I can't possibly believe that you cannot find a single job as a dentist that's good enough for you when you're willing to work for $12/hour at a call center. I hope you introduce yourself as "Dr. Airwolfrocks999" when you are making your calls. You say it's not laziness, so it must simply be pickiness. Can you simply explain why you can't gut it out for awhile at some medicaid mill until you get your life in order?

 

[futuredds08]

I may be completely misinformed, but I thought I heard the DDS I work for saying that once you begin a residency that you are no longer allowed to practice general dentistry. I know that once you finish a residency in MO you are no longer allowed to practice general dentistry, so I wonder if the OP really CANNOT find a decent job?

 

[jfitzpat]

I may be completely misinformed, but I thought I heard the DDS I work for saying that once you begin a residency that you are no longer allowed to practice general dentistry. I know that once you finish a residency in MO you are no longer allowed to practice general dentistry, so I wonder if the OP really CANNOT find a decent job?

He didn't finish it and anyways it was a GPR which is a general dentistry residency.

 

[servitup]

Saying you can't get a job as a dentist is simply not true. You just don't want one for some odd reason. That is your problem. The loans are yours and society won't bear the burden for them.

 

[small]

Airwolfrocks999, I'm really surprised you weren't able to find the motivation to just stick with it until you paid off your bills! I REALLY think this dude is a troll, by the way. Not that the situation isn't impossible, but seriously! Airwolf here must be the most pathetic (or unfortunate) medical professional on SDN. Are you sure you aren't one of the kids who got kicked out of Indiana last year?? THAT is the only way I can see you not being able to work as a dentist. You are DDS/DMD whether you finish a GPR or not (well, I don't know that for sure and I guess you still couldn't work in NY).

If you are serious, then this is my advice, and I am serious: flee the country. You have a four-year degree, so apply for the JET Program (Japanese English Teachers). I did it, it was fun, pays more than what your are purportedly making, and I doubt you'll be extradited for not paying student loans. Furthermore, it is the perfect job for slacker bums like you (it is also the perfect job for gunners looking to broaden their horizons, so please no flaming)! I did JET, and it was a blast!

The down side is: you might be arrested upon returning to the States, you will be perpetual second-class citizen, your fate will lay in the whimsical hands of your employers after you finish JET and begin your professional career singing Old McDonald everyday/300+ days a year in some daycare in the middle of a shopping mall, you'll probably never make more than $30k in Japan if you're not motivated enough to finish your dental obligations, um do I need to go on?

Considering your mysterious situation, though, Japan seems like the way to go! Despite the negatives, yummy ramen, boozed-up karaoke, packed subway rides, and Cuban cigars sounds like the life for you! Feel free to contact me privately for anymore information!

 

[futuredds08]

Sorry, didn't realize it was a GPR.

 

[BuckeyMcGee]

You can drop out of a residency anytime you want and go practice general dentistry, there are no laws against that.

 

[blissdental]

You have a four-year degree, so apply for the JET Program (Japanese English Teachers). I did it, it was fun, pays more than what your are purportedly making, and I doubt you'll be extradited for not paying student loans. Furthermore, it is the perfect job for slacker bums like you (it is also the perfect job for gunners looking to broaden their horizons, so please no flaming)! I did JET, and it was a blast!

Slacker bums vs gunners with broad outlook

I'm from Japan and I could tell you the moms are quick in telling which group you fall in. If it's the former.. sayonara

 

[jdmsamurai]

I may be completely misinformed, but I thought I heard the DDS I work for saying that once you begin a residency that you are no longer allowed to practice general dentistry. I know that once you finish a residency in MO you are no longer allowed to practice general dentistry, so I wonder if the OP really CANNOT find a decent job?

is this true?!?! once you finished a residency you can no longer practice general dentistry? i have never heard this before...

 

[futuredds08]

is this true?!?! once you finished a residency you can no longer practice general dentistry? i have never heard this before...

I think it varies state-by-state. I work for an orthodontist and he is not allowed to do any general dentistry now that he has finished his residency. I think the basis is that if you had been doing just your specialty for 20 years, but could still technically do general, then someone who had not done a filling in 20 years could "take a stab at it". At least that is the way I had it explained to me.

 

[bodiddely]

In most states specialists practice under the same license as a general dentist (I think a few states grant specialty licenses), so that while legally they can practice general dentistry, it is the stance of the ADA that if you advertise yourself as a specialist, you are ethically obligated to limit your practice to said specialty.

If you read on dentaltown you will find people who, for instance, have completed a perio residency but practice as GP's (and advertise their practices as such) who also happen to be really, really good at perio surgeries.

But this is totally peripheral to the OP's situation. He graduated from NYU and dropped out of a GPR.

 

[bodiddely]

Hi airwolfrocks999,

Just thought I would let you know (you may already be aware of this option), but if you don't want to leave NY state you could still practice dentistry there without a GPR. You could, for instance, (you may have already) take the NERB, get a license from one of the surrounding states, and work in an Indian Health Service clinic (to work in an IHS clinic you just need a license from any of the 50 states). This would provide you with a salary of 100k+ (on top of excellent benefits) as well as 24k per year of loan repayment. The IHS website currently lists two vacancies in NY state: http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/Dental/Positions/vacancies.cfm

Do you really find the practice of dentistry so miserable that you would rather work for 1/6th the pay in a call center?

 

[bodiddely]

I just thought of something. Maybe Airwolf is trying (not necessarily going to succeed) this route as a way to not have to pay off his loans and then he will start practing dentistry once he is thinks he is clear of the debt of the student loans.

That would be really sad if it were the case. Fortunately for student lenders, he basically has no chance of getting out of his obligations if he is still capable of practicing dentistry.

 

[DrJeff]

What are the monthly payments your making on that presumably new car you likely bought last summer???

Bottom line is you CAN make a very nice living as a dentist, but you need to show some fiscal restraint and planning from the day you graduate.

 

[Regmata]

What are the monthly payments your making on that presumably new car you likely bought last summer???

Bottom line is you CAN make a very nice living as a dentist, but you need to show some fiscal restraint and planning from the day you graduate.

He went through dental school, NYU no less (unless I am mistaken) and didn't realize he hates dentistry until he graduated...

 

[airwolfrocks999]

Do you really find the practice of dentistry so miserable that you would rather work for 1/6th the pay in a call center?

At least I'm not getting headaches and physical fatigue from working. I also think I developed some sort of skin allergy to doing dentistry. It happened since 2 months before I left my residency. I can't isolate the problem; I just start getting headaches and skin rash whenever I enter a dental cubicle.

I really need to find another job because there's no way I can continue putting a roof over my head with my current pay. I'm looking around for at least halfway decent-paying jobs in research, marketing, and banking but I'm not getting any callbacks from my resume submissions.

Then again, at this pace and during this economy, I'm worried that the job search won't go too well.

 

[PR Buick]

Wow. What unfortunate timing to realize dentistry isn't the career for you. I'm actually in the exact opposite position--earning 12/hr in a call center, marking off the days until July 14 (actually, a bit sooner than that), when I can finally move on to the next step of my dental career. Best of luck.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Maybe it's time to get disabled. I wonder how many fingers you would need to cut off before you would be deemed unable to practice dentistry. I would start with one at a time until the lawyer says you're good.

 

[C equals]

Maybe it's time to get disabled. I wonder how many fingers you would need to cut off before you would be deemed unable to practice dentistry. I would start with one at a time until the lawyer says you're good.

I think you hit on the answer to this problem. There is no way that the rest of us should have to pay for any deadbeats' loans...unless they are fingerless dentists, of course.

 

[capisce?]

Be a man, go get on some anti-depressants, take off the women's underwear, and repay the debt you voluntarily took on.

I hope that if you do try to get this debt cleared, you are unsuccessful. Which you undoubtedly will, fail that is. Unless you are missing limbs, you're excuse of "I can't find a 'good' job" isn't going to fly. There are tons of open dental positions and you could take any of them. The problem is you don't want to.

You are no better than the medicaid patients I see with their hands out screaming 'give me what I'm entitled to'. (sidenote...there are also some great, deserving medicaid patients out there)

Welcome to the real world.

 

[airwolfrocks999]

I hope that if you do try to get this debt cleared, you are unsuccessful. Which you undoubtedly will, fail that is. Unless you are missing limbs, you're excuse of "I can't find a 'good' job" isn't going to fly. There are tons of open dental positions and you could take any of them.

My reasons are authentic; I'm not trying to maliciously freeload off my debt and go back to practicing dentistry.

It's not just being unable to find a halfway decent dental job.

My other problems include headaches whenever I turn on a handpiece. I also get headaches when I bend my neck over to do a procedure. And I sometimes get skin allergies to various dental supplies. My eyes also hurt whenever there's a curing light turned on within 1-2 feets away.

There's no way I can do dentistry in this state. Not that it'll ever happen but I'd even gladly forfeit my dental degree and all records of dental school attendance in exchange for debt forgiveness.

Things aren't alway in black and white you know.

 

[reapply2007]

Why not just refuse to make loan payments? You'll lose any state licenses you may have, which apparently you won't need. You'll also lose any tax returns you would otherwise receive. It may also go on your credit history. However, you won't need to deal with the practice of dentistry or the stress of loan repayment.

Perhaps you could teach in a dental school. The ADA suggests a looming shortage of dental instructors.

Alternatively, call your lenders and see what can be done-they really aren't that bad of people.

 

[dentheartthrob]

My reasons are authentic;
My other problems include headaches whenever I turn on a handpiece. I also get headaches when I bend my neck over to do a procedure. And I sometimes get skin allergies to various dental supplies. My eyes also hurt whenever there's a curing light turned on within 1-2 feets away.

Things aren't alway in black and white you know.

Are you for real, you would've noticed these symptoms while you were still in d-school...what some people would do just to be in your shoes...or are you just a troll

 

[loved]

Indeed, teaching sounds like a great alternative 👍

 

[Ebull]

I'm not that convinced that your unable to do dentistry with those symptoms. As far as headaches from the handpiece, why not try earplugs, many of my classmates wear them in preclinic and they say it works great. I have just about every allergy there is and I never heard of getting skin allergies by being in the same room as a material. (of course that does not mean it can't happen...I guess) even still there are many materials out there and I'm sure you could find one that is compatible. As far as the curing light, don't look at the light when you turn it on, your not supposed to be looking at it anyway. And finally for your headaches while looking down, its probably your posture, dentistry should and can be done in a very ergonomic position, go talk with a chiropractor and get an assistant to help you. I know I haven't walked in your shoes but all those things sound like they can be worked out. Why throw away a career that you worked so hard for and could eventually turn out quite lucrative.

 

[JamieMac]

Perhaps you could teach in a dental school. The ADA suggests a looming shortage of dental instructors.

Hmmmm...those who can't do, teach? Are you kidding me??? That is exactly what we need in dental school...a prof who has animosity towards students because of his inability to practice dentistry. No thanks...d-school will be painful enough as it is.

 

[pmantz]

QUESTION: Would you forgive someone 300K because they didn't think something through, or would you expect them to take responsibility.


DUDE you have a DDS. Correct me if I am wrong but you have the ability to practice in a profession that affords you the ability to work just about however much you want. So dentistry isn't fun for you, only work three days and make less money that leaves you with over 50% of your time to pursue other interests.

Get a grip/suck it up/ STOP WHINING.

A lot of people don't like their jobs but do them everyday, at least you have the opportunity to make a decent living. I have no sympathy for you, grow up.

 

[NewMexDent]

My other problems include headaches whenever I turn on a handpiece. I also get headaches when I bend my neck over to do a procedure. And I sometimes get skin allergies to various dental supplies. My eyes also hurt whenever there's a curing light turned on within 1-2 feets away.

If these syptoms are real you may want to go see an occupational therapist.

Really, stop posting on here and seek professional help - it would be good for you and good for all of us.

 

[gte1974]

If these syptoms are real you may want to go see an occupational therapist.

Really, stop posting on here and seek professional help - it would be good for you and good for all of us.

have you seen a doctor?
before you or anyone here makes a diagnosis as either bull or real, you need to see a profesional to diagnose what you have, it seems to me that your condition might be anxiety related, and if someone certifies that, then you have some permanent disabilty or inabilty to practice dentistry you might have some luck.

now is there something else you're not saying here?
it started all of a sudden after you graduated and were in a residency program? did someone kill your self esteem? or have you become completely unable to be in a dental office due to unmentioned circumstances?

i know that when i broke up with my ex, after graduating from dentistry, i could not focus on any studies, including turning down an invitation to do a specialty program in mexico where i studied for ortho, now after 10 years in the fitness field and later in real estate combined( need i say more), i am wiser and more determined to actually finish my licensing needs to practice dentistry here in the U.S., you are one step ahead but i'm sure there are things that stop you from continuing to practice, sort these out, it might take you a while, but if you finished dentistry then i feel that not only are you smart enough, but also capable enough to learn many trades that require hands on skills.

but do you really want to forfeit the profesional prestige that goes with practicing one of the more respected careers here in the U.S.?

i can tell you that i did financially well in the fitness field, and became very well educated in it, for that matter, but people as a whole never respected those skills and training that i acquired.

then i went into real estate a few years back, and earned quite a lot of money, but the respect once again was not there, even though once again i have learned a lot of things and gone thru extensive training, i would get the question, how much are you making on this loan and real estate transaction? to me this was the ultimate lack of respect from people.

so can you be retrained? probably yes, can you focus? well fix whatever happened, ad i'm sure you will be able to move on and learn something new, but whatever you do, try to remember why you are doing it, and do you want to do it in some capacity or continue doing it for x# of years?

look forward and make a new plan!! good to luck to you!!

 

[dentwannabe]

My reasons are authentic; I'm not trying to maliciously freeload off my debt and go back to practicing dentistry.

It's not just being unable to find a halfway decent dental job.

My other problems include headaches whenever I turn on a handpiece. I also get headaches when I bend my neck over to do a procedure. And I sometimes get skin allergies to various dental supplies. My eyes also hurt whenever there's a curing light turned on within 1-2 feets away.

There's no way I can do dentistry in this state. Not that it'll ever happen but I'd even gladly forfeit my dental degree and all records of dental school attendance in exchange for debt forgiveness.

Things aren't alway in black and white you know.

I know you went to NYU. My question is, why didn't you think of this when you were on the 11th floor, drilling away, all bent over, with several curing lights being shined in your face? No allergies then? They just suddenly appeared?

I mean, did you not realize how bad you hated this stuff in the bench lab? How about right across the hallway at the sim lab? What about down in the 3rd floor clinics, everything was still okay?

I'm not trying to give you hard time, I'm just saying -- some things to think about.

I don't believe you're a real person. But if you are, I'm sorry to hear about your unfortunate circumstances. Hopefully, you'll be doing better one day.

You know the famous quote, "Those that can't, TEACH" lol. Why don't you become an instructor, d-schools are always looking for those. Get out of NYU though, I think it traumatized you, lol. Go to UMDNJ or somewhere else and just be positive.

 

[airwolfrocks999]

Indeed, teaching sounds like a great alternative 👍

I don't know about teaching. Then again, I can't teach any of the lab or clinic-based courses. I'd be eager to teach basic sciences but those are generally staffed by PhDs. And they don't even advertise teaching positions.

I tried something similar. I previously applied to some entry-level medical researching positions but wasn't offered interviews.

 

[airwolfrocks999]

I know you went to NYU. My question is, why didn't you think of this when you were on the 11th floor, drilling away, all bent over, with several curing lights being shined in your face? No allergies then? They just suddenly appeared?

It all started in my gpr residency. I can't establish a specific causation but I started getting awful headaches and skin problems from doing dental work.

They happened in about two months into the residency.

Also, this was really a sh**ty and a pointless gpr. Seriously, all I was doing were class IIs amalgams, basic checkups, and prophies.

I tried my best but I couldn't hack '" my medical problems relating to dentistry" + " personal dislike of dentistry " + " crappy gpr " combo.

 

[TempleDMDKrazd]

It all started in my gpr residency. I can't establish a specific causation but I started getting awful headaches and skin problems from doing dental work.

They happened in about two months into the residency.

Also, this was really a sh**ty and a pointless gpr. Seriously, all I was doing were class IIs amalgams, basic checkups, and prophies.

I tried my best but I couldn't hack '" my medical problems relating to dentistry" + " personal dislike of dentistry " + " crappy gpr " combo.

maybe you should take a vacation away from dentistry for a bit....go to the bahamas or travel a bit....then before you give up...give dentistry another shot and if your illness is still there i feel sorry for you...

good luck

 

[gryffindor]

A job in oral radiology sounds good for you. No curing lights, no handpieces, no chemicals (if digital, otherwise the assitant does the developing), just images and interpretation. I heard about a colleague who was working in the dept of oral radiology and at the hygiene school teaching and not doing anything clinical. An office job at public health or maybe getting an office job with a dental company would be doable too. But these kinds of jobs probably require networking and a decent attitude toward clinical dentistry, even if you don't practice it.