Which path would you suggest?

[DDS_Surgeon]

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As you can tell by my username, I'm interested in pursuing dentistry and after having the opportunity to job shadow multiple dentists I'm sure dentistry is the career path I would like to pursue. Also, I'm a Canadian student attending University starting next year. I've also been given the opportunity to study dentistry abroad in a direct-entry program which is 5 years long. I'm currently stuck in the dilemma of choosing between the two paths; on one hand, if I go abroad I will save three years and will give me an international perspective om the field (+ the University has state of the art laboratories and facilities), the con is that I will be far from my family. Furthermore, the city I might go is a relatively small city and with having the intention of coming back to Canada after my studies I feel I could be at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, if I attend a Canadian Uni for Undergrad and then dental school I will be close to family and I would be close to friends and honestly, I love Toronto and big cities (I'm not sure if I can handle small cities)+ Studying in Canada would also give me the opportunity to maybe continue my studies in the US. But again con of Can schools is that it's not guaranteed + really competitive. The morale of the story is that I have no clue what to do, in your opinion was attending Undergrad worth it? Should I go the direct-entry route or should I attend undergrad then dental school? Any opinions? Thank you everyone in advance!

EDIT: Another dental school which I've always been keened about is NYU, I absolutely love New York, I just love the big city vibe. Attending NYU has always been on my mind since I really like the focus and opportunities they have on aesthetic and restorative dentistry. So essentially I can either choose to get a BDS within 5 years and then come back to Canada, go to an Undergrad and apply to Canadian schools and US schools.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

So you are trying to get a DMD from a different country and then come back here and apply as an international student? Few of my friends, graduated dentistry from oversees, some of them made dental school here (D3 and D4 years) but some of them are also struggling to get in.

 

[Faefly]

Honestly, if you are not going to somewhere impressive that will make you happy, then why bother.
Go big or in your case stay home!

Also, there are no guarantees in everything in this so called life.

 

[DDS_Surgeon]

So you are trying to get a DMD from a different country and then come back here and apply as an international student? Few of my friends, graduated dentistry from oversees, some of them made dental school here (D3 and D4 years) but some of them are also struggling to get in.

Essentially I would be getting a BDS and if I do decide to return to Canada all I need to do is take the National Exam then I can start working, however I fear that when I come back i would not have any connections nor will I be as successful as other graduates in getting into specialty (if i decide to do so) or getting a job as an associate dentist or even continuing my studies with an affiliated University.

 

[DDS_Surgeon]

Honestly, if you are not going to somewhere impressive that will make you happy, then why bother.
Go big or in your case stay home!

Also, there are no guarantees in everything in this so called life.

That is true. However, the university abroad is quite advanced and they have better facilities and laboratories than the ones I've seen in Canadian Unis. May I ask if you're a dental student yourself?

 

[I-hate-alginate]

Essentially I would be getting a BDS and if I do decide to return to Canada all I need to do is take the National Exam then I can start working, however I fear that when I come back i would not have any connections nor will I be as successful as other graduates in getting into specialty (if i decide to do so) or getting a job as an associate dentist or even continuing my studies with an affiliated University.

Don't worry. For specializing, if you have decent stats, you won't need connections. And for associate, practice owner, if you have the mindset, you will make it to the top.

 

[DDS_Surgeon]

Don't worry. For specializing, if you have decent stats, you won't need connections. And for associate, practice owner, if you have the mindset, you will make it to the top.

So would you suggest going abroad studying for 5 years could be beneficial if I give 110% to the field and my career? Do you also mind me asking, are you a dental student yourself?

 

[I-hate-alginate]

So would you suggest going abroad studying for 5 years could be beneficial if I give 110% to the field and my career? Do you also mind me asking, are you a dental student yourself?

I would stay. I know its competitive but it's even more competitive for people with degrees from other countries. I'm a predent who is applying this cycle. I work with many predents and Drs who graduated from oversees.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

If you plan on practicing in a country (in this case Canada) I would aim to go to dental school in that country, not elsewhere.