Which US state is best

[Smilemaker100]

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Hello once again!

There was a study which was done recently on cities in North America which have the best general job prospects. Boston and Seattle figured highly on this list. I was wondering if this also applies to dentistry.
Thanks 🙂

 

[ItsGavinC]

Hello once again!

There was a study which was done recently on cities in North America which have the best general job prospects. Boston and Seattle figured highly on this list. I was wondering if this also applies to dentistry.
Thanks 🙂

Nope, by and large it doesn't apply to dentistry. TYPICALLY such lists that are compiled take into account items that matter little to running a succesful dental practice. That isn't to say that Boston and Seattle wouldn't be great markets (I don't know whether they are or not), but if they are it wouldn't be on account of a recent study regarding general job prospects.

Remember, those studies are going to be looking at hiring of employers. Even small business start-ups aren't closely comparible in many avenues to starting-up a dental practice.

 

[Montrealer]

I think the best places to start-up a dental practice would be areas where there is a shortage of dentists, as well as a decent per-capita income and some quality of life.

But again, it all comes back to what kind of dentistry you want to practice.

 

[Smilemaker100]

Yes, it is true that logically one would want to set up a practice in a geographical area where there is a shortage of supply. However, I would not want to set up in some remote area where I am basically surrounded with miles and miles of countryside ( even though I like the country...to escape from city life).

I am from Montreal...and there is no way in hell I am going to stay here! In the suburbs where I live, there is a dentist on every corner! I have a number of friends who moved to Boston and love it! And of course factor in the income taxes in this bloody province of Quebec ...you end up with nothing!!!!!

 

[Comet208]

I think the best places to start-up a dental practice would be areas where there is a shortage of dentists.

In that case, North Dakota would be one of the best; i read some where that dentist/patient ratio there is 1:1400.

 

[ecdoesit]

The potential of that city is very important as well.
One example is probably area around Las Vegas several years ago. If we know it will go through significant development like right now, it wouldnt be bad to start up there.

 

[aphistis]

In that case, North Dakota would be one of the best; i read some where that dentist/patient ratio there is 1:1400.

Foad, that's actually a pretty high ratio of dentists per population. In the rural Indiana county I grew up in, for example, the ratio is approximately 1:5000.

 

[ItsGavinC]

1:1400 is a pretty good ratio.

Oral Health America determined that 1:2000 is a sufficient ratio for proper oral care.

Arizona ranks 44th out of 50 states for the ratio of dentists to people.

 

[ToothMonkey]

I wouldn't move to a geographical region just because it has a low ratio of dentists to general population. You have to look into *why* the ratio is so low. Think about it...it's very possible that the reason there are so few dentists in a given area is because the people there place a low value on oral health.

It's one of those chicken/egg situations. If the statistics on a state show that (1) it has a low proportion of dentists, and (2) a very low percentage of the population receives regular dental care, then who's to say which of those problems is the cause and which is the effect?

 

[drat]

I wouldn't move to a geographical region just because it has a low ratio of dentists to general population. You have to look into *why* the ratio is so low. Think about it...it's very possible that the reason there are so few dentists in a given area is because the people there place a low value on oral health.

It's one of those chicken/egg situations. If the statistics on a state show that (1) it has a low proportion of dentists, and (2) a very low percentage of the population receives regular dental care, then who's to say which of those problems is the cause and which is the effect?

Oh my goodness...I sure hope this is a joke! I'm from ND -- lived there all my life -- but now residing in crappy NY. ND is beautiful and has a wonderful quality of life. If you're looking to raise a family and send your children to awesome public schools, ND is the place to start up your practice!

Sorry, just had to boost my state's reputation.

drat!

p.s. I have all my teeth, and they are white! And my dentist lives very comfortably. Sent all 3 kids to Harvard w/o financial aid, I'm told!

 

[Comet208]

In the rural Indiana county I grew up in, for example, the ratio is approximately 1:5000.

WOW.. that is a lot of patiens per dentist to care for (granted, most see a dentist once or twice a year). This really shows how much work we have cut out for us, keeping in mind that are a lot of dentists who will retire in the next 10-15 years. kinda overwheliming.

 

[Comet208]

Arizona ranks 44th out of 50 states for the ratio of dentists to people.

Gavin, is there a link to this ranking??? thx.

 

[Montrealer]

Here: http://www.oralhealthamerica.org/Dentist Shortage.htm

 

[ToothMonkey]

Oh my goodness...I sure hope this is a joke! I'm from ND -- lived there all my life -- but now residing in crappy NY. ND is beautiful and has a wonderful quality of life. If you're looking to raise a family and send your children to awesome public schools, ND is the place to start up your practice!

Sorry, just had to boost my state's reputation.

drat!

p.s. I have all my teeth, and they are white! And my dentist lives very comfortably. Sent all 3 kids to Harvard w/o financial aid, I'm told!

Am I missing something or is your post a complete non sequitur? I never mentioned North Dakota. 😕

 

[aphistis]

Here: http://www.oralhealthamerica.org/Dentist Shortage.htm

Very nice link. 👍

 

[ItsGavinC]

Montrealer, thanks for posting that--I wasn't as quick as you.

 

[ShawnOne]

As I was previously told, UNLV has the most severe shortage of dentists.

 

[Montrealer]

Here is another very interesting link: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/dbguide/newdent/income.asp

 

[ItsGavinC]

As I was previously told, UNLV has the most severe shortage of dentists.

That Nevada shortage has been by and large created and imposed by dentists themselves. For years the Nevada licensing exam has been the most anal thing on the face of the earth.

That has changed, now that dentists licensed in other regions can practice in Nevada without taking their absurd exam.

 

[ShawnOne]

yup, its called reciprocity. however, to qualify, a dentist must have a license in good standing (no dings) for 5 years. Then a probationary license can be obtained in NV, which becomes permanent after another 2 years without problems. Also, the dentist must physically work in NV for X amount of hours per year.

I am interested to see how many dentists are willing to move their practice after 5 years of establishing themselves elsewhere. I doubt too many.

This shortage is primarily the reason the state of NV funded UNLV's program and requires at least 40 of 75 students to be NV residents. (that and the fact the state was told the school would be self sufficient, which is not the case thus far).

 

[oms fan]

There have been a lot of dentists coming into Nevada since the reciprocity law was passed...on the order of 80-90 a year. Most of those are obviously coming to Reno and Vegas because they can make an income far exceeding the national average. The numbers indicating a shortage in nevada are a little skewed in that the real shortage is in the rural communities and underserved, such as medicaid, while the per capita numbers in the metro areas of Reno and Vegas are quickly approaching the national average. The days of the gravy train in Nevada are quickly leaving. You can tell by the clear increase in dentist advertising. There is finally a little more competition in the state.
In terms of the school being self-sufficient...how could it be when the clinic has not been open. We have not been seeing patients. Once the permanent facility opens...the school will likely begin to function as was suggested.