Who would make more?

[shamrock2006]

Ok...i know that everyone on SDN hates the "specialist income" threads. But this really isn't one of those. It's actually more of an opinion (or maybe fact depending on what or who you know) thread regarding financial success. Would you think a straight up, ordinary orthodontist would make more than a GP who maybe has his/her AEGD, or did a GPR, or whatever..but also offers a vast array of procedures in their practice....such as placing implants, veneers, invisalign, or anything else you can possible think of that can be learned through some CE. I know ortho is super competitive...but do you think an orthodontist would still make more (on the average) than a GP who does a million and one things? I've been having this debate w/ a few friends...and some lean one way...others lean the other. Just something to chew on..not looking to start any flame throwing arguments or anything. Enjoy!

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[BigEd]

Ok...i know that everyone on SDN hates the "specialist income" threads. But this really isn't one of those. It's actually more of an opinion (or maybe fact depending on what or who you know) thread regarding financial success. Would you think a straight up, ordinary orthodontist would make more than a GP who maybe has his/her AEGD, or did a GPR, or whatever..but also offers a vast array of procedures in their practice....such as placing implants, veneers, invisalign, or anything else you can possible think of that can be learned through some CE. I know ortho is super competitive...but do you think an orthodontist would still make more (on the average) than a GP who does a million and one things? I've been having this debate w/ a few friends...and some lean one way...others lean the other. Just something to chew on..not looking to start any flame throwing arguments or anything. Enjoy!

Let me be the one to educate you.

your ability, personality, and employment location will determine if you are a multimillionaire or an average income dentist.

going into a different specialty will not change who you are or how good you kiss a GP's butt for referrals.

understand?

This thread needs closed.

 

[dentalman]

Let me be the one to educate you.

your ability, personality, and employment location will determine if you are a multimillionaire or an average income dentist.

going into a different specialty will not change who you are or how good you kiss a GP's butt for referrals.

Exactly! I think you answered your own question... If a dentist does a million and 1 things, they are going to make more. If you don't have to refer out crown lengthening, molar endo, then you can do that all in one appointment while prepping for the crown. This is being more efficient and more income. BUT... most general dentists don't want to do this, or aren't comfortable doing it, or it would take 4 hours and not be efficient at it. (I would be included in the group who does not like doing molar endo and crown lengthening, and much rather refer.)

And everything else that was said.

 

[drhobie7]

There are a lot of unique personal characteristics that enable a dentist to be financially successful. Specialty is not the most important variable in financial success. All things being equal the orthodontist would probably generate a larger income than the general dentist. Certainly there are general dentists generating more income than some orthodontists and vice versa. The critical factor in income discrepancy is not necessarily specialty choice. Also, simply because a general dentist chooses not to refer procedures does not necessarily increase profitability. The dentist must be able to do those procedures well and quickly. Efficiency is important. If it takes a dentist 1.5 hrs to take out a set of impacted third molars he may have generated less revenue than if he had prepped 2 teeth for crowns or done several fillings. Same thing goes for implants. If it takes you a morning to place an implant you may not be covering your overhead.

 

[12YearOldKid]

A general dentist CAN make as much as a specialist. But on average they DON'T. The general dentist usually has to work a lot harder though to take home the same amount of money. Here is why.

1. It's much easier for a specialist to keep his overhead down. The specialist provides a very limited number of procedures meaning less specialized equipment, less storage space needed, etc... The specialist can be much more efficient because his office and staff aren't constantly switching gears at a moments notice throughout the day. He doesn't need the expensive, highly visible real estate that a GP needs; his patients are sent directly to him so he can be tucked away pretty much wherever he wants.

2. The specialist is paid more than the GP for the same procedure. Just for example let's say that a GP does a procedure for $100 and the specialist gets $125. This may not seem like it would make that big of a difference but it is a lot more than you think. Let's say it costs the GP $75 in overhead so he nets $25 of that. If the specialist had the same overhead as the GP he would be netting TWICE as much as the GP for the same procedure. But then you take into account the fact that the specialist has a much lower overhead and the specialist is blowing the GP out of the water.

3. The specialist isn't spending his time on piddly stuff like single fills, single tooth extractions, etc...

 

[pre-dentalguy]

There are a lot of unique personal characteristics that enable a dentist to be financially successful. Specialty is not the most important variable in financial success. All things being equal the orthodontist would probably generate a larger income than the general dentist. Certainly there are general dentists generating more income than some orthodontists and vice versa. The critical factor in income discrepancy is not necessarily specialty choice. Also, simply because a general dentist chooses not to refer procedures does not necessarily increase profitability. The dentist must be able to do those procedures well and quickly. Efficiency is important. If it takes a dentist 1.5 hrs to take out a set of impacted third molars he may have generated less revenue than if he had prepped 2 teeth for crowns or done several fillings. Same thing goes for implants. If it takes you a morning to place an implant you may not be covering your overhead.

This is great information. Man, you are definitely on your game!

Marion

 

[shamrock2006]

good replies...I was basically telling my friends the same thing (the ones who thought that the ortho automatically makes more)...I basically just did this to let them log onto here and check out what other people think...since they are pretty stubborn. Close the thread if you wish...my work here is done!