Why Dentistry and not Medicine?

[turtmd]

This is the question the dentist I am shadowing asked me last week while visiting his office. I know I might be asked this question again during the interview process so... I wanted to know your reasons...

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[prez_al]

This is the question the dentist I am shadowing asked me last week while visiting his office. I know I might be asked this question again during the interview process so... I wanted to know your reasons...

Hmmmm... My reasons are pretty lame lol. Both professions you help people. I guess these would be my reasons:

1) doctors (at least in Canada) are paid in accordance to the government, so a dentist can potentially have greater financial security (since I need to repay my parents, this will just accelerate the process).
2) NO RESIDENCE!!!!
3) You get weekends off (you can raise a family)
4) The ability to show off artistic talents (i.e. crowns)
5) Patients can't hate you because they choose to see you, unlike medical doctors 🙂
6) Did I tell you my orthodontist drives a Range Rover, a Hummer and a S class Benz??
7) Personal experience (i.e. something they did changed my life)

 

[mochafreak]

Hmmmm... My reasons are pretty lame lol. Both professions you help people. I guess these would be my reasons:

1) doctors (at least in Canada) are paid in accordance to the government, so a dentist can potentially have greater financial security (since I need to repay my parents, this will just accelerate the process).
2) NO RESIDENCE!!!!
3) You get weekends off (you can raise a family)
4) The ability to show off artistic talents (i.e. crowns)
5) Patients can't hate you because they choose to see you, unlike medical doctors 🙂
6) Did I tell you my orthodontist drives a Range Rover, a Hummer and a S class Benz??
7) Personal experience (i.e. something they did changed my life)

I really think you should rethink #5...I also think that this very question is why someone came up with the search function.

 

[DrBowtie]

I love how #2 and #6 both make the list.

 

[prez_al]

I really think you should rethink #5...I also think that this very question is why someone came up with the search function.

lol, well, when you volunteer at a hospital, you kinda get the idea of 60-70% of the patients hating on their doctors, that's why I put that there. In response to #5, in the clinic I worked at, my dentist was awesome and didn't hear any complaints. I guess the only way I could dislike a dentist was if they were pulling out teeth and the novocaine doesn't work 🙁 *shakes fist*

 

[paradigm2200]

not medicine because dentistry is:

1) finacially rewarding
2) much more time flexibility
3) allows indepdence - the ability to be your own "boss"

unlike medicine where more time is spent working or in rounds or on call, indepdence factors is usually not there since most practices are run in "groups" consisting of 3-4 M.D.'s.

 

[klfb80]

This is the question the dentist I am shadowing asked me last week while visiting his office. I know I might be asked this question again during the interview process so... I wanted to know your reasons...

Turn it around on them. Why medicine and not dentistry? Just tell them you never even considered medicine and thats why dentistry. Does everyone who goes into dentistry have to consider a career in medicine as well? I didn't.

 

[Dr.Dientes]

I might be wrong...but I think that no one has died while getting a filling.

 

[tuftsdent]

I wanted to be a dentist for two reasons. 1)I can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing that I contributed to a person's physical well being. 2) I also can gain a sense of accomplishment knowing that I am using my manuel skills to resolve problems. You could also add that dentistry is more flexible-so that you have time to have a family...and give back to the university by being a part time instructor. Hope this helps. But these are the reasons why I wanted to be a dentist...it may or may not apply to you. Good luck

 

[samiam0252003]

Before I really wanted to do medicine, not going to lie on that, but what changed was volunteering at a oncology ward in sparrow hospital. Just seeing how those people were suffering and dying everyday, and I even met this cool girl who went to the same university as i did, but couldn't finish, because of leukemia, so the whole death factor didn't appeal me to medicine anymore, and i agree with the above post, having the satisfaction of helping someone's well being with my manual skills.

 

[mochafreak]

lol, well, when you volunteer at a hospital, you kinda get the idea of 60-70% of the patients hating on their doctors, that's why I put that there. In response to #5, in the clinic I worked at, my dentist was awesome and didn't hear any complaints. I guess the only way I could dislike a dentist was if they were pulling out teeth and the novocaine doesn't work 🙁 *shakes fist*

Yeah, I worked in the ER, the hospital, and on an ambulance and those are three exceptions where patients can't pick their doctors. But, for the most part people pick their family doctors and I think most of them would rather go there than to the dentist. I worked in an oral surgeons office for about 6 months and most of the patients were FAR more anxious than my ambulance patients. So, just don't think people are going to love you.

I picked dentistry over medicine for the immediate results, manual work/craftsmanship, ability to have control of your own practice, variety of proceedures performed in general dentistry, and the lack of being a slave to the hospital, HMO's, and pharmaceutical company's bottom lines. Although, that lack of a residency thing is pretty sweet when your starting at the age of 32.

 

[Uracil]

During high school and my first years of college, my mom and my dad were pushing me to study medicine since they are both physicians. They were still supportive on what I wanted to do, however, they still wanted me to study a medical career (I know it sounds contradictory).

My reasons:

a) My aunt's a dentist ( I have been exposed to her dental career since I was little)

b) Flexibility. ( My mom and my dad (anesthesiologist) were slaves of the hospital and I hated it!!! Especially when I was about 8-10 years old )

c) Emotional stability ( My mom was suffering through all those patients in the hospital she was seeing dying and were really sick (especially children) and most of the time at church we were praying for her patients! )

d) Help others ( I grew up in one of the poorest countries of Latin America and most people can't afford to get medical services...I also had the chance to be a volunteer in a health outreach program with a dental team)

e) Manual Skills ( I enjoy painting and drawing )

I don't know if these help..just from my personal experience --why not medicine--

 

[12YearOldKid]

I might be wrong...but I think that no one has died while getting a filling.

You would be wrong. But odds are pretty good that it will never happen in your chair.

 

[Dentalist]

D.D.S. = Dentists Date Sexys
D.M.D. = Dentists Make Doughs

What more could I ask?

 

[Gulch]

This is the question the dentist I am shadowing asked me last week while visiting his office. I know I might be asked this question again during the interview process so... I wanted to know your reasons...

Why dentistry? In my interviews I just told them that it was a hell of a lot better than highway construction or the funeral industry. Bottom line is it is a great job. Why do we constantly have to try to prove our undying passion for teeth? I feel like we are bunch of pop singers straining our voices trying to prove we all have soul. Just keep it real. Fact is, it is an amazing profession that stands alone from medicine.

 

[SuperTrooper]

This is the question the dentist I am shadowing asked me last week while visiting his office. I know I might be asked this question again during the interview process so... I wanted to know your reasons...

Whatever your answer is, make sure you're responding more to the "why dentistry" part and not the "why NOT medicine" part. In general, try to be positive in all of your answers, and don't let yourself get caught saying something bad about medicine. Also, you may think you know a lot about the careers of dentistry and medicine and how they differ, but you don't. Even if your entire family is dentists and doctors, you can get seriously shot down by interviewers if you make sweeping generalizations.

I was never asked the "why dentistry and not medicine" question. Come to think of it, on the 9 interviews I attended I wasn't asked "why dentistry" once.

 

[mochafreak]

Why dentistry? In my interviews I just told them that it was a hell of a lot better than highway construction or the funeral industry. Bottom line is it is a great job. Why do we constantly have to try to prove our undying passion for teeth? I feel like we are bunch of pop singers straining our voices trying to prove we all have soul. Just keep it real. Fact is, it is an amazing profession that stands alone from medicine.

Time for a little thread hijacking...I can't believe you changed your avatar. I guess it's for the better though, because every time I looked at the old one I thought of skiing and snowboarding in the Wasatch Mtns...and that ain't gonna happen any time soon.

I do like your sig though...do you know who Jaffy Ryder really is? He was referring to Gary Snyder (one of my favorite poets).

 

[asckwan]

Has anyone ever been asked the question, "Why don't you do plastic surgery?" I've given this a lot of thought. I mean, it's basically the same thing as dentistry in the aspects of working with your hands and making people feel good about themselves. I know I want to become a dentist but when posed with this question, I just couldn't get a solid answer.

Plastic surgery can also be VERY rewarding (Ex. Dr. 90210). You can be your own boss, it's flexible in appointment times.

 

[wigglytooth]

Has anyone ever been asked the question, "Why don't you do plastic surgery?" I've given this a lot of thought. I mean, it's basically the same thing as dentistry in the aspects of working with your hands and making people feel good about themselves. I know I want to become a dentist but when posed with this question, I just couldn't get a solid answer.

Plastic surgery can also be VERY rewarding (Ex. Dr. 90210). You can be your own boss, it's flexible in appointment times.

Well, would you not be garaunteed to be a plastic surgeon if you go the med route? I mean, they have to go through match and all that right?

Personally, I would never do plastic surgery on someone because I feel that a change that drastic to help a person with their self-esteem (especially stuff like lipo) can be done in other, simpler ways (like exercise, living an overall healthy lifestyle...like not frying your skin in the sun or smoking). I could never sympathize with the person who wants to have botox, lipo, and collogen just to attain an impossible body image. I understand that there are some complex cases involving people in terrible accidents or birth defects, but I don't think I could ever deal with a person who elects to have this stuff done. I don't know how many people opt to have "unneccessary" plastic surgery, but I know I'd get those guys at least once in awhile and wouldn't be able to deal. If they are that rich to have plastic surgery to make themselves feel better, then certainly they can join Jenny Craig. On the other hand, I think that there's not much one can do about how their teeth develop in their mouths on their own (how can you prevent a 6 year-old from tonguing an erupting tooth all the time?), and this can be fixed aesthetically by orthodontists if one chooses. If someone didn't take care of their mouth such that they develop periodontal disease or lose all their teeth, in most cases (at least where I live) it's because a person isn't well educated about hygeine and/or did not have the means of seeking care (poor or phobic). Also, another important aspect of dentistry is allieviating pain, which is something I'd like to do and something I don't think plastic surgeons get to do everyday.

My statements are based on my current knowledge and views, but I recognize the complexities of comparing professions. What we think we know isn't ever how much is really out there about a profession. A lot of us are just starting to look at these things. I think the best advice that someone gave is that if asked about it, just focus on why dentistry is for you and try not to make sweeping conclusions about any profession. (lol I hope I didn't make any 😛 )

 

[Gulch]

Time for a little thread hijacking...I can't believe you changed your avatar. I guess it's for the better though, because every time I looked at the old one I thought of skiing and snowboarding in the Wasatch Mtns...and that ain't gonna happen any time soon.

I do like your sig though...do you know who Jaffy Ryder really is? He was referring to Gary Snyder (one of my favorite poets).

It was time for an avatar change-up. Just the sight of it made my heart ache too. I'm reading "on the road" and was wondering who jaffy was in this particular quote. I've heard of gary snyder, but now I HAVE to check him out. Thanks!!

And you know, its funny you mention missing the wasatch snow because right now I'm wishing I was on the appalachian trail near the adirondacks. everytime I see "adirondack state of mind" I think, "HAVE MERCY!!" Its bad enough to have the backpacking bug, you know?

 

[mochafreak]

It was time for an avatar change-up. Just the sight of it made my heart ache too. I'm reading "on the road" and was wondering who jaffy was in this particular quote. I've heard of gary snyder, but now I HAVE to check him out. Thanks!!

And you know, its funny you mention missing the wasatch snow because right now I'm wishing I was on the appalachian trail near the adirondacks. everytime I see "adirondack state of mind" I think, "HAVE MERCY!!" Its bad enough to have the backpacking bug, you know?

Well, if it makes you feel any better "adirondack state of mind" is just that...a state of mind and I've only been to the Wasatch Mtns. once (though I've been dreaming of them ever since ). I've lived in Indiana for the last three years. I did just go back home for a week. I wanted to do some long hikes, but the weather was constantly miserable...cold and wet. I did some short (cold and wet) hikes though.

I think you'll really like Snyder since you're into backpacking. He's one of the best American nature writers/poets/philosophers. I recommend "No Nature" for a great collection of his poetry, and "The Practice of the Wild" for a taste of his essay writings about environmental ethics.

By the way Kerouac's "Dharma Bums" is pretty much all about Snyder and Kerouac. Allen Ginsberg is in that book as Alvah Goldbook. That's a great read too. Happing reading and daydreaming. 😉

 

[Gulch]

Well, if it makes you feel any better "adirondack state of mind" is just that...a state of mind and I've only been to the Wasatch Mtns. once (though I've been dreaming of them ever since ). I've lived in Indiana for the last three years. I did just go back home for a week. I wanted to do some long hikes, but the weather was constantly miserable...cold and wet. I did some short (cold and wet) hikes though.

I think you'll really like Snyder since you're into backpacking. He's one of the best American nature writers/poets/philosophers. I recommend "No Nature" for a great collection of his poetry, and "The Practice of the Wild" for a taste of his essay writings about environmental ethics.

By the way Kerouac's "Dharma Bums" is pretty much all about Snyder and Kerouac. Allen Ginsberg is in that book as Alvah Goldbook. That's a great read too. Happing reading and daydreaming. 😉

Far and away my favorite thread hijack to date. Thanks Mochafreak. My mom just told me she went to a workshop with Gary Snyder during college. Weird, huh? She also said not to write words like "hell" and "damn" and all that in my posts. Well, too bad mom...No, not the soap! AAAAAAHHHH! lol. Just kidding.

Getting back on track, One real reason I chose Dentistry over medicine, I see dentistry as more of a career, and medicine as "a way of life." That means, when I walk in the room at parties or church or soccer games or PTA meetings I will be called by my first name, not "Dr. so and so." I like that. I don't want to be defined first by my profession. I want to be "husband" and "dad" and "coach" or "poet" before I am "doctor." I am convinced that if I had gone into medicine it would have gone to my head. Too much adulation would disconnect me from who I am.

I saw it happen to my uncle. He taught urology at Yale School of medicine for 13 years, then decided to come back to California as a full time practitioner with Kaiser last year. More than anything, I have watched him struggle to make the transition from Yale Doctor demigod with constant ego strokes to regular old phallus physician. His cut in status has been a reality check as he has had to regain his sense of identity and self-worth independent from external flattery. Don't get me wrong - he is a self-assured, amazing person, but the temptation to believe you are better or high and mighty because you are a "medical doctor" can be strong - esp. as a prof at a big name. So if you want to "be what you do" medicine might fit you like an aquasoc.

As for me, I will leave a "life style" type profession for people who can handle the veneration better than I can while I pursue excellence in a career that neither defines me nor comes as my greatest priority. Medicine is great and extremely important, but dentistry is a better fit for me. Just something to consider. What do you think?

 

[mochafreak]

Far and away my favorite thread hijack to date. Thanks Mochafreak. My mom just told me she went to a workshop with Gary Snyder during college. Weird, huh? She also said not to write words like "hell" and "damn" and all that in my posts. Well, too bad mom...No, not the soap! AAAAAAHHHH! lol. Just kidding.

Getting back on track, One real reason I chose Dentistry over medicine, I see dentistry as more of a career, and medicine as "a way of life." That means, when I walk in the room at parties or church or soccer games or PTA meetings I will be called by my first name, not "Dr. so and so." I like that. I don't want to be defined first by my profession. I want to be "husband" and "dad" and "coach" or "poet" before I am "doctor." I am convinced that if I had gone into medicine it would have gone to my head. Too much adulation would disconnect me from who I am.

I saw it happen to my uncle. He taught urology at Yale School of medicine for 13 years, then decided to come back to California as a full time practitioner with Kaiser last year. More than anything, I have watched him struggle to make the transition from Yale Doctor demigod with constant ego strokes to regular old phallus physician. His cut in status has been a reality check as he has had to regain his sense of identity and self-worth independent from external flattery. Don't get me wrong - he is a self-assured, amazing person, but the temptation to believe you are better or high and mighty because you are a "medical doctor" can be strong - esp. as a prof at a big name. So if you want to "be what you do" medicine might fit you like an aquasoc.

As for me, I will leave a "life style" type profession for people who can handle the veneration better than I can while I pursue excellence in a career that neither defines me nor comes as my greatest priority. Medicine is great and extremely important, but dentistry is a better fit for me. Just something to consider. What do you think?

Wow, that is pretty weird. That must have been a good workshop. I got to see him read once. It was awesome.

 

[SerineProtease]

i agree....i went on a good number of interviews myself and none of them asked me to compare dentistry with medicine...although i was premed before...my experiences in dentistry and my passion for the profession was good enough...they never asked why the change...so just focus on dentistry alone...just be honest...

 

[turtmd]

i agree....i went on a good number of interviews myself and none of them asked me to compare dentistry with medicine...although i was premed before...my experiences in dentistry and my passion for the profession was good enough...they never asked why the change...so just focus on dentistry alone...just be honest...

Why did you change from Medicine to Dentistry?

 

[fightingspirit]

I really think you should rethink #5...I also think that this very question is why someone came up with the search function.

word up...

 

[fightingspirit]

Turn it around on them. Why medicine and not dentistry? Just tell them you never even considered medicine and thats why dentistry. Does everyone who goes into dentistry have to consider a career in medicine as well? I didn't.

good point....i think adcoms are justified when they assume that all the applicants had considered medicine because physicians are simply more visible in the public. you see doctors everywhere, you see shows about them in TV and you see their characters in movies. they also outnumber dentists, which gives them more influence and exposure.

 

[cotinara]

good point....i think adcoms are justified when they assume that all the applicants had considered medicine because physicians are simply more visible in the public. you see doctors everywhere, you see shows about them in TV and you see their characters in movies. they also outnumber dentists, which gives them more influence and exposure.

so very true. when i came in as a frosh that was what i chose. I mean biology means medicine. I never gave dentistry a thougt because it wasn't everywhere you looked. if you are at a crossroads between the two, one really needs to educate themselves about the profession and SHADOW VOLUNTEER WORK in some way or another.in the field you won't truly no if yoou don't give it a try.

i am choosing it for the flexibility of hours, potential of a family, the range of procedures that can be done, own personal experience, and immediate satisfaction of helping people and seeing results.