Why Dentistry?

[Polo Gal]

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I"m trying to choose between dentistry and medicine right now. I want to become an MD but my parents want me to become a dentist because of the job hours, money, lifestyle, etc. So I just want to know what makes you guys like dentistry so much? What attracts you to the career of a dentist? (other than for the money, hours, insurance problems, social life)

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

I"m trying to choose between dentistry and medicine right now. I want to become an MD but my parents want me to become a dentist because of the job hours, money, lifestyle, etc. So I just want to know what makes you guys like dentistry so much? What attracts you to the career of a dentist? (other than for the money, hours, insurance problems, social life)

The reasons you have already stated is why many of us here are in dentistry. It all matters on what YOU want to become. Shadow both fields and see for yourself. I can add a few more for you :

1. Respected profession.
2. Satisfaction of helping people.
3. Shorter time of schooling (unless you want to specialize).
4. Less stress.
DP

 

[Polo Gal]

The reasons you have already stated is why many of us here are in dentistry. It all matters on what YOU want to become. Shadow both fields and see for yourself. I can add a few more for you :

1. Respected profession.
2. Satisfaction of helping people.
3. Shorter time of schooling (unless you want to specialize).
4. Less stress.
DP

What specialties are there for dentistry? Could you explain further about number 1 and 2?

 

[Sbosu]

first answer a question of mine, why do you want to become an MD? what attracts you to that route

 

[haisha ni narou]

The reasons you have already stated is why many of us here are in dentistry. It all matters on what YOU want to become. Shadow both fields and see for yourself. I can add a few more for you :

1. Respected profession.
2. Satisfaction of helping people.
3. Shorter time of schooling (unless you want to specialize).
4. Less stress.
DP

Because dentistry is just way better in every aspect.😎

 

[UNMPDS]

What specialties are there for dentistry? Could you explain further about number 1 and 2?

9 specialties in dentistry. Listed below with a generic explanation of what they do to have a better idea.

Orthodontist (Braces)
Periodontist (Gum tissue)
Prosthedontist (Dentures) Sub specialty in this is Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthedontist which Dr. Phan is and deals with a lot of cancer patients and can make not only dentures but prosthetic ears, noses, etc.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (Wisdom Teeth)
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist (x-rays)
Public Health dentist (self explanatory)
Endodontist (Root canals)
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist (Pathology)

Hope this helps.

 

[pej263]

If you go into oral and maxiliofacial surgery you get an MD on top of your dental degree. You should look into that.

 

[Meatwad]

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (Wisdom Teeth)

While this certainly seems to be the most profitable aspect of OMFS, it is by no means representative of the scope of the specialty.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodontics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodontics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosthodontics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_and_maxillofacial_pathology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_and_maxillofacial_surgery
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedodontics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endodontics

Also, there's Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Dental Public Health.

 

[jeezy]

9 specialties in dentistry. Listed below with a generic explanation of what they do to have a better idea.

Orthodontist (Braces)
Periodontist (Gum tissue)
Prosthedontist (Dentures) Sub specialty in this is Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthedontist which Dr. Phan is and deals with a lot of cancer patients and can make not only dentures but prosthetic ears, noses, etc.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (Wisdom Teeth)
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist (x-rays)
Public Health dentist (self explanatory)
Endodontist (Root canals)
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist (Pathology)

Hope this helps.

which kinda dentist installs platinum grillzz?

i'm in it so that i can be pitches, as in i'ma have so many pitches thats what people going to call me. no disrespect

 

[UNMPDS]

which kinda dentist installs platinum grillzz?

i'm in it so that i can be pitches, as in i'ma have so many pitches thats what people going to call me. no disrespect

I am so confused with the pitches thing. A grill can be made by any general dentist.

 

[JackieTreehorn]

my GP does wisdom teeth

 

[Meatwad]

my GP does wisdom teeth

Same here, ditto with regards to root canals. Still, there's plenty of these types of procedures to be done so I don't think an OMFS or an endo would ever be sitting around wishing for a patient. Maybe the really easy cases (if they exist?) would just be handled by a GP, and the more involved ones go to specialists.

 

[Istr8nthem]

If you go into oral and maxiliofacial surgery you get an MD on top of your dental degree. You should look into that.

Not all OMFS residencies are MD programs. There are 4 year residency programs for surgery in which you get a certificate, but have the same privileges as someone who has gone to a 5-6 year surgery program which grants an MD.

 

[pmantz]

I"m trying to choose between dentistry and medicine right now. I want to become an MD but my parents want me to become a dentist because of the job hours, money, lifestyle, etc. So I just want to know what makes you guys like dentistry so much? What attracts you to the career of a dentist? (other than for the money, hours, insurance problems, social life)

Who cares what your parents want, do what makes you happy. Follow your own path.

My advise is if you like to spend time with loved ones, and want to get good at golf and make a positive impact on patients choose dentistry. If you want to work like a dog, get d!cked around by HMO's and maintain that awful slice you have choose medicine. (If you can't tell I am joking)
Follow your heart.

 

[Polo Gal]

first answer a question of mine, why do you want to become an MD? what attracts you to that route

I want to become an MD because I want to help people, and influence and save their lives. I don't want to see people suffer like my grandfather did (from kidney failure). I just like doing it. Although I only recently started to volunteer in a hospital in the ER (5 months), I love it.

 

[Polo Gal]

9 specialties in dentistry. Listed below with a generic explanation of what they do to have a better idea.

Orthodontist (Braces)
Periodontist (Gum tissue)
Prosthedontist (Dentures) Sub specialty in this is Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthedontist which Dr. Phan is and deals with a lot of cancer patients and can make not only dentures but prosthetic ears, noses, etc.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (Wisdom Teeth)
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist (x-rays)
Public Health dentist (self explanatory)
Endodontist (Root canals)
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist (Pathology)

Hope this helps.

What is so special about oral and maxillofacial surgery? and why do you have to get an MD for that?

 

[student1985]

What is so special about oral and maxillofacial surgery? and why do you have to get an MD for that?

Oral & Maxillofacial surgery is regarded as the most respected speciality in dentistry. This is because they do a variety of complex procedures, which include--but not limited to--impacted wisdom teeth extractions, bone grafts, facial reconstruction, and trauma surgery. They have to spend the most time after dental school in regards to specailization. Also, according to many legit sources, Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons are in the top 5 in highest paying salaries in the U.S.

You don't have to get an MD to become an Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon. There are two routes. You can do a 4-year program after dental school (no MD) or you can do a 6-year program (gets you an MD). From what I have read, there is no difference between a DMD/MD oral surgeon and a non-MD oral surgeon. Both are fully capable of doing their respective procedures. The MD is a nice addition which possibly gives more respect in regards to their colleagues and patients.

 

[Polo Gal]

Oral & Maxillofacial surgery is regarded as the most respected speciality in dentistry. This is because they do a variety of complex procedures, which include--but not limited to--impacted wisdom teeth extractions, bone grafts, facial reconstruction, and trauma surgery. They have to spend the most time after dental school in regards to specailization. Also, according to many legit sources, Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons are in the top 5 in highest paying salaries in the U.S.

You don't have to get an MD to become an Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon. There are two routes. You can do a 4-year program after dental school (no MD) or you can do a 6-year program (gets you an MD). From what I have read, there is no difference between a DMD/MD oral surgeon and a non-MD oral surgeon. Both are fully capable of doing their respective procedures. The MD is a nice addition which possibly gives more respect in regards to their colleagues and patients.

So then if you decide to go for the DMD/MD, what do you do in the extra 2 years of study? Cause don't you normally take the same classes for MD and DMD anyways? with some differences, but the majority should still be the same.

 

[Meatwad]

So then if you decide to go for the DMD/MD, what do you do in the extra 2 years of study? Cause don't you normally take the same classes for MD and DMD anyways? with some differences, but the majority should still be the same.

Med school consists of 2 years of basic sciences and 2 years of clinical rotations in a hospital. This is where you interact with patients and actually start to learn medicine. Obviously, dental students do not rotate through a hospital for 12 weeks learning internal medicine, 8 weeks doing obstetrics and gynecology, 8 weeks in psychaitry, etc.

Plus, don't go into dentistry with your heart set on any specialty, especially OMFS. Only the cream of the crop getsin in: top of the class, high board scores, great letters of reccomendation, etc. If you can't see yourself as a regular dentist, don't do it. Same for medicine, I'd argue. Don't go into it if you want to be a dermatologist or a radiologist; do it if you have an open mind, and are preliminarily just as happy being a family medicine doctor as you are a plastic surgeon.

 

[student1985]

So then if you decide to go for the DMD/MD, what do you do in the extra 2 years of study? Cause don't you normally take the same classes for MD and DMD anyways? with some differences, but the majority should still be the same.

In the extra 2 years, you will do clinical rotations in hospitals and you will take your med school boards (USMLE part I). You essentially enter medical school as a 3rd year student. Therefore, you don't have to take the first 2years of med school, which consist of the basic sciences.

Here is the general outline (6-year program after dental school for a DMD/MD):

-4 years of dental school
-2 years of clinical rotations in hospital as a medical student
-4 years of oral surgery residency in hosptials

This is a total of 10 years after college. In my opinion, you TRULY have to be dedicated to do this speciality, as this is a tremendous amount of effort and work.

For you, I would first seriously decide whether you want to do medicine or dentistry before considering OMFS. Both fields have their pros and cons, and you will have to weigh them out to see which one you like.