Why Dentistry?

[invisiblegator]

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So Im new here and I feel like I should have an introduction since in the few days Ive been here Ive found some new motivation and want to know what motivates you all.
Its funny since noone in my family ever went to college, well not my intermediate family at least. And everyone in my family has no connection to the health field at all. I grew up in a fairly middle class family that has been through its struggles (the whole no milk on the table thing). And I feel like doing this also is making big strides for my family in general, My two older brothers (Im the youngest) are going to start school within the next year or two to become electrical engineers (they are currently electricians). I feel that I had some influence in that too being that whole sibling rivalry.
Ive always wanted to be a dentist for as long as I can recall. Its honestly the first memory I can recall. Ever since then its all Ive wanted to be, just fascinated me and I was never scared unlike 99% of the population. I never looked too much into how to become one until well, until I applied to college and even then I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I sometimes hate myself for wanting to take such a rigorous school schedule but I know that it will all be worth it.
Ive had my down times where I know I messed up and wonder if I should reconsider what I want to do but I find that nothing interests me more than dentistry. Everything about it just seems so great.

So what about everyone else? whats your motivation/reason why you want to become a dentist?

 

[BoxerRumble]

For the money, prestige, and great life style of course.

 

[WilsonJing]

Mr. Louie Anderson, I gonna have to say "chicks"

 

[wantVCUdental]

mr. Louie anderson, i gonna have to say "chicks"

+1

 

[dentalprodigy]

this is one of the hardest questions to answer... for me my motivation / reason changes from one month to another.. i find more and more reasons to add as time goes on . It will be different for everyone and the best way to answer this question is the get real life experiences, by either shadowing/ volunteering @ your local dental office.

I'll be honest the first reason why i was attracted towards this field was b/c of the lifestyle.
I would love to have 11-6pm workdays and have loads of time to spend with my future wife/family. Spending time with my family and having a healthy relationship w/ my future partner is very important to me (I like the fact that I can set my own schedule and hours in this field or even come on weekends to tackle complex cases ... implants or something idk...

Lately I have added this reason... I like the fact that I am not limited to a fixed way billing procedure and I have the flexibility to change my prices since I will be the boss in my practice. Its hard to explain, but I like to have the option of doing free work or disscounted work on my patients if i see fit (case by case obviously). I dont think that md's working in hospitals really have that much leeway in terms of waving copayments (correct if im wrong plZ).

Also, I like the fact that I dont have to do a 5 year residency for being a general dentist.

Also, i feel confident in my manual dexterity skills and want to pursue a field that will utilize this ability for helping people get out of pain, feel better about themselves... (from personal experience, I was a much more confident person after I had my teeth straightened from braces)...

Sorry if my reasons are all over the place,, i just put down what came to my mind.

 

[FutureDent020]

The only hard part about this question is putting it into a nutshell during an interview. I mean we all wrote 1600 word essays explaining why dentistry, so encapsulating our reasons into a few verbal sentences can be tricky. SO just pick out what's most important to you and work with that