Why Dentistry?

[cobe3mat]

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Hi everyone,

I just graduated from college, and I've been doing alot of thinking regarding what I want in my life lately. I am as of now pre-med, but after reading through so many posts and reanalyzing my goals I'm not sure if this is the best path for me anymore. I just wanted to ask why did you guys choose dentistry? For me I know I enjoy the sciences, want to help people, make a stable living yet find some meaning in my work, and have time for family. This last factor is a major concern for me since my parents work 80 - 90 hours a week and it is hard! I would really appreciate your take on this issue, currently just finding out the best fit for me. Thanks.

 

[goffdent]

Nobody is touching this because nobody wants to give you your reasons. Its singeing you need to figure out by shadowing. You already know apparently about lifestyle and income potential and family life..... But that's ONLY a minor aspect. What about the job itself? Go shadow and come back here and tell us what specifically makes you choose dentistry. Then you'll understand. You can't get your lifes goals figured out by asking a question on a forum.

 

[mrg276]

It may seem weird to some people, but for me it was almost a process of elimination. I knew I loved the sciences, wanted to make good money, have time for a family, help people, etc. etc. and I had always focused on the medical end of things, however, I knew that I wouldn't deal well with the "blood and guts." I really would not be okay with cutting someone's stomach open, working with broken limbs, and stuff like that (my stomach completely turns). So I narrowed it down to dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology.. and after shadowing a dentist, I knew it was the perfect fit for me! Not sure if the adcoms are going to like this reasoning come interview time, but it truly is how my decision was made!

 

[foreveros]

there are so many quacks on this website. They dont know nothing but answer everything.

Trust me you will know what i mean once you get into medical school or dental school. Dont make your decision based on posts ESPECIALLY OVER HERE.

Regarding why, you need to figure that out yourself. No one will help you with that. just like the poster above me said you need to shadow to figure out reasons.

 

[Stacker]

There are many people who went through the same process as you and have posted the same questions. Use the search engine.

 

[ushaseos]

If you're a pre-med who has been "rejected" dental is not a plan B. If you're someone trying to figure it out, then like most people have said, you'll need to figure that out by observing/volunteering at clinics. Talk to real dentists and see if you like what they're saying. I chose dentistry primarily through talking to dentists, shadowing them after the initial talks and finally volunteering like an MA in a couple of clinics.

Also this is a pre-dent forum you might not want to ask aspiring dentists since you'll get half-baked answers. Most people here are students who are yet to get a true taste of what being a dentist is like.

 

[imnadinekerst]

Just follow your heart dear. Dentistry is not that easy.

zahnarzt-team-zuerich

 

[RU1992]

I don't know why everyone is trying to ridicule you on here. Honestly, I picked dentistry for the same exact reasons you mentioned in your original post. Right on the money...

 

[goffdent]

Exactly what I would expect people to say here.... Right on the money? My point is... You are basing your decision on everything else that comes with the job besides the job itself!! That's why I say go shadow... Sure you can like decent hours and being paid well for it.. But that's not the job!!!, that's a result of the job. You still have to spend at least forty hours a week doing the work. So you better like it or you're going to be miserable like millions of other people out there. I'm not bashing here, just pointing out what so many people call the best part of dentistry. Its like saying your best part of the school day is recess... Although its a very small part of your actual day, its a perk that comes along with your education.

 

[periopocket]

Dentistry is plenty invasive, you will get to see a bunch of blood and guts on the job. I don't know what type of dentist you were shadowing where you didn't see this, maybe an ortho?

 

[wcombs]

Exactly what I would expect people to say here.... Right on the money? My point is... You are basing your decision on everything else that comes with the job besides the job itself!! That's why I say go shadow... Sure you can like decent hours and being paid well for it.. But that's not the job!!!, that's a result of the job. You still have to spend at least forty hours a week doing the work. So you better like it or you're going to be miserable like millions of other people out there. I'm not bashing here, just pointing out what so many people call the best part of dentistry. Its like saying your best part of the school day is recess... Although its a very small part of your actual day, its a perk that comes along with your education.

I used to hate the kids that responded with "lunch" when I asked what their favorite class was.

 

[cluckyducky]

Hi everyone,

I just graduated from college, and I've been doing alot of thinking regarding what I want in my life lately. I am as of now pre-med, but after reading through so many posts and reanalyzing my goals I'm not sure if this is the best path for me anymore. I just wanted to ask why did you guys choose dentistry? For me I know I enjoy the sciences, want to help people, make a stable living yet find some meaning in my work, and have time for family. This last factor is a major concern for me since my parents work 80 - 90 hours a week and it is hard! I would really appreciate your take on this issue, currently just finding out the best fit for me. Thanks.

I see where you're coming from. I was in the same position as you, when I first started looking into dentistry. And then shadowing is what sealed the deal for me. You're thinking logically about the things you're looking for in a career, nothing wrong with that. Now go out and see if it's right for you! Also, shadowing is important for applications anyways, so might as well get started now, while you're mulling over the idea of entering the field 🙂

 

[RU1992]

I'm not bashing what you're saying. I agree with shadowing to get a feel of the job and completely support your advice to tell him to do so. But the "reasoning" behind why they want to explore dentistry in the first place is sound and that's what made me explore the profession further. And to tell me that you will do a job you like for $20,000 a year and horrible hours is not true either. So it's a balance. It can't be all "recess" while you're struggling to pay your bills. Just my thoughts.

 

[RU1992]

That's exactly what I mean. Clucky Ducky is "right on the money".

 

[goffdent]

I agree that if you want to talk about the aspects that come along with dentistry make you want to further explore it.. Fine. its just short minded to claim that as your end all reason for choosing dentistry. Thats al.. Who doesn't want a decent wage, good hours, flexibility, etc...

 

[RU1992]

Exactly. Realistically, you need a balance of "what the job actually consists of" and "what comes along with the job". Personally, dentistry struck that balance for me.

 

[goffdent]

I can agree with that

 

[mrg276]

Dentistry is plenty invasive, you will get to see a bunch of blood and guts on the job. I don't know what type of dentist you were shadowing where you didn't see this, maybe an ortho?

Maybe you missed the rest of my sentence:

"I knew that I wouldn't deal well with the "blood and guts." I really would not be okay with cutting someone's stomach open, working with broken limbs, and stuff like that (my stomach completely turns)."

I shadowed general dentists and I'm fine with pulling teeth, stitches, some blood, etc... but it's not like I'm going to be performing open heart surgery or organ transplants or fixing someone's bone that is projecting out of their skin...that's what I meant by "blood and guts" - just to clarify

 

[youknowthedrill]

The mouth is the only orifice that we have to put our hands inside...That fact alone makes dentistry a better choice than medicine for me!