Why do you want to look at teeth?

[msf41]

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In preparation of submitting my personal statement essay I had one of my professors read it to give me some feedback. After reading he asked me a question that I think I should think more about. He asked:

"Take away the money, the good hours, and the lifestyle away from the dental office. Why teeth?"

Simple question, but I didn't have a simple answer.

When I think about dentistry as a career I think about being a healthcare provider, having my own practice, changing techniques, having a good income, and such. But I didn't have a good answer for why I wanted to look at teeth for the rest of my life. Would anyone care to tell me why they are choosing to look at teeth as a career.

Just wondering. 🙄

 

[Sprgrover]

Because there are worse bodily orifices to earn a living in than the mouth. Because I am allergic to cubicles and fluorecent lighting. Because I don't want to look at computer screen the rest of my life. Because I would like my patients to see and value my work. Because my skills might just make a world of difference to someone and their self-perception.

I could go on, believe me. For me, coming from a background in art, I wanted to be in a field that I could produce a finished product and have the patient/client be thrilled with the outcome. I have never considered teeth to be 'gross' things and always experience a bit of shock when ever someone brings up the topic of toiling in the mouth for a living. In addition, I am drawn to dentistry for many of the same reasons you are. If someone just isn't receptive to my explanation as to why I am interested in dentistry, I just throw out the first point listed above. That usually does the trick.

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

A Beautiful Happy smile can make the worst of days better

End of story!

Seriously, when a person smiles at someone having a bad day, it usually turns things around. You won't smile if your grile is nasty. A smile is more powerful than people think

 

[LNinlove]

I guess I look at it a little different, and I am sure this will not help you at all, but it might get you going in the right direction.
Over the years, my parents and myself have spent a TON of money on my teeth. I wore braces for 7 years, and I did not take care of my teeth like I should have while I had the braces on, thus causing cavities. After I got my braces off, I never wore my retainer so my teeth went right back to the way they were...all that time and money down the drain! I feel that I can help others by providing exemplary care and educate them so the same thing does not happen to them.
On another note, my dentist has helped me out so much! From offering any assistance in my pursuit to dental school, and monetarily with work that he has provided for my wife and I. He has made dentistry seem so fun and exciting...I really cant wait!

I hope some of this may have helped you...although probably not. I too am excited about the money, autonomy, and lack of crap from the insurance companies. But for me, there is something deeper than all of that...

 

[grtuck]

Ask your professor, "why not teeth?" 😕

Here are some of my thoughts, maybe they can help:

What do you think a dentist can do for a person whose mouth is so messed up that they are embarrsed to even smile or talk with people. I have worked with some patients that are at that "level". When you "fix" their teeth, they think you are the greatest thing that ever happened. Think about their confidence levels after you help them out, it is a wonderful feeling!!

Plus dental care is an extension of overall body health (as found by a number of recent studies linking perio and heart disease, etc). You will be a health care provider, that specializes in the head and neck region of your patients (not just the teeth, but your not going to be a neurosurgeon either, I'm sure you get my point). A number of your patients will actually see you more often then they see their MD.

Also, many of the stresses of the other health care fields have not yet infiltrated into dentistry (ie insurance).

This is all I can think of off the top of my head. Hope it helps spark some brainstorming thoughts from everyone else.

As you can tell, I LOVE dentistry a lot 😀

grtuck

 

[aphistis]

Reverse the question.

"Take away the teeth. Why money, good hours, and lifestyle?"

 

[Dtrain1]

Reverse the question.

"Take away the teeth. Why money, good hours, and lifestyle?"

Wait umm.. I don't get this.

 

[fejes]

LNinLove,

You have almost exactly stated where my interest in dentistry arose from. I had bad teeth as a kid and was constantly ridiculed. When I finally got braces (after having four teeth pulled and wearing retainers to try and adjust my small mouth) I didn't take care of my teeth either. Then, when I finally got them off, I didn't wear my retainer either. The dentist I saw as a child was mean and not at all sympathetic to my fears. So, for years I avoided going to the dentist. Now, as an adult, I have been through three root canals, and wear four crowns. I finally found a great dentist who is caring, funny, and goes the extra mile to make sure his work is done right. I no longer am afraid to go to the dentist. My only concern is, that considering my teeth aren't perfectly straight and 100% my own, will I be looked at judgmentally by other dental students, ADCOMS, and faculty for wanting to be a dentist with such ugly teeth? I want to get some cosmetic work done, but I cannot afford it right now.

 

[Zurik5]

Simple answer:
Because I?m a starry eyed megalomaniac who plans on committing suicide at one point in my life.

Worked for me in my essays, best of luck!

 

[LNinlove]

fejes,

I have kind of been wondering the same thing...my teeth are not exactly straight, and I have a horrible addiction to coffee...therefore my teeth are not exactly as white as they could be. The way that I look at it, I will be able to afford all the work that I need once I am practicing.
I have no idea if ADCOMS look at your teeth and judge you on that...it seems pretty shallow if you ask me. Thats all for now.

 

[Zurik5]

fejes,


I have no idea if ADCOMS look at your teeth and judge you on that...it seems pretty shallow if you ask me. Thats all for now.

You're right, and they don't. Even ADCOMS have bad teeth.