Why does somebody become a dentist?

[bishbish777]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am currently seriously contemplating the option of attending dental school, but I can't help but think: why do people become dentists?

Is it because they really love teeth and oral health?

Or are there other motivating factors, such as getting to work with your hands, own your own practice, lifestyle, etc.?

For me, everything sounds great about dentistry except...well, teeth! I'm not opposed to them or disgusted by them in any way, but I don't have any particular passion at this point for clean teeth. When I told my Mom I was thinking about dentistry, she responded, "Go brush your own teeth first."

What do you guys think? For those of you who have already made the decision, is it because you really, really love teeth? Do practicing dentists have some particular passion for the teeth themselves?

Any and all help is appreciated 🙂

 

[HopefulDMD88]

According to SDN it's because I wasn't smart enough to go to medical school.

 

[nondescriptive]

Yeah, you should definitely choose a different career path. If you ask yourself why you want to be a dentist and do have any answers, you better replace dentistry with a different profession until you get a good answer.

 

[bishbish777]

Yeah, you should definitely choose a different career path. If you ask yourself why you want to be a dentist and do have any answers, you better replace dentistry with a different profession until you get a good answer.

Not to dismiss your answer, but I believe my inquiry is more from a lack of knowledge than a position of disinterest. I want to know more about why people become dentists, therefore helping me know whether it is something I would enjoy 🙂

I'm a soph. in undergrad, btw.

 

[predent12]

Hahaha, aww, I don't think any of us have a passion for teeth. Well, maybe some people around here do, but I certainly don't!!

For me, it was a couple of competing factors that lead to my interest in dental school. I like working with people, and wanted to have a career that I felt was positively contributing to society. (I didn't want a career where I was helping rich people become richer.) I also taught for a few years in low income areas, and I noticed the vast difference in their oral health. It made me realize how fortunate I have been to always have dental care, the effects on a person when they don't. I had a student with a toothache who was in agony for days before his father finally took him to the hospital for an extraction. I had many parents, (more often with students,) who clearly needed braces, and it effected their ability to appear professional. They were often embarrassed and would feel the need to cover their mouths with their hands. The people that I worked with were already facing a multitude of challenges in terms of obtaining a stable job and having bad teeth only contributed to that. I am personally interested in public health and plan on working in the field in some way. Anyway, I feel that dentistry is an extension of the medical field- it's somewhat surprising how little doctors know about the oral cavity. Additionally, it's a growing field. People are living longer, and technology is allowing dentists to do cooler things than ever before. Added benefits are the lifestyle associated, and the fact that more dentists retired last year than entered the field, so demand is increasing.

Anyway, the most important thing is that you shadow a dentist- or even better, several dentists, each in a different specialty. See how YOU feel about it. I was able to shadow almost every specialization and it was very helpful for interviews because I could speak freely about my experiences. In college, I never thought I'd want to enter the health field because of the blood, but then once I started shadowing, I realized it didn't bother me in the slightest. You may realize the same thing about teeth. 🙂

Best of luck!!

 

[Sanedor]

According to SDN it's because I wasn't smart enough to go to medical school.

With that mentality Dental School won't be for you either. Next.

 

[doc toothache]

Sounds like Mom gave very good advice.

 

[rootz02]

Because dentistry is like arts and crafts for adults. Remember the small part of you that loved coloring or working with paper mâché? Well now they give you drills and waxes and teach you to build perfect smiles.

All jokes aside though, why don't you try shadowing a local dentist to get a better idea of what (s)he does. A more intimate relationship with the field may spark up that missing passion.

Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

 

[Ferneezy]

With that mentality Dental School won't be for you either. Next.

Humorless sdn member detected

 

[Msmouth]

If you are thinking about it, go volunteer at a dental clinic or shadow a dentist. That may be the only way to know for sure. For me: I've been working in dentistry many years as an assistant and then a hygienist and I never tire of it. I don't mind going to work and I love the patient interactions (for the most part).

 

[Bobby Fischer]

If I were to modify the thread title to:

"What would motivate someone to want to become a dentist?"

(poorly articulated questions inevitably garner poorly articulated answers)

I would propose, in general, in no particular order:

-like to work with people on a 1 on 1 basis
-enjoy working with hands, naturally 'crafty'
-inclined to perceive small details, a certain neatness factor to one's personality
-motivated to help others individually as well as contribute to society as a whole
-scientifically inclined and/or passionate about biological sciences specifically, and especially the science behind the systems of the human body (not necessarily 'teeth' if you know what I mean). To think of a dentist in terms of reducing a dentist's professional activities to being interested in 'teeth' (or 'a tooth' ) will result in one displaying all the hallmarks of a hopelessly uninformed, ignorant, and thoroughly-in-need of-a-brain-transplant layman's perspective.
-motivated by the idea of socioeconomic independence/ viability & self-proprietorship
-high inner sense of personal integrity/ethics/morality
-like the idea of being the leader of a team of dental assistants and dental hygienists to provide high quality care to those in need
-like the idea of solving interesting and important problems on a daily basis. Dentistry as a profession supplies a never ending stream of intriguing medical problems.

...these are what come to my mind anyways. probably a lot more.

Personally, my motivations are exactly like those of Orin Scrivello, DDS (Steve Martin's character in Little Shop of Horrors). Click on my linked 'dental student class of 2017' below for a taste of what motivates him. (j/k of course)

 

[88845]

I am currently seriously contemplating the option of attending dental school, but I can't help but think: why do people become dentists?

Is it because they really love teeth and oral health?

Or are there other motivating factors, such as getting to work with your hands, own your own practice, lifestyle, etc.?

For me, everything sounds great about dentistry except...well, teeth! I'm not opposed to them or disgusted by them in any way, but I don't have any particular passion at this point for clean teeth. When I told my Mom I was thinking about dentistry, she responded, "Go brush your own teeth first."

What do you guys think? For those of you who have already made the decision, is it because you really, really love teeth? Do practicing dentists have some particular passion for the teeth themselves?

Any and all help is appreciated 🙂

Almost all physicians and surgeons focus on one part (or system) of the body. Dentists happen to focus on the oral cavity and then some (e.g. oral and maxillofacial surgeons). Your inquiry can be applied to other medical specialties. For example, could a urologist, colorectal surgeon, or gynecologist say that they "really, really" love the respective parts of the body they focus on?

I believe dentistry could have very easily been a specialty of medicine and if you look back on the history of both there is a tremendous overlap. For reference, the practice of anesthesia and plastic surgery have their roots in dentistry. I believe most dentists and dental students have a passion to help their patients have optimal oral health and that includes aesthetic facial appearance and restoration of function.

 

[ICUrunning]

Shadow a dentist!!
You'll never know til you see one in action and you might discover this is the occupation for you or not

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Shadow a dentist!!
You'll never know til you see one in action and you might discover this is the occupation for you or not

No, don't shadow "a" dentist. Shadow multiple dentists. This will give you a better idea. There are dentists who don't like what they do or they are horrible explaining things, so you want to expand you shadowing experience.

 

[BruinDentist]

Humorless sdn member detected

 

[healthysmile]

I actually really like teeth! But more importantly I care a lot about oral health and its impact on overall health. I think you already recognize a lot of the rewarding aspects of dentistry, but I think you may lack awareness of how important oral health is. I highly recommend shadowing in a public health clinic--where many of the patients have not received routine dental care throughout their life time. You will quickly learn there is more to dentistry than "clean teeth." Best of luck in your studies!

 

[NDPitch]

Does an opthamologist pursue opthamology because they love eyes? There's far more that goes into it, not just a love for the particular body part your work focuses on.

 

[Jbrowndds]

I am in dental assisting school right now and as much as I love it I don't want to be the assistant. I WANNA BE DA BOSS!! I watched a periodontal surgery and thats what made me realize that this is for me. 🙂 I choose dentistry instead of medicine because I would rather be an expert on one thing the know a little bit about everything...or something like that lol. I have never been one to stand on the side lines and wish I was in the game.

 

[howaminow]

You have to have a reason why, I wanted to help people since a lot of people in my surrounding area can't afford dental care and I wanted to have a career where I can interact often with people, since I have always been happier when I can work with people instead of doing accounts receivable part-time at the moment, which requires me to talk to barely anyone, causing me to hate it. I need human interaction in my job, plus science always interested me and I had terrible teeth as a child, happy after I received lots of treat to fix my eeth and realized how important having nice teeth is for one's self-confidence.

 

[Bereno]

Oh, the infamous "why dentistry?" questions.

I decided that I wanted to help people... so that led me to pretty much any service based job.
I found that I am a pretty smart chap... so that led me to the sciences, namely the medical field.
I found that I am good at working with my hands, and decided that I really like doing so... so that led excluded a large number of medical specialties, leaving an equally large number left.
I then decided that I wanted to own my own business... so that excluded even more medical specialties, leaving a select handful of specialties left.
I then decided that I do not want to be in school for 8 years... so that led me to dentistry.

All said and done, it is the best job for me (note, NOT perfect - best), and what I want out of a career. I think I will be quite happy with it, and it with me. You should try and ask yourself some of these questions, and decide accordingly.

 

[bishbish777]

Thank you for all the responses everybody!

I am interested in dentistry for precisely the reasons many of you have listed. I am very interested in the biological sciences, have an aptitude for science, would love to serve people, like working with my hands, and would be thrilled to own my own practice.

I suppose I feel I am missing some "passion" that I feel I should have. Did shadowing a dentist help it really click, so to speak, for you guys?

 

[dentalWorks]

I am currently seriously contemplating the option of attending dental school, but I can't help but think: why do people become dentists?

Is it because they really love teeth and oral health?

Or are there other motivating factors, such as getting to work with your hands, own your own practice, lifestyle, etc.?

For me, everything sounds great about dentistry except...well, teeth! I'm not opposed to them or disgusted by them in any way, but I don't have any particular passion at this point for clean teeth. When I told my Mom I was thinking about dentistry, she responded, "Go brush your own teeth first."

What do you guys think? For those of you who have already made the decision, is it because you really, really love teeth? Do practicing dentists have some particular passion for the teeth themselves?

Any and all help is appreciated 🙂

"I love teeth" is synonymous with a plumber whom says "I love toilets"

No... most people (from what I've seen) like/love/attach to this profession because it grants a good lifestyle between working hours / making a good income / and potentially being your own boss.... Not many careers out there offer all 3 in 1 package.

The oral cavity is a dark, wet, and sometimes smelly hole, why would anyone "love" working there?

 

[KittySquared]

The oral cavity is a dark, wet, and sometimes smelly hole, why would anyone "love" working there?

I doubt there's a better bodily orifice to work with.

 

[tooth knockn]

I doubt there's a better bodily orifice to work with.

U are hilarious!!!! YAH

 

[Bobby Fischer]

Thank you for all the responses everybody!

I am interested in dentistry for precisely the reasons many of you have listed. I am very interested in the biological sciences, have an aptitude for science, would love to serve people, like working with my hands, and would be thrilled to own my own practice.

I suppose I feel I am missing some "passion" that I feel I should have. Did shadowing a dentist help it really click, so to speak, for you guys?

Yes.👍👍

Highly recommend it. Do more rather than less to know for sure. Don't be too romantic about it, either.

 

[wcombs]

I love biology and chemistry, and dentistry incorporates both of those.

I get to work with my hands.

I'm a bit of an art geek and the cosmetic aspect of dentistry feels very artistic.

I've had some severe issue with my own teeth my entire life and can't afford to go to the dentist. I understand the impact that a single trip to a dentist can have on someone and I feel like I can really connect with patients who might have self esteem/confidence issues.

Big money can't be ignored.

List really does go on.

 

[Incis0r]

Shadow many different settings of dentists (IHS, CHC, Private Practice, Group Practice, Medicaid Mill etc.) and you'll find your answer.

My answer didn't come from private practice dentistry- I mean, it's OK and I think it's great for income potential and autonomy, but after private practice shadowing I didn't feel too interested (and this was after 2 different private practice dentists). They seemed stressed, worried whenever a patient canceled, exhausted, etc.

Then I went and I spent a week shadowing at a community health center. And Oh. My. Gosh. It was amazing. I saw a dentist do 4 extractions on one patient and then immediate dentures. I saw patients coming in to the center in severe pain, unable to afford a RCT at private practice costs because of a lack of insurance, and getting an amazing discount (like 70%+) and leaving feeling better and satisfied. I saw dentists collaborating with each other and mentoring dental students (who intern at this health center). The equipment was top of the line. They had EHR as well. Ops were clean and gorgeous. And best of all (for me), the dentists were salaried/not paid on production. This means they took their time with each patient, did a comprehensive follow-through, and didn't need to worry about producing dentistry for income.

Ugh....I just want to be a dentist at a CHC already...

That said, for other people, they might like private practice more. Autonomy. Higher income. Own Vision for the practice. 4 day work weeks. Etc. That's why I said to shadow many different settings.

 

[austinpatton]

With that mentality Dental School won't be for you either. Next.

get a sense of humor

 

[PocketRocket]

for the hawt DAs obv