Why is dentistry better than Medicine?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.

ukiedoc

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
I'm in the process right now of deciding whether I should pursue dentistry or medicine. Both are rewarding healthcare fields, but why should I choose dentistry over medicine? Both have pros/cons. For example, a pro of medicine would be $$$ and a pro of dentistry would be more of a 9-5 job.
What do you think?

Members don't see this ad.
 
dont' have to worry about killing people (as much) in dentistry...that is if you are a sensitive person
 
if your pro for med is $$$ and the pro for dentistry is a 9-5 job, then maybe you should do some more research before entering either field.

jb!🙂
 
Members don't see this ad :)
honestly... the only pro i see going into medicine is prestige & honor.

my ego allows me to do w/out all the that 🙂 there is nothing more than i would love to do than improve people's smiles as pain-free as possible, spend as much time w/ my family (i don't have one yet), and earn a comfortable living with a great quality of life.

good luck with your decision,
jb!🙂
 
Why does this topic always come up?
 
I think you should do medicine. Leave dentistry for the cool people.

Just bc he doesn't know what he wants to do yet doesn't make him 'uncool' or whatever. They're both important and rewarding fields, and its a good thing that he's trying to make an educated decision about his future.

My advice: Shadow a couple dentists and physicians and ask them a ton of questions. I think thats the best way to learn which profession is best for you.
 
General dentists make, on average, around 150k/year; that's the same average as many primary care specialties in medicine. Of course, a popular dentist/doctor will make much more than that. Also, doctors tend to work Mon-Fri. and take call. On the other hand, most dentists work Mon-Thurs., and the only call they take is the kind on the telephone. Dentists also haven't gotten screwed by the HMO/Medicrap beast (yet).

Of course, if you choose to specialize after dental school, that really opens up the floodgates -- I don't know of a single orthodontist in my town earning less than $300k.
 
I think you should do medicine. Leave dentistry for the cool people.

Honestly, that's a psycho thing to say and you obviously have an ego!

Just bc he doesn't know what he wants to do yet doesn't make him 'uncool' or whatever. They're both important and rewarding fields, and its a good thing that he's trying to make an educated decision about his future. My advice: Shadow a couple dentists and physicians and ask them a ton of questions. I think thats the best way to learn which profession is best for you.

Thanks for supporting me. I need all the help I can get. You see my parents are doctors (one of which has their own private practice) and I get to see a lot of the negative aspects of medicine. Please do not stereotype me and put me in that "'rich brat" category because I'm not one of those people. To tell you the truth I'm not superficial and I could care less about the money. I only wish to secure a good life for my kids, which I didn't have growing up. My parents are foreigners and had to work very hard and to overcome many obstacles to get to where they are today. As much as I have a passion for medicine I just don't know if I'll be able to withstand the medical profession emotionally, mentally and physically. As much as I want to devote myself to helping others I also want to think about myself a little and have time to have a life. After all, you only live so many years. I hate the fact that my parents never had time for me growing up and I do not want to end up being such a parent to my future kids. That's why I am seriously considering dentistry as another option in the healthcare field. By the way, my parents are not like most physician parents that pressure their kids to follow in their footsteps. I am fortunate to have very supportive parents who tell me to pursue whatever career that will make me happy.

Originally Posted by pmantz
Why does this topic always come up?
Because people want ideas if this question comes up in an interview.

You are way wrong. I'm not so stupid that I need to use words out of someone else's mouth to ace an interview. I just need advice from people who had that same question and now can share their wisdom.
 
'Better' is subjective, and depends on who you're talking to. Dentistry and medicine are certainly different, and have career traits that appeal to different people. Asking a forum like this which is better (or why one is better) is like trying to get people to agree on what the best car is; everyone has an opinion and they're (almost) all valid.

You reallyneed to get down in the trenches, shadow, assist, scribe, and see what you can see yourself doing. Also, I would trust yourself before you trust anyone on here, do a little diggig and you'll find that many of the stereotypes about dentistry being a money-hauling 9-5 job aren't true.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Of course, if you choose to specialize after dental school, that really opens up the floodgates -- I don't know of a single orthodontist in my town earning less than $300k.

I don't think 'choose' is the right word when you're talking about matching into ortho. I think it should be "If you're godly enough..."
 
I'm in the process right now of deciding whether I should pursue dentistry or medicine. Both are rewarding healthcare fields, but why should I choose dentistry over medicine? Both have pros/cons. For example, a pro of medicine would be $$$ and a pro of dentistry would be more of a 9-5 job.
What do you think?

You may have made a defensive spiel after several members insinuated that your question was silly. Why? Look at your original post. The title of your thread, "Why is dentistry better than Medicine?" is almost as immature as the body of your message, itself. There is no 'better' profession, everyone has their reasons of pursuing whatever career. But then you give out an example of a pro in both dentistry and medicine that is laughable IMO. You chose $$ as a pro in medicine (perhaps med isn't the career for you then) and 9-5 hours as a pro for dentistry (perhaps dent isn't the career for you then). Now you may have justified yourself with a follow-up explanation but, common, your op comes off as someone who just has no idea about both careers, period.
 
What is "spiel"? I think you're misinterpreting everything. Just because I said that "a pro of medicine would be $$$" doesn't mean it is a pro for me. This is a pro for many which is why many people I know go into medicine because all they care about is wealth, but that isn't who I am. Also, I never said that I don't want to have a 9-5 job, which is why I'm leaning towards dentistry because it is that kind of a job. I like the more laid-back aspects of the profession; no attachment to it when I go home. I'm not asking anyone to analyze my question "Why is dentistry better than medicine" and tell me that it is an immature question. Obviously you're way above anyone else and have the need to criticize something as stupid as that. Enough of that crap. All I'm asking for is to hear others' opinions and advice. If you don't have anything nice to say, go see a shrink & find out why you have the need to project your anger at someone else. As for your remark that I don't know anything about medicine, you obviously don't know what YOU'RE talking about. I lived with two doctors my whole life, my grandmother was a surgical nurse, obviously I know somethin.
 
Yeah I guess I need to make an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Melfi.
 
If you don't have anything nice to say, go see a shrink & find out why you have the need to project your anger at someone else.

Hypocrisy is a b$#ch...

95% of the posts on this site are undoubtably sarcastic and we should see more of the humor in posts by these people.

Seeing as you do know the answers to the question originally asked, but want clarification without being ridiculed, I would first do a search on this topic using the tools provided. Dentistry and medicine can be related on a few levels:

Schooling: About the same until you graduate from dental school and your MD pal has 3-4 more years of residency minimum (something like that). When you hit your stride in private practice as a GD or specialist you will be working 3-6 days a week depending on your personal investments, time, etc., but this will be by choice. The MD will be on call for the rest of his career. Sometimes working up to 60 or 80 hours a week even when he is in private practice and his own boss.

Dentists work in the mouth. They use fine motor skills, improve the oral health and sometimes are involved in general health of the patients, like noticing things like high blood pressure, leukemia, cancer, etc.

Money wise: it can depend. Dentists make anywhere from 60K to 400K a year. Take home. Even these numbers can be higher or lower. A dentist working 3 satellite offices with 4 associates can bring in a much higher number. One dentist with a two chair show in the middle of a large city can bring home less. Dentist overhead is very high. They don't deal with the government controlling their fees (they can charge whatever they want).

Hope that helps, like someone said, shadow a couple people in each field and see what they do, listen, learn, and take everything with a grain of salt (especially this forum) and find out for yourself what you want to do, because if we all listened to inhispanties...er, drawer😀 and did whatever he said we would be doing things differently.

inherdrawer...I keed! I keed! I had to get you back somehow:meanie:
 
I'm in the process right now of deciding whether I should pursue dentistry or medicine. Both are rewarding healthcare fields, but why should I choose dentistry over medicine? Both have pros/cons. For example, a pro of medicine would be $$$ and a pro of dentistry would be more of a 9-5 job.
What do you think?

Dentistry is not better than medicine...nor the other way around. Why you choose one over the other is through preference of lifestyle...service...interest. there really not comparable, its like apples and oranges. I suggest you volunteer for a dentist and then you can make an informed decision.
 
Why choose either medicine or dentistry?
If your parents are supportive of your choice why choose these field. Nursing is a excellent field. You have more or less set hours, when you leave you are done, you dont bring your work home with you, unless you choose to do so.
Why not become a lawyer? You can make great money but work ****ty hours like some docs.
How about a police officer.

You should really answer this question for yourself. No one can say dentistry is better than medicine, only some aspects are more appealing to some people over others. Their are many other great fields "better" than dentistry why not choose one of those options.
 
i don't think one is better than the other. personally i'm leaning toward dentistry or pharm specifically for "family" reasons. i just can't work 60+ hours a week with a husband and daughter. just ain't gonna happen.

no matter what job you have if you are "the boss" it comes along with a certain amount of baggage and you will take the job home with you. so make sure it's something you enjoy. 🙂
 
Yeah I guess I need to make an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Melfi.

And why not her therapist? Do you hate jewish doctors?

Dentistry is better than medicine because you get to develop a hunchback, and make jokes about the tooth fairy.
 
Dentistry is only better if you truly prefer doing it. If you don't enjoy the work, you'll be miserable.
 
I agree. Dentistry is better for those who enjoy what it has to offer. Medicine is better for those who are interested in its aspects. Remember, dentistry is a medical science.
 
dentistry is better than medicine for the same reason carpentry is better than plumbing: you don't get **** all over you.


seriously though, it's really like asking if carpentry is better than being an electrician. each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
 
Why choose either medicine or dentistry?
If your parents are supportive of your choice why choose these field. Nursing is a excellent field. You have more or less set hours, when you leave you are done, you dont bring your work home with you, unless you choose to do so. Why not become a lawyer? You can make great money but work ****ty hours like some docs. How about a police officer.

Are you out of your f***ing mind? Sure I'll become a nurse, NOT! Nurses get ****ted on by doctors 24/7 and they get no respect. You think lawyers make money? Half of them own nightclubs on the side cause that's the only way they can pay for their shiny new beemers. Become an police officer? That's like saying I want to committ suicide. If you're so in love with these fields, why don't you pursue one of them? Oh, that's right you want to become a dentist & make a zillion amount of money. Don't worry about trying to get me to go elsewhere, so that I don't steal your spot in dental school!
 
If you want more cash, go into medicine. Hell, there's a reason why dental students flock to oral surgery. And it ain't because it's a 9-5 job. It's one of the highest paid dental specialty. Lots of people can deal with being on-call as long as they're paid well. They tend to lean towards fields that pay the best.

If you don't want to go into nursing because doctors **** on them 24/7 and get no respect, then you probably don't want dentistry either. The field's full of proud men and women who resent doctors.

Lastly, if your pretty, come to dental school. If you're brilliant but look like ass, go to medicine.
 
Are you out of your f***ing mind? Sure I'll become a nurse, NOT! Nurses get ****ted on by doctors 24/7 and they get no respect. You think lawyers make money? Half of them own nightclubs on the side cause that's the only way they can pay for their shiny new beemers. Become an police officer? That's like saying I want to committ suicide. If you're so in love with these fields, why don't you pursue one of them? Oh, that's right you want to become a dentist & make a zillion amount of money. Don't worry about trying to get me to go elsewhere, so that I don't steal your spot in dental school!

shut up now, please... 😴

jb!
 
The 9-5 is not always true. My uncle receives emergency phone calls every once in a while. Or hypochondriac patients have questions past midnight.

Physicians make more money on average. Also, they are loved as opposed to dentists who are hated by the public as the ultimate pain-inflicters.

But dentistry is much cooler than medicine. The immediate results of your work are more satisfying.
 
If you don't want to go into nursing because doctors **** on them 24/7 and get no respect, then you probably don't want dentistry either. The field's full of proud men and women who resent doctors.

Lastly, if your pretty, come to dental school. If you're brilliant but look like ass, go to medicine.

I'm not the bragging type, but what the hell. Why do you think it's not possible to be intelligent and beautiful at the same time? I'm actually one of the rare few that has both. I despise superficial peeps that automatically assume that just because I was blessed with good genes I must not be very smart. Why do you say if I'm pretty I should go to dental school? What you said about dentists resenting doctors is partly true. My dentist and orthodontist both look at me with "green" eyes because I told them that I want to go to into medicine. WTF do you they want? They have an easy job with a large salary. Why do they have to envy docs?
 
shut up now, please... 😴

jb!

On an entirely different note ... I'd just like to say how much I'm looking forward to your two hour premier coming up this next Sunday, jackbauer! Do you ever escape from the slow-moving barge that was heading to China?
 
Because people want ideas if this question comes up in an interview.

I highly doubt this is the reason this subject gets brought up. I have seen threads that deal with the question " Why dent over med" but why one is better then the other is useless and irrelovent to any question that would be asked during an interview. Whats better breathing or having a pulse?
 
Whats better breathing or having a pulse?

Breathing.
You have to remember your ABC's
Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Without breathing your pulse will do nothing for you. (Now if someone else is breathing for you then your pulse would be the best)
Another thing you have to remember about your ABC's
Always Bear the Chest. when performing CPR.

Are you out of your f***ing mind? Sure I'll become a nurse, NOT! Nurses get ****ted on by doctors 24/7 and they get no respect. You think lawyers make money? Half of them own nightclubs on the side cause that's the only way they can pay for their shiny new beemers. Become an police officer? That's like saying I want to committ suicide. If you're so in love with these fields, why don't you pursue one of them? Oh, that's right you want to become a dentist & make a zillion amount of money. Don't worry about trying to get me to go elsewhere, so that I don't steal your spot in dental school!

Dentistry or Medicine, you need to make this choice, and nurses do a lot of work, they only get **** on by the Doc's, because the doc's think they are better then the nurses. Which isn't always true. BTW your not going to be taking my spot in dental school, I already have my seat. I chose dentistry for many reasons, its not my first carrier. How about becoming a PA, or NP? They have respect, some of the same privileges as Doctors, but without a lot of the bureaucracy.
But for you why choose a field in the health care system? How do you know you want to help people? If so you can help them many other ways, say earn your MPH and take care of a community behind the scenes.
What is wrong with owning a night club on the side?
 
I'm not the bragging type, but what the hell. Why do you think it's not possible to be intelligent and beautiful at the same time? I'm actually one of the rare few that has both. I despise superficial peeps that automatically assume that just because I was blessed with good genes I must not be very smart. Why do you say if I'm pretty I should go to dental school? What you said about dentists resenting doctors is partly true. My dentist and orthodontist both look at me with "green" eyes because I told them that I want to go to into medicine. WTF do you they want? They have an easy job with a large salary. Why do they have to envy docs?

Rather the pissy type, aren't we? It was a joke. See that. So before you go off saying that people automatically assume you're dumb just because you're attractive, remember that we can't see you! I'm surprised that was your first reaction to that joke.

If you're the type to get attitudes and a temper at the slightest suggestion of anything contrary to what you believe (even a joke), maybe neither dentistry or medicine is for you.
 
i'm sick of reading about people who want to go into the healthcare industry for "$$$"
THINK here ppl... if you want bucks, get a masters in business and claw your way to the top of the money pile. but if you are going into medicine, forget about the money and start thinking about what would make a good doc/dentist. and not to mention the 4 years AFTER undergrad... and the min. 3 year residency AFTER that... where you are making crap. It makes me sick when I shadow docs who keep talking about money and not people.
 
but dentists make better $ for the amnt of stress and hours.. if that's what you're inquiring
 
Hitting your stride in dentistry at 35-45 years old and having an almost gauranteed income is just about the same as a business guy who claws his way to the top (during the same amount of years as you are in school). Trouble is, the business man can lose his job a whole lot easier to someone else backstabbing and clawing their way to the top.

BECAUSE of the amount of potential income (150-400K a year take home income after some years of diligent hard work) and STEADY income and HOURS required to earn this income, dentistry is a very lucrative profession to go into. Sure $$$ is good, but the stability of the money is better.

How many business major friends do you or did you have in undergrad? 90% of them will probably cap out at 80K a year and work 40-60 hours a week doing it.

This still doesn't mean go into dentistry for $$. It is definately a good aspect, but read what Dr. Hobie said above.
 
I'm in the process right now of deciding whether I should pursue dentistry or medicine. Both are rewarding healthcare fields, but why should I choose dentistry over medicine? Both have pros/cons. For example, a pro of medicine would be $$$ and a pro of dentistry would be more of a 9-5 job.
What do you think?


I struggled with this question as well when I was an applicant.
In the end dentistry wins by three main points

1) Dentists work less hours.
2) Dentists don't have to take their work home with them.
3) Dentists have less school time in general.
 
op why are your choices between dentistry and medicine. you say you didnt want to do medicine because your parents blah blah blah so your second choice is dentistry. how did that even happen? medicine and dentistry in my opinion are very different and comparing things such as hours and salaries are not going to do it.

Most people on here have spent many many hours shadowing. they have experienced/watched/studied a dentist work and made important observations about how dentistry really is, not just how it is when you go get a checkup. ie. the stresslevel of the dentist.
 
OP, do medicine. You seem like a perfect pre-med to me. We are green with envy; you have it all.
 
Agreed. I wish I were smart enough to be a REAL doctor. Maybe I'll just go into investment banking.
 
I went to a doctor one time. They touched my secret no no place.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top