Will My Ethnicity Hold Me Back?

[Saadnc]

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Thanks to anyone reading and hopefully replying. Here's my question and background.
I just finished senior year in high school, and seriously considering (hopefully) becoming a dentist (or possibly further specializing). I know I have to get really good grades in college (I'm a top student in high school atm), but I have further concerns about success in dentistry.

My father (he is a microbiologist) warns me against becoming a dentist, instead wanting me to become a physician, because he says that my race will hold me back from being successful as a dentist, because I am Pakistanti. He told me that almost all dentists are white, and that it would be very hard being a successful colored dentist, and that I would most likely not receive as many patients.

Can anyone tell me if there is validity behind this? Please be brutally honest, I want to know if I should pursue dentistry, and this would be a big factor.

 

[artist2022]

Desi population is pretty decently sized in the US. If not desi-specific, you might not find as many patients in your area, but you could relocate and find patients. There's a shortage of dental professionals in many areas across the US, and the people there wouldn't care about the color of your skin as long as you can treat them well and relieve their pain.

I'm Indian & starting this Fall, so guess I'll let you know how it goes in four years 😉 By that time you'll be getting ready to apply anyways.

 

[Saadnc]

Desi population is pretty decently sized in the US. If not desi-specific, you might not find as many patients in your area, but you could relocate and find patients. There's a shortage of dental professionals in many areas across the US, and the people there wouldn't care about the color of your skin as long as you can treat them well and relieve their pain.

I'm Indian & starting this Fall, so guess I'll let you know how it goes in four years 😉 By that time you'll be getting ready to apply anyways.

Awesome dude, thanks so much. Do you think that dental school was worth it, with all the expenses?

 

[artist2022]

Awesome dude, thanks so much. Do you think that dental school was worth it, with all the expenses?

Dudette 😛 And I haven't started yet...but I'm definitely sure it'll be worth it 🙂

 

[Saadnc]

Dudette 😛 And I haven't started yet...but I'm definitely sure it'll be worth it 🙂

Haha my bad, thanks again. Best of luck in dental school, I'm sure you'll be a great dentist.

 

[Incis0r]

Thanks to anyone reading and hopefully replying. Here's my question and background.
I am a rising high school senior, and seriously considering (hopefully) becoming a dentist (or possibly further specializing). I know I have to get really good grades in college (I'm a top student in high school atm), but I have further concerns about success in dentistry.

My father (he is a microbiologist) warns me against becoming a dentist, instead wanting me to become a physician, because he says that my race will hold me back from being successful as a dentist, because I am Pakistanti. He told me that almost all dentists are white, and that it would be very hard being a successful colored dentist, and that I would most likely not receive as many patients.

Can anyone tell me if there is validity behind this? Please be brutally honest, I want to know if I should pursue dentistry, and this would be a big factor.

I've seen plenty of successful South Asian dentists. Both in private practice and in other settings such as community health centers, corporate, etc.

What matters a lot more than your race is your ability to relate to people, present yourself professionally, and communicate effectively.

 

[Namelessking]

That's literally an advantage due to affirmative action. You're preferred so don't sweat it, just get a decent GPA and DAT and you'll be fine.

Uhhhh what????? Asians have the toughest time getting in. There was a study done on this too Get real kid.

 

[Namelessking]

And to the poster, ignore the woefully misinformed DentPhaze's comment. You'll do fine. As long as you know how to conduct yourself professionally, can speak English fluently, and don't show fear (believe it or not), you'll do fine. Be confident, crack a joke, relate to em, open up a bit and you'll like your job too. As for the cost of dental school, that's another story that I SERIOUSLY suggest you read up on now and be prepared for. When I was in high school NYU's tuition was around 50k, by the time I got around to applying it jumped up to 72k. That's one school, but tuition hikes go across the board. Be ready for that. Best of luck.

 

[workofshart]

The office I work at gets a lot of referrals from "Patels" so to me at least it doesn't seem like South Asians are lacking patients.

 

[redfish955]

There are massive American manufacturing company that hire lots of Indian engineers. They have great insurance too. Indian Association of Columbus IN. That is the home of a 60000 employee company that hire lots of Indian and makes train, boat, construction, generation, and truck engine.

 

[wittledentist]

I don't think the current generation of asians or any other race will have a problem. Most kids that grew up in the US speak english really well and culturally they blend in with everyone else. I think the previous generations may have had a difficult time adjusting the culture and the norms of being an American... which is why your parents are saying that. I wouldn't worry at all. After all, the US is known as the great melting pot 🙂

 

[aj30]

Dead wrong. Pakistan is classified as Asian by the census bureau. I'm surprised someone as uneducated as yourself is anywhere near dentistry. And I'm not Asian so I'm not really "butthurt" (still in middle school?); just my modus operandi to point out willfully ignorant *****s.

Not knowing whether Pakistanis are classified as “Asian” or “Middle Eastern” by the PC police has almost no bearing on whether someone is educated or ignorant. Just sayin...

 

[Jlm50]

I have no idea what ethnicity my orthodontist is but it's not white/black/asian/Mexican and he seems pretty successful and his daughter just joined his practice as an orthodontist.

I'm white, and it's not something I ever considered back in the day when I was trying to choose a practice to go to. I looked at reviews, prices, and location.

 

[Namelessking]

Not knowing whether Pakistanis are classified as “Asian” or “Middle Eastern” by the PC police has almost no bearing on whether someone is educated or ignorant. Just sayin...

It is when someone tells you the answer to that question and you can't accept it like an adult. And honestly, if you're in your 20-somethings and you post a comment like that without taking 2 seconds to google it before making yourself look dumb, I'd call that uneducated. That, along with the fact that he has no clue how affirmative action works. But clearly you felt a compelling reason to defend him, I wonder why.

 

[thenextcarnegie]

@Saadnc Hey man, I don't think it will matter too much at all. I am Pakistani myself. Do well in school, score well on your DAT, have some good rec letters and EC's. If I can help at all do let me know! I know you have 4 years of undergrad to go, but good luck!! I am sure if you put your mind to it you will be very successful!

 

[Namelessking]

"

Accept what like an adult? You attacked me first saying "Get real kid," prompting me to respond by calling you butthurt; that's a normal interaction with no ulterior motive.

After that, you ad-hom me some more: "I'm surprised someone as uneducated as yourself is anywhere near dentistry." then proceed to call me a "willfully ignorant *****."

"when someone tells you the answer to that question and you can't accept it like an adult." Accept what like an adult? I legitimately didn't know that Pakistan was under the South Asian umbrella, that doesn't make me a *****. I'm actually extremely intelligent as most of us are on this thread, I actually assume you are as well and I don't feel a need to flaunt my intelligence everywhere I go because I'm not insecure like that.

"uneducated" I finish my BS in Chemistry in Spring.

No clue how affirmative action works? It's very obvious how it works; Asians do get the shortest end of the stick currently and I never denied that. I've read the studies, I just didn't know Pakistan falls under that category.

"clearly you felt a compelling reason to defend him, I wonder why." Hinting at your own bigotry, pal? Let me guess; you assume that he's white and that I am as well which = racist? Cut the race-baiting ****, it's stupid and what low-iq people do. People are getting tired of ultra-PC censorship that doesn't allow any room for communication and instead alienates most people.

Oh and just so you know, I got the message after your first reply, there was no need to be an ass to me.
Peace, good luck applying.

You're wrong on so many levels but I have no interest in even giving you a lengthy response. But as it stands, you were the first person to pass along your barbed comment at the OP, which it was. Implying the kid would have an easier time because of his race. And if you thought a Pakistani applicant would be privileged under affirmative action, that kinda shows that you have no clue what affirmative action is. Your race-baiting accusation is laughable when you're the only person who took a "jab" at the OP. Peace, and I'm already out of dentistry after turning down my acceptances in the past, I'm only here to give advice to hopefuls. (Ignored by the way).

 

[schmoob]

Keep it professional please.

 

[ssdent18]

Its odd that your father thinks people won't go to a brown dentist but they'd go to a brown doctor...Lol. Sounds like he just wants you to do medicine instead. In any case, being a brown dentist is not gonna hurt you as long as you are good at what you do and you speak good english? And like someone said above, relocate if you find yourself living in a super racist area (which idk why you'd go to in the first place)

 

[aggie-master]

I live in Texas and only refer to two offices of a particular specialty. One is Dr ObviouslyWhiteGuyName and the other has a foreign sounding name. I highly recommend both doctors equally but at least three out of four go to the white doctor.

I think if you live in certain parts of the country it might be easier on you to be a particular ethnicity but if you are good at dentistry and business you will still do fine.

 

[Saadnc]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I got some great insights from you guys - thanks to you all, I believe that I will continue to explore my interest in dentistry (going to be shadowing an orthodontist next week!). Thanks again.

 

[Saadnc]

I live in Texas and only refer to two offices of a particular specialty. One is Dr ObviouslyWhiteGuyName and the other has a foreign sounding name. I highly recommend both doctors equally but at least three out of four go to the white doctor.

I think if you live in certain parts of the country it might be easier on you to be a particular ethnicity but if you are good at dentistry and business you will still do fine.

Thanks for being honest and giving me some real world experiences. Do you believe rural or urban areas would be easier towards those of my ethnicity?

 

[thenextcarnegie]

Thanks for being honest and giving me some real world experiences. Do you believe rural or urban areas would be easier towards those of my ethnicity?

If you really are afraid of racism then urban would be your best bet. However, it is more saturated. I have worked with a Pakistani dentist as well and he's doing great! Again it's up to your personality. How you represent yourself and how your staff represents you. Furthermore, most people in this country respect those that have a "professional" degree. There are a few oddballs. This is really far into the future, however, I would focus on finding whether or not you like the profession. Also, don't just shadow an ortho, make sure you shadow a GP first and really get an understanding of what he/she does.

 

[aggie-master]

Thanks for being honest and giving me some real world experiences. Do you believe rural or urban areas would be easier towards those of my ethnicity?

I think urban is probably better and if you are going to be rural not in the south is probably better.

I am hispanic and I used to work in a group practice in south Texas where it was 90% hispanic patients and no patient ever had a problem seeing me or had a strong preference for another dentist in the practice. Now I work in a different rural county with a lot of white patients and I more often than not see new patients prefer to see my white partner over me. He is more established so I don't want to make it sound like it is all racism but when I see people flock to the white specialist over the middle eastern guy when I purposely give them an equal recommendation it makes me wonder.