Working as a dentist....

[hs2013]

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In dentistry how difficult is it to only work part time? Like every other week, or work 2 weeks, take 2 weeks off, whatever....

I feel like you couldn't do this if you were your own boss because you have a clinic to run full time but I guess having an associate could help that.

or could you just be employed part time pretty easily?

Because honestly while it is great that you can make 150k+ as a dentist working full time. Making 75k and working part time seems just as appealing. You can live comfortably and have tons and tons of free time. And if you ever want to earn more for a vacation or something extra, I'm sure it's easy to pick up extra shifts as well...

 

[Loyoladentalman15]

75K is just as appealing? I love dentistry as much as the next guy but those 300k+ in loans aren't going to pay themselves off.

 

[ajj70]

Early on in your career, it's not really all that feasible, mainly because of your loans. Once you have established your practice, you probably have a pretty good chance of working closer to part-time hours but keep in mind, if patients can't get in to see you, they will go elsewhere. There is a balance. Even working 40 hours/week you will have tons of free time, especially when you can schedule your vacation time whenever you want. Also, if you plan to have a family, an hour here and there during the day to go watch a play at school or whatever is pretty easy to work around and you can still work full-time or close to it, yet have flexibility. Really though, what would you really end up doing with your life only working 20 hours/week at 30 years old?

 

[hs2013]

Early on in your career, it's not really all that feasible, mainly because of your loans. Once you have established your practice, you probably have a pretty good chance of working closer to part-time hours but keep in mind, if patients can't get in to see you, they will go elsewhere. There is a balance. Even working 40 hours/week you will have tons of free time, especially when you can schedule your vacation time whenever you want. Also, if you plan to have a family, an hour here and there during the day to go watch a play at school or whatever is pretty easy to work around and you can still work full-time or close to it, yet have flexibility. Really though, what would you really end up doing with your life only working 20 hours/week at 30 years old?

Play sports, relax, maybe look into business options, get involved in the community, explore nature, etc.....

 

[Incis0r]

Look into Locum Tenens dentistry jobs. These are short positions (usually 1-2 weeks) where dentists are going on vacation and they need someone to run the office while they are gone. All travel expenses are paid and you get a decent paycheck for your time as well. Good way to travel also, and you can take as many jobs as you want.

Part-time is possible, but not practical if you have lots of loans.
Also, how did you decide on 75k? that's an interesting number, considering that it is also the happiness cap 🙂

 

[tortelliniboy]

I work 80 hours a week and done everything except the "business options" part. You can accomplish everything you listed at 40 hours per week.

 

[hs2013]

Look into Locum Tenens dentistry jobs. These are short positions (usually 1-2 weeks) where dentists are going on vacation and they need someone to run the office while they are gone. All travel expenses are paid and you get a decent paycheck for your time as well. Good way to travel also, and you can take as many jobs as you want.

Part-time is possible, but not practical if you have lots of loans.
Also, how did you decide on 75k? that's an interesting number, considering that it is also the happiness cap 🙂

I just split 150k into 2 lol.

 

[Incis0r]

I just split 150k into 2 lol.

🤣

 

[hs2013]

I work 80 hours a week and done everything except the "business options" part. You can accomplish everything you listed at 40 hours per week.

Sure but I don't want to be stuck to a schedule every dang week, 8-5. Sure work 1 week 8-5, and you still get to do what I listed, but take 1 week off and you can just be lazy or travel or do whatever you want to whenever you want to. It would be like having winter break(the short high school version, every other week)

I mean it has got to be obvious that I am lazy, but working part time still forces me to get stuff done, be productive, and motivates ones to go out and make a difference, but it also gives me time to just do whatever I want to.

 

[Gen. Beauregard]

This is really intriguing. I'm actually grinning over this. It's like you're the anti-gunner that is sent to provide balance to the system, a role I greatly respect. I always intended to take weekends and Fridays off, but this is like a whole new prospect. Unfortunately, I don't think my future assistants and office managers will be down with it, but I feel giddy thinking about all the things I would do with a week off. I think it's how inmates feel during their one hour of outdoor rec. I'm curious about maintaining handskills though. One of the dentists I know says that he feels so refreshed after his weekly three day weekends, but that Mondays are the worst after a four day weekend and he feels like he needs to get his edge back. I'm insanely jealous of all my fire-fighter buddies who work 24 hrs on, 72 hrs off. They catch so many fish. I want to catch fish. I want a life.

 

[Incis0r]

It's like you're the anti-gunner that is sent to provide balance to the system, a role I greatly respect.

May the Force Be With You, young Padawan.