- Joined
- Oct 2, 2020
- Messages
- 39
- Reaction score
- 5
I have a real passion for Dentistry and I know it. I have watched multiple procedures, I have held a few instruments, I envision myself forever changing a person's smile and the patient's satisfaction. I really love that it is not only a clinical field but also an art. I love that it is hands on. It is what I want to do. But some of the things I keep seeing on here draw me away. No, it's not that some patients will hate you. No it is not that it's a profession where you will be spending lots of time inside someone's bloody and messy mouth. It is the job stability, the student debt, and the apparent "need to open a private practice." My question is: would dentistry be worth it as a career if:
-I plan to work as an associate/in a corporate office/in some kind of federally qualified health center
-I plan to take on the least debt as possible (choosing an in state school and staying around 40K a year for tuition along with help from my parents)
My biggest concerns are these: the ability to "find" a job rather than opening up my own practice, the ability to pay off student debt in these jobs, and the ability to still have that great work life balance as an employee. Is this still possible, or are all these benefits only reaped from private practice. I am not asking to make millions, but can I still find a stable job where I can make $140K+ on possibly a 4-5 day work schedule? And is this smart with the amount of student loans I plan to take on?
I just don't want to enter the field and find out I "have to" open up my own practice and I am drowning in debt. I do not want to be locked to one location forever just because I have my own practice. Do not get me wrong, I think owning a practice is amazing, and I could possibly plan on it one day, but as of right now, my vision is set on working as an employee. So... would any of you say that is worth it/would any of you do dentistry under these circumstances?
-I plan to work as an associate/in a corporate office/in some kind of federally qualified health center
-I plan to take on the least debt as possible (choosing an in state school and staying around 40K a year for tuition along with help from my parents)
My biggest concerns are these: the ability to "find" a job rather than opening up my own practice, the ability to pay off student debt in these jobs, and the ability to still have that great work life balance as an employee. Is this still possible, or are all these benefits only reaped from private practice. I am not asking to make millions, but can I still find a stable job where I can make $140K+ on possibly a 4-5 day work schedule? And is this smart with the amount of student loans I plan to take on?
I just don't want to enter the field and find out I "have to" open up my own practice and I am drowning in debt. I do not want to be locked to one location forever just because I have my own practice. Do not get me wrong, I think owning a practice is amazing, and I could possibly plan on it one day, but as of right now, my vision is set on working as an employee. So... would any of you say that is worth it/would any of you do dentistry under these circumstances?