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“Me when I go to le dentist and le dental hygienist has LE EPIC...
Main Post: “Me when I go to le dentist and le dental hygienist has LE EPIC...
Dentists, would you go to dental school today?
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Hey everyone, I’ve been a dental assistant in a variety of settings for almost four years now. My intention, oddly enough, was to attend PA school eventually once I’d gotten all my pre-reqs completed (I'd been pursuing standup comedy for a bit lol). I always thought dentistry was cool but always thought I’d feel a bit limited focusing on the oral cavity. Now that I’m sort of on the back half of getting my pre-reqs done, I’m finding a softer and softer spot in my heart for dentistry.
After all the procedures I’ve seen, I’m increasingly excited about the idea of being able to do them on my own one day, having my own patients, and maybe even owning my own practice one day. Not to mention, in my time shadowing PAs and physicians, I’ve found myself sort of bummed out about the idea of not getting to do things regularly with my hands. I’m attracted to the way dentistry kind of operates like a trade, with its own tools and materials and practices. Medical practice, in my experiences shadowing is a lot of clinical problem solving (cool) and then entering notes and orders into an EMR all day (not cool). Additionally, it’s a generalization but I can’t help but notice dentistry is by and large a field of more light hearted personality types. Being something of an optimistic goofball myself, I can’t help but feel like I’d get along better in dentistry. My fear though in this is a) the growing cost of dental school b) the changing economic landscape of dentistry c) the possible fomo of not practicing more generalized medicine.
When expressing this interest to some of the docs I’ve worked with, I get mixed responses. The younger docs, many of whom come from money to begin with, are like “hell yeah do dentistry”. The older docs are often less optimistic and say the debt is insurmountable and that “the golden age of dentistry” is over, whatever that means. At the end of the day, barring costs and schooling, I think I’d be pretty happy as a dentist and could probably do a lot of good for people one day. My question is if some of the issues facing the field in the future would be enough to counteract that and if you’d advise caution to people looking to become dentists in the future.
Thanks!
Top Comment: Current 4th year dental student here. I can’t speak for whether or not it was worth it yet, as I have ~4 more months until I am graduated. However, I can speak to the fact that dental school has been the worst 4 years of my life. The only thing the school cares about is money, and it becomes incredibly discouraging when the school you’re paying $95,000/ year for treats you like garbage. From speaking to other current dental students, this seems like the trend across the board at most dental schools. In retrospect, I wouldn’t do dental school again. It has not been worth the mental and emotional turmoil.
Should I go to dental school
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I was recently accepted into dental school, and I need major advice on whether the student loans is worth it.
Mandatory cost of tuition/fees for all four years is about 270k-280k. Now obviously there will be living costs added on for four years. It is estimated that living is 40k per year, which would bring the total to 440k for all four years (the COA). I’ve talked to students who said it’s possible to live on less, say 30k/year.
Now I don’t believe this takes into account loan fees and accrued interest over the four years. I’m personally highly skeptical of going due to the insane cost. I’ve heard opinions from many that say it is still worth it at the end of the day with the salary as a dentist, and the sky is the limit when it comes to income.
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What are your reasons for pursuing dentistry? If it's purely financial, there are many other careers that offer less stress for better pay. Although the debt is a huge stressor for myself, I've come to love what I do even as a dental assistant and I'm prepared to swallow the crippling debt as a necessary step in pursuing my dream career.
Dental advice
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I have a friend whose struggling to make ends meet but he also had a lot of dental problems and has never had the money to get them fixed. When he was younger he was able to get one pulled out for free but for a while now he’s been getting very intense tooth pain and he needs dental work but can’t put the money in to get them fixed or even pulled bc he has other pressing issues like rent and groceries. Does anyone know any low income places that will do dental work ASAP
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https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/Page13202.aspx
Looking for an honest dentist (SW preferred)
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My dentist of 35 years retired. He was kind and knowledgeable. He sold his practice and on my first visit I was told I had a cavity (first one in 20 years). My husband had an appointment and also was told he had a cavity (first one in 20 years). Another family member just went and was told she had to fill 7(!) cavities. She went to get a second opinion from an older dentist (who is also about to retire) and was told 3 cavities were legitimately in need of attention and the rest were "wait and see".
So now I'm really questioning the new dentist. I think he is more proactive than my old dentist, not specifically trying to scam anyone, but I'm also not sure I want that kind of approach. None of us had any sort of pain or any reason to suspect we had cavities and my husband and I have pretty healthy teeth (family member has bad teeth, so 3 cavities was not a huge surprise, though 7 was). The worst thing about him is that he sometimes doesn't even do the physical exam and often just diagnoses based on x-rays or on the advice of the hygienist. He still charges an exam fee!?
I think I'm looking for an older dentist, with lots of experience and the wisdom to discern what is necessary vs. wait and see. Basically I'd love to find someone like my old dentist, but not someone who will retire in a few years.
Top Comment: It’s always best to have a dentist that’s toothful
Does the dental school you go to matter? Like let’s say Harvard vs some other school?
Main Post: Does the dental school you go to matter? Like let’s say Harvard vs some other school?
Top Comment: For jobs? Not really. Recruiters only care about what clinical experience you have and what you know. My Asian parents tend to disagree though lol.
Should I go to Dental School?
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Hi All,
I am a dental applicant this cycle, and I've been having a bit of difficult pinpointing the career that's right for me. I entered Uni as a Pre-Medical Student, always wanted to be a doctor, but had a really difficult time with my MCAT (took it 3x before acceptable score), and thus became disillusioned about the mental strain and amount of examinations required to become a physician. That, and the fact that I found the results weren't worth all of the work that is needed. My GPA when I applied was 3.72 cGPA, 3.56 sGPA. I was told my science GPA was low, and that Dental School would be a long shot for me, but I gave it a go. I studied for my DATs while I was vacationing this summer, and I was fortunate enough to score a composite 22. I applied to a limited amount of schools, because I am a bit geographically limited, but was lucky enough to gain admittance to UMD, VCU, and Howard. Still waiting on UPenn and Harvard (lololol, I know).
While I am over the moon about my acceptance, I'm a bit hesitant. My reasons for applying to dental school are genuine, I think. I went to Dentistry from Medicine because I think Dentistry offers some things that Med cannot such as: a good workweek (I hear most dentists work 4 days/wk), a good salary (offered in both but still important!), less stress as far as licensing exams are concerned, and obviously, less of a time suck in the long run.
However, I'm afraid I'm not cut out for dentistry, and was wondering if any current dental students had fears similar to mine, that have abated since starting dental school. First, I don't have hand coordination, sure I can catch a ball, but I don't think I'm skilled in anything related to dental work. Secondly, I'm pretty squeamish, I watched some root canal videos on youtube that really grossed me out. Lastly, I'm afraid of failing out. I'm afraid that I won't have good enough hand skills, will grave other teeth during my practical exams, and be dismissed.
There was a moment when I was so excited to be admitted, but now I'm just really nervous. Thank you for any/all help.
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How are you admitted? Admissions don't go out until Dec 1
LPT: If you are in need of dental treatment but cannot afford to go to the dentist, consider a dental school. Universities that have dental schools have clinics that offer reduced-cost dental care. Dental students perform the work under very strict supervision from experienced, licensed dentists.
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This post may be most relevant to those in the US or Canada but I imagine this information might be relevant in other countries as well. Not only will getting dental care at a dental school save you money, it also provides dental students with experience in the field.
Top Comment: Dentist here, yes dental schools are a great resource. Just be prepared for longer appointment times and extended treatment plan times. Otherwise yes!!!
Can I go to dental school with a mouth full of problems?
Main Post: Can I go to dental school with a mouth full of problems?
Top Comment:
Who better to put a patient at ease about a procedure than someone who's had a bunch of work done?