Dentistry or Medicine

[Zenny]

Hard decision that I have to make. I got accepted into undergraduate Medicine and Dentistry programs at universities here in Australia. This is a very tough choice for me as I love both lines of study. Almost everyone has told me to do Dentistry due to the fact that Dentists get rich quick.

Could any MDs or Dentists (or anyone for that matter) chime in with any advice etc.

Cheers

 

[Tardek]

If your goal is money, either dentistry, or your MD followed by a specialisation in opthalmology or dermatology. The rest of them have enormous insurance costs here.

I would probably go dentistry anyway. The Labor government is trying to systematically destroy doctors as an independent body of professionals. You might as well do a nursing degree, seeing as nurses are quickly usurping doctor duties in the shortage.

Ask if you want more info, I suppose. I have knowledge that can be plumbed.

 

[JPYPSU07]

I'm in medical school and I hate it. Here are my reasons for why I would go to dental school.
1. They have more fun - there is less stress because very few want to specialize in orthodontics or endo or oral surgery.
2. No residency
3. More money
4. GIRLS ARE INCREDIBLY GOOD LOOKING
5. MEDICAL SCHOOL GIRLS ARE NOT
6. More money
7. Make your own hours 4 day week anyone?

In the end its your choice. I'm considering doing an M.D./D.M.D. when I'm finally done but we'll see. Until then, its back to the books.

 

[Pennglock]

Do dentists really make more money than MDs? Is this an Australian thing or is it true in the US too? I can see someone making more with a DDS than maybe a family practitioner, but wouldn't specializing in medicine be more lucrative (opportunity costs of 6-8 more years of schooling aside?)

 

[Tardek]

Depends, pennglock. Some doctors make more, some dentists make more. The biggest difference is that it is easier to make more as a dentist. If you're going to be a doctor, restrain yourself into the specialties I mentioned. And no, I don't know if it's true outside Australia. There are too many wildly different medical systems out there for me to be able to keep track of who gets paid what after medical indemnity insurance costs.

5. MEDICAL SCHOOL GIRLS ARE NOT

Not necessarily. I know plenty of hot med girls.

 

[appolyon]

Not to get too philosophical or stroppy, but go with where you think you can make the biggest difference and that will ultimately bring the most meaning to your life.

Getting paid well < being happy in your work

 

[Jumbie]

I always joke that I should have gone into dentistry instead of going through med school hell but I chose what I think will make me happy. The idea of being a dentist does not appeal to me in the least.

I have no idea what the system is like for either profession in Australia but I really do think that in the US (and this may just be a case of the grass being greener) it's easier for the average dentist to make more $$ than the average doctor. Of course, this all depends on many factors including what specialty the doctor is in i.e. things like Plastics, Ortho, Derm, ENT, Ophthalmology, etc. can make tons of money but when you factor in:

1. Extra time in school - a doctor MUST pursue a residency for a minimum of 3 years making 42-50ish thousand a year after training while a dentist is done and can practice unless they want to go further and become an Orthodontist, OMFS, etc.

2. Everyone is out to sue you. Doctor = not human and not allowed to ever make a mistake.

3. Related to 2 can be very significant malpractice insurance costs.

4. Doctor = &quot;rebates&quot; from insurance companies and a lot of hassle/paperwork to get their fees.

5. Dentists, in my limited experience, are mostly fee for service.

In the end, do what you like. I like Primary Care and will be going into an office setting (that's the plan for me) when I finish residency in 3 or so years. I will make a lot less than many of my friends who are applying for Surgery, Neuro, Anesthesiology, etc. and there are certainly more &quot;cushy&quot; positions out there that typically don't have to deal with call or work less hours, but I'm going to [presumably] be doing this for the rest of my life and I don't want to dread going to work with the only motivating factor being a bigger paycheck.

 

[GQgeek]

Dentistry would be pretty boring work imo. Then again, you don't have to see fat women naked.

 

[MJC8719x]

Originally Posted by Tardek

If your goal is money, either dentistry, or your MD followed by a specialisation in opthalmology or dermatology. The rest of them have enormous insurance costs here.
.

Just know that dermatology is one of the more/most competitive residencies to get into (along with rad onc), so I wouldn't "bank" on being able to do that.

How long is medical school in Australia? I know when my Dad went to school in New Zealand, it was basically 6 years following high school.

 

[Xericx]

I got into dental school. the work looked depressing to be honest and I didn't continue. It was expensive schooling and I really couldn't see myself enjoying going into work everyday.

OMFS is difficult to get into and is long.

If you think you'll like it, go for it. Its basically like medicine but you're specializing in the teeth. No people really die either, which was the big attraction for me.

dentists have better hours...no long, on call hour bullshit.


If you want to save lives, be a doctor.

If you want the $$$$, be a dentist.

that's the way I see it.

 

[chobochobo]

Perhaps this sounds a bit naive, but if you have to ask a clothing forum whether you should be a doctor or not, you probably shouldn't.

 

[Jumbie]

Originally Posted by chobochobo

Perhaps this sounds a bit naive, but if you have to ask a clothing forum whether you should be a doctor or not, you probably shouldn't.

Nothing wrong with asking for opinions to make a more informed decision. It likely won't play a huge role (or shouldn't anyway) but it can't hurt.

 

[poorsod]

Originally Posted by Xericx

If you want to save lives, be a doctor.


If you think that you should read "The House of God" by Samuel Shem. Everything is true except for the sex.

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by Jumbie

Nothing wrong with asking for opinions to make a more informed decision. It likely won't play a huge role (or shouldn't anyway) but it can't hurt.

Exactly. I think most members post such questions in case someone tosses up an angle they haven't previously thought of rather than running off and doing what the concensus may be.

 

[Z!NG]

Medicine for the title and status.