How much of your life does dental school take, how are a dentists' hours and pay, and is dentistry a prestigious job?
I'm trying to decide whether to go dental instead of using up half my young life becoming a doctor.
2006-07-25 08:03:52 · 5 answers · asked by reba 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I am dentist, so I can answer your question. The dental school is 4 years. I don't know if dentistry is a prestigous job or not but I love it. The pay depends on where you practice and if you decide to speicalize. Any specialty is any where from 2-5 years more (Oral surgery is 5 years and you will also get an MD). Right now the hottest specialty is enodontics (rooth canals) followed by Orthodontics (braces). I know dentists make anywhere from 200,000 to 2 million. Majority of them work 4 (8 hour) days/week. I prefer dentistry anyday because there are virtually no emergencies. Thanks
2006-07-25 08:13:03 · answer #1 · answered by DDS, MS 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The preparation for dental school is just about parallel that of medical school, and the high school and college prep is the same. College prep courses in high school with emphasis on the science. Same thing with college, working towards a B.S.in Biology, chemistry, physics, etc. 4 years of dental school, 1 year of internship, After that , if you passs the dental board, you can practice general dentistry. If you want to specialize, then this includes 2-3 more years of specialized training in the area of your choice, then after that, you can take the test to be board certified in your specialty. It take about thesame amount to time to become a dentist specialist, and an MD specialist. Your work is cut out for you. All medical professions are pretigious.
2006-07-25 08:10:48 · answer #2 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just my advice, but I wouldn't make a decision based on how long it will take to achieve the degree, education and also to complete your internships/residency/on the job training. Whatever you decide is your passion, then go for it. If it takes 10 to 15 years then guess what. . .you still have MANY more years to work and be happy in the field you chose. Do some career assessments and research exactly what dentists and doctors do and what fits with your personality. Good luck on your search. There are several free career assessments/tests on the internet. Off hand, you can go to tickle.com or do an internet search on aj.com or mamma.com and type in free career tests. Don't give any credit card info out, there are too many free ones just look for them.
2006-07-25 08:14:44 · answer #3 · answered by In God's Image 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask a high school guidance counselor, or colleges have career counselors who can help you. I think dentists' hours are probably better because they have less emergencies and don't need to go visit their patients in the hospital. And, they tend to have nice houses, so they must be prosperous.
2006-07-25 08:08:36 · answer #4 · answered by jboatright57 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
be a doctor honey! the money will be worth the wait!
2006-07-25 08:09:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋