Are there / Will there be too many dentists?

Question

I am entering college and want to later on go to dental school. however, i have thought recently that perhaps there are too many dentists and it might be hard to work as one. I do know that i would eventually want to work or practice in a metropolitan (big) city area and would probably meet a lot of competition. is there a lot of competition in dentistry where there are too many dentists and not enough patients, especially in urban environments?

Answer 1

I'm in my first year of dental school. When I started in my pre-dental classes in college, our pre-dent adviser told us that according to statistics, by 2010 there will be a large shortage of dentists. There was a big boom in dentistry in the 1960 and 70s. Enrollment at dental schools dropped off after that and stayed low throughout the 80s and most of the 90s. There has been a resurgence lately but enrollment is still not up to the level it was in the 70s. Translation: the generation of dentists who started in the 70s are nearing retirement. By 2010 there will be more dentists retiring than are entering practice. This means actually less dentists per capita. And with a growing population, basically we're entering the Golden Age of dentistry. There will be so many more possibilities than were available just a few years ago. New types of composites, implants, and probably even regeneration of teeth through stem cells is within our career lifetime. Plus, the baby boomers are getting near retirement, they are living longer and keeping their teeth longer. This means there will be more dental work to do on senior citizens, who have more wealth than their parents did and who want to keep their teeth. These are all reasons, among others, that the coming years are expected by many to be the "Golden Age" of dentistry. It's a good career. Just remember that it is a service profession and don't go into it because of the money. I've seen a few who do and they are miserable. Of course, the money is a powerful draw, but you can make more money doing things that are much easier, in my opinion. It is extremely difficult to be a good dentist. It is a very demanding profession. But if you are willing to put in the hard work, you'll be challenged and find your skills and abilities growing. My advice: go visit some dental offices (call first) and tell them you're interested in making it a profession. Ask if you can shadow the dentist to get a feel for what its like. Ask as many questions as you can. And study hard!
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

It depends on where you go, actually. I know that GOOD dentists and other medical professionals are a rarity, though; when you first start out, you'll probably be at the bottom of the wage scale, so to speak. But in the major cities I lived in, good dentists were definitely located in the "higher-rent" areas, and usually had a waiting list between 3 days to a week long. (San Francisco and Atlanta) However, you have a while to do research on the subject, so I suggest that you do so.

Answer 3

I live in St. Louis and there's a shortage!
We had 2 dental schools here at one time, both closed. The older Dentists are calling the closest schools to find DDS' to event. buy their practices!
Also I see the younger Dentists who don't go a little further, like take a short course to prefect their skills! Be the best! I see DDS who don't know how to do Root canals, Dentures, pull a tooth etc. I'm amazed how much the send out!
RDH

Answer 4

I just recently graduated and I live in Indianapolis (sort of big) and I do not have a problem. People are suggesting that with the Babyboomers retiring that there will actually be a shortage of dentist. Who knows though. It is really competitive to get into the program. The average undergraduate G.P.A. was 3.6 in my class. Good luck, it is a really rewarding profession.

Answer 5

Thats why you need to go into cosmetic denistry..$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Or look into the laboratory process I know a few people in the laboratory end and they work from home in their basement and as far as I know each account is worth about $250,000 so if you have about 5 good accounts then your over a million in gross sales. You don't have to be a doctor to make the cash you gotta look outside the box.

Answer 6

Okay I have absolutely no experience in this type of stuff since I'm still in my teens but to me there isn't. It might take you long to build up clients and such, but if the people like the enviroment and their doctor and such they'll recommend you to other people. I mean there is this one doctor I know that everyone went to because his whole office was sooooooooooo contemporary and everyone was really friendly and from what I heard was he a good dentist. If they like you , they'll stick with you.

Answer 7

NO THERE WILL NEVER BE A SHORTAGE. DENTISTS ALSO HAVE TO FIND A NICHE WHERE PATIENTS NEED TO FIND A DENTIST WHERE ONE IS NOT EASILY FOUND.
DENTISTRY, UNLIKE LAW, IS NOT EASILY ATTAINABLE BY MOST PEOPLE. IT TAKES A VERY DEDICATED PERSON -- AND NOT EVERYONE CAN DO IT.

Answer 8

No but pay is low and go be scum bag Lawyer they make the money!