kevinkwon84 Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 Just out of a curiousity, how much do general dentists earn annually? Some say they earn less than $80000 while the others say they earn well over $120000. What of them are right? Also, how much do dental specialists earn annually (especially the orthodontists, periodontists, and Max. Surgeons)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirsteen Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 Hi there, From the couple of dentists with whom I play squash (and they are general dentists) they appear to make well over $120K. In fact, one of them just bought his own office building, in which to house his practice. I imagine that it would depend on the size of the practice as well as whether there are other partners to contribute to the practice. My former dentist in TO is also a general dentist and one of the highest earners in Canada. He works four days per week (takes every Friday off) and pulls in well over $1M per year (which I heard from yet another squash-playing dentist chapt). Mind you, he does have a number of partners in a very large and very busy downtown practice. Cheers, Kirsteen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UT_DENTS_Class of 2010 Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Hi, To answer ur question in short, yes dentist make a hell of alot more than just 120K. Your looking at 4-5 times that number once you own your own office (i.e. 2-3 years after grad). But yes I would agree that starting salary can be anywhere from 120-180K when you first graduate. That's for a general Practice. For Specialist (especially the Ortho's and Oral Surgery) then when looking at there salaries I would say "The SKY is the LIMIT", they make whatever they want. However, don't let monetary factors affect your choice of career, you have to love what you do! Good luck Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTstudent Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Hi, To answer ur question in short, yes dentist make a hell of alot more than just 120K. Your looking at 4-5 times that number once you own your own office (i.e. 2-3 years after grad). But yes I would agree that starting salary can be anywhere from 120-180K when you first graduate. That's for a general Practice. For Specialist (especially the Ortho's and Oral Surgery) then when looking at there salaries I would say "The SKY is the LIMIT", they make whatever they want. However, don't let monetary factors affect your choice of career, you have to love what you do! Good luck Cheers, Just to clearify .. I do not have much knowledge on this topic. I was however wondering if it really is possible to make soo much money in dentistry...just for a couple of reasons.. perhaps you guys can answer these questions for me.. because I know a few people who are contemplating going into dentistry. First off it seems like there are dentists offices everywhere just in my area alone there are 4 dentist offices which have just recently opened in less then a 2 km radius. So wouldnt this saturation and competition affect the income potential of dentists. Also now a days a new dental student is looking at loans of 150 000 dollars and buying a practise is around 500 000? Now I can understand that dentists who have been in the business for 10-20 years with a large clientale would be making in a lot of money but what about a new student.. what can there expectations be with soo much competition and such high loans. Again I am not an expert just wondering if any of these concerns have any real merit? So hopefully someone has some info on this. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishywish82 Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 PTstudent that's definitely one of the problems opening up a practice in a large city. I live in Halifax which isn't that big and there's literally 10 dental practices within 2 blocks of the dental school on Halifax's busiest street. These guys have a ton of competition and a ton of overhead, with office rental and paying staff etc. And with office space going for up to $15 a square foot in downtown Halifax and say a 1000 sq ft office they're paying $15,000 a month just in office rental. So the lesson is: small community = less overhead + less competition = larger margins = more profit. I've read about $1 million+ practices in California going bankrupt because the cost of doing business was so high it didn't matter how much $$ they were bringing in because it was all going back out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vip_138 Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 And with office space going for up to $15 a square foot in downtown Halifax and say a 1000 sq ft office they're paying $15,000 a month just in office rental. wow, forget dentistry, go into real estate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirsteen Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 wow, forget dentistry, go into real estate ...or do both. Cheers, Kirsteen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishywish82 Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Halifax is a drop in the bucket in downtown Calgary where it runs close to $30/square foot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1T0_Dents Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 wow, forget dentistry, go into real estate Hi, just wanted to comment on statements above. Yes there is competition and yes the healthcare profession is growing, but does that mean that dentists have trouble finding income? I would say HELL NO. Have u ever met a dentist who graduated and could not pay off that 100-200K debt before? ...Most new grads do take the RBC/Scotia line of credit of 150K but most if not all grads are debt FREE in about 1.5-2 years (so imagine what kind of income they take in). Some 1 mentioned 10 practices on the busyiest streets on Halifax, well what about Toronto with almost 1/4 of all dentist in Canada, and GP's are still hitting large in this city, new grads are still associating in this city and doing darn well. About the salaries and overhead, sure your overhead is high and sure you are placed in a different tax bracket from most other profession, but then your gross earnings are also crazy as well, with GP earnings about 500 K on average, and specialist racking home about 700K- 1 Mill or better, so NO you won't come anywhere close to going out of business because you need to pay your staff and overheads, you will have more than enough to spend in 1 lifetime. Since the CDA does not audit annual dental earnings, however the ADA (American Dental Ass) does and the numbers are quite accurate on both sides of the border. If any 1 is interested in the figures here's the link: http://www.ada.org/ada/prod/survey/faq.asp So again.....for those still wondering if dentistry will lead to a good life, you can be dam sure you will live WELL, the hard part is stepping your foot into the door. ........so yah, I was thinking real estate at first as well, but then again the figures don't look anywhere in line with the Dents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefrontrow Posted January 27, 2007 Report Share Posted January 27, 2007 Damn, why doesn't CDA have any stats? The government site says around 130k in Ontario which seems a bit on the lower side. Dentists better be making more than hedge fund managers, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islander2010 Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 PTstudent that's definitely one of the problems opening up a practice in a large city. I live in Halifax which isn't that big and there's literally 10 dental practices within 2 blocks of the dental school on Halifax's busiest street. These guys have a ton of competition and a ton of overhead, with office rental and paying staff etc. And with office space going for up to $15 a square foot in downtown Halifax and say a 1000 sq ft office they're paying $15,000 a month just in office rental. I know this thread is like 5 years old but I assume people are still reading it on occasion. As a side note for those considering their own practice, lease rates are annual. Thus $15/ foot for 1000 sq. ft = $1250.00 per month not $15,000 per month. It is very affordable to lease your own office space. I assume the major costs associated with your own practice will be staffing, build out, and initial equipment cost. Now to go and find a thread about equipment...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sciappmed Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Whoever said dentists make less than $80,000 is an idiot.. the UT student who said GP's earn 500k on average is also wrong.. The accurate figure is around 180-190k as the average of all dentists. As associates right out of school you will probably start at around 130k and you will in general make around 250k if you own your own practice. Of course there are those that make over a million but those are rare.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xman Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Does it really matter how much dentist make? Can you really evaluate this job based on its earning potential. Being a dentist is a life style and is not just another job so you better really love it or you will hate it after few years. I am around of alot of dentists and I have seen people belonging to both groups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
)oooo> Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Does it really matter how much dentist make? Exactly, money doesn't matter! didn't hollywood teach you guys anything? Gawd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ostracized Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 I think there are definitely a lot of misconception about what dentists make - particularly in Canada. Regardless, income is extremely dependent on where you work, and your skill level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islander2010 Posted December 22, 2010 Report Share Posted December 22, 2010 Does it really matter how much dentist make? Can you really evaluate this job based on its earning potential. Being a dentist is a life style and is not just another job so you better really love it or you will hate it after few years. I am around of alot of dentists and I have seen people belonging to both groups. With all due respect you are a bit naive. How is dentistry any different from any other career requiring many years of education and dedication. Someone could become equally bored with any career path - be it business, law, medicine, or engineering etc. Of course earnings are a major factor in a world driven by capitalism.....to say otherwise would be a lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picopiko Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 Making a lot of money sounds good in theory, but in reality, it's doesn't really affect your level of happiness too much. e.g., I do not think I'd be significantly more happier driving a BMW than driving a Honda. Honestly, I feel really sorry for those who are going in it just for money because they're hyping up the benefits of money too much. Eventually they will realize money isn't gonna solve all their issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurkandJD Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 Making a lot of money sounds good in theory, but in reality, it's doesn't really affect your level of happiness too much. e.g., I do not think I'd be significantly more happier driving a BMW than driving a Honda. Honestly, I feel really sorry for those who are going in it just for money because they're hyping up the benefits of money too much. Eventually they will realize money isn't gonna solve all their issues. The bolded statement is too naive. Money is still quite important to people's lives. I doubt you can name many millionaires who live a miserable life. They might have some personal/family problems, true, but no one is arguing money solves all your problems. If anything, finding true love/happiness without worrying about material wealth is too theoretical and a rejection of the reality. A good balance of material and emotional wealth is key. Dentists, and physicians for that matter, don't make a "lot of money". They are well off relative to the general population and enjoy some more luxury (in some cases, a lot more). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picopiko Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 The bolded statement is too naive. Money is still quite important to people's lives. I doubt you can name many millionaires who live a miserable life. They might have some personal/family problems, true, but no one is arguing money solves all your problems. If anything, finding true love/happiness without worrying about material wealth is too theoretical and a rejection of the reality. A good balance of material and emotional wealth is key. Dentists, and physicians for that matter, don't make a "lot of money". They are well off relative to the general population and enjoy some more luxury (in some cases, a lot more). To the bolded part: Isn't the point of money to find love/happiness in life? I find it ironic how you are sacrificing that part for money. Also, in a high GDP country, it's been shown that wealth and happiness do not correlate as much as they do in a low GDP country (i.e. of below $10,000 GDP per capita). I'm saying, after a certain point (ie. being able to afford occasional treats etc.), money just doesn't play a big role in happiness. Setting $$$ as the ultimate goal is a bit naive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurkandJD Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 To the bolded part: Isn't the point of money to find love/happiness in life? I find it ironic how you are sacrificing that part for money. Also, in a high GDP country, it's been shown that wealth and happiness do not correlate as much as they do in a low GDP country (i.e. of below $10,000 GDP per capita). I'm saying, after a certain point (ie. being able to afford occasional treats etc.), money just doesn't play a big role in happiness. Setting $$$ as the ultimate goal is a bit naive. The point of money is different for everyone, I wouldn't judge how different people derive their happiness. But I do agree with your clarification about money being less important after a certain threshold. But then again, neither one of us are millionaires/billionaires (sorry for the assumption if you are), so we don't know the impact of that amount of wealth on our lives. We are only guessing, sometimes judging them. Of course, sometimes those judgement might even be a result of jealousy and an excuse for ourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islander2010 Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Making a lot of money sounds good in theory, but in reality, it's doesn't really affect your level of happiness too much. e.g., I do not think I'd be significantly more happier driving a BMW than driving a Honda. Honestly, I feel really sorry for those who are going in it just for money because they're hyping up the benefits of money too much. Eventually they will realize money isn't gonna solve all their issues. Well a couple things I guess - 1. no one said that money was the only reason to go into dentistry (or any career for that matter) - just that it is definitely an important factor for some people. 2. Most people that make the comments you made have not experienced first hand what it is like to earn at least 300-400k per year. I do not make that now, but I have in the past. I can tell you what it does do for certain - it gets rid of the one issue that most people worry about - bills. Living debt free and having the freedom to do what you want and when you want rather than have to go to work in the morning if you feel like playing golf is pretty damn amazing. It buys freedom (more important than any car you can drive) You should try it sometime before knocking it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sciappmed Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 I don't think your patients would be too happy if you blew all your appointments to play golf lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamahac Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Well a couple things I guess - 1. no one said that money was the only reason to go into dentistry (or any career for that matter) - just that it is definitely an important factor for some people. 2. Most people that make the comments you made have not experienced first hand what it is like to earn at least 300-400k per year. I do not make that now, but I have in the past. I can tell you what it does do for certain - it gets rid of the one issue that most people worry about - bills. Living debt free and having the freedom to do what you want and when you want rather than have to go to work in the morning if you feel like playing golf is pretty damn amazing. It buys freedom (more important than any car you can drive) You should try it sometime before knocking it. You're kidding yourself if you think you can make at least 300-400 as a dentist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champ Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 You're kidding yourself if you think you can make at least 300-400 as a dentist. you can I know some dentists that do. Not every dentist does but its totally possible. You wont be making that kind of money right out of school obviously but once your practise is set up and riunning after many years its totally possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 The point of money is different for everyone, I wouldn't judge how different people derive their happiness. But I do agree with your clarification about money being less important after a certain threshold. But then again, neither one of us are millionaires/billionaires (sorry for the assumption if you are), so we don't know the impact of that amount of wealth on our lives. We are only guessing, sometimes judging them. Of course, sometimes those judgement might even be a result of jealousy and an excuse for ourselves. I guess I should say the psych research does back up the view that money beyond a certain point is not helpful for happiness. This is a realitvely well researched area actually. I found it particular interesting regarding lottery winners in particular not being happier after a relatively short period of time. Actually the best case for happiness seems to be having a bit more, but not too much more, than your peers. Of course like all psych research we are taking about the general case here. Specific people can be happier or less happy with more income. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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