TwinCities Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 Hello, I'm in this dilemma right now, I applied to both U of S Med and U of S Dent and got accepted at both lol. Not that I am not happy (excited like crazy) but I need some outside help here: Both DENT and MED are very appealing fields, but in my position, what would you do? Dent or Med? I think the question is simple, just want to hear what your take is, considering that both careers are justified in their own right. All input is appreciated thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowbell Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 I'm not a medical student or a dental student, but, based on what I have read, I this is the way I see it. I think it's really what you want to gain from your career. I've thought about both and the prospect of dentistry is very appealing. You finish faster if you are in dentistry, it pays well especially if you are comfortable with practicing in a small town or if you decide to specialize, it's mainly procedure-based so you don't have to deal with as much bureaucracy. I know I'm going to get a lot of hate for his, but I think there is more to life then either medicine or dentistry. At the end of day, though, I am going towards medicine. The only reason I say that is because one aspect of dentistry makes me feel unsettled – the prospect that I won't be able to build a successful practice due to saturation. That alone is enough to steer me away. Medicine is appealing, however – even if it takes longer. There are different types of paths you can take in medicine. You might find out midway through dental training that you don't like the work that's involved. With medicine, I think you have more opportunity to live a great life, in a big city, and make a good living especially since there are so many paths you can take. Take radiology or family practice for instance. They do pretty well – at least here in B.C. I know it may seem that my priorities aren't straight, and I know someone is going to come in here and give me some bullish*t about that I should go into business or investment banking if I want the big bucks – don't get me started on this. People are always going to tell you to do what you love. And there is some truth to that. However, let me give you an analogy. Lets say you like life-guarding on a beach. Everyday, for the rest of your working life you are going to be on that beach from anywhere to 40 hours a week to 100 hours a week (depending on your specialty of choice). After a few years, are you still going to like the beach? I don't know about you, but sh*t, I wouldn't. That way I see is that you should pick something you are at least interested in. However, make sure that it will satisfy you goals in life. Mine is to work a stable job and making a good living so I can enjoy my hobbies, travel, etc. You want to be a neurosurgeon busting their ass and working without much sleep because "you love it"? Be my guest. There is a really good reason why specialties like Dermatology and Opthalmology are ultra-competitive. Let me give you hint: these guys are laughing on their way to the bank. So in regards to dentistry vs. medicine. I'd say dentistry just as long as you feel comfortable with the prospect that you may have to live in a small town to build up a decent practice and that you may be subject to over-saturation if you decide to live in a busy metropolitan area. If things work out, you have the potential to work great hours and get paid well. If that's not your way of life, then go for medicine, find out what you like while keeping in mind finances, job security, and lifestyle (if those are things you want in your life). Don't think that just because you may be going into either of these fields that its taboo to think about salary and lifestyle. From what I've read over on the Student Doctor Network, people tend to have a different outlook on their life by the time they near the end of their medical education. If there is one thing I can assure you of: Medicine, nor dentistry, would be as competitive as they are today if they did not provide a great income and job stability/security. The people who say they go into medicine or dentistry because they want to help people. That's good for them. I'd hope that anyone going into either of these fields would want to help people. I mean that's what these careers are about right? Just because you want to make a buck while you're at it, doesn't make you a bad doctor. Let the flame war begin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
failingtothrive Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 The big distinction between the two would be the altruism that medicine is associated with. If you don't care about this difference, then 100% go into dentistry. It is much more technical than (most areas of) medicine, so if that's not up your alley reconsider. It is more work during the degree part, but it's shorter, you're paid better, you work less. Sounds like a good deal to me. And to oppose what the previous person said, I have not heard of a recent graduate who didn't get a job after dental school...the market is a little different in SK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowbell Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 The big distinction between the two would be the altruism that medicine is associated with. If you don't care about this difference, then 100% go into dentistry. It is much more technical than (most areas of) medicine, so if that's not up your alley reconsider. It is more work during the degree part, but it's shorter, you're paid better, you work less. Sounds like a good deal to me. And to oppose what the previous person said, I have not heard of a recent graduate who didn't get a job after dental school...the market is a little different in SK! Fair enough. I didn't take into consideration that you live in SK – my apologies. Here in Vancouver, B.C. on the other hand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007_David Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Bro, just do both. LOL. Cuz that'd be kick ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1234 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Bro, just do both. LOL. Cuz that'd be kick ass. DDS + MD + MSc + FRCSC = Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery BAM HOMMIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_007 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 DDS + MD + MSc + FRCSC = Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery BAM HOMMIE Amazing stuff right here!!! Specializing in dentistry is nuts compared to medicine, much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much... competitive. As well, being a dentist and coming out with a lot of debt... it will take a few years to pay all that off. As well, the overhead costs of operating within a practice is nuts (overhead - equipment cost, rent, staff payment, electricity, etc) Pick medicine, honestly if there was an economic downturn would you rather be inclined to go to a doctor or a dentist? (Implying with medicine you get more job stability) Physicians also (I think) are a bit more respectable than dentists (unless you are a dental specialist) Bottom line, if you are adventurous/risky/business minded choose dentistry over medicine. If you would like to make an impact on others (make your life worth something), respected and have a secure job pick medicine... But, I'll go with whatever others say and state 'follow your heart..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebouque Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 The fact that you're asking the question proves that you should choose medicine. Why? Because unless you're extremely, really, deeply passionate about dentistry, you should go for med. Since you're hesitating, you're not extremely, really, deeply passionate about dentistry, otherwise you would've made up your mind. Why? Because dentistry is interesting, pays well, respectable, but it's mostly one thing: a very technical profession. Dentistry is one type of job. On the other hand, medicine isn't one type of profession, it's a vast group of very different jobs. You want to work with your hands exclusively? You don't want to work with your hands at all? You want a good mix of manual and intellectual tasks? You want to talk to people mostly? You want to do field work? You want to work in an office? You want to see patients? You don't want to see patients? You want to see exclusively children? Exclusively adults? You want to work in a lab? You want to do mostly private care or private cosmetic care? Everything is possible. The range of different jobs in medicine is HUGE. The number of paths that you can take is almost infinite. It's a no brainer, make the right choice, go for medicine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.