customx

I've read a lot of threads on APC and other forums about the state of the industry and how it's not a good idea to become a pilot. Lately, I've thought about going back to school to become a dentist. The benefits and liefestyle would be great, but I don't feel like I have the passion to become a dentist. I'm not old, but I've been out of college for 5 years and am about to make a big career change in just a few months. For those on here that have recommended going into the health field, did you have a passion when you did, or did you do it because of other reasons?

bryris

Dentists of one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. Just google it.

cargo hopeful

It’s difficult to tell. Just because you don’t have a passion for jobs in the health field does not mean you won’t like it when you enter it. You might find that its right up your alley or you just might dread going to work every day. Finance and stability are always going to be important no matter what and being able to make the decision to switch career fields to better provide for you or your family is perfectly normal. But I only caution those who go into the health care field only for the financial rewards. For example dentistry; the course loads, work load, study time, and persistency required to even get into dental school is very challenging; so is dental school itself by the way. By the time you get to the stage of applying for dental school, those who were in it for the money or prestige are usually weeded out because lack of drive, inadequate passion to pursue the profession, or just poor grades in the math and science classes. I guess what ‘m trying to say is that if there is no passion behind it, it becomes even more difficult to pursue professions like doctor or dentistry; not impossible, just harder.

customx

Thanks Cargo

At this point, I'm just trying to find out more information about the field and haven't made a decision. From what I've read and heard from other dentists and dental school students, there are a number of other things that sound appealing, other than the financial rewards. There is a lot of autonomy and I would to have my own practice. The hours seem flexible, I would be home every night, and it seems like it would be a great career that would enable me to raise a family.

I'm considering going back to school to take a couple of dental school pre-reqs like chemistry and physics to see how I like them. I may also try to volunteer at a dental clinic and shadow several dentists to see if I like the work or not. If I find myself uninterested in the field after volunteering and shadowing, at least I won't wonder later down the road if it was something I should have pursued.

toeman9

I'm on my third career change after having switched careers three years ago to become a pilot. Then the economy went bust and my pilot career ended even before it got started.

I'm now doing a Certified Financial Planner program at a local university and looking to get my MBA. In the meantime I have two part-time jobs (one of which is as a CFI).

How did I decide on financial planning over dentistry? I have three categories of books in my library at home: history/politics, aviation, and finance/economics. Then I recognized that I really like money and watching it grow, so why not go into finance.

A great resource is the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. This publication really helped me pick a career that fit my needs. It covers things like:
- training and education needed
- earnings
- expected job prospects
- what workers do on the job
- working conditions

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition

Check it out and see if dentistry from day one of school to full swing career is for you.

Nebakanezer

I'm currently a dental student in first year and I've seen numerous forums and discussions about the fall of dentistry. I want to see if any newly grads or dental students have any concerns or positive insights/myth busters. Also, no I'm not in dentistry just for the money. I like the detailed manual work and I think I'm kind of good at it for someone who just started. But the concerns listed online are so overwhelming that it makes me think my interest in the profession is not going to be enough for me to even pay off my student debt let alone make a comfortable living.

hercretired

wrong website

try dentalcareerforum.com

METO Guido

Huge Doc. To restore quality of life with working teeth and big smiles is magic for suffering millions. Get good at it, rent a Cherokee. Fly down to Key West for conch salad and Patron margaritas. Set your own compass.

METO Guido

So my bill for a porcelain crown came to $1,270 last week. Chair time for the dentist maybe 20 minutes. If the lab tech part was $600, which I doubt, $1,800 an hour for Dr. 911 T. Hard to figure why 4 years for general practice is necessary or costs so much. Won't be making any further comments on other trades. Bad karma.

TiredSoul

Can’t make up my mind