"I told my dentist my teeth were turning yellow. He told me to wear a brown tie."
Rodney Dangerfield, comediante
Thinking of becoming a dentist? Big!
However, before making your final decision, be sure to read this article because below I will tell you all the pros and cons of being a dentist.
You may change your mind and want to pursue a different career path after evaluating all of the arguments below.
Table of Contents
dentist profession
| Brief job description | Dentists make sure that all the problems related to our teeth are solved. This includes treating fairly simple things like cavities, but also complex dental prosthetics. |
| salary | $175,000 per year on average, ranging from $115,000 to $265,000 per year. |
| job security | Good job security. |
| Work satisfaction | Average job satisfaction. |
| Work-life balance | Decent balance between work and personal life. |
| Physically/mentally demanding? | It can be mentally and physically exhausting. |
| perspective of the future | Well, since the barriers to entry are quite high, since you need extensive training. |
| requirements | Technical college entrance qualification and additional training required. |
Benefits as a dentist
- Dentists can make a lot of money
- You can free people from pain.
- You can improve the quality of life of many people
- Dentists are crucial to the functioning of our system
- Being a dentist means being highly appreciated in society
- Dentists have it easy in the partner market
- You can do your family and friends a favor.
- Each patient is a new challenge
- dentists are always needed
- You can open your own dental clinic
- Relatively moderate work day
- Some dentists even only work part time.
- Gute work-life-balance
- Dentists are not under pressure from other doctors.
Dentists can make a lot of money
One important advantage of being a dentist is that you can earn very good money.
In fact, after a few years, most dentists are earning six figures.
Therefore, dentists earn more money thannurse practitionerand most other people.
So if money and a quirky lifestyle are really important to you, dentistry is a suitable career option for you.
You can free people from pain.
In addition to money, you can also do good things for people.
You will have patients coming to you daily asking for help to get them out of severe pain.
In fact, toothache is quite common and can have a variety of causes.
In most cases, as a dentist, you can identify these causes and find appropriate solutions to the problem.
Your patients, in turn, will often thank you for what you have done for them and return knowing they are in good hands.
You can improve the quality of life of many people
As a dentist, you can not only relieve people's pain, but also improve the overall quality of life for your patients.
It is not uncommon for people to have cosmetic problems with their teeth.
Solving these problems will only make people look better.
As a result, these people also have better opportunities in different areas of life and often leave their dental practice feeling that they have done something good for others.
Dentists are crucial to the functioning of our system
Dentists are also very important in keeping our system running.
Like other doctors, dentists are vital to our infrastructure, as people need fast and competent help in an emergency.
Imagine a world without dentists. Who should fix your dental problems?
Who could relieve you of toothache and other problems related to your teeth?
Without dentists we would all be lost and unable to live our lives as we know them now.
So as a dentist you will be a crucial part of the local infrastructure and without you and other passionate dentists the whole system would collapse and a lot of chaos would ensue.
Being a dentist means being highly appreciated in society
Another benefit of becoming a dentist is that you will also enjoy quite a high position in society.
Because people know how important your job really is to keep you vital, most people will have a lot of respect and value for you.
Dentists, like many other doctors, have quite a decent reputation, and even your childhood friends will be quite impressed when they find out that you have become a successful dentist.
Dentists have it easy in the partner market
Since dentists are highly regarded in the society and can earn a lot of money, they also have an advantage in the dating market.
Money and a high social status definitely help when looking for a partner.
In fact, as a dentist, you have many different potential partners to choose from and you can choose the one that suits you best.
Also, if one day you separate from your partner, it will be easy for you to find another partner who may be even better for you.
Therefore, the profession of dentist can also help you a lot in your private life.
You can do your family and friends a favor.
As a dentist, you can't just help your patients.
You can also consult your family and friends and offer them cheap or even free treatment in an emergency.
Many people still do not have health insurance and are often unable to pay for necessary dental treatment.
In such a case, your relatives will be very grateful for your support, as they will be relieved at low cost and will not have to bear the high costs associated with treatment in other dental practices.
Each patient is a new challenge
You will soon discover that every patient is different and what worked for patient A may not always work for patient B.
As a result, he often has to improvise to find the best possible treatment for his patients.
While this can be quite challenging, it also gives you the opportunity to develop your skills and keeps you motivated and curious.
So if you love a challenge and want to get better every day, being a dentist can also be great in that regard.
dentists are always needed
While many jobs will be automated in the near future, dentists won't, at least not to any significant degree.
In fact, dentists are always needed and the work that dentists can do cannot be done by robots for decades to come.
In addition, people also want to have personal contact with dentists and other doctors instead of just being treated by a machine.
As a dentist, you also have a fairly high level of job security and don't have to worry about being replaced by a machine in the next few years or decades.
You can open your own dental clinic
If you're more of an entrepreneur, you could also open your own dental office.
In the first years, of course, it is advisable to work as an employee for someone else, since you learn a lot during this time.
However, after learning all the essential skills, you can easily start your own dental practice.
In this way you have more flexibility in terms of work schedules and free time because you are your own boss.
So you don't have to work as an employee forever if you don't want to.
In fact, it's quite easy to start your own dentistry business once you feel ready.
Relatively moderate work day
As a dentist, you also have the option of working a lot of overtime or not.
In fact, most dentists can choose how much work they want to do.
Of course, if you want to earn really good money, you have to work like a dog.
However, some dentists do not want to work as hard and will forego extra money in exchange for more free time and less stress.
Some dentists even only work part time.
Some dentists even only work part time.
Especially in areas where rents are still cheap, some dentists can afford a decent lifestyle working 20-30 hour weeks.
As a dentist, you don't necessarily have to work hard.
Some dentists also have quite laid back lives and it also depends on what kind of lifestyle you want to live.
If you are willing to lead a more modest lifestyle, working just 20 hours and still being quite happy may be enough for you.
Gute work-life-balance
Dentists can also have a good work-life balance.
When you own your own dental practice, you can decide how much you want to work and how much time you want to spend with your family.
You are also quite flexible when it comes to working hours.
You can also decide if you want to have the holidays off or work.
As you can see, you have a lot of freedom as to when and how long you want to work as a dentist, especially if you have your own dental clinic since you are your own boss.
Dentists are not under pressure from other doctors.
While your mistakes as a dentist can be painful, dentists often don't have the same level of responsibility and pressure as other doctors.
When cardiologists make mistakes, those mistakes can cost their patients' lives.
Most of the time, when dentists make mistakes, their patients will still be alive and the problems can be solved in the future.
Therefore, the stress and pressure associated with the dental profession is often not comparable to other medical professions and one can generally live more relaxed.
Disadvantages of being a dentist
- It takes a long time to become a dentist.
- Student loan debt can be overwhelming
- Problematic when you change your mind after a few years.
- Dentists may have to work weekends and holidays
- Emergency service can be stressful
- Not all dental clinics are profitable
- Your work space will be quite cramped.
- Dentists are at risk of contracting infectious diseases
- Dentists need to reassure their clients
- Many people are afraid of going to the dentist.
- Some patients are just difficult
- Your mistakes can cause serious health problems for your customers
- people can sue you
- Mental health problems in dentists.
- Being a dentist is also physically demanding
- It can be hard as you get older
- It can get boring over time
- A single mistake can ruin your reputation.
- Many people underestimate the stress of a dentist
It takes a long time to become a dentist.
While there are many important benefits to being a dentist, there are still some problems associated with the profession.
One problem with the dentist, for example, is that it takes a long time to become a dentist.
In fact, you have to go to university for many years.
It takes the average student 6-8 years to become a dentist.
That means you have many years of education ahead of you, and you need to finance those years somehow.
It also means that you have to be pretty ambitious not to give up after a while.
Student loan debt can be overwhelming
Many students cannot finance their education through their student work and do not receive enough support from their parents.
Therefore, many students who want to become dentists have to take on student debt.
While student debt makes your life as a student more comfortable since you don't have to worry about money at this point in your life, you will have to pay the piper later on.
In fact, many dentists have to pay off six-figure student debt, which will take many years.Truck driverand many other people need not worry about it at all.
So becoming a dentist often means going into serious debt and you need to make sure that your career is worth as much money to you.
Problematic when you change your mind after a few years.
In the worst case, he would start his dental studies and drop out again after a few years.
In such a case, you would have significant student debt and would have paid significant amounts of money for tuition without receiving any reward.
Therefore, before beginning your dental training, you must be absolutely sure that this career is right for you, otherwise it would have significant financial consequences.
Dentists may have to work weekends and holidays
If you have your own dental office, you can decide for yourself whether or not you want to work on weekends and holidays, but if you are employed by someone else, you will often be forced to work during these times.
So if you are not willing to work on holidays or weekends, you should definitely open your own practice or choose another profession instead.
Emergency service can be stressful
Especially if you work in the emergency services, your job as a dentist can be quite exhausting.
You will often have to deal with difficult cases and may even have to work at night.
This can cause serious stress, and if you don't want that stress in your life, you should consider other careers instead.
Not all dental clinics are profitable
While the dental education path is quite long and expensive, the rewards won't be as sure as you might think.
In fact, not all dental clinics are profitable as the machines and staff can be quite expensive.
So, especially if you want to open your own dental practice, make sure you live in an area where it's really profitable.
Your work space will be quite cramped.
Another disadvantage of being a dentist is that you have to work in the same profession all your life, at least if you don't want to invest a lot of extra time and money in another education.
As a dentist, you can only fix problems related to a person's teeth.
On the other hand, those who study business administration or many other fields of study can work in many different professions and also have an easy job change.
So, make sure that the dentist is really your dream job because it will be difficult for you to change your profession.
Dentists are at risk of contracting infectious diseases
Because you work with patients and work on their mouths, you are also at a higher risk of contracting HIV or other serious diseases.
In fact, even small finger wounds that go unnoticed can lead to these infections when working with them in patients' mouths, especially if proper safety precautions are not taken.
Even if you wear gloves all the time, there is still a residual risk as nothing is perfect and even gloves can have holes.
Dentists need to reassure their clients
As a dentist, you don't just have to take care of your clients' teeth.
They also need to calm down nervous patients.
In fact, many people do not like to go to the dentist and it is your job to relieve them of their discomfort.
While this works for some, for others it will be quite frustrating and you will eventually become angry with some patients.
Many people are afraid of going to the dentist.
Some people are literally afraid to go to the dentist.
These people will do anything to avoid appointments at the dentist's office.
While this may work for a period of time, the problems will get worse in the long run, and small problems become serious problems.
As a result, some people who come to you have dental problems so severe that there is little you can do for them other than remove their teeth.
Some patients are just difficult
While most patients appreciate your work, there will be those who will always have something to complain about.
In fact, some patients are also quite sensitive and will make mountains out of a molehill.
Be prepared, therefore, that not all patients will be nice, and that you will need to develop a little patience for the more difficult of them.
Your mistakes can cause serious health problems for your customers
As a dentist, you also have a certain responsibility to your patients.
Because if you make mistakes, you can harm your patients or incorrect treatment can even cause serious indirect damage.
Therefore, make sure that you are willing to take on this responsibility before you decide to become a dentist.
people can sue you
We all make mistakes and sooner or later you will be the one causing serious problems for your patients.
While some will forgive you for your mistakes, others will even sue you and if found guilty, you could even lose your dental license.
Mental health problems in dentists.
Some dentists also suffer from psychological problems due to mistakes in professional life or due to stress.
If you can't deal with pressure and stress in an emotionally healthy way, you may want to choose an alternative career path.
Being a dentist is also physically demanding
Many people also underestimate the physical component of being a doctor.
Standing and working on your patient's mouth all day can be exhausting.
This can often lead to back pain and other long-term physical health problems.
It can be hard as you get older
The physical component of the dental profession can be problematic, especially in old age.
In fact, some dentists even have to quit their jobs in their 50s and 60s due to physical health problems.
It can get boring over time
While dentistry is a passion for many people who work in this field, it can get boring for people who are just looking for money.
Therefore, make sure that you have a genuine interest and passion in helping others before choosing this profession.
A single mistake can ruin your reputation.
Especially if you have your own dental office, one big mistake can ruin your reputation.
People talk to each other, and if you get bad reviews, you are likely to lose clients in the future and eventually have to close your office.
Many people underestimate the stress of a dentist
In general, there is much more to the dental profession than meets the eye.
Many people underestimate what it takes to run a successful dental practice and end up in financial and emotional trouble over time.
Top 10 Pros and Cons of a Dentist - General List
| dentist being professionals | dentist his cons |
|---|---|
| Dentists can make a lot of money | Being a dentist can be stressful |
| You can help your patients | You have to deal with difficult patients. |
| You can do your loved ones a favor | Many people are afraid of dentists. |
| Dentists can work part time. | years of training |
| Most patients will appreciate your work | high tuition |
| You can open your own query | Student loan debt is common |
| Being a dentist can be a passion | Mental problems are quite common. |
| Decent balance between work and personal life | Dentists Face Physical Challenges Too |
| Good opportunities in the dating market. | troublesome in old age |
| you can always learn | Patients can sue you |
Should you become a dentist?
As we can see, there are several important advantages and disadvantages of being a dentist.
You need to carefully weigh all the pros and cons to make an informed decision about whether or not you want to become a dentist anyway.
If you still want to become a dentist, you can also check out theCareer Prospects, Educational Requirements, Job Satisfaction, Working Hours, Future Prospects, and Salary of Dentists.
If you choose not to, there are several other careers you can choose from.
Also be sure to check out the following articles:
Pros and cons of becoming a chef
Advantages and disadvantages of training as a psychologist
Fuentes
https://www.gentledental-mi.com/blog/10-best-dentist-tips-for-the-best-dental-care/
https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/dentist/salary
About the Author
My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people about the different careers that are possible in our current world situation. In my opinion, people often make the mistake of choosing their profession based on how much money they can earn instead of doing what makes them truly happy.
That's pretty sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of what a fulfilling career might look like. That's what I did when I got into consulting after finishing my master's in economics. However, I quit soon after because I couldn't find any real purpose in my job.
Now I can do what I really love and I want to allow as many other people as possible to follow this exciting path to happiness instead of money.
I have conducted several interviews with employees to give you a good idea of what work will be like in different areas so that you can make the best possible decision for your future career choice.
Do you want to support my blog? Share it!
FAQs
What are the pros of being a dentist? ›
- Restore the oral health and transform the lives of their patients. ...
- Be independent in their careers. ...
- Earn a good salary. ...
- Choose from a number of career options. ...
- Maintain a flexible lifestyle. ...
- Shape the future of oral health care. ...
- Be respected members of their communities.
- Good judgment. Exercising good judgment means exhibiting humility. ...
- Organization. ...
- Critical thinking skills. ...
- Professionalism. ...
- Negotiation skills. ...
- Networking skills. ...
- Manual dexterity. ...
- Maintain continuing education requirements.
One of the many problems in the dental industry you'll face is finding new patients. Even if you've managed to overcome the financial issues inherent to opening a new dental practice, finding new patients is one challenge that requires dedication, a productive team and serious networking.
Is being dentist worth it? ›Dentistry is still a great profession for many reasons and can be extremely worthwhile. It is not always an easy road, but it can be a highly rewarding one. I still love what I do every day, despite the challenges!
How stressful is being a dentist? ›Working long hours as a dentist can be extremely stressful and demanding, which requires great time management. Every patient needs the dentist's undivided attention, but as time passes and one grows weary, it can be challenging to offer the greatest care.
What are 5 things a dentist does? ›- Teaching people about dental hygiene.
- Filling cavities.
- Removing buildup or decay from teeth.
- Repairing or removing damaged teeth.
- Reviewing X-rays and diagnostics.
- Giving anesthesia.
- Putting in fillings or sealants.
- Checking the growth of teeth and jawbones.
- Remove decay from teeth and fill cavities.
- Repair or remove damaged teeth.
- Place sealants or whitening agents on teeth.
- Administer anesthetics to keep patients from feeling pain during procedures.
- Prescribe antibiotics or other medications.
A great dentist understands that a patient needs to feel in control of his or her treatment. Honesty and Compassion: A good dentist is also honest and compassionate. Dental problems can affect many areas of a person's life, and dentists need to be sensitive to the problems caused by poor dental health.
Do dentists get rich? ›Other dentists are delighted to be wealthy. "Statistics show that dentists average about $180,000 per year, putting them in the top 5% of earners in America. I personally earn more than that and am comfortable in my lifestyle and prospects for a secure retirement," said one pediatric dentist.
Do dentists have a good future? ›There's no doubt about it—dentistry is a fantastic career for the future. Just as people will always need doctors, nurses and medical assistants to take care of their bodies, so too will people always need dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants to take care of their oral health.
Do dentists have a high rate of depression? ›
Dentists' state of mental wellness, according to the ADA's 2021 Dentist Well-Being Survey Report: 80% OF ALL DENTISTS REPORTED MODERATE OR SEVERE STRESS AT WORK. WOMEN DENTISTS REPORTED SEVERE STRESS AT WORK TWICE AS MUCH AS MALE DENTISTS. 54% OFALL DENTISTS REPORTED MEDIUM OR HIGH LEVELS OF DEPRESSION.
Can a dentist tell if you are pregnant? ›Pregnancy
Developing toothaches and sensitivity can be a sign of pregnancy as well. While this symptom on its own won't let your dentist know you are pregnant, it is a possible problem that comes with common hormone changes.
There is no limit to the number of teeth you can have extracted at once. While having multiple teeth extracted during the same procedure is rare, it is sometimes the only option for patients with severe tooth decay.
Is dentist a tough job? ›Being a dentist can be hard, it is challenging, and you'll spend various years studying. You might be convinced to be a dentist now, but is it really the right path for you? Sure, dentistry is interesting, however, you will need to be genuinely interested and dedicated to teeth and oral health in general.
Is being a dentist hard on your body? ›A lot of dentists have back and neck issues.
I've also seen patients who had decay on every single tooth and needed root canals on most of them. Those procedures can be very taxing on your body too.
A dental hygiene job requires physical demands that will cause musculoskeletal problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome. This is due to repetitive work, incorrect posture, and non-ideal instruments.
Why do most people not go to the dentist? ›COST. Across most age groups, the cost is the biggest reason why people choose not to see their dentist. Though budgeting to have your teeth cleaned may sound less exciting than saving for your next vacation, investing in your oral health pays off in more ways than one.
Do dentists make mistakes? ›Mistakes made by dentists are not limited to those professionals new to the practice of oral care. Even very experienced dentists make mistakes. While roughly thirteen percent of all malpractice claims are against dentists, it is not unfair to say that many more instances of dental malpractice exist that go unreported.
Is dentistry harder than medicine? ›Which is more competitive? Medicine has fewer applicants per year (ranging from 10-18:1 applicants to places) than dentistry (15:1). As a result, dentistry is the more competitive course of the two (Source) owing to the fact it has fewer places (on average).
Do you need strong hands to be a dentist? ›Dentists need steady hands & keen hand-eye coordination to do their jobs well. In fact, dental schools typically test for those qualities before they allow individuals to join dentistry programs. While steady hands are often a genetic trait, you can improve your hand skills through practice.
Are dentists happy with their job? ›
Overall, dentists have a moderate to high level of satisfaction — 76.6% of dentists were satisfied with their career.
How many dental practices fail? ›Dentists should feel confident that they are poised to be successful in a great profession in which there is a failure rate of less than 1% because they have invested several hundred thousand dollars in themselves-the wisest investment they could make.
Can the dentist be traumatic? ›For those living with conditions like anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a visit to the dentist can be a triggering event. Others may have been put off by a traumatic visit way back in the past or may fear relinquishing control as they sit down in the chair.
What do people hate about the dentist? ›The Invasiveness
Many people's fear of the dentist stems from the inherent invasiveness of the process. Whether you're just coming in for a clean or a more complex procedure like a root canal, you can't avoid the dentist or hygienist leaning over and putting their hands right in your mouth.