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Now, this is a tough one, because I think that dentistry is pretty neat
stuff. But, as always there are two sides to every coin. Since a career
choice is so important is is good to know both the good and the bad. So I
have tried to balance what I have provided here with the pros and the cons
of dentistry. But you will understand if my list here is a bit shorter
than the list of benefits. Ironically, many of the disadvantages of
dentistry are just the flip side of the related benefits.
Environmental Hazards
Although Dentistry is generally a safe profession, there are several
hazards that are particular to dentistry. Some of them may include:
- Possible infection from patients with communicable diseases (i.e.
Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, HIV ect.).
- Dentists can also be exposed to a larger environmental dose harmful
substances indigenous to the dental office such as x-ray radiation,
mercury from dental amalgams, and other chemicals.
- Many dentists incur back pain and other physical problems due the
fact that dentists perform most of their work sitting in chair and
leaning to see in the mouth.
Some of these hazards may seem to be a bit threatening. However,
remember that every occupation has its degree of danger. Although these
are real concerns to the dentist, there are relatively few serious
instances where these become serious reasons to avoid dentistry.
Single Location
Dentists are known as foundations of the community, and respected
businesses. Some of this can be seen due to the fact that dental practices
are usually in one location for the entire careers of one and more
dentists. As a dentist you will most likely choose a location for you
practice and stay there for most of you career--yes, of course there are
exceptions, but they are much less likely then many other business. Of
course for many people this is seen as a benefit.
Stressful Environment
There is an apocryphal rumor that dentists have the highest rate of
suicide and divorce of any other occupation. Personally, I can't believe
that this is true, but I do see where the this fact may be founded.
Dentists can often find themselves in highly stressful environments. It is
a combination of many factors that together can make for a lot of
pressure.
- Most dentists are also small business owners and have the
responsibilities of making sure that the business part of the practice
is running smoothly.
- The nature of dentistry is dealing with small object (teeth) with a
high speed drill, in a small dark hole (mouth) doing procedures which
require high levels of precision. It's amazing they are able to do it at
all in my opinion.
- As you know, many (maybe most) people are not particularly excited
about going to the dentist. This means that much of the dentist work can
go unappreciated. This can be a difficult set back for a big ego!
- The type of person who is interested in the career of dentistry, and
willing to survive the years of school work and evaluation, can often be
characterized as somewhat of a perfectionist ad a type A personality.
Which means that as the stress builds it is also more difficult for this
type of personality to deal with.
Again, although these are important consideration that must be made
when considering an occupation in dentistry, they can be dealt with. Just
plan on visiting the shrink a few times in your career, before you go
jumping off bridges!
Years in School
This is probably the first thing that I mention t people who ask me about
if they should go into dentistry or not. I say to them that they had
better enjoy school. Consider this... assume a person will have a career
for approximately 40 yrs. Then consider that as a dentist you will spend
as much as 10 years of that time in school. That's a fourth of your entire
career spent in school! To me this is seriously significant. Anything that
you spend a quarter of your career doing you had better enjoy.
Now, this is a tough one, because I think that dentistry is pretty neat
stuff. But, as always there are two sides to every coin. Since a career
choice is so important is is good to know both the good and the bad. So I
have tried to balance what I have provided here with the pros and the cons
of dentistry. But you will understand if my list here is a bit shorter
than the list of benefits. Ironically, many of the disadvantages of
dentistry are just the flip side of the related benefits.
Environmental Hazards
Although Dentistry is generally a safe profession, there are several
hazards that are particular to dentistry. Some of them may include:
- Possible infection from patients with communicable diseases (i.e.
Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, HIV ect.).
- Dentists can also be exposed to a larger environmental dose harmful
substances indigenous to the dental office such as x-ray radiation,
mercury from dental amalgams, and other chemicals.
- Many dentists incur back pain and other physical problems due the
fact that dentists perform most of their work sitting in chair and
leaning to see in the mouth.
Some of these hazards may seem to be a bit threatening. However,
remember that every occupation has its degree of danger. Although these
are real concerns to the dentist, there are relatively few serious
instances where these become serious reasons to avoid dentistry.
Single Location
Dentists are known as foundations of the community, and respected
businesses. Some of this can be seen due to the fact that dental practices
are usually in one location for the entire careers of one and more
dentists. As a dentist you will most likely choose a location for you
practice and stay there for most of you career--yes, of course there are
exceptions, but they are much less likely then many other business. Of
course for many people this is seen as a benefit.
Stressful Environment
There is an apocryphal rumor that dentists have the highest rate of
suicide and divorce of any other occupation. Personally, I can't believe
that this is true, but I do see where the this fact may be founded.
Dentists can often find themselves in highly stressful environments. It is
a combination of many factors that together can make for a lot of
pressure.
- Most dentists are also small business owners and have the
responsibilities of making sure that the business part of the practice
is running smoothly.
- The nature of dentistry is dealing with small object (teeth) with a
high speed drill, in a small dark hole (mouth) doing procedures which
require high levels of precision. It's amazing they are able to do it at
all in my opinion.
- As you know, many (maybe most) people are not particularly excited
about going to the dentist. This means that much of the dentist work can
go unappreciated. This can be a difficult set back for a big ego!
- The type of person who is interested in the career of dentistry, and
willing to survive the years of school work and evaluation, can often be
characterized as somewhat of a perfectionist ad a type A personality.
Which means that as the stress builds it is also more difficult for this
type of personality to deal with.
Again, although these are important consideration that must be made
when considering an occupation in dentistry, they can be dealt with. Just
plan on visiting the shrink a few times in your career, before you go
jumping off bridges!
Years in School
This is probably the first thing that I mention t people who ask me about
if they should go into dentistry or not. I say to them that they had
better enjoy school. Consider this... assume a person will have a career
for approximately 40 yrs. Then consider that as a dentist you will spend
as much as 10 years of that time in school. That's a fourth of your entire
career spent in school! To me this is seriously significant. Anything that
you spend a quarter of your career doing you had better enjoy.
Dental Health Plans
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