Recent visit to Myrtle Beach

[drsmiley06]

Hey thanks for the info thaxil, what dental school did you attend and what made you move to SC? I've been to SC a few times and like the weather and the region. Not that I don't like the fast pace of the northeast, but I wouldn't mind a more laid back region either. Why do you think alot of private dentists are hurting down there, because of the economy? I actually work in a rural area up here in northeastern pennsylvania, near the poconos, so I'm use to that kind of dental work.

[rubber_factory]

My understanding is that the coastal areas are saturated with professional services like doctors, lawyers, et cetera. I would imagine you'd see lots of competition in any profession where you can "live anywhere."

I have been told by an M.D. that Charleston in particular is highly competitive for Doctors, and pay is relatively low.

[Rapture]

I honestly don't know about Dentists but there are not many medical doctors here. I have had nothing but problems finding a good doctor, getting appointments etc...I just spoke with an office today and I have to wait three weeks for an appointment. I've asked many people for doctor referrals and have had a lot of trouble getting names. I have to fly to NJ (where I'm from) to see a dermatologist for a yearly check up every year because there are only a few here. There must be a site or organization a dentist can contact to get info. on jobs, salary etc... in different areas. I don't know about Charleston but Myrtle Beach area needs good doctors, especially specialists.

[usc_gal98]

Have you tried contacting the Medical University of SC? They have a dental school there and may be able to give you some information regarding finding a location suitable for opening up a practice.

[drsmiley06]

I may look into the Medical University of SC in the future, that thought did cross my mind. I haven't heard that there's a shortage of doctors in south carolina, that's the first I've heard of such a thing. I just want to go where the grass is green and the girls are alittle prettier, and that's pretty much it, I'm not asking for much! LOL

[Marylandsailor]

Good docs are always in short supply. Since insurance companies started to run healthcare instead of the doctors, the bottom line (money) has been more of a motivating factor. To find a dedicated doc who cares more about his patients than having "the doctor lifestyle" is rare. What surprises me is that being a retirement area, one would think that good docs would be easy to find in MB.

B

[mrpeatie]

Best advice to anyone before moving to SC- find a job first. Our cities to be smaller (and further apart) than the areas from which some people move. So they love SC, move here and are shocked that we either A) don't have a market for their skills or B) don't pay as highly. I think a lot of them seem to end up as disgruntled retail and food service employees. The poster upthread is correct about the Charleston are being slightly saturated with doctors however that doesn't always translate to all types of doctors. If you look inland and draw a good salary, most of the cities are within 2-4 hours of either Myrtle Beach or Charleston (IOP, Folly Beach, Sullivans).

Also- even though Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle, Pawley's, Conway, etc may seem close, a lot of people will not leave their general area for health services unless they need a specialist. So dentists in one are may have a lot more or less business than another.

[thaxil]

I know a few endodontis and oral surgeons cutting hours and days since the downturn. I moved to MB because of the historic growth and resent rapid population growth. The average income is below the National average, but that to has been improving over many years. Also, being a retirement area, a lot of transplants have higher dental IQ and the ability to pay for services. I feel this area has a bright future and hopefully the economy can diversify a bit. Many companies are moving to areas where employees want to live and work to attract the talent they need. Hopefully Myrtle beach can pick up some high Tec employers. I when to Detroit Mercy. About the women, in general, they above par. Especially, some of the foriegn girls that visit.