Worth it to be 400-500k in debt to be a dentist?

[MotoX2]

It's really up to you but for some it is worth it. I know people who are 300k in debt from pharmacy school and are still struggling. If you can land a job after school than it would be worth it.

[dentnoob1]

Originally Posted by city living

We are not short of dentists in my area and he practices solo. He seems to work a lot. But I jinxed it---I actually went to the dentist after posting that and it was the first time he had a someone else clean my teeth in the five years or so that I've been going to him. He did seem busy that day, so maybe I just haven't been there on "busy" days where he actually has a hygienist. Just glad I had a quick, "See you in six months."


I have also thought about PA school since I have all of the requirements but now my classes are deemed "too old" by most places. Medical schools don't usually have a cap like that since they have the MCAT sort of as an equalizer.

you know how your dentist is doing financially? My relative who is a dentist has his own solo practice and after he pays off all his overhead, he is left with 100k. He works like an absolute dog too.

[RamenAddict]

Originally Posted by dentnoob1

you know how your dentist is doing financially? My relative who is a dentist has his own solo practice and after he pays off all his overhead, he is left with 100k. He works like an absolute dog too.

I think it really depends on where you work and the practice area. I went to one periodontist who was pretty much one of the only games in town. He did very well and took the entire office on vacations (sometimes extremely nice ones). I moved and I think he has a friend periodontist in this town who runs his practice the same way. In my hometown, there weren't that many places that seemed to do periodontal work and implants either. Of course, the training for the more niche areas is an added cost, but that is how you can make money. Even though you would probably need to hire hygeinists, people who go to periodontists often have more visits (sometimes every 2-3 months) and checkups than your typical patient.

I have one friend whose dad is a dentist and he told me his dad was really trying to focus on doing the implants because it was a money maker.

[tassity22]

I wouldn't want to be 300K in debt, and I would not have married anyone with that much debt.

[Axxlrod]

My dentist drives a Lamborghini. True story. He owns the practice, and has about 4 other dentists working for him plus several hygienists.