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Dental school vs Med school?
I am stuck between choosing to go to dental school or med school. I don't really like the architectural side of dentistry but it is easier to study and it doesn't take long. I do like medicine and I am interested in learning and helping people but it takes a while and I hear doctors have irregular hours to work. What should I choose?
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Michel’s Answer
I am in medical school so some bias may come out that is my disclaimer.
I really like medical school, but I don’t think we will be able to help you fully make that decision. I think if you are interested in both of these fields it can be really helpful to follow a dentist and a doctor and see what they do throughout the day and see what you truly like. These are both very rewarding careers and you get to help people in both so I think you will do well in both. I believe it can also be helpful to look to join clubs in both of these respective fields so you can see what kind of people go in both.
I really like medical school, but I don’t think we will be able to help you fully make that decision. I think if you are interested in both of these fields it can be really helpful to follow a dentist and a doctor and see what they do throughout the day and see what you truly like. These are both very rewarding careers and you get to help people in both so I think you will do well in both. I believe it can also be helpful to look to join clubs in both of these respective fields so you can see what kind of people go in both.
I appreciate your support, Michel
Binadi
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Steven’s Answer
Not sure what you mean by "the architectural side of dentistry". If you mean what is sometimes referred to as "microcarpentry", I can assure you that that is only a small part of the day-to-day. And there are many specialties and subspecialties within dentistry, so if there is one part of dentistry you find less appealing, there are certainly others you may find more attractive.
Having said that, for the AVERAGE practicing dentist vs. the AVERAGE medical doctor, the actual nuts and bolts of practice are pretty different. When I was applying for dental school in the dark ages (the early '70s), the academic standard for getting into American medical schools was significantly higher that those for dental school. That meant that for someone without the GPA to get into an American medical school, very often the choice became going to a medical school abroad, or going to dental school here in the U.S. For someone who really has a calling in medicine, going to dental school is likely (though not certain) to lead to disappointment and frustration.
For that reason, I think that Gregory AND Michel's advice to shadow people in each field, or getting a job adjacent to dentistry or medicine, is a very good idea (and one I didn't do, when I switched my sights to dentistry instead of going on to grad school in chemistry--which was pointed out to me quite brutally in my first interview at a dental school). That experience will make it much easier to decide which way to go, and will look great on your record when it's time to apply to schools.
Good luck!
Having said that, for the AVERAGE practicing dentist vs. the AVERAGE medical doctor, the actual nuts and bolts of practice are pretty different. When I was applying for dental school in the dark ages (the early '70s), the academic standard for getting into American medical schools was significantly higher that those for dental school. That meant that for someone without the GPA to get into an American medical school, very often the choice became going to a medical school abroad, or going to dental school here in the U.S. For someone who really has a calling in medicine, going to dental school is likely (though not certain) to lead to disappointment and frustration.
For that reason, I think that Gregory AND Michel's advice to shadow people in each field, or getting a job adjacent to dentistry or medicine, is a very good idea (and one I didn't do, when I switched my sights to dentistry instead of going on to grad school in chemistry--which was pointed out to me quite brutally in my first interview at a dental school). That experience will make it much easier to decide which way to go, and will look great on your record when it's time to apply to schools.
Good luck!
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Hey Binadi! You are asking a great question. You are obviously a person who is thinking way ahead and who has big plans for his future! That is great to know, because the world will need dentists and doctors with your ambition and drive in the years ahead!
My sister is a dentist. So is her son (my nephew) and her daughter (my niece). I am a doctor (first a naval medical officer, then eventually a psychiatrist) but none of my kids went into medicine or dentistry. So, with that perspective, let me answer your question.
I can tell you that either profession will require that you study hard and compete against other students in order to get selected. Both will reqiure you to work and study afterwards to learn, a step at a time, the skills to eventually become a dentist or doctor. Both will also require you to work as a resident for a few years after graduation before you arrive at your final goal. However, dentistry and medicine are changing. While both offer opportunities for someone to work long hours, both also now offer opportunities for more regular working hours. Both pay well and each offers you the chance to be the captain of a team and the chief decision-maker when taking care of patients.
I know my sister has had a very fulfilling career and her son now has taken over her dental practice and seems very happy with his career, as does her daughter who is still in residency. I can say I have had a very fulfilling career as well, and have done many things as a doctor that I would have never been able to do otherwise, especially the privilege of being a healer and someone able to help people in such anguish and misery, with my skills as a therapist and my expertise in brain chemistry, to have less suffering and succesful lives themselves. I can also say that my sister and I have each had moments of exhaustion and frustration with our work. There is no perfect job!
My suggestion is that you close your eyes and imagine the person you want to be when you are done with school and a grownup. How do you imagine yourself? Do you see yourself as a dental doctor or a medical doctor? Think of each and how you imagine spending your days practicing what you have learned. Which excites you?
If nothing stands out, don't worry! I can say this because you have a lot of school before you start college, and during that time maybe you can spend some time "shadowing" dentists and medical doctors. Or you can get a part time job working in medical or dental settings so you can see for yourself what it is like in each. Even once you are in college, there is a lot of experience you will have in college that will shape you and what direction you want to take, if either! And, the basic science and math courses you need for dental school are the same as for what you need for medical school, so there is a lot of time to find this stuff out.
I hope this little bit of advice helps!
My sister is a dentist. So is her son (my nephew) and her daughter (my niece). I am a doctor (first a naval medical officer, then eventually a psychiatrist) but none of my kids went into medicine or dentistry. So, with that perspective, let me answer your question.
I can tell you that either profession will require that you study hard and compete against other students in order to get selected. Both will reqiure you to work and study afterwards to learn, a step at a time, the skills to eventually become a dentist or doctor. Both will also require you to work as a resident for a few years after graduation before you arrive at your final goal. However, dentistry and medicine are changing. While both offer opportunities for someone to work long hours, both also now offer opportunities for more regular working hours. Both pay well and each offers you the chance to be the captain of a team and the chief decision-maker when taking care of patients.
I know my sister has had a very fulfilling career and her son now has taken over her dental practice and seems very happy with his career, as does her daughter who is still in residency. I can say I have had a very fulfilling career as well, and have done many things as a doctor that I would have never been able to do otherwise, especially the privilege of being a healer and someone able to help people in such anguish and misery, with my skills as a therapist and my expertise in brain chemistry, to have less suffering and succesful lives themselves. I can also say that my sister and I have each had moments of exhaustion and frustration with our work. There is no perfect job!
My suggestion is that you close your eyes and imagine the person you want to be when you are done with school and a grownup. How do you imagine yourself? Do you see yourself as a dental doctor or a medical doctor? Think of each and how you imagine spending your days practicing what you have learned. Which excites you?
If nothing stands out, don't worry! I can say this because you have a lot of school before you start college, and during that time maybe you can spend some time "shadowing" dentists and medical doctors. Or you can get a part time job working in medical or dental settings so you can see for yourself what it is like in each. Even once you are in college, there is a lot of experience you will have in college that will shape you and what direction you want to take, if either! And, the basic science and math courses you need for dental school are the same as for what you need for medical school, so there is a lot of time to find this stuff out.
I hope this little bit of advice helps!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Binadi