Medicine vs. Dentistry?

**Jake** · 20-10-2003 09:24 PM

It was said in jest hence the smileys. However, whilst I have no doubt that many of the good people studying pharmacy have no intention or ever have done of wanting to be a Dr, I know lots and lots, and being on a graduate entry course where everyone has a relevant biological sciences degree I have spoken too, many people who are on a pharmacy course because they didn't get into medicine. I'm haven't said it is right or wrong, and whether you agree or don't it is a fact.

TC · 21-10-2003 03:22 AM

Feel like there has been a total sense of humour loss on this thread -

:wink: - usually signify a joke!!!!

It is also something you should get used as you will find a lot of similar style humour within medical schools.

Finally, on a slightly serious note - it would not surprise me at all if certain Professors asked a similar style question in an interview to test your reaction.

**WendyMedic** · 21-10-2003 04:41 PM

Lighten up a bit! They r not knocking people, just having a joke! Stop taking everything everybody says so seriously! That's something u'll have to be able to do in medicine!

**WendyMedic** · 21-10-2003 05:40 PM

I support mature students fully! I do think some of them bring so much more to medicine. However, u've just got to realise evrything people say isn't meant nastily, and I doubt anything would say anything genuinely intended to be malicious on these boards. I would be the first to admit most people need a second chance at somepoint in their life - hell, I've had a few, and my med school (and no others) was willing to give me one, in admitting me.

Just don't take life so seriously, and good luck to u all!

If ur all committed, I wish u all the luck in the world! :lol:

TC · 21-10-2003 11:07 PM

shesh! If knocking others is classed as 'humour' in medical school, may be I'm doing the wrong thing
[/quote]

It certainly is classified as "humour" from many of the Consultants down. I could use countless examples from harmless humour to EXTREMELY risque. That is not to suggest in any way that you are doing the wrong thing.

I am sure that Jake never meant to offend anybody. A joke is that - a joke. It in no way means that they do not wish to help and support.

**beanyman85** · 24-06-2004 01:38 AM

i know medicine isnt about the money

but the thing about dentists earning more , more quickly then doctors is true but dentists wages normally peak early on and stay somewhat level and doctors salary caught up at a later stage but tend to increase way more then dentist salaries , so in the long run doctors tend to be more rich

**fatcat** · 30-09-2004 06:35 PM

Wow, if money is so important why don’t you re-consider your motivations for going into a caring profession? It’s a shame that people are using such valuable, scarce training resources just to try and get rich, rather than working in the interests of the public’s health.

The NHS invests a hell of a lot of money in training doctors and dentists, much more than you pay in tuition fees to a university, so for someone to be so motivated to want to get out in the the private sector and earn as much as poss as soon as poss seems a bit self-centred to me. I was under the impression that most sincere medics/dentists were pursuing their careers because they were interested in benefiting others, not capitalising on their ills.

I think the NHS is something that we as Brits should value, and it’s certainly something that the vast majority of us depend upon, and most often take for granted. People should be entitled to health care, they shouldn’t have to buy it at premium costs. Look at the national shortage of NHS dentists. It’s outrageous.

Sure, there is a niche for private practice, there will always be a ‘market’ out there, especially since the NHS, given its very nature, its struggling to meet the demands of its public, but to have the ££££ outlook from the outset is worrying. If I were you I wouldn’t signal your intentions to admissions tutors, it might not be taken very well.

Well for me, it's the interest in science, a desire to utilise what I learn at uni in my careers which initially led me to consider a job in scientific research. I really do not want a desk job in finance or anything....
However careers in research or uni are a tad...erm, low paying, hence medicine / dentistry is appealing to me in a money point of view, but not entirely [else I'd do something like law!]. Just don't want a meagre income, but a good income but also something that is somewhat science related and utilises all that knowledge learnt at uni [and indeed secondary school, hehe]. Indeed, one of my cocerns over a career as a GP was that it would just be robotic like i.e. diagnose and give medicine, diagnose and give medicine, with minimal challenge....

By the way, there are one or two other alternatives in medicine to being a GP, sometimes with slightly more than a 'minimal challenge'. I hear emergency medicine is quite important, almost on par with plaque removal. :wink:

**Fizzwizz** · 24-10-2004 01:58 AM

Lets face it ... both professions earn a descent salary. The real decider should be what profession you see yourself committing your life to.

Dentistry can be an interesting & exciting field, as can medicine ...... and pottery throwing as a matter of fact. Its purely subjective and down to the individual. ... I mean .. personally ... I can't think for the life of me why someone would want to practice chiropody .. but they do, and love it!