Medicine vs. Dentistry?

**Buzfvar** · 19-10-2003, 06:04 PM

Hmm.
Would dentistry appear to have greater clinical autonomy than a GP's job, say? I imagine they must see fewer conditions, though, and it wouldn't be quite as diverse, so, erm, what exactly would the differences in a day to day job be, excluding the whole fact that one is for the body and the other is for the mouth?

Any differences I'm neglecting?

**DamianUK** · 19-10-2003, 06:38 PM

Read "so you want to be a brain surgeon"
Excellent book....

Damian

**Buzfvar** · 19-10-2003, 08:20 PM

Will look for it in the library, if I can find it.

**WendyMedic** · 19-10-2003, 11:38 PM

To be honest, if ur just interested in the cash, I'd avoid them both. However, I really don't understand why a medic would consider being a dentist! They are such different careers! Look at careers in the city is what I say! Good luck!

**Buzfvar** · 20-10-2003, 01:09 AM

They do share several themes in common, like the idea of helping people, requiring empathy, being present with a condition which affects a human being's life and so forth.

Cash is never really a valid comparison; though it is perplexing how dentists get paid so much more than doctors, and can go up the levels quicker, so to speak. Private work, I presume?

**Mmmm...** · 20-10-2003, 01:27 AM

crudely put, dentistry and medicine are similar (to a degree). They both require you to have excellent people-skills. They both 'help' people- one prolongs or makes your life more comfortable and one allows you to eat, drink, talk and smile sans pain (I would say that was pretty cool...) and they both involve a fair bit of science...

Dentistry is also five years and the pay is apparently, very good (i remember an article in the Guardian once which labelled dentists, young, gifted and rich, lol

) You reach the equivalent to a consultant's pay much quicker because you don't have to go through the whole PRHO, SHO, SpR routine. If you want more info. about being a dentist, check out the British Dental Association website. You can send off for a free booklet

:mrgreen:

PS. I really don't think that a career as a GP would be robotic...!! Esp. in an inner-city area- there are just sooo many new diseases etc. to deal with (well, ok, i'm actually just thinking about the East End of London)! And also, GPs are THE people who know little about lots and lots! So always something new to do etc. preventing one from being bored.

**WendyMedic** · 20-10-2003, 03:34 AM

Please don't be nasty and call me dumb!! Firstly cos it's not true!!

I was not trying to have a dig at you, but people should not enter med/ den for the wrong reasons, and an awful lot do - but I'm not saying that ur one of them. Also, the pay that drs/ dentists receive r both adequate for quite a nice lifestyle, so I really don't think it's an issue. However, if u do want to sit around counting your money like old King Cole a career in Med/ den i prob not for you.

As for the maxfax comment, what %age of people do you thing do maxfax, so doing both med and den degrees? Not many! I know that it is a standing joke that dentists r failed medics, but if I had not got in to med school, there is no way I'd have considered dentistry... I just see it as such a different career. I would have much prefered nursing (or trying again for medicine). Most of my collaegues also were not interested in dentistry, and the few that were also applied for law - and admit that they really didn't know what they wanted to do at the time (so just went for all the prestigous things, although they don't admit that).

I'd advise you to get work experience in them both, and see what HUGELY different careers they are, and then see if u want to call me dumb! Please don't, because having spent many years doing med now, I obviously know a little more about it and was trying to help. Don't immediately think that a comment is meant to be nasty! :roll:

As for the career as a GP being robotic... if that's what ur worried about, I'd avoid dentistry lkike the plague, as you are very likely to end up practising in the community (although u could do hospital dentistry).

I realise I'm replying to two people here, hence leaving myself open to the lable of "dumb", but am trying to reply to all comments at once!

As for working conditions, it obviously varies as to what u do when u graduate!

**Jake** · 20-10-2003, 11:00 AM

I agree with you wendymedic, I think medicine and dentistry are two totally different things to consider. I was thinking this just the other day. theres no way I'd want to be a dentist. I don't know why, but I just don't. Same as I don't want to be a vet. Now if we're talking failed medics just look at the people on a pharmacy degree

:wink:

**Clarkey** · 20-10-2003, 02:05 PM

Meoooooooow handbags at dawn!! Would you like blood with your milk?

**Rascal26** · 20-10-2003, 03:01 PM

'Now if we're talking failed medics just look at the people on a pharmacy degree ' a bit OTT dont you think reulting to abuse like that :evil: . Everyone faces a setback once or twice in their lifes and if you dont well your extremly luck ro a genius or both.