7 answers
Charlotte
Student
Gulfport, Mississippi
1
Question
Asked
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Would it be better to be a dentist of a medical doctor if I am looking to start a family?
I am a junior and I am looking for a career in healthcare with semi-flexible hours. I want to go into healthcare because I am interested in science and anatomy, and outside of school I like to volunteer at my local Boy's and Girl's Club. I have been recommended pediatrics or dentistry as career paths and I was wondering if someone could give me some insight on these careers to help me make a decision, and what advice professionals have for preparing for these careers.
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7 answers
Steven Bornfeld
dentistry
30
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Another retired dentist here. The field has changed greatly since we entered it. The financial barriers to entry are pretty daunting. And fewer dentists are going into private practice.
But the field still offers a lot of flexibility. Most people when they think of the dentist think of the solo practitioner in his/her practice. But there are others in academia, industry, and research.
This is true for medicine too, of course. This very much depends on what specialty you practice. If you're an obstetrician, you can depend on being called at all hours. If you are a dermatologist, not so much.
I assume you are a junior in high school, not college, or you should already have an idea what direction you're going in. If the decision is based on work/life balance, though more dentists probably would be satisfied than the proportion of physicians. But either field has enough flexibility to move in the direction you feel you want. More important is how you feel about the nuts and bolts of the day-to-day practice. When you go to college, seek out opportunities to volunteer in medical or dental settings or to shadow doctors when they work. That will not only help you to have a better idea of what your interests are likely to be, but will also be a leg up for admission to whatever professional school you apply to.
Good luck!
But the field still offers a lot of flexibility. Most people when they think of the dentist think of the solo practitioner in his/her practice. But there are others in academia, industry, and research.
This is true for medicine too, of course. This very much depends on what specialty you practice. If you're an obstetrician, you can depend on being called at all hours. If you are a dermatologist, not so much.
I assume you are a junior in high school, not college, or you should already have an idea what direction you're going in. If the decision is based on work/life balance, though more dentists probably would be satisfied than the proportion of physicians. But either field has enough flexibility to move in the direction you feel you want. More important is how you feel about the nuts and bolts of the day-to-day practice. When you go to college, seek out opportunities to volunteer in medical or dental settings or to shadow doctors when they work. That will not only help you to have a better idea of what your interests are likely to be, but will also be a leg up for admission to whatever professional school you apply to.
Good luck!
Sijoy Sagar
Program Manager
147
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sijoy’s Answer
Hi Charlotte,
It's fantastic that you are already considering how a career in healthcare can fit with your family plans. Both dentistry and medicine are great choices, each offering unique opportunities and lifestyles.
Dentistry:
Training: After college, you will need about 4 years of dental school.
Work Style: Dentists often have more predictable hours, mainly working weekdays in private practice.
Family Balance: Dentistry usually offers more flexibility, allowing you to set your own hours if you have your own practice.
Impact: You will make a big difference in patients lives by improving their oral health and overall well-being.
Medicine (like Pediatrics):
Training: This involves 4 years of medical school plus 3–7 years of residency, depending on your specialty.
Work Style: The training is longer and the hours can be demanding, especially during residency. Pediatricians often work in clinics or hospitals with different schedules.
Family Balance: Medicine can be very fulfilling, though it might mean irregular hours at first. Many doctors find a good balance later in their careers.
Impact: You will have the chance to build lasting relationships with children and families, making a real difference in their lives.
Preparing Now:
Focus on doing well in science classes like biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
Shadow both a dentist and a pediatrician to get a feel for their daily work.
Keep volunteering, as your time at the Boys and Girls Club shows you enjoy helping people, which is important in both fields.
Talk to professionals about how they manage work and family life for helpful insights.
Key Takeaway: Dentistry might offer more regular hours and flexibility, while medicine provides a wider impact but requires longer training and can be more challenging initially. Since you're interested in science and helping people, both paths are excellent choices. It all comes down to the lifestyle you want with your career.
Wishing you confidence and clarity as you explore these exciting healthcare paths.
It's fantastic that you are already considering how a career in healthcare can fit with your family plans. Both dentistry and medicine are great choices, each offering unique opportunities and lifestyles.
Dentistry:
Training: After college, you will need about 4 years of dental school.
Work Style: Dentists often have more predictable hours, mainly working weekdays in private practice.
Family Balance: Dentistry usually offers more flexibility, allowing you to set your own hours if you have your own practice.
Impact: You will make a big difference in patients lives by improving their oral health and overall well-being.
Medicine (like Pediatrics):
Training: This involves 4 years of medical school plus 3–7 years of residency, depending on your specialty.
Work Style: The training is longer and the hours can be demanding, especially during residency. Pediatricians often work in clinics or hospitals with different schedules.
Family Balance: Medicine can be very fulfilling, though it might mean irregular hours at first. Many doctors find a good balance later in their careers.
Impact: You will have the chance to build lasting relationships with children and families, making a real difference in their lives.
Preparing Now:
Focus on doing well in science classes like biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
Shadow both a dentist and a pediatrician to get a feel for their daily work.
Keep volunteering, as your time at the Boys and Girls Club shows you enjoy helping people, which is important in both fields.
Talk to professionals about how they manage work and family life for helpful insights.
Key Takeaway: Dentistry might offer more regular hours and flexibility, while medicine provides a wider impact but requires longer training and can be more challenging initially. Since you're interested in science and helping people, both paths are excellent choices. It all comes down to the lifestyle you want with your career.
Wishing you confidence and clarity as you explore these exciting healthcare paths.
Kizito Essien
Medical laboratory scientist
1
Answer
Eikwe, Western Region
Updated
Kizito’s Answer
Both paths are demanding, but they offer very different daily rhythms. Here is a comparison to help you weigh the decision:
Dentistry: The "Predictable" Path
Dentistry is generally known for better work-life balance due to the nature of the practice.
Schedule: Most dentists work set clinic hours (e.g., 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) without the frequent "on-call" requirements of a hospital physician. This makes school pickups, extracurriculars, and family dinners much easier to manage.
Autonomy: If you own your practice, you control your schedule. You can decide when to open, how many patients to see, and when to take time off.
The Reality: The work is physically taxing—you are in a hunched position with high focus for long periods. If you own the business, you carry the administrative stress of payroll, staff management, and overhead costs.
Medical Doctor: The "Specialty-Dependent" Path
The lifestyle of a doctor varies wildly depending on your chosen field.
The "Training" Burden: Medical school and residency training are grueling. Many residents work 80-hour weeks, including overnights. If you are starting a family now, this training phase can be extremely difficult.
Specialty Selection: Once established, your lifestyle depends on your specialty.
High-balance specialties (e.g., Dermatology, Psychiatry) often offer 9-to-5 outpatient hours.
High-intensity specialties (e.g., Surgery, Emergency Medicine) often require nights, weekends, and holidays.
The Reality: If you choose a field with high clinical volume, your family time may feel secondary to patient care. However, if you choose a field with more predictable outpatient hours, you can create a sustainable routine.
Dentistry: The "Predictable" Path
Dentistry is generally known for better work-life balance due to the nature of the practice.
Schedule: Most dentists work set clinic hours (e.g., 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) without the frequent "on-call" requirements of a hospital physician. This makes school pickups, extracurriculars, and family dinners much easier to manage.
Autonomy: If you own your practice, you control your schedule. You can decide when to open, how many patients to see, and when to take time off.
The Reality: The work is physically taxing—you are in a hunched position with high focus for long periods. If you own the business, you carry the administrative stress of payroll, staff management, and overhead costs.
Medical Doctor: The "Specialty-Dependent" Path
The lifestyle of a doctor varies wildly depending on your chosen field.
The "Training" Burden: Medical school and residency training are grueling. Many residents work 80-hour weeks, including overnights. If you are starting a family now, this training phase can be extremely difficult.
Specialty Selection: Once established, your lifestyle depends on your specialty.
High-balance specialties (e.g., Dermatology, Psychiatry) often offer 9-to-5 outpatient hours.
High-intensity specialties (e.g., Surgery, Emergency Medicine) often require nights, weekends, and holidays.
The Reality: If you choose a field with high clinical volume, your family time may feel secondary to patient care. However, if you choose a field with more predictable outpatient hours, you can create a sustainable routine.
Marla Mulvany
Dental hygiene
1
Answer
Flower Mound, Texas
Updated
Marla’s Answer
I would look into nursing something along the lines of sonography or radiologist. You could work in offices and do mammogram sonograms for expecting moms or you can work Hospital do heart sonography or radiology and do hospital hours or you could work office hours you might be able to work a part-time position or a three day week position as a nurse but it’ll be three at 12 hour shifts versus in an office. You’d probably have to work like 48 hour shifts. I’m a dental hygienist and a lot of dentist or mom’s but as much money as you have to put into the education in the license, it’s really seems to be difficult for a lot of them. I’m a dental hygienist that actually had grants and scholarships so I didn’t have any student loans so I’m in a little different situation but I think dental hygiene is an option. Although most offices want a young “” rockstar Hygienist that can go super fast and produce a lot for the office they say it’s patient focused, but then they’re really more money focused
Howard Edelman, DDS, FASD
Dentist / retired
2
Answers
Maple Glen, PA
Updated
Howard’s Answer
As a retired dentist after 42 years in practice, dentistry is truly the best profession you as a student can choose. It allowed me to raise a family, never miss a school event with my children, make a very nice living with only working 4 days a week for all 41 years. I was in private practice as a general dentist and branched into sports dentistry, taking care of several professional teams in the Philadelphia area and served as a dentist for the US Olympic Team . This combined my love of sports with my love of dentistry. The freedom dentistry gives you cannot be matched by most professions….and I truly enjoyed helping my patients every day.
I hope this helps with your choice.
I would suggest you speak with a physician and ask them about their feelings of the practice of medicine and if they would recommend it to their own children. Good luck .
I hope this helps with your choice.
I would suggest you speak with a physician and ask them about their feelings of the practice of medicine and if they would recommend it to their own children. Good luck .
Ashley Smith
dentistry
4
Answers
Nampa, Idaho
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
I'd suggest to check out Physical Therapy. My son is doing that now and it is hard but he enjoys it. And you have good hours vs hospital hours. Great healthcare field. I'm a dentist but I'd avoid it honestly. Dentistry is a mess right now. Tuition way too high vs the money you make and stress of work. I'm transitioning out of dentistry to insurance.
Debra Dycus
Dental Hygienist
3
Answers
Wytheville, Virginia
Updated
Debra’s Answer
Charlotte
I am a dental hygienist. Dentistry is a great field that can offer flexible hours as long a your not the practice owner. We need more dentists because we are experiencing shortages which can be attributed to the high cost of school. I have experienced a wonderful career myself as a hygienist which might be a career path for you.
Best of luck to you.
I am a dental hygienist. Dentistry is a great field that can offer flexible hours as long a your not the practice owner. We need more dentists because we are experiencing shortages which can be attributed to the high cost of school. I have experienced a wonderful career myself as a hygienist which might be a career path for you.
Best of luck to you.