In our most recent survey, two out of three dentists reported that they would recommend a career in dentistry to their children or grandchildren.

Female dentists were far less likely to recommend a dental career than were their male counterparts. While only 28% of male respondents said they would not recommend dentistry, fully 55% of female respondents did.

While 36% of general dentists said they would advise against a dental career, only 7% of specialists felt the same way. This suggests specialists may be happier with their careers than general practitioners.

Here are some comments from dentists…

• “It is a wonderful career where you can truly be the boss. What could be better?” (Ohio prosthodontist)
• “I like the profession but dislike the business of dentistry.” (New York dentist)
• “I don’t know who is earning all that money that I read about in various surveys, but it sure isn’t me.” (Illinois dentist)
• “Ask any physician. They’ll all admit we’ve picked the right profession.” (North Carolina dentist)
• “I thinks the physical strain is too much. Disability comes fast.” (California dentist)
• “It is a part of me.” (South Carolina periodontist)
• “I wouldn’t want my children to have to experience the stress that I had to go though.” (Massachusetts dentist)
• “Helping other people with their physical and psychological health is extremely rewarding.” (North Carolina dentist)
• “I love the practice of dentistry, and my son is starting dental school this fall.” (Kentucky dentist)
• “It has been corrupted by the influence of dental insurance.” (Pennsylvania dentist)
• “It has turned out to be the best thing I could have done both personally and professionally.” (New York dentist)

Post your own comments or read the complete dental career survey results…

When we asked dentists if they’ve ever suffered from professional burnout in their dental careers, a whopping 81% said yes. Only 19% reported that they had never felt burnt out in dentistry.

“If dentists dropped managed care and got better fees for their hard work, it would reduce burnout significantly,” said one dentist wistfully. “Get rid of people in the office who drag you down,” offered another. “Sometimes the very best first step is to sell the practice, take a year off, relax, think, and plan new strategies,” advised an implantologist.

Tips to ease your life

• “Work 4 days a week. Have a good staff. Take long lunch breaks. Use fewer rooms.” (Vermont dentist)
• “Deal with dentistry, not finances.” (Illinois dentist)
• “Take quarterly vacations.” (Illinois dentist)
• “Taking dental continuing education classes rejuvenates my practice and keeps me fresh.” (Illinois dentist)
• “Have a life outside of dentistry.” (New York dentist)
• “Don’t get overwhelmed by a schedule that is not commensurate with your ebbing strength as you hit retirement age.” (California dentist)

What dentists think about burnout

• “I’m a relatively new dentist, and no one warned me about the dangers of high stress, high debt, low reimbursements and staffing issues.” (Illinois dentist)
• “If you view each patient as unique, each with their own set of physical and mental aspects to their mouths, how can dentistry get boring?” (Maryland dentist)
• “The over-40 crowd needs time away to counter burnout.” (Texas pediatric dentist)
• “Burnout to me is mainly the result of the negative light in which most people view the dental office experience.” (Massachusetts dentist)
• “It’s having a great, loyal, professional and mature staff along with a great flow of new patients who want what I have to sell and where money is no object. So, how do I find that? LOL.” (Texas dentist)

Read the complete dental burnout survey results or post your own comments