Three dental professionals recently shared with Becker's the reasons that drew them into the dental industry – clinical autonomy, having free time and self satisfaction.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What were the reason(s) that you chose to pursue a career in dentistry?
Frank Clayton, DDS. Owner of Clayton Dental (Suwanne, Ga.): I chose dentistry because it allows autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit to shine. I knew I was going to have a career in healthcare, but upon excellent advice from my father-in-law, a facial and plastic surgeon, I shied away from medicine.
Allen Dorsey, DDS. Owner of Dorsey Dental SVC (Houston): I was a hospital pharmacist, and I hated it. I love what I do now — seeing the patients' excitement after removing braces or the placement of crowns or veneers. I get a lot more self satisfaction working as a dentist.
Christopher Pace, DMD. Oral surgeon at Oral and Facial Surgery Centers of Massachusetts (Burlington): I originally wanted to attend medical school, but I befriended a young dentist during my junior year of college who convinced me to apply to dental school. I was volunteering for both this dentist and a family doctor in my hometown. The deciding factor for me was seeing the dentist work 34 hours per week, play with his kids after work and eat dinner with his family, versus the MD who worked over 60 hours per week, brought work home with him every night and didn't seem to interact as much with his kids. They both made similar salaries and the dentist seemed more content with his life. I love being a dentist, but eventually took the OMS route because I love surgery. I had to sacrifice some of that free time, for which I strived, but I love being an oral surgeon.