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How is life as a dentist?

I am a high school student planning on becoming a dentist and would like to know some things about it. How much do they work? If in private practice, does it hurt the business to go on vacations? What is the average salary? Is it a stressful job? How much of the income goes to rent, equipment, assistants, etc.? Is there a good work-life balance? Thank you!

Public Comments

1. It's a cake job, pretty easy, schooling is expensive and the course you must get A's. So do well and get that degree and you'll be set, otherwise you will waste your time and money.
2. Lots of this depends on how much you like dentistry. I average 3 and 1/2 days of work per week, though I started out at 6 days until I could build up business. (heck, I'm at work right now, playing on the computer while the hygienists are earning $$ for the practice!) As a self employed person, you are off from work, spending money on a vacation while no money is being earned. When you're new, you think about this more. I've practiced 20 years and I don't worry about this anymore. Monthly gross collections this month: $87K, I pay out towards rent and employees etc, about 60% of that Sometimes stressful but mostly fun "They" say that dentistry usually has a 70% overhead. Mine is about 60%. Totally good balance, I don't want to work more and I don't want to work less