Using your dental degree in one of these 6 ways can offer so many options for Dentists beyond being tied to a chair. Take a deep dive into the pros and cons of six options available to both young and seasoned dentists.
If you like practicing dentistry chairside, and Dr. Balanoff loved it for 30+ years, please continue to enjoy helping patients in clinical dentistry. That is how Dr. Balanoff started off. He used his degree in dentistry to treat patients and still thinks it was the greatest job in the world.
And by the way…you can always switch your role in dentistry along the way…Dr. B. did!! He was an associate dentist, owned a private practice, started a group practice, cooperate officer of dental service organizations (DSOs), dental supply industry administration, academic professor, research and development, and more. And some of these simultaneously. There are so many combinations and permutations in the dental profession.
So when you think about where you are as a young or seasoned dentist, be smart. Look at all the options. Realize there are certain organizations that are so desperate for dentists, they’re going to help you with debt obligations, your desired work/life balance, and furthering your long-term and short-term goals in the dental world.
1. Armed Forces / Military:
For young dentists, one of the first ways to start your dental career is by joining the Military as a Dentist. You can enlist in the Navy, Airforce, or Army. The contracts can last about 4 years but can be extended if you decide this is the job for you. Learn more about the opportunities available to you here.
Pros:
One of the greatest benefits of enlisting is having your student loans paid for! The military has incredible programs to pay back your debt while you are enlisted. When you start, you will most likely start at the rank of Captain (Army and Airforce) or Lieutenant (Navy).
This opportunity is incredible for people that are single and love to travel. You have the opportunity to see the world and meet new people. There are military bases all over the United States and the world.
On top of actually practicing dentistry, most military programs have opportunities for continued education. You will be able to keep up with the newest technology, techniques, and medical discoveries, AND have it paid for!
After you are done with the service, you still have plenty of time in your career to create your own medical practice. So many of the scariest parts of growing your practice will be alleviated. You can market to the veteran population and create incredible patient connections. Military pensions include 75% of your base pay and major medical benefits forever.
Above all, you have the chance to give back to your country in an impactful way.
Cons:
Committing to military service can have its cons. While you might be traveling the world, you do not have much control over where you serve. You could start growing roots in your first deployment and then have to move whenever you are needed next.
This complicates things if you are married and/or have children. It will spark a very needed and realistic conversation between you and your partner. Consider what would work for your family while balancing your career.
There could be times you are placed on a vessel or submarine for months on end or in an intense combat situation doing oral surgery on combat casualties.
Finally, You will be given and expected to follow strict orders. They have a purpose and it is crucial that you do as you are told. Do you have what it takes?
Questions to Consider:
- How soon/ do you want to live a ‘traditional’ life?
- Could your family handle that change?
- Are you good at taking orders?
- Do you work well under extreme pressure?
2. Academia:
On the other side of the spectrum, Academia is a great opportunity to build your knowledge and notoriety within the field of dentistry. This is a very less intense option to contribute to your field, have a consistent day-to-day, and, generally, pick where you want to live.
Pros:
Academia is going to give you the chance to teach young adults about something you are knowledgeable and passionate about. You can inspire young minds to provide world-class and potentially life-saving services to their future patients. Students will remember you fondly because of the incredible information that you taught them.
This job can be relatively low-pressure. You will have a consistent teaching schedule and rarely have to travel. You will not have to worry about running a dental practice. There is no team to manage, building to maintain, revenue to collect, or build a loyal patient population. However, you can still practice dentistry to maintain your skills. Most universities have connections with local practices for you to supplement your income through your side work or work in the faculty practice.
Finally, you will be able to publish cutting-edge scientific research. The department will support you in your effort to grow the study of dentistry. Your coworkers will be equally passionate people that want to work with you to create something spectacular for dentists to utilize worldwide.
Cons:
Academia is a very consistent job, but maybe too consistent for some. On top of teaching, you will be expected to publish your research in a timely and impressive manner. The phrase “publish or perish” is commonly used if you do not contribute academic findings to elevate the university. Remember that publishing is a peer-reviewed process. Gaining the resources to accomplish your studies can potentially be clouded by the bureaucracy of the academic world.
You will have two types of people: fellow dentists/researchers that want to grow with you and others that will never want a single thing to change. Academia is an easy place to get ‘stuck’ since it isn’t a very high-paying job. It will be difficult, but not impossible, to start your own practice and pay off your student loans if you commit fully to the university environment. You will have to learn about opportunities to grow within the ranks of each particular university. Even as a dental school’s department chair or college dean, you will not be making as much money as in successful private practice. Plus, a well-run private practice is a valuable long-term asset.
Questions to Consider:
- Are you ok with a slow build in your career?
- Can you take orders within a bureaucracy?
- Are you willing to take less money?
- Can you wait to pay off student loans?
- Are you okay with not treating patients?
- Do you like teaching what you already know?
3. Public Health Service:
Working for the Public Health Service is a remarkable way to contribute to your community and practice dentistry at the same time. Countless individuals desperately need the skills you have.
Pros:
These programs create a space for you to thrive while significantly improving an underserved population. You will practice real-life restorative and preventative dentistry. It will be a way to gain confidence and speed in a wide range of procedures since you will have to be a jack-of-all-trades.
The salary is generally industry standard and highly competitive because the roles need to be filled. On top of that, they offer incredible debt service programs.
You will receive the benefits of most military positions without being put in high-risk situations or deployments. The Public Health Service offers tax-free housing, meal allowances, retirement pension plans, financial support for continued education, and pay increases based on years in service.
At the end of your service, you will be an incredibly revered dentist and will have positively impacted countless lives. Learn more about the opportunities available to you here!
Cons:
Like most charitable jobs, you aren’t doing it for the money. You can make a livable wage but there are way higher-paying jobs. Your base salary is the only money you get. Meaning there are no current incentive programs if you exceed quotas or expectations.
Similar to a military dentist, you are at the whims of your program. If they need you to move to a different area then you leave your patients, your community, and your home behind to fulfill a different need somewhere else.
Questions to Consider:
- Is public service more important than money?
- Do you like living in remote areas (generally)?
- Is your family willing to move if the service needs you to?
- Do you need community?
4. Dental Industry
Industry positions are a newer and necessary option for business-savvy dentists. You can work chairside or you can work with the business to decide what dentists do and use. Be at the forefront of medical research and advances while being paid exceptionally well.
Pros:
If during dental school, you were more interested in why you use a product than in your ability to control the tooth, this might be perfect for you! Your responsibilities would be focused on product approval and development by becoming a company spokesperson for what dentists need in their practices. Imagine helping a private company get its products to market based on what you know as a licensed dentist. You would have control and stake in what hits the market.
This starts by having an early vote in the process. You would seek out products by going to conventions, meeting with companies, and flying all over the world to find the latest and greatest in your field. From there, you would do the research on whether this product should reach the people. All while being paid a high salary with bonuses.
This job field is expanding so you can be paid 1099 for limited hours or a full-on employed career!
Cons:
To make it clear, you might not be able to physically practice dentistry. Most of your time will be taken up by more typical corporate happenings. That being said, you will need to climb the corporate ladder and all that comes with it. This could mean traveling more than intended and being away from your family and home. You have to play the corporate game to get what you want out of the job.
Corporate careers sometimes come with horrible, difficult bosses. You are an employee of people that have a lot of money on-the-line and it’s your job to protect the capital from bad investments. There will be STRICT deadlines to review, test, and implement new products and services. You will get paid well, but always at a cost.
Questions to Consider:
- Are you comfortable with public speaking?
- Would you consider yourself a smart, energetic, forward-thinking dentist?
- Are you ok with not treating patients?
- Do you have additional training or education in business?
5. Private Practice / Ownership
The coveted private practice! That’s right…this path could be your dream. In other cases a nightmare.
Pros:
You’re the boss. The HDIC “Head Dentist In Charge”. You can decide your own hours, materials, equipment, location, vacation, hiring/firing, and every other detail you can think of, including some things you won’t think of. It’s all you! You will have the ability to express all that you have learned after dental school.
Building a team that can support you is incredibly rewarding. You can have lifelong patients and build a community of people that trust their oral health to you. You are the superstar and a richer one at that!
There is an opportunity to make a lot of money for yourself and your family.
Cons:
Private practice does not usually start profitable. You may need to suffer at first while creating your business and book of patients. Frequently, new dentists supplement income at other practices as an associate or at DSOs. Dr. Balanoff initially supplemented his income by working for the local prison. After that, he did his own hygiene. Hiring a full-time hygienist was not affordable when starting out.
That being said it is a lot of hard work. Doctors will have to learn to navigate through the challenges because, amazingly, the only thing they didn’t teach you in dental school was how to run a practice! A great option for dentists are free and paid online course that supports you. Even Dr. Balanoff has one and it’s FREE…
There will be a lot of responsibility on your shoulders from the day you start until the day you retire from dentistry. Your patients and employees will depend on you to perform to the best of your abilities daily. You will single-handedly be responsible for equipment, loans, lease, payroll, profit & loss, balance sheet, marketing, and advertising. Can you do it?
Questions to Consider:
- Do you enjoy being the boss?
- Can you handle running an entire dental office?
- Do you have the resources to build a sustainable practice?
- Are you able to maintain positive and ethical relationships with subordinates?
6. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs)
Finally, You can always join a DSO! This is an amazing option to build skills without the responsibility of fully running a dental office. To learn more about the top DSOs in the country check out Becker’s DSO Review!
Pros:
One of the greatest benefits of participating in a DSO is having someone else manage payroll and human resources. The second best thing is you are not responsible for marketing and advertising. New patients not coming in?…that’s the corporate’s issue.
Additionally, you will have a collections and account department managing the cash. Inventory supplies, sundries, and equipment breakdown will not be your responsibility. When the internet crashes and utilities are down someone else will take care of it. Your DSO will pay and be responsible for pretty much everything practice related. They’ll take care of all the little things that can drive most dentists crazy.
A well-run DSO will contribute to your continued education. They have a vested interest in you becoming a better dentist. They do this for two reasons; better patient outcomes and more versatile doctors. These group practice management companies will connect you with educators and programs that help you follow their desired dental techniques. A truly caring DSO will train you to become a better dental practitioner if you are doing something wrong. This applies to best business practices as well. For example: how to properly maintain/audit patient charts, employee management tactics and proper patient note-taking will be taught to you.
Asking if the DSO has a dental advisor board before deciding to work for them is a good idea. A dental advisory board is a collective group of dentists within the DSO. The dentists meet regularly to ensure doctors’ needs are in line and have influence within the corporate structure of the group.
Starting your career as a dentist at a DSO is such a useful way to learn how to practice without the total responsibility of it on your shoulders.
“If I had my wish list, and this is generally how I think about it, if you’re able to work for a DSO early in your career and have that DSO help you start to pay off some of your debt services and simultaneously to that, open up your own private practice. That is perfect!”
Dr. Balanoff
Cons:
At the end of the day, you are an employee of your DSO. There are very specific rules and expectations that the company needs you to follow and if you don’t, you will get fired. Not all DSOs are the same. Unfortunately, a badly managed or failing DSO will not train you to do better if you are not performing to their standards.
Remember the best part of DSO employment is not having to worry about payroll. Well, this is a double-edged sword. The flip side is you typically have little to no say in who you work with. Unhappy with a dental assistant or office manager. Well, you can’t fire them…it’s time to meet with HR to iron out your differences. Yikes.
Additionally, your choice of materials and equipment will be managed. A dentist’s preference for a particular ortho bracket, handpiece burr, or whitening system will take a backseat to the DSO’s office formulary.
Business hours you agreed to may not be negotiable like private practice. Schedules are set well in advance. Sometimes 12 months ahead! You are also not able to control your vacation days or be able to randomly take time off. DSOs own the opportunity to do what they want with you. The goal is to manage dentists like employees. This is a trade-off for not having to deal with a lot of menial business tasks.
Questions to Consider:
- Does your DSO have continuing education programs?
- Does your DSO have a comprehensive and competitive pay structure?
- What is the restrictive covenant?
- Are you a team player?
- Do you get along with the Dental Director?
Dr. Balanoff talks more about using a degree in dentistry…
Final Thoughts about using your doctorate in Dentistry:
Dentistry gives us the rare opportunity to do more than the traditional route. It is crucial to find where you think you can thrive and to change things up when you don’t feel happy anymore. Over your career, you can try all that the field has to offer and still own a private practice one day… if that’s your goal!!
How can you own private practice if you don’t have the funds? Start by working three or four days a week for the DSO. The transition when you have the means. That transition may take you 5 to 10 years and that’s okay. The amazing opportunity with a DSO is guaranteed income and experience. Most dental groups will allow dental associates to take care of the DSO patients and start to grow their own private practice. You will also gain clinical speed and trust in your ability to run a private practice.
For Dr. Balanoff, this is the “beautiful transition” a dentist should search for. Later on in life, you own this top-notch, amazing dental office. Then you have better choices. You can sell it to another sole proprietor who wants to start his/her own practice. Practice owners can then work for that new dentist. Another option is selling it to a DSO.
There are so many opportunities out there. The six outlined above are the tip of the dental iceberg for some. You just have to be smart about where you are in your career and life. Knowing what you want short-term and long-term out of your career is crucial. Take a look into the mirror and say to yourself; “am I the kind of dentist that can run a private practice?”. If you’re not sure, that’s okay. Not everybody wants to or is meant to, run a private practice. The dental industry is a massive $162 billion dollar market according to www.ibisworld.com. Match your career goal to dental niches that fit your needs.
Become an academic dentist, work for the public health service, join the armed services, work in private industry, a private equity firm, or in manufacturing equipment/software. A dental degree gives you access to all these options and more.
Article Resources
- https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/dentists-united-states/
- https://www.usphs.gov/professions/dentist/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqaDYDEZZLti-7AuLr1A5g
- https://www.beckersdental.com/dso-dpms/36849-53-dsos-to-know-in-2021.html
- https://www.studentloanplanner.com/dentist-retirement-guide/
