Summary: Becoming a dentist allows more control over setting office hours. See if dentistry is the right career choice with tips from a dentist in this free video on becoming a dentist.
Dr. David Carr graduated from Texas Tech University and received his dental training from the Baylor University School of Dentistry in Dallas. He travels around the country lecturing...read more
"I became a dentist because in the sixth grade I knew I wanted to be a dentist. I either wanted to be an astronomer or a dentist or an airline pilot but I decided dentistry because you are pretty much in control of your life. In other words you can choose your own office hours. I like the combination of science management and people, being around people and being able to just choose your destiny within the laws of the state. So you can practice as many hours as you want to as long as you keep up with the overhead. There is an overhead and it is very expensive. Dental offices typically run about 70% of every dollar in overhead so you have to work in the profit and also work in that overhead. The reason I became a dentist is because I like the science behind it. There is engineering skills. There is scientific skills. There is always a challenge. There is never a dull day in a dental office. There is always a need for a continuing education. You never can sit on your laurels after dental school. You have to move on. So there is always a challenge. It is a very exciting occupation. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've had opportunities to do other things in my life and I have always gone back to being thrilled to death to come back to the office every day and be a dentist."