User talk:NZStudent

Hi, I am very curious about what it would be like studying dentistry at the tertiary level (we call that university in New Zealand). At the moment I am currently enrolled in a finance degree (a bachelor of commerce) but I also excelled in the sciences at High School, making me wonder what I could use those skills for. Visiting the dentist the other day, we got into a very interesting converstion about what his job was like. I don't know if I will be happy in this particular career choice, but it something I am concerned that if I do not search into it more, I may regret later. I have very much a business mind, and a past teacher told me my personality reflects someone who is interested in dollar values, and although enjoys science, would not be content with spending masses of time figuring out a brainy maths problem for the simple joy of solving it. This is probably true, but does it mean dentistry would be wrong for me? And what is a good way for me to really get an appreciation of what it would be like without signing away my scholarship for business and the next (quite a few) years of my life? --NZStudent 20:20, 13 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Hi NZStudent. When i became a Dentist, I felt there was not much that I had learned at school that prepared me for the type of learning in Dentistry. If I was to do it again, I think that working for a dentist or doing some work experience with a dentist, would be extremely benificial. That way you can see what they do each day. In fact I strongly recommend working as a dental assistant. This gives you a unique insight into what dentistry is all about, plus (in australia) since you are working in the field, some learning expenses (textbooks) are tax deductable.


 * My advice to you is that you should never choose a career purely because of money, there are plenty of jobs that earn you lots of money, such as mining engineering or driving a tow truck!!!. In the end will you be happy doing the job. And if after knowing what you have to do in the job every day excites you then go for it!. I think commerce if that makes you more business minded, will give you a good business foundation.


 * Also you mention you enjoy science. Dentistry does heavily involve some science, most of the science is Biological science however ie knowing about how chemicals affect cells and about anatomy and physiology and alot of pharmacology. I found that my love for physics was not something that helped me much. But I find that at the end of the day when you have graduated, that dentistry is more about personality. because you are dealing with patients everyday you need to be able to communicate. I think this would probably make some dentists cringe but I think a good job description would be: you are essentially a tooth plumber as well as an oral health teacher (who uses their knowledge to explain what they are doing or answer questions)


 * I hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision
 * (Bouncingmolar 21:37, 13 February 2007 (UTC))