Quote:
Originally posted by Iliftrocks
I'm turning 36 next week. I have no dental problems to speak of, except my daughter is starting to go to one, and it's costing, ha ha.
I have been trying to take courses to enable me to go to dental school. What is your take on older folks, I'll be in my early 40's if and when I get out, getting into dentistry?
BTW, my original degree is in Mechanical Engineering so I don't have the chem and biology background yet, so I'm looking at a long haul.
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First of all, congrats on being brave enough to make a decision like this! Dentistry is a great career and it is getting better as the science, artistry, and patient need keeps improving. The population is aging and they need a TON of dental work.
As far as you being in your 40's getting out, I think it might be a positive. You will seem like someone with years of experience and that will only help your standing with patients, especially older ones.
You may not see it now but your background in engineering will also help you out alot wrt biomechanics and biomaterials (a huge field in dentistry). If you can do the physics, you can do the biology and chemistry. No problem. Besides, US schools do not require much too much science background. They just want to see that you won't fall flat on your face. They'll be impressed with the engineering background, trust me on that.
If you need more help or advice, don't hesitate.
Out of curiosity, what made you decide on this? Any field within dentistry of particular interest?