How much can a Private Dentist Make?

[mirk3]

I've bitched about school work but that doesn't mean you're somehow entitled to money. No one forced you to go into school and study so stfu. If dentists are entitled to lots of money because they study a lot how much do PhD's deserve to make?

Of course construction workers and dentists are different. But what you were talking about was "energy expended and stress output" which is a joke.

You and most people in fact have NO IDEA how GRUELING AND INSANE dental school is. It is so challenging emotionally and intellectually as well as physically when you don't get to eat a proper breakfast because you overslept because you were up late until 3 am doing lab work. Then you have a science core that is probably more intense then med schol to worry about. Construction workers show up, watch others do work, take a smoke, then go home and relax. Plus they aren't performing a service that improves and (ultimately) saves lives.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[stdmufin27]

After taking on all that debt, 90k isn't a lot. However, you don't deserve ANYTHING. Get over yourself. No one forced you to go into dental school to take on that debt, so stfu.
Dentists make a lot of money because they have a specialized skill which people are willing to pay a lot of money for. No one deserves anything, they only get what they work for.

Well, I don't think I'll "stfu". But thanks for asking. The sense of entitlement comes from the hard work that I've had to put in to get to this point of my life and still do. The stress I've placed on my wife and kids. The debt that is a very large financial responsibility that, like, VERY FEW workers have to worry about. And so forth.

The sense of entitlement comes from knowing that a dentist (not just me) should be making more than 90k soon upon entering the workforce. If you knew about the actual money that you're generating for offices then you'd understand. As far as feeling entitled just because I have D-R in front of my name....well, you're an idiot (ignorant still?).

I deserved my entrance into dental school because I worked hard. I deserve decent grades/good clinical experience because I work hard. I will deserve a decent starting pay (not 90k) because I graduated dental school and interviewed well. My pay should increase appropriately at my future job thus deserving a much higher salary because I will work hard.
DUH.

 

[vasco]

so your making in the 70K range? or are you producing $700K and making 220?

sorry about that. I'm producing at a rate to make 220K a year.

 

[mrlantern]

I deserved my entrance into dental school because I worked hard. I deserve decent grades/good clinical experience because I work hard. I will deserve a decent starting pay (not 90k) because I graduated dental school and interviewed well. My pay should increase appropriately at my future job thus deserving a much higher salary

Here's my perspective. I wish some nearby clinic will offer me a fixed 90k job. I'd rather go for a fixed and secure 90k job with yearly increases rather than a 30%-commission dental sales job where you can make 250k/yr in theory. Some of us grow to hate commission based jobs and want a normal job with normal salary and benefits. I didn't go to dental school for a salary structure similar to that of a salesperson.

I interviewed at that 90k/yr nonprofit clinic where the dentist doesn't have to sell and doesn't have to go to lengths to coerce someone to get a tooth treated. ( you don't realize how stressful this is outside of dental school ) This job was like dental school, 9-5 pm weekdays, and they assign you patients. Except the dental director bragged about interviewing 200 dentists and I obviously didn't get the job. Getting paid % of sales, for better or worse, is the only way to survive in dentistry I guess. I have come to terms with accepting it. Nothing in life is apparently simple as being automatically paid 90k/yr with good job security as a dentist.

 

[lemoncurry]

Let's all stay on topic and refrain from personal attacks.

 

[Daurang]

Here's my perspective. I wish some nearby clinic will offer me a fixed 90k job. I'd rather go for a fixed and secure 90k job with yearly increases rather than a 30%-commission dental sales job where you can make 250k/yr in theory. Some of us grow to hate commission based jobs and want a normal job with normal salary and benefits. I didn't go to dental school for a salary structure similar to that of a salesperson.
.

NYC is great to visit now and then which I do all the time. Is there a reason why you absolutely refuse to move out of that hellhole?

 

[DrReo]

What Burrough are you in?

Here's my perspective. I wish some nearby clinic will offer me a fixed 90k job. I'd rather go for a fixed and secure 90k job with yearly increases rather than a 30%-commission dental sales job where you can make 250k/yr in theory. Some of us grow to hate commission based jobs and want a normal job with normal salary and benefits. I didn't go to dental school for a salary structure similar to that of a salesperson.

I interviewed at that 90k/yr nonprofit clinic where the dentist doesn't have to sell and doesn't have to go to lengths to coerce someone to get a tooth treated. ( you don't realize how stressful this is outside of dental school ) This job was like dental school, 9-5 pm weekdays, and they assign you patients. Except the dental director bragged about interviewing 200 dentists and I obviously didn't get the job. Getting paid % of sales, for better or worse, is the only way to survive in dentistry I guess. I have come to terms with accepting it. Nothing in life is apparently simple as being automatically paid 90k/yr with good job security as a dentist.

 

[NileBDS]

In my personal view, it is not OK to accept a $90k salary as a new dentist. Maybe as a base salary to have benefits/production added to it, but $90k is just plain being taken advantage of. You can do better than that ...
If you agree to work for that little, for whatever reasons, for whatever period of time, I can understand that too but know that it is by your own doing. You're not giving yourself the chance you deserve.

 

[KinKs]

In my personal view, it is not OK to accept a $90k salary as a new dentist. Maybe as a base salary to have benefits/production added to it, but $90k is just plain being taken advantage of. You can do better than that ...
If you agree to work for that little, for whatever reasons, for whatever period of time, I can understand that too but know that it is by your own doing. You're not giving yourself the chance you deserve.

. But let whosoever that thinks its ok go ahead

 

[pmoney]

lol sorry man you're in LA. Right now Cali is just about the worst place to be a dentist since its outrageously oversaturated. If you're willing to go work in alaska for three years I heard they'll pay you 250k a year. But then again, who wants to be in alaska?

Pretty ignorant statement if you ask me. Perhaps you're not a big outdoorsman?

I would jump at a good job in anchorage/wasilla/palmer or even fairbanks if i was young and unattached.

The jobs out there are with the Indian Health Service or directly with some tribes working in native lands. Those can be particularly difficult places for someone used to a normal american suburb or city to live.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

Here's my perspective. I wish some nearby clinic will offer me a fixed 90k job. I'd rather go for a fixed and secure 90k job with yearly increases rather than a 30%-commission dental sales job where you can make 250k/yr in theory. Some of us grow to hate commission based jobs and want a normal job with normal salary and benefits. I didn't go to dental school for a salary structure similar to that of a salesperson.

I interviewed at that 90k/yr nonprofit clinic where the dentist doesn't have to sell and doesn't have to go to lengths to coerce someone to get a tooth treated. ( you don't realize how stressful this is outside of dental school ) This job was like dental school, 9-5 pm weekdays, and they assign you patients. Except the dental director bragged about interviewing 200 dentists and I obviously didn't get the job. Getting paid % of sales, for better or worse, is the only way to survive in dentistry I guess. I have come to terms with accepting it. Nothing in life is apparently simple as being automatically paid 90k/yr with good job security as a dentist.

APply for a job as a civilian working for the military or DoD. The pay is usually at GS-13 and adds up to about $100k per year if you include the housing allowances etc.

 

[setdoc7]

Why would anyone want to divulge what they truly make? Studies and articles you read are strictly conjecture and have no real basis in fact. If you think about it as a businessman and not a dentist you will understand what I mean. If not, ask an accountant.

 

[Lovologist]

People are always talking about saturated vs unsaturated portions of the country, what areas are unsaturated?

 

[OceanBlue]

I am from one of the listed ethnicities and I did used to work 9am-9pm seven days a week everyday, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day etc.

I see, you're viet. Man, I can understand, but there's no price that can make me work this much. I need time to chill out and live my life, baby! Alright, you got me! Maybe 6 days a week.

 

[OceanBlue]

shsssssssssssss, we should let predents and dental students daydream about that.

Oh common, let's not group predents and dental students together, I'm almost a D4. I'm practically an inexprienced dentist. lol. I remember you. I stopped posting ever since I started dental school. That explains how crazy dental school is.

 

[wwdaffodils]

No one "deserves" anything. You go to dental school in order to get the CHANCE at making a great deal of money. It's not anyone else's fault if you can't/won't realize your potential.

And stop bagging on the "lowly" construction worker. It's that sense of high and mighty attitude that give educated people a bad name.

 

[liriano]

No one "deserves" anything. You go to dental school in order to get the CHANCE at making a great deal of money. It's not anyone else's fault if you can't/won't realize your potential.

And stop bagging on the "lowly" construction worker. It's that sense of high and mighty attitude that give educated people a bad name.

 

[laundry]

comon guys....can't earn all the money in the world. Just lead a balanced life and enjoy the world. you don't need to make milliions for that.

 

[Shasan546]

NYC is great to visit now and then which I do all the time. Is there a reason why you absolutely refuse to move out of that hellhole?

If you arn't a real New yorker u just wont understand. The city is like no other. Yeah its COL is higher. However, this city has everything. And sorry but i don't want to move to the middle of bumble **** just to make a quick buck. You can have those jobs in alaska. Why else do you think places like alaska; etc pay so much more? NO ONE WANTS TO GO THERE.

And there are still plentyyyyyy of Dentists making $200k+ here. Its just competitive. SO you better make sure your damn good at what you do. all the dentists i know make well over $150k. a friend of mine started right outside the bronx making $120k right out of nyu dental 2 years ago.

 

[NonTradHopeful]

No one "deserves" anything. You go to dental school in order to get the CHANCE at making a great deal of money. It's not anyone else's fault if you can't/won't realize your potential.

And stop bagging on the "lowly" construction worker. It's that sense of high and mighty attitude that give educated people a bad name.

+1

 

[DrReo]

If you arn't a real New yorker u just wont understand. The city is like no other. Yeah its COL is higher. However, this city has everything. And sorry but i don't want to move to the middle of bumble **** just to make a quick buck. You can have those jobs in alaska. Why else do you think places like alaska; etc pay so much more? NO ONE WANTS TO GO THERE.

And there are still plentyyyyyy of Dentists making $200k+ here. Its just competitive. SO you better make sure your damn good at what you do. all the dentists i know make well over $150k. a friend of mine started right outside the bronx making $120k right out of nyu dental 2 years ago.

With 2,200/ month rent and the same for student loans? Go over to rural NH and make 150k right out of school and have some grass, and live free or die.

 

[Ninja9]

You can have those jobs in alaska. Why else do you think places like alaska; etc pay so much more? NO ONE WANTS TO GO THERE.

I wouldn't mind Alaska....

 

[SeattleRDH]

I wouldn't mind Alaska....

I was born and raised in rural SE Alaska and when I finish dental school I'm going back. The weather may be rough but the people are wonderful! Just be aware that if you end up practicing there you wont be able to refer out as much work to specialists because your patient might have to fly to Seattle. Decay is prevalent in Alaska because most communities don't have fluoridated water. Be ready for LOTS of endo.

 

[sonofapizzaman]

I don't understand these patients. Do they need insurance to pay for their oil change? insurance to pay for their haircut? insurance to pay for their pedicure? insurance to pay for their supersized triple whopper with cheese meal? Why must they have insurance to pay for their teeth cleaning when it's only $20 everywhere in San Jose, Santa Ana, San Diego, etc? I even had one patient returned from Cali telling me she had a cleaning for only $5 buck!

It's because Triple Whoppers taste better than bubble gum Dentist toothpaste...

Really though, they're afraid to hear what you MIGHT tell them at that $20 cleaning: you need a $1000 crown...

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

Going to the dentist, even for a cleaning, is physically uncomfortable for most people. That is why they don't like it, even if insurance covers it.
Getting poked with the explorer and all of that. If there is no insurance, there is even less incentive to pay to be "hurt". I don't agree with this logic, but it's the truth.

Many people will buy tvs, cars, etc. way before fixing their teeth

 

[coolfez]

Here is another option.

Work in the military, you will be a officer (captain) and be making about 85k a year. BUT before you stop reading, hear me out. WIth that 85 K a year, you also get loan repayment up to like 80% with a ceiling of 80k over 2-3 years I believe. SO that's about 110K ish a year. Also, you can always moonlight if possible, especially during your 30 day a month of paid vacation! Also, if you really like it.. you could do 20 years and get retirement pay! so you could be getting 40K-ish every year of retirement when you are only 46 years old! and you can always work outside of the military during your "retirement" and I can see people making 250k + total!

If you don't want to be hardcore military, you could work for a VA hospital, and also get a decent wage and get loan forgiveness. BUt you won't be tied down under contract to a military.

OR you can work as a civilian dentist for the military! Basically work for the military through a company.

It certainly is doable to make more than 90K a year. I am a pre-dent, but I have a lot of business experience and research a lot about this. My plan will make me about 140K a year guaranteed when I get out.

 

[sonofapizzaman]

comon guys....can't earn all the money in the world. Just lead a balanced life and enjoy the world. you don't need to make milliions for that.

Agreed! When I see some of these types of threads I think about the interview process. Everyone that thinks that will have a mansion and a lambourghini plays down their desire to make money. They just want to "help people".

Believe me, I'm just looking forward to being comfortable, not having to worry about my next paycheck, and giving my family everything that they need and maybe a toy here and there.

 

[Lidopaine82]

Here is another option.

Work in the military, you will be a officer (captain) and be making about 85k a year. BUT before you stop reading, hear me out. WIth that 85 K a year, you also get loan repayment up to like 80% with a ceiling of 80k over 2-3 years I believe. SO that's about 110K ish a year. Also, you can always moonlight if possible, especially during your 30 day a month of paid vacation! Also, if you really like it.. you could do 20 years and get retirement pay! so you could be getting 40K-ish every year of retirement when you are only 46 years old! and you can always work outside of the military during your "retirement" and I can see people making 250k + total!

If you don't want to be hardcore military, you could work for a VA hospital, and also get a decent wage and get loan forgiveness. BUt you won't be tied down under contract to a military.

OR you can work as a civilian dentist for the military! Basically work for the military through a company.

It certainly is doable to make more than 90K a year. I am a pre-dent, but I have a lot of business experience and research a lot about this. My plan will make me about 140K a year guaranteed when I get out.

im pretty sure the retirement pay starts at 65. still a good option tho

 

[Daybreaq]

I've been skimming this whole $90K argument and it seems like some posters are missing the point (perhaps deliberately) of what "starting salary" means. It means *first* *year* *only!* I took home $90K my first calendar year (1996): the first four months of which I wasn't working at all (waiting to take state boards, getting licensed) then working 3-4 different offices a week (starting 3 days a week to finally managing to get 5 days a week work) with mostly Medicaid patients. The second year I took home twice that. The past ten years it's been $230-270K (and the $270K was 2009) at 28 hrs a week (4days 9-5 1 hr lunch break.) Don't lose sight of the fact that first year for most people is pretty much starting from scratch. No, I wasn't rolling in dough my first year but I certainly wasn't starving. And no, I don't own a Ferrari and a private jet today; but I'm certainly comfortable and very financially content.

Dental school is a horror and expensive to boot. I doubt you can find many dentists to deny that. But I'd also bet the majority of us who have been practicing more that a few years would admit it's ultimately worth it; because dentistry is a great profession that allows for a really good lifestyle that ultimately pays pretty damn decently.

 

[Munks]

I've been skimming this whole $90K argument and it seems like some posters are missing the point (perhaps deliberately) of what "starting salary" means. It means *first* *year* *only!* I took home $90K my first calendar year (1996): the first four months of which I wasn't working at all (waiting to take state boards, getting licensed) then working 3-4 different offices a week (starting 3 days a week to finally managing to get 5 days a week work) with mostly Medicaid patients. The second year I took home twice that. The past ten years it's been $230-270K (and the $270K was 2009) at 28 hrs a week (4days 9-5 1 hr lunch break.) Don't lose sight of the fact that first year for most people is pretty much starting from scratch. No, I wasn't rolling in dough my first year but I certainly wasn't starving. And no, I don't own a Ferrari and a private jet today; but I'm certainly comfortable and very financially content.

Hah, this is my dream

 

[txlonghorn]

I've been skimming this whole $90K argument and it seems like some posters are missing the point (perhaps deliberately) of what "starting salary" means. It means *first* *year* *only!* I took home $90K my first calendar year (1996): the first four months of which I wasn't working at all (waiting to take state boards, getting licensed) then working 3-4 different offices a week (starting 3 days a week to finally managing to get 5 days a week work) with mostly Medicaid patients. The second year I took home twice that. The past ten years it's been $230-270K (and the $270K was 2009) at 28 hrs a week (4days 9-5 1 hr lunch break.) Don't lose sight of the fact that first year for most people is pretty much starting from scratch. No, I wasn't rolling in dough my first year but I certainly wasn't starving. And no, I don't own a Ferrari and a private jet today; but I'm certainly comfortable and very financially content.

Dental school is a horror and expensive to boot. I doubt you can find many dentists to deny that. But I'd also bet the majority of us who have been practicing more that a few years would admit it's ultimately worth it; because dentistry is a great profession that allows for a really good lifestyle that ultimately pays pretty damn decently.

What part of the country do you practice in?

 

[XeReX]

I once came across a dentist who owns a learjet in TX, he probably has a high profile clientele.

Other dentists have other businesses on the side (i.e. real estates, dental labs, CE course programs, dental chains - like the guys who own small smiles, etc). There was this crazy dentist who graduated from Temple many years ago, he started an adult entertainment company, he got a lot of media attention for getting himself into trouble with the law by driving 200mph+ on his lamborghini.

7 figures is rare from dentistry alone, but doable with other things on the side.

No Lamborghini can Go 200 mph

 

[Charmm]

No Lamborghini can Go 200 mph

Ouch

 

[biorenaissance]

No Lamborghini can Go 200 mph

I beg to differ I know at AMG you can opt to have the speed shut off thing removed what you see in the speedometer is not always as fast as a car can go and there always ways to configure your car legally and illegally

O and also According to Lamborghini, the 2010 Gallardo LP560-4 coupe has a top speed of 202 mph and can blast from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

 

[8 SNAKE]

No Lamborghini can Go 200 mph

I know more than one Lamborghini owner who will disagree with you.

 

[PharmaTope]

I don't mean this to you personally. But in general, I don't care how much you love teeth, there comes a point where the income has to justify the training it took to get there.

It would not be worth going into $250,000+ in debt to make only $60,000 a year, when there are a thousand other career paths many of which you can get with a fraction of debt or none at all.

Money isnt everything, but it is significant. (This is why there is a shortage of primary care physicans).

$90,000 is a good income, and even better when you compare it to how the rest of the world lives. No one is saying it's not a lot of money.

BUT when you factor in:

-taxes
-loans from the cost of education (including undergrad)
-malpractice insurance
-professional association fees
-disability insurance
-health insurance
-costs to start up your own practice.
-savings for retirement
-buying a house
-starting a family

(I didn't even list living expenses)

That amazing $90,000 becomes $0 very quickly.

i agree 100%. 90,000 is not a lot of money. it is actually JUST enough to disqualify you from

tax credits for student loan interest
housing credits first time buyers with certain incomes
you are in a higher tax bracket

90k is not a lot of money. you live well on the less money you had before bc your expenses were not as high but when you start thinking longterm you will say "omg 90k is not gonna cut it" sorry it is reality.

 

[rook56]

Dentists are not paid well simply because they are educated or deserve it. Pay for any profession is all about supply and demand. When supply is low or demand is high, salary goes up. During a recession, demand goes down, so associates probably won't see their salaries skyrocket. When things (hopefully) get better, so will salaries.

Solution: Go somewhere where the demand is high or the supply of dentists is low. No owner is going to pay you more than you're worth simply because you went to school for 8 years.

 

[bob1]

.

 

[8 SNAKE]

Typically, how large is the debt from buying a practice? It seems like it would be huge compared to dental school debt (which more people complain about).

I don't think there is such a thing as typical debt from buying a practice. There are so many variables that affect the purchase price of a practice and the subsequent revenue that the practice generates. In addition, pinning down a debt number really wouldn't be of much value because it would only show a small piece of a much bigger picture.

 

[zriceman]

I don't think there is such a thing as typical debt from buying a practice. There are so many variables that affect the purchase price of a practice and the subsequent revenue that the practice generates. In addition, pinning down a debt number really wouldn't be of much value because it would only show a small piece of a much bigger picture.

Typically, its about 65% - 75% of the average of last 3 years of the practice's gross production.

 

[8 SNAKE]

Typically, its about 65% - 75% of the average of last 3 years of the practice's gross production.

Perhaps I misunderstood bob1's question. I thought he was asking what the typical note on a practice was in actual dollars.

 

[Iapyx]

Thanks to all those who made the longer insightful posts

 

[allover]

What part of the country do you practice in?

dont tell him. lol.

 

[Lurchdubious]

Consulting a private dentist can assist you of what procedure or treatment is suitable for you. With the latest advancements in technology and modern cosmetic dentistry helps in restoring the beautiful smiles and healthy teeth of an individual. A private dentists can give you more information on the various treatments and procedures for your dental care.

Wow. Well, at least he's not the king of Nigeria.

 

[Toothguy91]

Is the income that the ADA reports for general dentist private practice, around 200,000, before or after state and federal taxes and everything else thats taken out of your paycheck?