Is Becoming a Dentist Still Worth It?
The Real Answer Comes Down to One Key Decision: Ownership or Employee?
Is Dentistry Still Worth It?
It used to be that dentists were considered among the wealthiest professionals—spending time at country clubs, golfing, and living the good life. But today, with skyrocketing student debt and a changing healthcare landscape, is going into dentistry still worth it? As someone who has worked both as an employee and a practice owner, I'm here to tell you that there’s only one way to make dentistry work for you financially—and it’s not what most new graduates expect.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: student debt.
The Crushing Reality of Dental School Debt
The cost of dental school has skyrocketed over the years, with recent grads leaving school saddled with an average of $296,500 in debt . And that number can be much higher for some—students attending NYU, for example, graduate with upwards of $700,000 in loans. Even if you manage to keep it closer to $400,000, here’s what that looks like:
Monthly payment (on a standard 10-year repayment plan): $4,644.34
Total annual student loan cost: $55,732.08 in after-tax income
To cover that, you’ll need to make about $75,000 a year before taxes—just to cover your loans.
Now, let’s compare that to average dentist income:
US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median dentist salary at $170,910.
Subtract your loan payments and licensing fees, and you’re left with roughly $95,910—certainly a decent income, but far from what most people expect when they think of a “rich dentist.”
The Lifestyle Trap for New Dentists
There’s another issue most new dentists don’t see coming: lifestyle pressure.
You’re expected to live like the rich and famous—big house, new car, fancy vacations—because, well, you’re a dentist, right? But the truth is, after paying off student loans and covering basic living expenses, many associate dentists are making not much more than a nurse or an entry-level accountant.
This is where the big decision comes in: Should you stay an employee or own your own practice?
The Only Way to Make Serious Money in Dentistry: Practice Ownership
If you're looking to maximize your income, there’s really only one answer: own your own practice.
Here’s why:
Income Multiplier: As an employee, I made about $200,000 my first year out of school. The next year, as the owner of my own practice, I made $700,000. That’s a huge jump, and it’s not an anomaly—dental practice owners consistently earn much more than their employee counterparts.
Financial Freedom: When you own the practice, you benefit from not just your own work but the productivity of your entire team. Plus, the tax advantages of business ownership can’t be overstated.
Job Satisfaction: Research from the ADA shows that dentists who own their practices report higher satisfaction in nearly every area—more control over their schedules, the types of procedures they perform, and even their overall work-life balance.
Is Being a Dentist Right for You?
Before you dive into dental school, here’s a checklist to help you decide if the field is right for you:
Do you like working with people?
Dentistry is a hands-on, patient-facing career. If you don’t enjoy being around people all day, every day, this may not be the right path.
Are you comfortable with difficult situations?
You’ll deal with patients who are often anxious, uncomfortable, or outright rude. Working in customer service—ideally in a medical setting—before committing to dental school is a great way to see if you can tolerate or even thrive in these situations.
Are you alright with getting dirty?
Dentistry can be messy. If the thought of handling body fluids makes you queasy, this might not be the field for you.
Do you have back or neck pain?
Dentists spend long hours bent over patients, which can take a toll on your body. Make sure you’re physically ready for the demands of the job.
Why Dentistry Still Makes Sense—But Only If You’re an Owner
Dentistry has a lot of perks: low unemployment (0.5%), job security, good hours, and the flexibility to live and work almost anywhere. But all these benefits pale in comparison to the real game-changer: owning your own practice.
Statistics show that 91% of individuals with a net worth of $5 million or more own their own business. As a dentist, you have a unique opportunity to provide a valuable service that enables you to run a highly profitable, relatively low-risk business. Unlike other startups where 75% fail, only 2.1% of new dental practices fail. That’s because when someone’s tooth hurts, and they can afford to fix it, they do.
Conclusion: Is Dentistry Worth It in 2024?
If you’re planning to stay an employee, the answer is: probably not. Between student debt, lifestyle pressures, and the realities of working with patients, the numbers just don’t add up to the high-income lifestyle most people expect.
But if you want to own your own practice and take control of your career, then dentistry can still be one of the best, most rewarding professions out there. It’s not easy, but for those willing to take the leap, the rewards are significant—not just financially, but in the freedom and satisfaction that come with being your own boss.
Checklist: Should You Become a Dentist?
Do you enjoy working closely with people all day?
Are you comfortable handling difficult patients and messy situations?
Can you handle physical strain from long hours in awkward positions?
Are you prepared to invest the time and money into eventually owning your practice?
If you answered "yes" to all of the above, then dentistry might be the right fit for you—but remember, the real rewards come with ownership.
