How Much Do Dentists Earn??

SharpshooterTom · 06-06-2012 8:48am #1

Just a quick question regarding the earning power of dentists.

I'm considering applying to dentistry, money isn't the be all and end all, I know that, but I suppose having a financially rewarding career isn't bad too so I'm just curious about it.

I know in the UK dentists start off at a salary of around £30k for vocational training. I heard in Ireland its around 50K (euros) is that true?

And how much would it increase with 5-10 years experiance down the line??

bureau2009 · 06-06-2012 9:29am

Yes, I too am curious as to how much dentists earn. As far as I'm concerned they deserve to be very well paid for their years of education and when they deliver outstanding treatment to patients.

But as a dental consumer I don't want people choosing to be dentists because of money.

I want dentists to be passionate and dedicated to optimal dental health. I want them to be superb practioners and committed to continious professional development.

I think entering dentistry for the money involved is NOT the way to go.

helimachoptor · 06-06-2012 9:29am

Well depends on who you ask.. some posters think dentists earn millions*

:D

One of the dentists can correct me but if you work as a dentist in a practice your potential earning power will always be capped.
Setting up your own practice is the way to make money.. but its expensive to start up, dental equipment,office equipment, rental of premises, fit out of premises, staff etc.

*not a dentist

Oral Surgeon · 06-06-2012 9:56am

Gnobe wrote: »

Just a quick question regarding the earning power of dentists.

I'm considering applying to dentistry, money isn't the be all and end all, I know that, but I suppose having a financially rewarding career isn't bad too so I'm just curious about it.

I know in the UK dentists start off at a salary of around £30k for vocational training. I heard in Ireland its around 50K (euros) is that true?

And how much would it increase with 5-10 years experiance down the line??

It's a well paid job!;)
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digzy · 06-06-2012 1:46pm

bureau2009 wrote: »

I want dentists to be passionate and dedicated to optimal dental health. QUOTE]

Thats exactly how i feel every morning, especially when i've a punter in who smokes 20 fags per day and drinks like a fish who doesn't own a toothbrush with a nice whiff of B.O. for good measure:D

Dianthus · 06-06-2012 2:06pm

Income can fluctuate wildly. You can find "rich" & "poor" dentists....like any other job, a lot depends on your interest/talent in the area, postgraduate/specialist qualifications, catchment area/patient base, whether you become self-employed or an employee,ect.
The more relevant worry (as opposed to income, which will sort itself out) is whether or not you like interacting with people....between patients&colleagues, you'll meet a lot

bureau2009 · 06-06-2012 2:28pm

digzy wrote: »

bureau2009 wrote: »

I want dentists to be passionate and dedicated to optimal dental health. QUOTE]

Thats exactly how i feel every morning, especially when i've a punter in who smokes 20 fags per day and drinks like a fish who doesn't own a toothbrush with a nice whiff of B.O. for good measure:D

A golden opportunity for all passionate and dedicated dentists to demonstrate the correct brushing and flossing techniques!!

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 06-06-2012 2:57pm

Income will vary a lot between dentists. Its a bit like asking how much a doctor earns, it depends on their situation, qualifications, practice status etc......

In general its a well paid job, your not going to be a millionaire but its a above average wage, but by god you earn it. A lot of young newly qualified dentists are finding it hard get jobs and have to travel for a while to earn their stripes but that's common to a lot of professions.

Sitting, hunched over nervous people all day, doing technically and physically demanding procedures, dealing with business, finances, staff and all the problems and complications that patients have is not for everyone no matter what the money is, as stated you would want an interest in it and have the personality and dexterity to make a good carrier out of it.

Good luck OP.

SharpshooterTom · 29-08-2012 1:20pm

Right guys I'm serious about this a career now, I'm looking to study dentistry/dental science at either UCC or TCD should I obtain the grades.

I would like to see how much here compares to the UK/Australia etc. I would be kind enough if someone could help me, what the employment situation is like here in Ireland for graduates compared to the UK and others.

I went sites like payscale.com and the like and it doesn't give anything for Ireland. I'm very aware Dentists aren't millionaires by any stretch, infact I was recently told by a Scottish dentist that making £100k a year is very difficult to achieve unless you are a hospital consultant (or run a large practice).

VT placements in the UK start off around £30k, I would be interested to know what schemes Ireland have and if there is something similar and compare which country I want to work in. Thanks.

davo10 · 29-08-2012 1:46pm

Decide whether you want to be a dentist or not. What you will be paid in five years time when you graduate should be a distant secondary consideration. No profession guarantees you employment here or in any other country.

I hope your thought process about what you will do for the rest of your life matures throughout this year, 5 years is a long time to spend in college hoping that there is a pot of gold waiting for you at the end of it.

SharpshooterTom · 29-08-2012 2:58pm

davo10 wrote: »

I hope your thought process about what you will do for the rest of your life matures throughout this year, 5 years is a long time to spend in college hoping that there is a pot of gold waiting for you at the end of it.

I'm not expecting a pot of gold at the end of it, I'm quite realistic about it, I'm just curious about salary progression throughout Ireland compared to other countries, and although it sounds like its my main objective its not. I don't think it was too rude to ask.

pauleggs · 29-08-2012 5:49pm

A lot of kicking for touch on this thread. You would know the rugby season is about to start.:)

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 29-08-2012 6:33pm

pauleggs wrote: »

A lot of kicking for touch on this thread. You would know the rugby season is about to start.:)

If its figures he is after I know dentists that earn 30k a year and those that earn over 300k a year, it depends on all the things I have said before. I wonder how many architecture students were thinking the same way a the OP in 2003 and now are on the dole....think about what you want to do first and the money later. You can make any amount you want in any profession it depends on your drive, ambition, skill and enthusiasm (an prevailing economic conditions). I think anyone that can get 600 points in the leaving has the head to do many things that will all have similar wages, choose the one that interests you cerebrally and thats the one you will be good at, and hence successful at.

SharpshooterTom · 29-08-2012 7:13pm

Dominique Faithful Knob wrote: »

I think anyone that can get 600 points in the leaving has the head to do many things that will all have similar wages, choose the one that interests you cerebrally and thats the one you will be good at, and hence successful at.

Thats exactly what I'm doing. I find dentistry fascinating as a subject more so than medicine and I would like a career in it. I would rather earn 100k a year in dentistry than 300k a year in investment banking/stockbroker or a lawyer, because those jobs I have absolutely no interest in. Money is not everything to me.

Currently I'm flirting with the idea to become an orthodontist, although thats a pipe dream at the moment, and I believe's its very competitive although fascinating.

res ipsa · 30-08-2012 12:41pm

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Thats exactly what I'm doing. I find dentistry fascinating as a subject more so than medicine and I would like a career in it. I would rather earn 100k a year in dentistry than 300k a year in investment banking/stockbroker or a lawyer, because those jobs I have absolutely no interest in. Money is not everything to me.

Currently I'm flirting with the idea to become an orthodontist, although thats a pipe dream at the moment, and I believe's its very competitive although fascinating.

If you have the opportunity to become a investment banker or stockbroker, take it, your lower back, your wife and your mistress will thank you in 15 years time:cool:

mitosis · 30-08-2012 12:45pm

How much do they earn, or how much are they paid? What does it cost to learn to be a dentist?

Put it this way. I got an infected tooth that would have eventually killed me in another time. Dentist saved my life for €75.00.

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 30-08-2012 12:52pm

res ipsa wrote: »

If you have the opportunity to become a investment banker or stockbroker, take it, your lower back, your wife and your mistress will thank you in 15 years time

Ohh cynical res

Thing is that most bankers or stock brokers earn average wages, however there are a small number of elite one that earn the astronomical money. The pay scale in a profession is more even.

mitosis wrote: »

How much do they earn, or how much are they paid? What does it cost to learn to be a dentist?

Put it this way. I got an infected tooth that would have eventually killed me in another time. Dentist saved my life for €75.00.

Working as a dentist is usually less exciting than that. It would be beyond rare that a tooth is life threatening.

Oral Surgeon · 30-08-2012 1:43pm

Dominique Faithful Knob wrote: »

Working as a dentist is usually less exciting than that. It would be beyond rare that a tooth is life threatening.

Speak for yourself Fitz, I saved 5 lives already today;)

mitosis · 30-08-2012 2:34pm

Dominique Faithful Knob wrote: »

Working as a dentist is usually less exciting than that. It would be beyond rare that a tooth is life threatening.

Had I been living in the 18th century I expect it would be more common.

uck51js9zml2yt · 30-08-2012 6:59pm

it looks like dentists are like politicians...they won't give you a straight answer :-)

Oral Surgeon · 30-08-2012 7:27pm

Dante Lazy Apostrophe wrote: »

it looks like dentists are like politicians...they won't give you a straight answer :-)

How much does a football player earn?????

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 30-08-2012 7:38pm

How, much does a solicitor earn.? I have answered the question straight several times, it's between 30thousand and over 300 thousand.why can't people get that small business people earn various amounts.

Seems posters are like politicians on this thread, don't listen and push their own agenda,s.

digzy · 30-08-2012 10:40pm

how much do dentists earn?.........too much, greedy backstards:p

flutegirl · 30-08-2012 10:48pm

My dentist is priceless, deserves every penny he earns. Nothing worse than toothache! :eek:

res ipsa · 31-08-2012 10:02am

flutegirl wrote: »

My dentist is priceless, deserves every penny he earns. Nothing worse than toothache! :eek:

Off the top of my head I would say the average dentist earns just over twice the average industrial wage so for Ireland that would be about €80 000. Full time dentist s would earn close to €100000 on average but dentists who own their own practice & employ dentists & hygienests would earn close to €200000. Some big players & some specialist s might earn €300000 but they could be as rare as a hens tooth.

eric hoone · 02-09-2012 12:54pm

res ipsa wrote: »

Off the top of my head I would say the average dentist earns just over twice the average industrial wage so for Ireland that would be about €80 000. Full time dentist s would earn close to €100000 on average but dentists who own their own practice & employ dentists & hygienests would earn close to €200000. Some big players & some specialist s might earn €300000 but they could be as rare as a hens tooth.

I think this would have been accurate in 2008, 2012 is a new ball game.

sunfower · 02-09-2012 9:13pm

If you love dentistry and have a genuine interest in healthcare you will earn a lot of money..basically you get what you put in, and if your kind to your patients they will come back to you,

And as regarding salary you have 2 options public or private.

if you work in the HSE or a Teaching hospital you will have a steady income and will be well paid+ entitlements , however in private practice you will be self employed so it depends on how many patients you see+you must consider the price of dental equipment/materials and have a qualified Dental nurse, (I know in Ireland its not a illegal requirement to employ a qualified dental nurse )but in my opinion this is imperative..

If you have good business savy you have the potential of high earnings..

NeuroCat · 03-09-2012 10:39pm

res ipsa wrote: »

Off the top of my head I would say the average dentist earns just over twice the average industrial wage so for Ireland that would be about €80 000. Full time dentist s would earn close to €100000 on average but dentists who own their own practice & employ dentists & hygienests would earn close to €200000. Some big players & some specialist s might earn €300000 but they could be as rare as a hens tooth.

This would be fairly accurate. Ireland actually has one of the best pay rates for health professionals in Europe.

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 04-09-2012 1:09pm

And one of the highest costs of living

NeuroCat · 04-09-2012 6:34pm

Dominique Faithful Knob wrote: »

And one of the highest costs of living

Indeed, Dublin is the 72nd most expensive city in the world to live in which is quite high on the list! Not as expensive as say London or the major cities in the UK but still quite high!

"it looks like dentists are like politicians...they won't give you a straight answer :-)" - I know, it's like pulling teeth... (Couldn't resist...)

ballsymchugh · 04-09-2012 7:52pm

NeuroCat wrote: »

This would be fairly accurate. Ireland actually has one of the best pay rates for health professionals in Europe.

Dominique Faithful Knob wrote: »

And one of the highest costs of living

and one of the highest costs of business (unless you're FDI!).

setting up a practice costs so much more in ireland than the uk where i am.
from rent, insurance, cost of equipment, cost of staff, council rates, capital, continuing education.

How Much Do Dentists Earn??

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