to think it must be crap to be a dentist?

[SileneOliveira]

Had a filling this morning. Wasn't a pleasant experience. Is it ever.

So if you're a dentist, nobody's pleased to see you, everyone dreads their appointments, you spend your days peering into people's manky mouths.

Poor dentists.

The money's good, though, and many (most?) are self employed. They struggle through

A colleague is married to one. She's actually charming, witty, fun and seems very kind, too.

But then I don't have my teeth done by her, I only meet her in a social capacity.

I’m sure their fucking enormous salary makes up for it

I've never met a poor one

I love my dentist. She deserves her massive salary.

YABU though, it must be fairly disgusting at times.

Yes they're well paid - as they should be for 5 years at Uni on a course similar to medicine. But would you really want to spend your days looking down someone's throat?

Surely they wouldn't study for years and years to do a job they hate???
And yes the money is great though deserved

My dentist is amazing. She’s so happy and loves her job. She is private and has her own practice.

I’m a Beauty Therapist and love grotty feet and skin because I get so much satisfaction when it’s all sorted and looking perfect. I imagine it’s the same. When you know you’ve helped someone feel better it’s a wonderful feeling.

I suppose its like doctors working in the clap clinic, who the hell wants that job

I was a dental nurse for a while. I left, not because of the job which was fine, but because the dentist was a complete bully and basically a nasty asshole. That was about 5 or 6 years ago and I've lost count of the number of times I've seen him advertise for a dental nurse.

But would you really want to spend your days looking down someone's throat?

No, which is why I didn't become a dentist.

I think it's probably one of those self-selecting things.

Dentists have one of the highest rates of suicide by profession in the UK. Something to do with loneliness, very little conversation opportunities when you have your hands in someone's mouth.

I live going to the dentist always have - the smell, the taste of the gloves the tapping!

And yes I've had 24 oral injections and 3 operations! (No fillings though)

Definitely not the worst job out there. Some people, probably definitely dentists, aren't phased by mouths and saliva etc. And people that don't clean their teeth before an appointment should get a black mark against their name!

My dentist is lovely. I was there today and thought that it must be the most awful job in the world sometimes - I was sitting in the waiting room beside a woman who absolutely stank of cigarette smoke, I would not have wanted to get up close with her teeth.

very little conversation opportunities

True - my dentist is lovely and kept saying "Are you OK there?" but because I had my mouth full of cotton swabs, and a sucky thing for water, and god knows what else, all I could do was give her the thumbs up.

I cam imagine a child thinking that they'd love to grow up and be a doctor, nurse or vet. But not a dentist.

Love*

Every dentist I've seen is happily chatting to theit dental assistant. We also have a good laugh before and after appointments.

Our last dentist was the most beautiful woman I've ever met. She was mixed Pakistani/Scottish heritage, had the most flawless skin, huge brown eyes, and a gentle, slightly southernised Edinburgh accent. I had no trouble persuading DCs to go to the dentist because she knew exactly what to say to everyone to put them at ease. She only ever asked questions that could be answered with 'uh-huh' or 'nuh-uh' and I swear to you, when she said 'aaaand rinse' I was always disappointed it was over. I wouldn't say I had a girl crush on her, she was just, well, mesmerising.

And then we moved house and I discovered what other people's dentists are like.

I think they grin and bear it and think of the bank balance, don't worry about them.

Just this afternoon I was walking along my local high street and there had been some sort of drain emergency! The smell of sewage was hanging in the air. The guys in the Thames Water truck trying to find the source of the blockage and clear it - I doubt they earn as much as a dentist.

My dentist is lovely and is always chatting and laughing and with the dental nurse, definitely doesn't seem like a lonely job but that could be the exception. I actually look forward to going, even if I need work done, because she's so nice. Makes a change from my last one who was a miserable bastard, but exceptional at his job.

My dentist chats to the dental nurse. They chat about all sorts of things. I can’t join in which annoys me because I love talking. My dentist seems super happy all the time.

Had the same dentist since I was about 17 - he was newly qualified then, now owns the pratice. His wife runs the front desk.

Never felt any pain, and that is worth the money :)

Still think the same as the OP though.

My dentist is a total legend. He has a really bantering relationship with his receptionist who has worked for him for years and his dental nurses. He is super no-nonsense and matter of fact. He obviously enjoys his job and is a complete workaholic. I first met him when I saw him on an emergency appointment on a Saturday morning! He really cares about patients and wants to help them.

I had a lot of difficult dental issues in 2017 and he obviously relished the challenge of getting (literally, as if turns out) to the root of the problems.

I’m certain he loves his job and is extremely skilled at it.

It takes all sorts.

My boss is a dentist. Private one. Lovely, charming, handsome too. He does my teeth (and one Royal's), and I never felt more comfortable on dentist's chair.