Optometry vs dentistry?

1

Hello everyone, I'm a year 12 doing maths bio and chem (working at an AAB) and I really can't make a decision. I've had my mind set on Optometry for a long time but as of recently I've been considering dentistry. I feel like dentistry would give me more satisfaction however I'm a very anxious and stressed person, and hearing how stressful the degree and job is really puts me off. Also it's very competitive, and i feel like I'll miss my offer. Optometry on the other hand is easier (so I've been told) and not as stressful, however it's more of a social job which doesn't suit me as a person. Any advice would be very appreciated, thank you for reading :smile:

Reply 1

raya2003

8

Original post

by fh27

Hello everyone, I'm a year 12 doing maths bio and chem (working at an AAB) and I really can't make a decision. I've had my mind set on Optometry for a long time but as of recently I've been considering dentistry. I feel like dentistry would give me more satisfaction however I'm a very anxious and stressed person, and hearing how stressful the degree and job is really puts me off. Also it's very competitive, and i feel like I'll miss my offer. Optometry on the other hand is easier (so I've been told) and not as stressful, however it's more of a social job which doesn't suit me as a person. Any advice would be very appreciated, thank you for reading :smile:

Hey! I don’t know much about optometry, but I can tell you dentistry is an extremely social job. You have to present yourself as someone who has been a member of the community at dental interview and you have be social once you start work too. Dentists often see the same patient throughout their life and are expected to build a relationship with them. Also, a lot of networking is required in the field between dentists, which requires social skills. It’s an amazing career but if you’re hoping not to be social, it’s not the right thing.
Best thing you can do is get some work experience and see for yourself, you might love it!

Best of luck with making a decision and with your A levels! 😊

Reply 2

Osterley

6

A fundamental difference is that we dentists mostly work with our hands and need good dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination. Amongst a wider range of skills, we generally make, repair and extract things.

I think optometry is generally about detection of disease or eye aberrations, prevention, and a huge part of general practice is about measurement and interpretation of images, ensuring correct vision. Both require an eye for detail. Optometrists spend a considerable amount of their working hours in a room without natural light.

I'd hate that. I'd describe my job as pressurised, with periods that can be stressful. Some of the pressure that I feel is through trying to do my very best all day long, no matter how tricky the procedure, and always having a public happy face on show. I bet optometrists feel the same! But really, once you are experienced, in many fields, many procedures are straightforward.

Careers in research/academia, Dental Public Health, Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, and Oral Microbiology are considered less patient- facing. You don't need to be sociable, in fact I know many perfectly happy introverted, quiet reserved dentists. But you should care about people's wellbeing- your patients, colleagues, and ...your own. Many patients are not sociable either!

Sound like you should really try to find out more about both careers, and also check entrance requirements (AAB predictions rule out quite a few courses). Good luck whatever you decide.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 3

meowface21

6

Heyy.

•

Try getting work experience in both to get a first hand impression

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You'll need to work on improving socially, it is difficult, I won't sugarcoat it but it's vital for any sort of patient facing roles. Both optom and dentistry need those skills and you will be tested on them during interviews

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Dentistry is hard off but with your grades and subjects, you sound intelligent enough to me. It's not a lot to go off of but you know yourself best

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You say you're at an AAB, ideal grades would be AAA but an AAB is good too (for dentistry)

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Dentistry is very stable and pays crazy amounts, I can't say the same for optometry

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Optometry seems a little boring, just doing eye tests day in, day out. The idea of monotony could be applied to dentistry too but you can always specialise. Plus you're not alone, you're always with a dental nurse

Hope that helps you weigh things up!!

Reply 4

hiddlxc

3

Original post

by fh27

Hello everyone, I'm a year 12 doing maths bio and chem (working at an AAB) and I really can't make a decision. I've had my mind set on Optometry for a long time but as of recently I've been considering dentistry. I feel like dentistry would give me more satisfaction however I'm a very anxious and stressed person, and hearing how stressful the degree and job is really puts me off. Also it's very competitive, and i feel like I'll miss my offer. Optometry on the other hand is easier (so I've been told) and not as stressful, however it's more of a social job which doesn't suit me as a person. Any advice would be very appreciated, thank you for reading :smile:

hi what did u end up picking !

Optometry vs dentistry?

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