There is one topic that I want to write about for a long time but wanted to wait until after I started working so I can have more accurate information. A lot of people asked me about job opportunities for foreign-trained dentists and if we can pay off student loan. I have worked for a few months only so maybe my viewpoint will change a year from now, but I want to share with you all what I have observed so far.
1) Is it more difficult for a foreign-trained dentist (FT dentist) to find a job?
Yes and no. It all depends on if you need a work permit to stay in the U.S or not.
If a FT dentist has citizenship or green card, he or she will have the same start as other new-grad dentists if not better. I’ve talked to a recruiter in my 1st year at UCDenver, she told me they would pay more for a FT dentist because we were supposed to have more experience “If we pay $500/day for a new-grad, we will pay you guys $550”. Of course, this thought is not always true as I have met so many impressive dental students during my two years at UCDenver.
If you don't have green card or citizenship and need sponsorship to apply for work permit and eventually green card, then your opportunities will be somewhat limited. Not every clinic wants to sponsor because of the hassle of paperwork, so most people can only work for corporates until they have green card.
2) In case I need sponsorship, is it really difficult to find a job?
Nope! I asked my senior this question on my 1st day in Colorado. Here was her response – “It’s all about what you are willing to compromise. If you want to live in big cities, you cannot expect a big paycheck. If you are willing to live in a small rural town, your benefit will be much better. If you want to live in big cities and want a big paycheck as well, then it will be difficult. If you are willing to compromise, there’s always a job for anyone.”
I myself don’t need sponsorship and was one of the latest to sign a contract. Most of my friends signed contract 1-2 months before graduation. A few of them signed as early as 3 months before G-day. People who don’t have big family here and can live pretty much anywhere are the earliest to sign. Most people love to live in the coast, so if you are okay with living in New Mexico, Utah, Iowa, etc then it will be like a breeze to find a job with great salary. I have limitation in the “location” box as I have big family in the Seattle – Tacoma area and I want to stay close to them. Therefore, I had a harder time to find a job – my 1st offer was a month after graduation, but it fell through, I signed a contract with a different practice a month later. I felt a bit desperate at that time honestly (I am always over-worried anyway) but eventually there is always a job for anyone – just like the senior said.
3) So, it’s not difficult to find a job, but is it difficult to pay off huge student loan though?
Believe me, even dentists who were born here, raised here, trained here ask the same question. Our tuition is twice as theirs for one year but most of us have 2 years instead of 4 like them. Some of us will join a 3-year program but dental students also take loan for 4 years undergrad before applying to dental schools. So, it’s safe to say we all graduate with almost the same burden.
A one-million-dollar mansion or a tesla car is never on my list of shopping (well, maybe 15 years from now but not a few months out of school) and if you share the same thought, then we shouldn’t have problem. You must have a realistic expectation in spite of student loan. You cannot expect to work 3 days a week, take 4-week vacation every year, buy the latest car model, live in a big house and pay off student loan in 5 years. If you want to pay aggressively in 5 years, you have to live frugal. If you want to pay in 10, 15 years while saving to purchase your own practice, you have to live modestly as well.
This is a big topic that dentists are talking about every single day so I won’t dwell on this too much. All you want to know is yes you can afford student loan but you have to be smart in spending and saving. I’ve read in one of the facebook dentist group that if your loan is about $250k, it’s easy; if your loan is up to $500k, it’s more difficult but manageable.
4) Any discrimination toward FT dentists from patients?
I haven’t experienced any discrimination so far, maybe where I live play a part. I live in Washington State – a liberal state so I’ve heard that people tend to be more open-minded. I’ve only lived in 2 states so far – WA and CO – and they both are liberal states so I cannot compare. However, I have lots of friends living in other states as well and I haven’t heard any crazy story about discrimination, so maybe it’s not a thing toward international dentists. I am pretty sure bad things happen everywhere and discrimination does too. It’s just not a trend. What I have experienced so far is the “title” international dentist working in my favor! You know when a patient suspect that you are a new-grad, they always look at you and judge if you are good enough to treat them. But, whenever I continue the story with “That was my 2nd dental school! I am a dentist in my home country and had practiced for a while before coming here”, then they always say “Wow!” There was a patient in UCDenver pointing out to me “Wow, so you are a doctor at two countries! One is hard enough and you have two down!” I realized for the first time how impressive it may sound to patients’ ears. Thanks patient, you made my day! Once in a while when I am in a good mood and want to tease my patients a bit, I always start with “Actually I just graduated a few months ago”, pause a second, then continue “But that was my 2nd dental school…”
Those are the questions that I got asked more often toward job prospect. I hope my post will bring you some hope and reassurance on your journey. If there are any other question, don’t hesitate to send me a message below or pm me at our facebook page. Looking forward to talking to you soon.
Whatever you do, keep being a gem!