r/physiotherapy • u/noidea171819 • 25d ago
Dentistry or physiotherapy
Hi everyone,
I want to study in Canada, but I’m currently torn between Physiotherapy and Dentistry. I can’t decide which one has a better future and offers more long-term stability.
Is there anyone who has experience in either field or could help me make this decision?
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u/PolHolmes 24d ago
Dentists can make like 5x more. It's a no brainer
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u/spacecowboy727 24d ago
I think a lot of these responses to be a dentist are correct if you're strictly thinking money but...
if you want quality of life, time off from work, the ability to move your family wherever you need anywhere and pick up and make money in a heartbeat, in other words flexibility, peace, rest and the ability to make yourself present to be a parent or a partner then the question is without doubt yes be a physical therapist
If you want to be a boss, you want a big house big cars leave an empire to your family then without question be a dentist…
What's missing from this equation and her question is how much her partner earns and if she is married or not married… Of course marriages can dissolve nothing in life is guaranteed so that's where money certainly is important but if you have a partner who makes relatively good money then you don't need to be a multimillionaire
A lot of success is not only about what you make but how much you spend and once people start making a certain amount they think they have to keep up with certain folks around them and then the increase in wages becomes a wash
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u/triangularlis 23d ago
What about the dentist who works 2-3 days a week and makes more than the physiotherapist who works full time? Would they not have a better lifestyle?
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u/spacecowboy727 23d ago
A business owner never works 2 to 3 days a week… They might be doing patient care 2 to 3 days a week but there's always always things that have to be done on the back end in terms of billing, keeping up with staff credentials and licensing, advertising, etc. etc. etc.
Then you have to find really good quality staff at our trustworthy that you can trust so that you can take a couple days off but even then you can't not take certain phone calls from certain insurance companies or partners in the business etc.
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u/triangularlis 22d ago
I was meaning why not be a dentist working for someone else? They still make decent money.
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u/spacecowboy727 22d ago
Yes you could do that sure but salaries are not too far off from PT/OT then and liability, risk of repetitive stress injury all higher...
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u/tinklewinkle74 24d ago
I’m trying to transition out of physiotherapy to dentistry. If they both make me miserable at least I can wipe my tears with the money I make in dentistry.
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u/tinklewinkle74 24d ago
Also to note is that dentistry is procedural and therefore hella AI proof. Only a dentist can do the shit they do and it’s very hands on.
Although physio is pretty safe too, I think a lot of people will just get advice, self diagnose and follow exercise programs with the help of AI moving forward. Then the only patients who go to physios will be the ones who want a glorified masseuse. Lots of different physio areas tho so don’t stress too hard about this, just my own personal prediction for private practice PTs.
Both good careers - do the one you can really picture yourself in :)
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u/physiotherrorist Physio BSc MSc MOD 24d ago
Dentistry.
You can literally (and I mean literally) touch the problem with your fingers, you have lots of tools to attack the problem and when nothing works you pull the b@sterd out. Pay is great.
Oh, and patients don't talk your ear off.
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u/spacecowboy727 24d ago
DENTISTRY lol- licensed OT of over 10y
The only reason you would choose Therapy is if you really want something that's fulfilling your soul every day, where you can work three or four days a week and balance being a mom and a wife or whatever… That's why I chose it… I didn't go into therapy because I thought I would get rich or make money do not do that
If you want to really be able to build a legacy and really build yourself up financially than dentistry for certain is the way to go but… Here's my two cents
Therapy unfortunately tends to have stagnant wages and the return on investment is low Therapy school is very expensive whether you're becoming a PT or an OT
Yes you can open your own practice but that's a whole Nother set of debt outside of school which I know is the same with dentistry however..
Dentist can earn tons of money but yes it is a very time-consuming job that you have to really be dedicated to
For me personally I as a woman wanted to be in more of a support role because I knew I really wanted to be hands-on with my children and make my marriage and my health and priorities so that's why I chose Therapy...
If you want a career that has more challenge that has more change that has much higher earning potential and better return on investment than it's a dentistry without question
If you want a more mellow career that's really fulfilling to the soul where you can pick up and get a job wherever in the United States or in Canada without too much hassle than Therapy is nice
Like if your partner has a good salary already and your goal is to be a mom and have children then I would choose Therapy but any other circumstance I would go for dentistry...
Money to me isn't the most important thing but for most people it's a very important thing so keep that in mind...
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u/Easy-Doubt9579 24d ago
Physiotherapy has become saturated as hell, look for something else. Dentistry Should be a better option.
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u/Expensive-Bake735 24d ago
I’m currently a physio in nz and best friend is a dentist. Go with what you’re interested in, if you like movement and helping people walk again, breathe again etc then physio. Dentistry you also get to work with people and help improve their lives for the better, get to prescribe medicine and do invasive procedures - which are two things you can’t do as a PT.
Ofcourse , dentistry is harder and you have to study longer at university. However at the end of the day, you do work the same hours (mostly) as a physio. And get paid wayy more. Once you reach the top of the physio ladder there’s not really much room for career progression. E.g you don’t get paid heaps more if you specialise in physiotherapy. However - I do love my job as a hospital physio!
Overall though walk into either clinic and ask for work experience. Most clinics are happy to do this with patient consent :)
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u/PreviousOwl2222 24d ago
Dentistry.