Oral Health Vs Pharmacy

[nourafh]

i found out my OP on the weekend...3. Not too happy, but not too sad either. Anyways, I'm thinking should I do Pharmacy or Oral Health, both at UQ. I am very interested in both but i'm stuck.
I like oral health because i could really see myself as a dental therapist (and i would enjoy working with kids) and i like the fact that the course is short and sweet-if i can say that?!
I like pharmacy because I think it has really good job prospects and those around me seem to be encouraging me to do pharmacy (for many reasons-not all of which i agree with).
Anyways-what should i do?? any advice is appreciated, esp from those doing Oral Health/ Pharmacy

 

[bigheadache99]

i found out my OP on the weekend...3. Not too happy, but not too sad either. Anyways, I'm thinking should I do Pharmacy or Oral Health, both at UQ. I am very interested in both but i'm stuck.

OP3 is okay! You'd be likely accepted @ GU Dent w/ a grade like that.

Between the choice of Pharmacy & Oral Health, I'd choose Pharmacy mainly b/c I've seen too many disgruntled OH Therapist/Hygienists who're dissatisfied with their scope of practice & naturally income. Many seem to feel that they play "poor cousins" to Dentists & that sentiment only builds due to their working environment around dentists. As a matter of social-standing, the Pharmacist is a bona-fide professional whereas the OH Therapists/Hygienists are considered paraprofessionals.

Here's a summary of pros & cons for each profession.

Oral Health:
Pros:
1. Dentistry-like training albeit scaled down
2. Shorter training than Pharm or Dent (far easier to enter than Pharm/Dent)
3. Good job prospects
4. Better "qualified" now: Uni-trained now VS TAFE trained previously

Cons:
1. Limited practice scope = limited income
2. Significant job dissatisfaction among OH Therapists/Hygienists
3. No guarantee or edge on a transfer to dentistry
4. Semi-autonomous practitioner, defers to dentist


Pharmacy:
Pros:
1. Medication Expert = the leader in their field
2. Possibility of owning one's business = mega $ needed to earn mega $
3. Relatively good employment in certain States/regions
4. Good pay as a salaried employee
5. Medication/healthcare counselling is part of the job
6. Virtual professional monopoly on drug supply to the public
7. First point of contact for the public on health issues = prestige

Cons:
1. Shop-keeper image is pervasive
2. No remuneration for most healthcare counselling
3. Large number of Schools = oversupply expected soon
4. Mega $ needed to open own Pharmacy (guild loan is 1 solution)
5. Emphasis on chemistry, pharmacology & pharmacokinetics = hard
6. Colesworth (supermarkets) threat of invading turf/breaking monopoly
7. Unfriendly working times (weekends) & few/no lunch breaks

Posters in the know are free to add to the list.

 

[nourafh]

thank you very much "bigheadache99" ur response is very helpful and comprehensive. the reason why i'm not going for GU dent is my not-so-flash UMAT result...but I am really interested in and passionate about healthcare, so i see pharm/Oral Health (and other non UMAT courses) as good options!
thanks again

 

[nourafh]

forgot to ask...what do u mean by: "studying: non-GU dentistry" ???

 

[bigheadache99]

forgot to ask...what do u mean by: "studying: non-GU dentistry" ???

That means, studying Dentistry not at the GU Dent Sch of profiteering.
Some anonymity was the idea.

 

[nourafh]

i was hoping u would elaborate on where u were studying dentistry...but i respect ur right to anonymity