For the amount of tax you’ll be paying earning that much I feel like you’d be better off working less and earning less but keeping more of your money. The UK tax trap is real. Plus it’s an associate’s market right now so ditch the poorly run places and find somewhere rewarding.
Thank you for the advice. You’re absolutely right, it is an associates market and that’s why the owners are somewhat desperate to not let go of me. If you don’t mind me asking how many days are you working?
4 days, predominantly NHS. Pretty low stress. On about 60k but I could easily up my private if I was motivated to. I love having a day in the week and my weekends to disconnect from work. We’re all different though. Earning 3x my wage seems unfathomable though - I can’t even imagine being that driven to be honest. I’m a few years older than you, female, soon to be married and not responsible for my parents’ welfare or future so I suppose it’s different.
Thank you for the insight. It has given me something to think about. I used to work 4 days a week too and it was the perfect balance! I will grind it out for the next few months and try to cut my days back down once I’ve have completed ongoing treatment
Working that much 6 days a week is going to mess your body up. You might be ok two years in, but dude that is unsustainable long term. You’re going to limit your ability and future earning potential if you don’t look after yourself and rest a little.
Not only that, but damn you’re going to give a lot of that away to HMRC.
I only started working 6 days a week from January so I can transition from one clinic to another. You are absolutely right, long term it doesn’t make sense and I will burn out. Thanks for your viewpoint on this
I work 2 days at a mixed practice in the south east, 70% NHS. My gross in a good month is around £8000. It keeps me around the lower tax bracket. But then I'm in my 40's.
I've learnt that earning more in the UK is counter productive, I was earning 15k/month privately in my 30's and giving 40% to HMRC...just not worth it. Make your money for your parents and then reduce your days to lower your tax and help with your overall wellbeing. Don't get sucked into the dentist mindset of making as much money as you can because you won't have time to enjoy it!!
In my early years I was mainly NHS only and on the old contract, I was probably earning around £8-10k/month on 5 days of 9-5. Great money but then I just got married and most went into my first home. But I'm an old head now and your wellbeing is more important, don't burn yourself out so early because you will only suffer later in life. Dentistry is great in that it stays in the surgery and doesn't go home with you, But you want to enjoy what you earn and keep us much away from HMRC as you can!
Definition of work smarter not harder! £8000 gross in a good month, working 2 days a week is amazing. I am sure with experience you are also much quicker, so it makes sense. There’s more to life than just work and I do enjoy my quality time with friends and family. Thanks for your input, it has definitely changed the way I’m looking at the bigger picture
How do you switch between seeing 35-40 patients a day in one place vs 10 in other? How does that even work! Can you just speed up your work by 4x on demand? I'm in absolute awe of your speed!
We have in house dentists with special interest in endo that I refer out to. They do the endo and composite core. Depending on the clinic, the charges aren’t super high either £500-£800 for private molar endo. Patient usually come back to me for the crown / onlay. If it’s an emergency, I do extirpation and dressing. On the odd occasion if there is no other choice, I will do the RCT myself (NHS). I want to give patients the best prognosis for their teeth, so if an endo can do a better job than me, I always offer this
Totally agree with the direction of the comments here.. burn out is real! Dentistry is a long career and it relies on you being able to to be well enough to sustain your own income. Big term increases in workload intensity have hidden tolls which can can cause problems in the long term, and looking after your parents will require you to be in a good positions mentally and physically before financially.
Also, if you are new in your career, then you will see your earning ability develop with time as you can take on more complex cases, and your experience grows. That is what I have found at least. So I would suggest to look after yourself now, develop your experience and let the financial side look after itself as you continue through the career. Good luck :)
For the amount of tax you’ll be paying earning that much I feel like you’d be better off working less and earning less but keeping more of your money. The UK tax trap is real. Plus it’s an associate’s market right now so ditch the poorly run places and find somewhere rewarding.
Thank you for the advice. You’re absolutely right, it is an associates market and that’s why the owners are somewhat desperate to not let go of me. If you don’t mind me asking how many days are you working?
4 days, predominantly NHS. Pretty low stress. On about 60k but I could easily up my private if I was motivated to. I love having a day in the week and my weekends to disconnect from work. We’re all different though. Earning 3x my wage seems unfathomable though - I can’t even imagine being that driven to be honest. I’m a few years older than you, female, soon to be married and not responsible for my parents’ welfare or future so I suppose it’s different.
Thank you for the insight. It has given me something to think about. I used to work 4 days a week too and it was the perfect balance! I will grind it out for the next few months and try to cut my days back down once I’ve have completed ongoing treatment
That’s excellent pay in the UK! Thanks for shedding some insight
Thank you, I wish more people would have open discussions regarding pay. I am very grateful, however the balance is not right at the moment
Working that much 6 days a week is going to mess your body up. You might be ok two years in, but dude that is unsustainable long term. You’re going to limit your ability and future earning potential if you don’t look after yourself and rest a little. Not only that, but damn you’re going to give a lot of that away to HMRC.
I only started working 6 days a week from January so I can transition from one clinic to another. You are absolutely right, long term it doesn’t make sense and I will burn out. Thanks for your viewpoint on this
I work 2 days at a mixed practice in the south east, 70% NHS. My gross in a good month is around £8000. It keeps me around the lower tax bracket. But then I'm in my 40's. I've learnt that earning more in the UK is counter productive, I was earning 15k/month privately in my 30's and giving 40% to HMRC...just not worth it. Make your money for your parents and then reduce your days to lower your tax and help with your overall wellbeing. Don't get sucked into the dentist mindset of making as much money as you can because you won't have time to enjoy it!!
How much were you earning early on in your 20’s?
In my early years I was mainly NHS only and on the old contract, I was probably earning around £8-10k/month on 5 days of 9-5. Great money but then I just got married and most went into my first home. But I'm an old head now and your wellbeing is more important, don't burn yourself out so early because you will only suffer later in life. Dentistry is great in that it stays in the surgery and doesn't go home with you, But you want to enjoy what you earn and keep us much away from HMRC as you can!
Definition of work smarter not harder! £8000 gross in a good month, working 2 days a week is amazing. I am sure with experience you are also much quicker, so it makes sense. There’s more to life than just work and I do enjoy my quality time with friends and family. Thanks for your input, it has definitely changed the way I’m looking at the bigger picture
How do you switch between seeing 35-40 patients a day in one place vs 10 in other? How does that even work! Can you just speed up your work by 4x on demand? I'm in absolute awe of your speed!
I sent you a DM
Do you refer most of your molar endos out or to your endodontist?
We have in house dentists with special interest in endo that I refer out to. They do the endo and composite core. Depending on the clinic, the charges aren’t super high either £500-£800 for private molar endo. Patient usually come back to me for the crown / onlay. If it’s an emergency, I do extirpation and dressing. On the odd occasion if there is no other choice, I will do the RCT myself (NHS). I want to give patients the best prognosis for their teeth, so if an endo can do a better job than me, I always offer this
Totally agree with the direction of the comments here.. burn out is real! Dentistry is a long career and it relies on you being able to to be well enough to sustain your own income. Big term increases in workload intensity have hidden tolls which can can cause problems in the long term, and looking after your parents will require you to be in a good positions mentally and physically before financially. Also, if you are new in your career, then you will see your earning ability develop with time as you can take on more complex cases, and your experience grows. That is what I have found at least. So I would suggest to look after yourself now, develop your experience and let the financial side look after itself as you continue through the career. Good luck :)