Another update

Been fairly busy lately and haven't had time to post anything. Moved from Queensland back home to Sydney. Personally I wouldn't recommend anyone move back in with their parents after years away from home but in the end I really can't complain. Leaving my old position was poignant but I'm getting better and better at letting go of things (not sure if that's good).

I've started a new position in the public system in a large hospital and I'm finding there are definite differences between public and private dentistry. Originally I was planing to work part time in the hospital and a day or two privately but they changed my offer in the hospital to full time. I'm unsure what my plan is for the future but I'm just seeing where this takes me for now.

Working in a hospital is interesting. I have found:
-There are positives and negatives to any job and any job type. Private dentistry has higher potential cash flow but has less predictable patient flow.Public dentistry will have constant patient flow and probably more interesting cases but also potentially a higher FTA rate.
-It is good to work in a place surrounded by colleagues. It's good to know that if I require advice or a second opinion there are professionals nearby that can assist. This is also available in a multi chair practice but the motivations of colleagues towards patient care are different.
-The dentistry you will produce at a public clinic is different. There isn't much that isn't available to patients (implants are possible in our specialist clinic with long waiting times and fees associated) however whatever you treatment plan, at the back of your mind will sit the idea that tax payers are paying for whatever you do and there are tends of thousands of people waiting for treatment. You have to consider that your treatment will have almost no followup and will have to last 5+ years till the patient gets off the waitlist to be seen again.
-It is liberating being able to be in charge of your books and rebook patients with the times that you need without worrying about your overheads. You can take time to communicate well and perform good dentistry. Public dentistry doesn't mean poor dentistry.
- There is a lot more paperwork and red tape compared to private practice in getting things done. In private practice, if something needs doing you just do it. In my current job there is a separate clinic for extractions where all extractions bar the simplest should be sent to be done. Emergency patients are seen in acute care and we are allowed to treat one problem only as fast as possibly as many people are waiting. Many patients seem to lie to get in because they think they can access care. Waiting is hard and leads to frustration and anger.
-We are a tertiary centre and are connected to a major hospital so we see many medically complex and non English speaking patients (requiring interpreters). Medical histories are important and take a lot of time to get through in some instances.

I am enjoying my experience so far. I will wait and see what the future brings me.