Dear RDH:
The other day I happened to see your publication in my break room and after a brief perusal, later read it cover-to-cover.
I don`t know what to think after reading your October`s "Editor`s Note." Either your head is in the clouds or stuck in the sand.
Your readership should understand your quotations of a dentist`s "average pre-tax net income of $90,000 to $151,998O represent an office gross production of at least $257,143 to $434,280 at 65 percent overhead. How can you possibly compare the investment I have of eight years of education (1996 Northwestern University Dental School first year tuition is about $24,894 and Harper College first-year tuition is about $3,000), the office I maintain, and the risk I take to a hygienist?s two years?
A dental hygiene degree represents the best return on education investment in the world. Did you see the September Wall Street Journal article? The rewards are given upfront to a hygienist with virtually no risks and you feel that?s not good enough? What?s wrong with this picture?
Neal W. Buss, DDS
Schaumburg, Illinios
Editor?s Note: The point of the article referred to above is that hygienists? salaries remain about the same over the duration of their careers. In the article?s conclusion, we merely pointed out that, after a dozen years or so, dentists apparently earn up to 68 percent more than as a Orookie.O We did not discuss Omonthly billsO dentists have to pay since that is not the point. What?s wrong with the picture is that hygienists stand a good chance of earning their original salary throughout their career.
