Why Do Dentists Get Paid So Much?

Dentist and other medical personnel are paid based on their knowledge.  A person without their education can not do their job.  They spend many years learning to do the job they do (a large $ investment, as well as their time).  After that, there is a large dollar investment in equipment to be able to do their job.  Then they generally have office personnel that they must pay and rent to pay to  have a place to practice their knowledge.  Add to that the cost of the insurance they must pay in order to have some assurance that if some jerk does sue them for some crazy reason they will not loose everything they have worked for years to accumulate.  I am sure I have left something out but you get the idea....they deserve what they are paid.  Of course, if you do not wish to pay them, there is always the old pliers and hammer method of denistry.

Because it's been decided to be the norm. Many other professions require just as much (and sometimes more) knowledge and skill, yet get paid far less.

Because they want to work only four days a week but still make a lot of money. That is why I will devote every penny I make for the next two weeks for a new crown that will take my dentist about an hour all told. Ask the dental lab what they charge to make the crown (you didn't think the dentist made it himself/herself, did you?) and you'll cry at the huge markup.

They get together and price fix.   That is why if you call around and ask for prices, you won't get any good numbers, just vague ranges.  They feel entitled to be wealthy because of the M.D. After their names.