The Dentist’s Dilemma: Employment vs. Entrepreneurship

An intern with the prestigious Inderprastha Dental College & Hospital in New Delhi, India, was facing an important career dilemma. She has received a job offer from a well-established dental firm in New Delhi with a stable monthly salary of ₹100,000, in addition to employment benefits such as medical insurance and professional development opportunities. However, she was also considering embarking on a new entrepreneurial path by opening her own dental clinic, either in New Delhi (a Tier 1 city) or in her hometown of Bhagalpur (a Tier 2 city). For help in making her decision, the she sought financial insight from two peers, but without an accounting background she was struggling to determine which option would be more financially viable. To reach her decision, she had to weigh the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship against the security of employment, considering factors such as income potential, operational costs, long-term professional growth, and personal fulfillment.