First-year tips: Didactics, pre-clinic, clinic

Congratulations on making it into dental school! Take a moment to soak it all in because soon enough it’ll be time to get down to work. Dental school will certainly be an adjustment compared to your undergraduate studies but entering it with the right strategies and mindset can make school much easier.

Here’s what worked well for me and my fellow students during our first year.

The impact of organized dentistry

Organized dentistry describes the tripartite of dental advocacy though which many different groups work together —
at the local, state, and national levels — to improve and advance the dental profession. Dr. Stephanie Sandretti has been involved in all three levels of advocacy and remains an active member in organized dentistry.

How to stay organized and HIPAA-compliant in clinic

Starting clinic in dental school is a refreshing change of pace for students. The excitement and anticipation of treating patients also comes with the responsibility of keeping track of everything you do. For many students who are in charge of contacting their own patients to schedule appointments, it is critical to have a system in place so no one is forgotten. A missed appointment here or a rescheduled visit there can easily cause a patient to slip through the cracks if we aren’t aware of all the care we provide.